Dickens Dictionary [Englisch] [Gebundene Ausgabe]

If published in 1912, a book bearing this title would have run to at least 400 pages of small print. It would clearly have been an encyclopaedia and, in the absence of any other distractions, would presumably have been pounced upon with great delight by the Dickens enthusiasts of that day with ample time at their disposal. But, in the age of kindle, standards and desires have changed. This is a small, attractive, almost pocket-sized volume, suitable for devouring in bite-sized portions on a commuter train or, in more relaxed conditions, from the depths of an armchair for a satisfying couple of hours. Dr Sutherland, adroit and savvy as ever, has come up with the ideal package for the current bi-centenary celebrations. He's delivered the goods.

In a hundred short entries running from Amuthement to Zoo Horrors, via (among other items) Bastards, Keynotes, Micawberomics, Onions, Ravens, Svengali and Trains, pleasantly embellished with contemporary illustrations, we are entertained and educated in equal measure. The style is lively. The sentences are short. So are the paragraphs. Attention is drawn to a host of items that may well have been missed in the routine perusal of a Dickens novel. Unexpected patterns are discovered. Challenging questions are abruptly posed, and -- after a moment or two's suspense or teasing -- snappy answers are usually provided. It is an engaging and invigorating encounter.

There is the odd minor lapse. Queen Victoria, we are told, is never mentioned in Dickens's fiction, although she features prodigiously in the opening paragraphs of 'Sketches of Young Couples' (1840). The author also asserts that Dickens intensely disliked both horses and horse-riders, apparently unaware of the extent to which young Boz, in the late 1830, would hire steeds from the local livery stable and, joined by John Forster, gallop off for lunch at the King's Head Inn at Chigwell, in south-west Essex -- fictionalised as the Maypole Inn in 'Barnaby Rudge' -- and back again in time for an afternoon shift at his writing-desk.

And the book does not quite live up to its title, for there are no entries under J, L, Q, U, V or X. The reader must look elsewhere (difficult, in the absence of an index) for information about Jarndyce, Lechery, Quilp, Umbrellas or Veneering (X can be excused). But take heart! There are no fewer than seventeen entries under the letter C, which obviously stands for Compensation (as well as Compeyson's Hat). A quirky, elegant and enjoyable production.

I really enjoyed theThe Dickens Dictionary_. It's a very informative as well as a very user-friendly reference. John Sutherland's wit and enthusiasm for Dickens are apparent and welcome. It would make an ideal addition to a beginning or casual Dickens readers library, an expert might not find it as useful, but would be entertained.

Since 2012 has been the bicentenary of the birth of Charles Dickens, I hoped that reading this book would prove to be a good aide mémoire, and I think that it certainly lived up to my expectations. On the whole, I enjoy reading Dickens but don't always know where his references come from, so to have a book of Dickens information on hand whilst I was reading Bleak House was particularly useful.

I think if you are a Dickens purist then this book might be filled with information you already know well, but if like me you are an occasional Dickens reader, you may find this book to be a welcome addition to your Dickens book shelf.

I think the author has conveyed the essential elements of Dickens and even though all the letters of the alphabet are not covered in the book, there is enough browsing information to be useful.