Charles Dickens: Faith, Angels and the Poor

Having waited a long time to learn more about the faith of Charles Dickens, since finding a copy of The Life of our Lord, I was immediately attracted by the title and the publisher of this book.
Hooper sets about filling the mandate of the book by describing the life and novels of Dickens, Along the way we learn of the author's poverty as a child and how his father ended up in prison when unable to repay loans. This is echoed in many of Dickens novels and in his Christianity where he went against the thought of the day that either the poor were there because of their sins or because God had ordained it that way. To many the needy in England were undeserving of their help and the African and other nations more deserving.
Charles Dickens had many clergymen as friends and was a lifelong member of the Church of England although for some time he attended a Unitarian church as his personal faith was more in line with them.
The angels in the early books were men, one per book, but after the death of his sister in law and in the later books, they are female. One per book and denoted by their self giving love.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and have had my questions about the faith of this great writer answered.
I was given this book by NetGalley and the publisher. This is my voluntary review.

Charles Dickens wrote near the end of his life that: 'I have always striven in my writings to express
veneration for the life and lessons of our Saviour'.  He certainly did that, writing novels that enlightened Victorians about the terrible poverty in their midst and even helping to change cruel laws. He also tried to live a Christian life, helping many people and charities, agitating for change, and even starting a home for 'fallen' women.

Dickens had a religious Anglican upbringing. His parents went to church, sent him to Anglican schools and sent him to stay with an Anglican minister, the Reverend Giles and his family at one stage. The wise minister and schoolteacher and his family made a deep impression on ten-year old Charles and he became good friends with Reverend Giles's sons. His mother read him Bible stories as well and he had a good knowledge of the Bible and The Book of Common Prayer.

Dickens's time at the blacking warehouse when he was a young boy after his father was imprisoned for debt working in terrible conditions and drudgery not only made him determined to succeed but it also made him aware of what the poor had to endure.  His early careers as a legal reporter and journalist with the Morning Chronicle deepened his knowledge of laws relating to the poor and their conditions.  John Black, his editor, remembered the kindness of his young colleague when they walked through the markets and saw a poorly-dressed boy being carried by his father. As they followed the father and son, Dickens fed the boy a whole bag of cherries without his parent knowing.

 The great writer believed in a practical Christianity and that Christians had a responsibility to care for the underprivileged.  Hooper relates how Dickens used his knowledge of social conditions in his novels to awaken the social conscience of his readers who had old-fashioned ideas about poverty.  He achieved great changes with his books.  For example, there was such an outcry about the terrible Yorkshire schools after the publication of Nicholas Nickleby that the government introduced strict regulations and the worst of them were closed down.

This is an inspiring and interesting analysis of Dickens's Christianity and how he exemplified it in his life and novels.  There are detailed analyses of his novels and how he used the Christian 'angels' featured in them.    also explains Dickens's attraction to Unitarianism but his decision to stay Anglican. There is not much detail about Dickens's rather shabby treatment of his wife, however.  This is a book that is well-worth reading for any fan of Dickens or any student of Dickens.

I received this free ebook from Net Galley in return for an honest review.

EDITION    Paperback

ISBN9780745968513

PRICE        £9.99 (GBP)

If you enjoy reading Dickens, you should read this book, too. Keith Hooper is interested in examining all the many religious themes in the works of the great English writer - and you'll be interested, too, after the first few pages of "Faith, Angels and the Poor." This is a passionate, very well-researched volume that puts Dickens in an entirely new light. You'll want to start reading the man's novels all over again!

I am a huge Dickens fan and this is a wonderful companion volume for anyone who enjoys his works. Hooper explores the meaning of religion and spirituality in Dicken's novels in a passionately and well considered manner. Since reading this exploration of religion and the way in which Dickens weaves spirituality into his narratives has made me want to start a re-read project. I teach A Christmas Carol every year and love it but perhaps it is time to revisit more of his work and consider Hooper's words as I do.