Join Dr John Florance as we explore why Charles Dickens remains one of the towering figures of English literature. Although best known for his unforgettable characters — from Scrooge and Pickwick to the Artful Dodger and Miss Havisham — Dickens was also a journalist, social reformer and master storyteller whose work shaped Victorian culture and continues to resonate today.

Over this course we will consider:

Dickens' great cast of eccentric and vivid characters
His passionate concern for social justice and reform
How he portrayed London and city life
His views on crime, education, religion and politics
His humour, sentiment, satire — and his deep humanity
No prior reading is required — all extracts will be provided. Whether you have read every novel or never met David Copperfield or Oliver Twist before, this is a welcoming course that celebrates Dickens’ wit, drama, compassion and storytelling genius.