Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Charles Dickens


Cover art for CHARLES DICKENS AND THE STREET CHILDREN OF LONDON
CHILDREN'S
Released: Nov. 29, 2011

"A lively biography and an interesting lens through which to see a venerated author. (source notes, bibliography, author's note, index) (Nonfiction 10-14)"
A well-researched biography explores how Charles Dickens used his stories to effect social change for London's most destitute children. Read full book review >
Cover art for CHARLES DICKENS
NONFICTION
Released: Oct. 31, 2011

"Superbly organized, comprehensive and engrossing from start to finish—a strong contender for biography of the year."
Like Shakespeare, Charles Dickens (1812–1870) was an overachiever of genius, and his life was as eventful, dramatic and character-filled as any of his novels. Read full book review >
Cover art for BECOMING DICKENS
NONFICTION
Released: Oct. 17, 2011

"An insightful argument occasionally marred by somewhat tangential and glib analysis."
A literary biography of Charles Dickens focused on his life and work during the 1830s. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE LAST DICKENS
FICTION
Released: March 24, 2009

"A pleasing whodunit that resolves nicely, bookending Dan Simmons's novel Drood (2009) as an imaginative exercise in what might be called alternative literary history."
A rousing yarn of opium, book pirating, murder most foul, man-on-man biting and other shenanigans--and that's just for starters. Read full book review >
Cover art for DROOD
FICTION
Released: Feb. 9, 2009

"A lively entertainment, reminiscent of Nicholas Meyer's Seven-Percent Solution--and a worthy rejoinder to Dickens's swan song."
A suspenseful and spooky descent into the last days of Charles Dickens, who expired before he could complete his final novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Read full book review >
Cover art for CHARLES DICKENS
NONFICTION
Released: May 13, 2002

"A successful attempt to deepen the way we read Dickens, with clues to finding him in his own characters and words."
Pulitzer-winning novelist Smiley (Horse Heaven, 2000, etc.) brings her fluid prose to a fresh and insightful look, through a psychological lens, at the life of Dickens. Read full book review >