{"product_id":"charles-dickens-a-life-9780143119920","title":"Charles Dickens: A Life","description":"\u003cb\u003eWith the delectable wit, unforgettable characters, and challenging themes that won her a Pulitzer Prize and national bestseller status, Jane Smiley naturally finds a kindred spirit in the author of classics such as \u003ci\u003eGreat Expectations\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eA Christmas Carol\u003c\/i\u003e. As \"his novels shaped his life as much as his life shaped his novels,\" Smiley's \u003ci\u003eCharles Dickens\u003c\/i\u003e is at once a sensitive profile of the great master and a fascinating meditation on the writing life.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e This biographical deep dive offers brilliant interpretations of almost all the major works, an exploration of Dickens's narrative techniques and his innovative voice and themes, and a reflection on how his richly varied lower-class cameos sprang from an experience and passion more personal than his public knew. Smiley's\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003eown \"demon narrative intelligence\" (\u003ci\u003eThe Boston Globe\u003c\/i\u003e) touches, too, on controversial details that include Dickens's obsession with money and squabbles with publishers, his unhappy marriage, and the rumors of an affair. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ci\u003eCharles Dickens\u003c\/i\u003e is a fresh look at the dazzling personality of a verbal magician and the fascinating times behind the classics we read in school and continue to enjoy today.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Jane Smiley\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Penguin Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 11\/29\/2011\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 224\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.4lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.10h x 5.00w x 0.70d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780143119920","brand":"Penguin Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45089335804041,"sku":"9780143119920","price":24.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0636\/9240\/6921\/files\/img_12b47423-6bd5-4642-add3-7ca63f603b2f.jpg?v=1766476372","url":"https:\/\/sonsanddaughtersbooks.com\/products\/charles-dickens-a-life-9780143119920","provider":"Sons and Daughters Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}