We welcomed over 50 members to this month’s talk by David Allen. Due to Covid protection we elected to carry out this meeting by Zoom, this kept up us all out of the rain and cold and snug on our own sofas.
What an inspirational and animated talk. David welcomed us into Charles Dickens’ life from the moment he was born, through the desperation of his early life, with his family living in the debtors prison, leaving Charles to live by himself from the age of 12 to support the family as best he could. His solace led him to amuse himself by making up stories – what a blessing that has been to us all. Charles career through his early adult life fuelled his future inspiration from various people and tombstones who then appeared in his many stories. By 25 years of age, Dickens was becoming a household name, starting with his publication of Pickwick Papers.
Charles and his wife Catherine, with 10 offspring, moved up in the world, and around the world, when he went to America, his fame had preceded him and he was welcomed by thousands when he arrived in the USA.
Charles’ life was exuberant and mischievous, all of which seems to have fed into the colourful and realistic characters in his writing. His passion being greater for his acting career than his writing.
Sadly, on 9th June 1870, he died at the age of 58 but has left a legacy that will be enjoyed for generations still to come.
A huge thanks to David Allen for a very entertaining afternoon.
Babs Cooper