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Available
Description
Boston, 1870. When news of Charles Dickens's untimely death reaches the office of his struggling American publisher, Fields & Osgood, partner James Osgood sends Daniel Sand to take possession of the unfinished novel. When Sand is killed, Osgood and Rebecca Sand journey to England determined to recover the manuscript and stop a murderous mastermind.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Carmenere
Is it at all possible that opium, murder, Bookeneers and greedy publishers played a significant part in Charles Dickens' last and perhaps unfinished novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood? Author Matthew Pearl seems to think so in his novel, The Last Dickens and weaves an intricate storyline which is
The reader travels with Dicken's during his last tour of the U.S., then on to India where the opium trade is integral to many countries and of course England where Dickens died. Where are the last installments of Edwin Drood? Who has them? Were they in fact written, if not, who will complete them? A lot of money rests on the answers and some cutthroat publishers will stop at nothing to find them.
In The Last Dickens, Matthew Pearl attributes this quote to Charles Dickens, "The books do pretend...But that is not all. Novels are filled with lies, but squeezed in between is even more that is true - without what you may call the lies, the pages would be too light for the truth, you see? The writer of books always puts himself in, his real self, but you must be careful of not taking him for his next door neighbor." It is appropriate because Pearl does a fabulous job walking in Dickens' footsteps. Fact melds with ficton and one can hardly see where one ends and the other begins.
The novel is rather slow at times and for that I would rate it a three but a four star conclusion brings it to 3 1/2 stars.
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nicely presented in a period style six installments. The reader travels with Dicken's during his last tour of the U.S., then on to India where the opium trade is integral to many countries and of course England where Dickens died. Where are the last installments of Edwin Drood? Who has them? Were they in fact written, if not, who will complete them? A lot of money rests on the answers and some cutthroat publishers will stop at nothing to find them.
In The Last Dickens, Matthew Pearl attributes this quote to Charles Dickens, "The books do pretend...But that is not all. Novels are filled with lies, but squeezed in between is even more that is true - without what you may call the lies, the pages would be too light for the truth, you see? The writer of books always puts himself in, his real self, but you must be careful of not taking him for his next door neighbor." It is appropriate because Pearl does a fabulous job walking in Dickens' footsteps. Fact melds with ficton and one can hardly see where one ends and the other begins.
The novel is rather slow at times and for that I would rate it a three but a four star conclusion brings it to 3 1/2 stars.
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LibraryThing member BookishRuth
Despite literary talent such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Oliver Wendell Holmes, Boston-based publisher Fields & Osgood is facing economic catastrophe. The publishing house’s survival may depend on their shining star, celebrated British novelist Charles Dickens. As
The unexpected death of Charles Dickens in June of 1870 leaves The Mystery of Edwin Drood unfinished. James Osgood entrusts Daniel Sand, a young but industrious clerk, with the task of retrieving Dickens’s final, incomplete manuscript as soon as it arrives in Boston. But when Daniel is found dead -- without the manuscript in his possession -- is his death simply a tragic accident or something more sinister?
With the fate of the publishing house very much in doubt, James Osgood and Rebecca Sand, Daniel’s sister and a bookkeeper at Fields & Osgood travel to England to see if Dickens left any clues as to how his final book would end. Osgood and Rebecca soon find that they are not the only ones looking for Dickens’s last work, and there is much more on the line than just a manuscript. Events that were set in motion two years earlier during Charles Dickens’s American reading tour will provide surprising answers and provoke new questions. Their journey will take them from the Dickens family home, Gadshill Place, to the opium dens of London and finally back to Boston in a deadly game of literary cat-and-mouse.
I greatly enjoyed the characters of James Osgood and Rebecca Sand but my favorite parts of the novel were the flashbacks to Charles Dickens’s American tour. Dickens is described as “a man with exclamation points for eyes” and that bubbly vitality was present in Pearl’s characterization of Dickens. There’s something universal about Charles Dickens. The endurance of his works are perfect evidence of this. I thought Matthew Pearl expressed the reasons for Dickens’s continual appeal exceptionally well in this passage:
“Dickens alone, among all the writers of popular fiction of the day, could employ wit and discernment, excitement and sympathy, in equal parts in each one of his books. The characters were no mere paper dolls, nor were they thinly veiled extensions of Charles Dickens’s own persona. No, the characters were utterly themselves. In a Dickens story, readers were not asked to aspire to a higher class or to hate other classes than their own but to find the humanity and the humane in all. That is what had made him the world’s most famous author.” -- p. 33
During most of the book, the story alternates between two main storylines: that of Osgood and Rebecca and that of Dickens’s American tour. There is also a third subplot involving Frank Dickens, the son of Charles Dickens, in India. The two main storylines come together well by the end of the novel, but I felt that Frank Dickens’s storyline needed a clearer resolution. And, while I liked Rebecca as a character, I wondered more than once if she came across as a bit too modern for the time period. If I had to sum up The Last Dickens in one word, it would be subtle. It’s a book that rewards the patient and observant reader as the story progresses. Major revelations are presented without fanfare, and somehow seem more powerful for it.
Some readers may wonder how The Last Dickens compares to Drood by Dan Simmons. If not for the common theme of Charles Dickens and his last work, I think it would be almost unfair to compare the two. They are two very different stories. I enjoyed both of them, each for their own reasons, and I can’t say that I preferred one over the other. My favorite aspect of Drood was how Victorian London came fully to life, almost as though it were a character in itself. I didn’t have the same sense of time and place with The Last Dickens, even though Boston and London were both well-portrayed. The Last Dickens shows Charles Dickens in a kinder and more objective light than the reader receives from Drood’s narrator, Wilkie Collins. I suspect that The Last Dickens will have more mass appeal due to its less intimidating length and more likable characters. Both are worth reading for anyone who enjoys literary fiction. Both are must-reads for anyone with an interest in Charles Dickens.
This was my first experience with Matthew Pearl's writing, but it most certainly will not be the last.
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Dickens’s only authorized American publisher, Fields & Osgood hope that The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Dickens’s first novel in five years, will bolster sales enough to avoid financial ruin.The unexpected death of Charles Dickens in June of 1870 leaves The Mystery of Edwin Drood unfinished. James Osgood entrusts Daniel Sand, a young but industrious clerk, with the task of retrieving Dickens’s final, incomplete manuscript as soon as it arrives in Boston. But when Daniel is found dead -- without the manuscript in his possession -- is his death simply a tragic accident or something more sinister?
With the fate of the publishing house very much in doubt, James Osgood and Rebecca Sand, Daniel’s sister and a bookkeeper at Fields & Osgood travel to England to see if Dickens left any clues as to how his final book would end. Osgood and Rebecca soon find that they are not the only ones looking for Dickens’s last work, and there is much more on the line than just a manuscript. Events that were set in motion two years earlier during Charles Dickens’s American reading tour will provide surprising answers and provoke new questions. Their journey will take them from the Dickens family home, Gadshill Place, to the opium dens of London and finally back to Boston in a deadly game of literary cat-and-mouse.
I greatly enjoyed the characters of James Osgood and Rebecca Sand but my favorite parts of the novel were the flashbacks to Charles Dickens’s American tour. Dickens is described as “a man with exclamation points for eyes” and that bubbly vitality was present in Pearl’s characterization of Dickens. There’s something universal about Charles Dickens. The endurance of his works are perfect evidence of this. I thought Matthew Pearl expressed the reasons for Dickens’s continual appeal exceptionally well in this passage:
“Dickens alone, among all the writers of popular fiction of the day, could employ wit and discernment, excitement and sympathy, in equal parts in each one of his books. The characters were no mere paper dolls, nor were they thinly veiled extensions of Charles Dickens’s own persona. No, the characters were utterly themselves. In a Dickens story, readers were not asked to aspire to a higher class or to hate other classes than their own but to find the humanity and the humane in all. That is what had made him the world’s most famous author.” -- p. 33
During most of the book, the story alternates between two main storylines: that of Osgood and Rebecca and that of Dickens’s American tour. There is also a third subplot involving Frank Dickens, the son of Charles Dickens, in India. The two main storylines come together well by the end of the novel, but I felt that Frank Dickens’s storyline needed a clearer resolution. And, while I liked Rebecca as a character, I wondered more than once if she came across as a bit too modern for the time period. If I had to sum up The Last Dickens in one word, it would be subtle. It’s a book that rewards the patient and observant reader as the story progresses. Major revelations are presented without fanfare, and somehow seem more powerful for it.
Some readers may wonder how The Last Dickens compares to Drood by Dan Simmons. If not for the common theme of Charles Dickens and his last work, I think it would be almost unfair to compare the two. They are two very different stories. I enjoyed both of them, each for their own reasons, and I can’t say that I preferred one over the other. My favorite aspect of Drood was how Victorian London came fully to life, almost as though it were a character in itself. I didn’t have the same sense of time and place with The Last Dickens, even though Boston and London were both well-portrayed. The Last Dickens shows Charles Dickens in a kinder and more objective light than the reader receives from Drood’s narrator, Wilkie Collins. I suspect that The Last Dickens will have more mass appeal due to its less intimidating length and more likable characters. Both are worth reading for anyone who enjoys literary fiction. Both are must-reads for anyone with an interest in Charles Dickens.
This was my first experience with Matthew Pearl's writing, but it most certainly will not be the last.
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LibraryThing member Dorritt
Couldn’t resist the combination of two of my favorite things: Charles Dickens and a good mystery. Found the parts about Charles Dickens worthwhile, but the mystery was a disappointment.
The plot, such as it is: Charles Dickens has died, and his U.S. publishing house faces a quandary. The young lad
My favorite chapters of the book re-create Dickens’ final U.S. tour. One thing Pearl has always done well is stuff his novels with authentic period detail, and his depiction of America’s obsession with Dickens is refreshingly faithful to the historical record. As a bibliophile myself, I love imagining a time when Americans stood in block-long lines, sometimes overnight, for tickets to hear authors perform dramatic readings from their canon. Pearl also incorporates some interesting insight into the state of the publishing industry and copywrite law in the mid/late 1800s.
However, the pleasure I derived from these chapters wasn’t enough to reconcile me to the book’s many deficits, to include numerous plot holes (I’m sorry, but seriously – in the real world, there’s no way Osgood & Rebecca arrive in England before the pirated pages are on their way to the U.S. by a ship headed in the opposite direction), tangential subplots (one gets the sense that the bits set in Bengal have more to do with Pearl showing off his scholarship than actual plot development), a pair of protagonists as lively as cardboard cutouts (not much smarter than cardboard cutouts, come to that), a romantic subplot entirely lacking in passion, and an over-reliance on improbability that, by the end of the story, borders on preposterous. I get that Pearl is trying to weave the plot of Edwin Drood into the tale, but instead of a seamless garment, this reads more like a quilt fashioned out of pieces that don't quite fit.
In other words, I can’t in good conscious recommend this as a worthwhile read. I can, however, hope that folks who complete the tale will be inspired to read the real Edwin Drood and draw their own conclusions: is Edwin dead and stuffed in a church crypt, or laying quietly in wait until he can safety expose his uncle’s perfidy? Whatever ending Dickens intended, I’m confident it would have been more satisfying than this uneven outing.
The plot, such as it is: Charles Dickens has died, and his U.S. publishing house faces a quandary. The young lad
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who was supposed to deliver to them the initial chapters of Dickens’ last work, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, has himself died under mysterious circumstances, before he could complete the expected delivery. What to do but to send a representative of the publisher (accompanied by a comely young company bookkeeper) to England to retrieve the chapters before they’re pirated by unethical U.S. competitors? And, as long as they’re there, why not investigate the possibility that Dickens actually completed the final chapters, but secreted them away?My favorite chapters of the book re-create Dickens’ final U.S. tour. One thing Pearl has always done well is stuff his novels with authentic period detail, and his depiction of America’s obsession with Dickens is refreshingly faithful to the historical record. As a bibliophile myself, I love imagining a time when Americans stood in block-long lines, sometimes overnight, for tickets to hear authors perform dramatic readings from their canon. Pearl also incorporates some interesting insight into the state of the publishing industry and copywrite law in the mid/late 1800s.
However, the pleasure I derived from these chapters wasn’t enough to reconcile me to the book’s many deficits, to include numerous plot holes (I’m sorry, but seriously – in the real world, there’s no way Osgood & Rebecca arrive in England before the pirated pages are on their way to the U.S. by a ship headed in the opposite direction), tangential subplots (one gets the sense that the bits set in Bengal have more to do with Pearl showing off his scholarship than actual plot development), a pair of protagonists as lively as cardboard cutouts (not much smarter than cardboard cutouts, come to that), a romantic subplot entirely lacking in passion, and an over-reliance on improbability that, by the end of the story, borders on preposterous. I get that Pearl is trying to weave the plot of Edwin Drood into the tale, but instead of a seamless garment, this reads more like a quilt fashioned out of pieces that don't quite fit.
In other words, I can’t in good conscious recommend this as a worthwhile read. I can, however, hope that folks who complete the tale will be inspired to read the real Edwin Drood and draw their own conclusions: is Edwin dead and stuffed in a church crypt, or laying quietly in wait until he can safety expose his uncle’s perfidy? Whatever ending Dickens intended, I’m confident it would have been more satisfying than this uneven outing.
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LibraryThing member TheCrowdedLeaf
Set in alternating time periods of 1870 post-Charles Dickens’s death, and 1867 during his American reading tour, The Last Dickens is Matthew Pearl’s idea of what could have happened to the last six installments of the last novel ever written by Dickens: The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Taking real
The book opens in Bengal, India in June 1870 and introduces us to two mounted policemen, Mason and Turner, who sadly don’t have much to do with the rest of the book. Yes they come back, but the parts set in India serve only to illustrate the booming opium trade (central to The Mystery of Edwin Drood) and introduce one of Charles Dickens’s sons, Francis. Neither Francis, nor Mason and Turner have a huge role in the remaining novel, so I am not certain why this was the first chapter of the first installment, nor really why they were there to begin with.
Then we meet the team of Fields and Osgood, Dickens’s American publishers who are struggling to stay in business and keep their Dickens to themselves. Sent on a mission for the two publishers, Daniel Sand, their clerk, dies while trying to receive the latest Dickens installments (numbers five and six) from England. Sand is run over after being chased by a scary man from India, and Osgood must travel to England with Sand’s sister, Rebecca, to unravel the enigma behind the end of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. They go searching for clues to see if Dickens perhaps had an idea of how Drood was to end so they can publish the true ending before poachers swoop in. Sand’s death is used as a way of making the book intriguing, of uniting Osgood and Rebecca, and giving them a reason to travel to England together. There’s also a lawyer who dies, some “Bookaneers” who hangout at the docks trying to steal novels from each other for publishers, and a crazy lady who stalks Dickens during his tour thrown in for the mix.
Basically, there was a LOT going on in this novel, which normally I enjoy because I like to piece all the puzzle parts together on my own, but this was a little overwhelming. Lots of strings that were neatly tied at the end, but left me aggravated wondering why they were there to begin with. I think Pearl tried too hard with Dickens to make a good, natural mystery into something more sensational. The India and opium trade plotlines served only to fill space, and the lady stalking Dickens served only as a means to an end for the question of whether Dickens had already written the second half of Drood.
In general, I was underwhelmed by this book. I loved Pearl’s The Dante Club and would place this book below that, but above his second book, The Poe Shadow. It all seemed a tad scattered to me, but I do want to go read The Mystery of Edwin Drood now.
3 stars
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facts and blending them with research, The Last Dickens is a fun mystery that makes you more of a Dickens fan than a Matthew Pearl fan, but it’s still decent enough.The book opens in Bengal, India in June 1870 and introduces us to two mounted policemen, Mason and Turner, who sadly don’t have much to do with the rest of the book. Yes they come back, but the parts set in India serve only to illustrate the booming opium trade (central to The Mystery of Edwin Drood) and introduce one of Charles Dickens’s sons, Francis. Neither Francis, nor Mason and Turner have a huge role in the remaining novel, so I am not certain why this was the first chapter of the first installment, nor really why they were there to begin with.
Then we meet the team of Fields and Osgood, Dickens’s American publishers who are struggling to stay in business and keep their Dickens to themselves. Sent on a mission for the two publishers, Daniel Sand, their clerk, dies while trying to receive the latest Dickens installments (numbers five and six) from England. Sand is run over after being chased by a scary man from India, and Osgood must travel to England with Sand’s sister, Rebecca, to unravel the enigma behind the end of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. They go searching for clues to see if Dickens perhaps had an idea of how Drood was to end so they can publish the true ending before poachers swoop in. Sand’s death is used as a way of making the book intriguing, of uniting Osgood and Rebecca, and giving them a reason to travel to England together. There’s also a lawyer who dies, some “Bookaneers” who hangout at the docks trying to steal novels from each other for publishers, and a crazy lady who stalks Dickens during his tour thrown in for the mix.
Basically, there was a LOT going on in this novel, which normally I enjoy because I like to piece all the puzzle parts together on my own, but this was a little overwhelming. Lots of strings that were neatly tied at the end, but left me aggravated wondering why they were there to begin with. I think Pearl tried too hard with Dickens to make a good, natural mystery into something more sensational. The India and opium trade plotlines served only to fill space, and the lady stalking Dickens served only as a means to an end for the question of whether Dickens had already written the second half of Drood.
In general, I was underwhelmed by this book. I loved Pearl’s The Dante Club and would place this book below that, but above his second book, The Poe Shadow. It all seemed a tad scattered to me, but I do want to go read The Mystery of Edwin Drood now.
3 stars
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LibraryThing member DevourerOfBooks
Evidently Charles Dickens’ last novel, “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” is a very popular topic right now. Like Dan Simmons’ latest novel, “Drood,” “The Last Dickens” is centered around this unfinished final novel of Dickens. When Dickens dies halfway through “The Mystery of Edwin
I thought “The Last Dickens” to be far more enjoyable than Pearl’s last book, “The Poe Shadow.” However, I think that his first novel, “The Dante Club” is still his best. I appreciated that “The Last Dickens” returned to the same sphere as “The Dante Club,” with many of the same characters reappearing. The stories were also somewhat more similar - a murder mystery and someone recreating parts of a deceased author’s works in real life - without seeming derivative of one another. There were three main threads of story, which was a bit obnoxious at the beginning, but two of them eventually pulled together nicely. The third, the story of Dickens’ son in India, seemed to provide nothing but some rather unnecessary (in my view) historical context to the story.
Even though I figured out the main twist a good ways before the end of the book, “The Last Dickens” was enjoyable. If you like Dickens or you enjoyed Drood, I would guess that you would like this book.
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Drood,” his American publishers Fields, Osgood, & Co are desperately worried. Harper Brothers, a predatory New York publishing house, has already threatened to print cheaper, unauthorized versions of this latest Dickens phenomenon and with the author’s death, it is likely they will see no reason to honor Fields, Osgood, & Co’s exclusivity agreement with Dickens. Add this to the pure intellectual curiousity of wanting to know the fate that Dickens envisioned for Edwin Drood, and the publishers decide to do something, sending Osgood to London in order to try to find some hint of Dickens’ intentions.I thought “The Last Dickens” to be far more enjoyable than Pearl’s last book, “The Poe Shadow.” However, I think that his first novel, “The Dante Club” is still his best. I appreciated that “The Last Dickens” returned to the same sphere as “The Dante Club,” with many of the same characters reappearing. The stories were also somewhat more similar - a murder mystery and someone recreating parts of a deceased author’s works in real life - without seeming derivative of one another. There were three main threads of story, which was a bit obnoxious at the beginning, but two of them eventually pulled together nicely. The third, the story of Dickens’ son in India, seemed to provide nothing but some rather unnecessary (in my view) historical context to the story.
Even though I figured out the main twist a good ways before the end of the book, “The Last Dickens” was enjoyable. If you like Dickens or you enjoyed Drood, I would guess that you would like this book.
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LibraryThing member samfsmith
Pearl has made a career out of writing novels about literary mysteries. He has written a novel about a translation of Dante, about Edgar Allen Poe’s death, and this novel, which deals with the end of the life of Charles Dickens and the end of his unfinished novel, the Mystery of Edwin Drood.
Pearl
A “solution” to Dickens unfinished novel is proposed, one involving real characters that Dickens supposedly based his novel on. Overall it’s a good read, probably the best of the Pearl literary mysteries.
Pearl
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chooses as a protagonist the publisher of Dickens novels in Boston. The seamier side of the publishing industry is revealed, at a time when there was no international copyright law and the theft of manuscripts was common. The plot involves the publisher traveling to England to search for the end of the unfinished novel. It is, of course, a little contrived, but entertaining. Flashbacks include Dickens last reading tour of America, and a glimpse of the English opium trade in India. Opium plays a large part in Dickens novel, so Pearl uses it to good advantage in his novel.A “solution” to Dickens unfinished novel is proposed, one involving real characters that Dickens supposedly based his novel on. Overall it’s a good read, probably the best of the Pearl literary mysteries.
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LibraryThing member thetometraveller
In 1870 American publishing firms raced to obtain copies of new European books. The copyright laws did not stretch to international works, so there was no regulation prohibiting a competing firm from printing any book. There was great competition amongst the big publishing firms to be the first to
When Charles Dickens died suddenly on June 9, 1870 he was only half finished with the book that would be his last: The Mystery of Edwin Drood. His American publishing house, the Boston firm of Fields, Osgood & Co, is anxiously awaiting the first half of the book to be delivered by ship. Young Daniel Sand, the assistant who was sent to the dock to pick up the pages, is killed on his way back to the offices. His death looks like an opium overdose, though his sister Rebecca, who also works at the company, knows that he was no addict.
The pages are replaced fairly easily, but Fields and Osgood both know that rival firm Harper & Brothers is breathing down their necks and will publish the first half of the book themselves as soon as the six installments comprising the first half of the book are published. The author's death means that the final six installments will never be written. Then they are inspired by a fantastic idea. If they go to England perhaps they can learn something about what the ending of the novel would have been. Armed with this information, Fields, Osgood & Co. would be in the enviable position of having exclusive content and would be assured of a bestseller, something their struggling firm badly needs.
Originally, Fields was to have made the trip as senior partner. But he decides to send young James Osgood instead, along with Rebecca Sand as secretary. James is attacked on the ship going to London. The culprit, a swarthy fellow with a deadly walking stick, is captured and held in the ship's hold. Before they dock in England, though, the fellow has inexplicably escaped.
They have not seen the last of him. James and Rebecca take rooms at the inn across from Dickens' home, Gadshill Place. They have permission from the family to execute a search of the author's papers, though no one has any idea what the author's plans were for the last half of the novel. They find a few tiny clues, but not even the Queen of England was told how the book would end (Dickens offered to tell her, but she preferred to wait and read the installments with the rest of the British public).
As their search widens, they encounter more strange and eccentric people while following the twisting trail of Edwin Drood. Their time is running out, the last of the six installments will soon be published and they will have nothing to add to the final published book. Desperate to succeed, James accompanies a lunatic into London's violent opium dens, hoping to find more information...if he survives.
I really loved this fascinating mystery. It has everything, from a eye-opening look at the publishing industry of the period, both in America and England, to an equally hair raising lesson in the opium industry. I had no idea that whole areas of India were commanded by the ruling British government to grow nothing but poppies for the development of opium. Nothing else could be grown, not even food, so whole villages starved as a result.
The characters in the book are equally interesting (many of them were, of course, actual people), vividly drawn and so true to life that I sometimes felt I was reading non-fiction - though real life is seldom as action-packed as this book! Matthew Pearl has all his historical facts right and he blends them artfully into an absorbing, fast-paced thriller of a tale. Go and get The Last Dickens...you won't be disappointed!
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print popular new works.When Charles Dickens died suddenly on June 9, 1870 he was only half finished with the book that would be his last: The Mystery of Edwin Drood. His American publishing house, the Boston firm of Fields, Osgood & Co, is anxiously awaiting the first half of the book to be delivered by ship. Young Daniel Sand, the assistant who was sent to the dock to pick up the pages, is killed on his way back to the offices. His death looks like an opium overdose, though his sister Rebecca, who also works at the company, knows that he was no addict.
The pages are replaced fairly easily, but Fields and Osgood both know that rival firm Harper & Brothers is breathing down their necks and will publish the first half of the book themselves as soon as the six installments comprising the first half of the book are published. The author's death means that the final six installments will never be written. Then they are inspired by a fantastic idea. If they go to England perhaps they can learn something about what the ending of the novel would have been. Armed with this information, Fields, Osgood & Co. would be in the enviable position of having exclusive content and would be assured of a bestseller, something their struggling firm badly needs.
Originally, Fields was to have made the trip as senior partner. But he decides to send young James Osgood instead, along with Rebecca Sand as secretary. James is attacked on the ship going to London. The culprit, a swarthy fellow with a deadly walking stick, is captured and held in the ship's hold. Before they dock in England, though, the fellow has inexplicably escaped.
They have not seen the last of him. James and Rebecca take rooms at the inn across from Dickens' home, Gadshill Place. They have permission from the family to execute a search of the author's papers, though no one has any idea what the author's plans were for the last half of the novel. They find a few tiny clues, but not even the Queen of England was told how the book would end (Dickens offered to tell her, but she preferred to wait and read the installments with the rest of the British public).
As their search widens, they encounter more strange and eccentric people while following the twisting trail of Edwin Drood. Their time is running out, the last of the six installments will soon be published and they will have nothing to add to the final published book. Desperate to succeed, James accompanies a lunatic into London's violent opium dens, hoping to find more information...if he survives.
I really loved this fascinating mystery. It has everything, from a eye-opening look at the publishing industry of the period, both in America and England, to an equally hair raising lesson in the opium industry. I had no idea that whole areas of India were commanded by the ruling British government to grow nothing but poppies for the development of opium. Nothing else could be grown, not even food, so whole villages starved as a result.
The characters in the book are equally interesting (many of them were, of course, actual people), vividly drawn and so true to life that I sometimes felt I was reading non-fiction - though real life is seldom as action-packed as this book! Matthew Pearl has all his historical facts right and he blends them artfully into an absorbing, fast-paced thriller of a tale. Go and get The Last Dickens...you won't be disappointed!
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LibraryThing member debs4jc
Dicken's fans shouldn't miss this one.I enjoyed this novel for giving me a new perspective on Dickens and his life and his works. The mystery surrounding Edwin Drood and the way the author surmises a 'real life' scenario that explains how the story might have ended is fascinating. It is a bit slow
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to take off--I especially got confused by the bits about Dicken's son in India, not knowing how that figured into the story. When the mystery of the 'real life' Drood began to take shape it became hard to stop listening. It made me want to read more Dickens--and that's a good thing! Show Less
LibraryThing member pierthinker
In his previous novels Matthew Pearl has revealed a talent for literary (i.e., intelligent and thought-provoking) historical mysteries. Set in and around late 19th century Boston both books bring the time, place and people to life and reflect the literary styles of the famous participants in the
Turning to Dickens for this third novel has proved a mistake. The link between Dickens and Boston is too weak. That he spent time there is indisputable, but as an outsider he can never be part of the whirling society of that city. Pearl knows 19th century Boston inside out, but London and India, not so well. There are some typical USA howlers about life in England. Nothing seems to connect the Indian episodes to the rest of the book. Nothing is made of the connection between Dickens in Boston and his son’s work in India.
The plot moves quickly and is as twisty-turny as anyone could want. The problem is there is no conviction in it. Ultimately, we do not care enough about what is happening, why or to whom. Dickens as a character does not come across strongly enough, although he beats out Rebecca, who is hardly more than her name.
Historical fact and fiction are mixed well and the story is exciting and readable with plenty of loose ends to bring together and this done well. I enjoyed the book and read it quite quickly. I just don’t think it a patch on his other work.
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mysteries to be solved.Turning to Dickens for this third novel has proved a mistake. The link between Dickens and Boston is too weak. That he spent time there is indisputable, but as an outsider he can never be part of the whirling society of that city. Pearl knows 19th century Boston inside out, but London and India, not so well. There are some typical USA howlers about life in England. Nothing seems to connect the Indian episodes to the rest of the book. Nothing is made of the connection between Dickens in Boston and his son’s work in India.
The plot moves quickly and is as twisty-turny as anyone could want. The problem is there is no conviction in it. Ultimately, we do not care enough about what is happening, why or to whom. Dickens as a character does not come across strongly enough, although he beats out Rebecca, who is hardly more than her name.
Historical fact and fiction are mixed well and the story is exciting and readable with plenty of loose ends to bring together and this done well. I enjoyed the book and read it quite quickly. I just don’t think it a patch on his other work.
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LibraryThing member jlhilljr
As literary fiction goes, it was pretty good. Though the "surprise" regarding one of the characters was fairly easy to see coming, the characters and plot were both fairly well developed. This is much better than Pearl's last book, The Poe Shadow, but not nearly as good as The Dante Club (which I
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highly recommend). If you enjoy this book, check out Dan Simmons' "Drood." Show Less
LibraryThing member nycbookgirl
This is one of those books that is just right up my alley. It's got historical-fiction, mystery, murder, a literary celebrity, and just plain good characters. And don't worry if you've never read anything by Charles Dickens. After reading this, though, you may want to start.
The story starts off
It's left to one of the partners of Dickens' American publishers, James Osgood, to track down and see if Dickens left any notes or papers revealing how the story would end. They are racing against thieves and unsavory characters who will publish their own versions and who will even murder to get their hands on the valuable document.
I enjoyed this novel on so many different levels. First of all, this is a fun mystery adventure filled with thieves, creepy villains, opium dens...all that is great in a Dickens novel. James Osgood and his assistant Rebecca Sands are just an awesome hero/heroine duo. I loved the insight into the cut-throat publishing world of the 19th Century. I had no clue that the U.S. was such a breeding ground for unauthorized printing.
But my favorite aspect of this book was all that I learned about Charles Dickens. There is one segment that flashes back a few years to when Dickens did a whirl-wind American tour. I had no clue how huge of a celebrity he was back then. I mean HUGE. I really want to know more about him. And his story is one of those things where fact really is more crazy than fiction. For instance, he was in this huge train accident and miraculously survived, even helped to save other passengers. But the whole experience haunted him tremendously. Five years later, to the day, he passed away. And this is just ONE of the crazy things I learned about him.
So again, you don't have read any of Charles Dickens novels to enjoy this one. But it inspired me to read some. I'm in the middle of reading The Mystery of Edwin Drood right now and am really enjoying it. It's actually pretty humorous as well.
The story starts off
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just after the death of Charles Dickens. His death has caused quite the stir, not just because of his popularity but because he left his latest novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, unfinished. Back then, many novels were published segments at a time as serials. So everyone knew that the title character, Edwin Drood, had been murdered by his uncle. But how did the story end? This was particularly aggravating to his London and American publishers.It's left to one of the partners of Dickens' American publishers, James Osgood, to track down and see if Dickens left any notes or papers revealing how the story would end. They are racing against thieves and unsavory characters who will publish their own versions and who will even murder to get their hands on the valuable document.
I enjoyed this novel on so many different levels. First of all, this is a fun mystery adventure filled with thieves, creepy villains, opium dens...all that is great in a Dickens novel. James Osgood and his assistant Rebecca Sands are just an awesome hero/heroine duo. I loved the insight into the cut-throat publishing world of the 19th Century. I had no clue that the U.S. was such a breeding ground for unauthorized printing.
But my favorite aspect of this book was all that I learned about Charles Dickens. There is one segment that flashes back a few years to when Dickens did a whirl-wind American tour. I had no clue how huge of a celebrity he was back then. I mean HUGE. I really want to know more about him. And his story is one of those things where fact really is more crazy than fiction. For instance, he was in this huge train accident and miraculously survived, even helped to save other passengers. But the whole experience haunted him tremendously. Five years later, to the day, he passed away. And this is just ONE of the crazy things I learned about him.
So again, you don't have read any of Charles Dickens novels to enjoy this one. But it inspired me to read some. I'm in the middle of reading The Mystery of Edwin Drood right now and am really enjoying it. It's actually pretty humorous as well.
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LibraryThing member sagustocox
Matthew Pearl's The Last Dickens is one of a number of books about Charles Dickens' last, albeit unfinished novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. But what sets this novel apart from its compatriots is Pearl's ability to build suspense and extrapolate from historical events to create a palpable
"A man stretched out on a crusty, ragged couch granted them admission into a corridor, after which they ascended a narrow stairs where every board groaned at their steps; perhaps out of despair, perhaps to warn the inhabitants." (Page 199 of hardcover)
Charles Dickens' final, incomplete novel--he only completed six installments--caused a great deal of controversy as to whether the author indeed had not finished the manuscript, which in those days were released in installments. Pearl mimics this method by breaking up the narration into separate installments--from the Boston publishing house, Dickens' American tour, Dickens' son Frank in India at the height of the opium trade, and in England as Dickens' American publisher Mr. Osgood with his bookkeeper Rebecca Sand search for the lost installments and the true end of Dickens' final novel.
"At the top of the stick was an exotic and ugly golden idol, the head of a beast, a horn rising from the top, terrible mouth agape, sparks of fire shooting from its outstretched tongue. It was mesmerizing to behold. Not just because of its shining ugliness, but also because it was such a contrast to the stranger's own mouth, mostly hidden under an ear-to-ear mustache. The man's lips barely managed to pry open his mouth when he spoke." (Page 8 of hardcover)
Pearl includes an examination of the historical accuracies in the novel and which characters were pure fiction or modified historical figures. One part mystery, one part historical fiction, and one part crime novel, The Last Dickens weaves a complex and detailed story that holds readers rapt attention from beginning to end.
While the chapters involving Frank Dickens' time in India uncovering an opium trade are not as prominent as some of the other narratives, it is intricately connected to the main story. However, some readers could find these chapters frustrating because of the gap between those chapters, which could either leave readers frustrated that the tale of Frank Dickens is dropped or anxious for its conclusion. Most readers are likely to err on the side of anxiety, wanting to know more.
"There are many reasons murder is not always found out, and they are not always for cunning. The reason might be the fatigue among those who have been deadened on the inside." (Page 264 of hardcover)
Osgood is not easily swayed when he is hot on the trail of the missing installments and the end of Dickens' novel, and as each layer of the mystery is peeled back for the reader, the dark, cutthroat publishing industry is revealed. Bookaneers are the bottom feeders of the publishing industry, waiting on the docks for the latest installments from the Old World, while publishing giants from New York, like Harper, are eager to acquire these installments by any means necessary and at the expense of their competitors.
The Last Dickens is not just about an unfinished novel or the dark side of publishing. It also takes a look at human conviction in the face of adversity and how perseverance and a moral compass can yield surprising results. Pearl is a mystery master, and ,i>The Last Dickens will not disappoint its readers.
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underbelly of the publishing world. "A man stretched out on a crusty, ragged couch granted them admission into a corridor, after which they ascended a narrow stairs where every board groaned at their steps; perhaps out of despair, perhaps to warn the inhabitants." (Page 199 of hardcover)
Charles Dickens' final, incomplete novel--he only completed six installments--caused a great deal of controversy as to whether the author indeed had not finished the manuscript, which in those days were released in installments. Pearl mimics this method by breaking up the narration into separate installments--from the Boston publishing house, Dickens' American tour, Dickens' son Frank in India at the height of the opium trade, and in England as Dickens' American publisher Mr. Osgood with his bookkeeper Rebecca Sand search for the lost installments and the true end of Dickens' final novel.
"At the top of the stick was an exotic and ugly golden idol, the head of a beast, a horn rising from the top, terrible mouth agape, sparks of fire shooting from its outstretched tongue. It was mesmerizing to behold. Not just because of its shining ugliness, but also because it was such a contrast to the stranger's own mouth, mostly hidden under an ear-to-ear mustache. The man's lips barely managed to pry open his mouth when he spoke." (Page 8 of hardcover)
Pearl includes an examination of the historical accuracies in the novel and which characters were pure fiction or modified historical figures. One part mystery, one part historical fiction, and one part crime novel, The Last Dickens weaves a complex and detailed story that holds readers rapt attention from beginning to end.
While the chapters involving Frank Dickens' time in India uncovering an opium trade are not as prominent as some of the other narratives, it is intricately connected to the main story. However, some readers could find these chapters frustrating because of the gap between those chapters, which could either leave readers frustrated that the tale of Frank Dickens is dropped or anxious for its conclusion. Most readers are likely to err on the side of anxiety, wanting to know more.
"There are many reasons murder is not always found out, and they are not always for cunning. The reason might be the fatigue among those who have been deadened on the inside." (Page 264 of hardcover)
Osgood is not easily swayed when he is hot on the trail of the missing installments and the end of Dickens' novel, and as each layer of the mystery is peeled back for the reader, the dark, cutthroat publishing industry is revealed. Bookaneers are the bottom feeders of the publishing industry, waiting on the docks for the latest installments from the Old World, while publishing giants from New York, like Harper, are eager to acquire these installments by any means necessary and at the expense of their competitors.
The Last Dickens is not just about an unfinished novel or the dark side of publishing. It also takes a look at human conviction in the face of adversity and how perseverance and a moral compass can yield surprising results. Pearl is a mystery master, and ,i>The Last Dickens will not disappoint its readers.
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LibraryThing member riverwillow
This is an interesting novel full of nineteenth century atmosphere. There is much to like in this novel - the Bookaneers, the scenes set in Boston, the mystery surrounding the existence, or not, of an ending to 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood'. The main plot of the book is also interesting and
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inventive and Pearl's solution to the ending of the book is well thought out. But I found the sections set around Frank Dickens in India, fairly pointless and a distraction from the plot. I'm also not convinced by the flashback sections describing the events of Dickens's last US tour as these felt cumbersome. But on balance, as the portrayal of the ruthlessness of the US publishing industry in the late nineteenth century, is so fascinating, especially as many of the names, Harper, Little Brown, are still familiar to us today, I have to say that I enjoyed this book. There are some insightful scenes which describe Dickens's, Field's and Osgood's manoeuvres as they attempt to protect Dickens rights in the US and try to prevent other US publisher from undermining this. Show Less
LibraryThing member devenish
'The Last Dickens' of the title is of course Charles Dickens unfinished book,'The Mystery of Edwin Dood'.
Matthew Pearl's latest literary thriller proposes that possibly the missing parts are still in existence.We follow the trail of the manuscript in the company of James Osgood who is Dickens
There are quite a few good atmospheric set-pieces throughout the book and the historical figures and fictional characters blend well together.The opium connections are well done as is the section dealing with Charles Dickens stalker.
So,over-all a satisfying read,which just misses being a top-rater.
Matthew Pearl's latest literary thriller proposes that possibly the missing parts are still in existence.We follow the trail of the manuscript in the company of James Osgood who is Dickens
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American publisher and his assistant Rebecca Sand. There are quite a few good atmospheric set-pieces throughout the book and the historical figures and fictional characters blend well together.The opium connections are well done as is the section dealing with Charles Dickens stalker.
So,over-all a satisfying read,which just misses being a top-rater.
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LibraryThing member FMRox
Bostonian publisher seeks to find the missing portions of Charles Dickens last novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, which go missing immediately after his sudden death. Along the way many mysteries ensue surrounding the last two years of Charles Dickens life.
Although the plot is somewhat dragging at
Although the plot is somewhat dragging at
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points, I really enjoy this historical mystery. Pearl's history is suppose to be fairly accurate but the more interesting part is the fiction surrounding the history. He paints some very interesting characters in this novel. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookmagic
June 9, 1870. Charles Dickens has just died. He was in the process of writing his first mystery novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. His American publishers, Fields and Osgood are awaiting the latest installment of Drood. Daniel Sand, their office clerk has been sent to retrieve these installments
My review: This book was perfect timing for me as I had just finished Drood by Dan Simmons. The Last Dickens seemed to pick up where that left off. It was very fast paced and engaging. Osgood searches Dicken's home and office for any notes about how the famous author had intended to end the mystery in his novel. Everyone has an opinion as to how it was meant to end. As Dickens based most of his characters on people he knew in real life, Osgood searches for his inspiration.
There is lots of intrigue, mystery, dark characters, and a smidge of romance in this work. Pearl tells a great tale based on historical facts and takes us around London and Boston on this quest. I quite enjoyed this, though I would have to say I liked Drood better. But I would still definitely recommend this.
my rating 4.5/5
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coming from London. But he is killed on the docks and the pages are missing. Even though Osgood is able to get them sent again from London, Fields and Osgood fear that their publishing house could go under without the final installment. James Osgood also suspects foul play in Daniel's death. He leaves for London, with Rebecca, Daniel's sister, to see if he can find the ending to Dicken's last novel.My review: This book was perfect timing for me as I had just finished Drood by Dan Simmons. The Last Dickens seemed to pick up where that left off. It was very fast paced and engaging. Osgood searches Dicken's home and office for any notes about how the famous author had intended to end the mystery in his novel. Everyone has an opinion as to how it was meant to end. As Dickens based most of his characters on people he knew in real life, Osgood searches for his inspiration.
There is lots of intrigue, mystery, dark characters, and a smidge of romance in this work. Pearl tells a great tale based on historical facts and takes us around London and Boston on this quest. I quite enjoyed this, though I would have to say I liked Drood better. But I would still definitely recommend this.
my rating 4.5/5
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LibraryThing member RABooktalker
In this novel Matthew Pearl speculates on what happened to Dickens' last manuscript and surrounds it with interesting characters and a lively romp through London, on board a ship, and in New York City.
LibraryThing member otterley
We are all intrigued by the mystery of the mystery of Edwin Drood - Dickens' last, uncompleted novel. Pearl weaves a story in America, the piratical frontier of the literary world in Victorian times, and in Dickens' England, giving us a tantalising glimpse into what the ending might have been. This
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novel does not grip as fearfully as the Dante Club, but moves along enjoyably enough with a touch of intrigue and romance, loopholes, twists and turns to keep the reader amused and edified. I must admit, however, to preferring the Dr Who solution of the blue elementals.... Show Less
LibraryThing member Lesliejaneite
The Last Dickens is a mystery. The story begins at the time of Charles Dickens death. Apparently the world's most loved writer has up and died before completing "Edmund Drood". The publishing world of the day is one of intrigue, desperate measures and desperate men. A cast of colorfull characters
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that would do Dickens proud compete in a deadly race to the finish. Strange mysteries lead some to terrifying places and more than one gruesome death. One turns page after page wondering how much of it was fiction and how much sobering fact. It is not until the welcome prologue that one can finally discover how much of this riveting tale was ,after all, true. Sprinkle a a refreshing bit of good old-fashioned sweet romance and a dash of character from a few well loved Dickens novels and you have a recipe for a nice bit of escapism. Sure to entertain any fan of Charles Dickens it will no doubt have its readers scrambling for a copy of Edmund Drood just as fast as they can fire up their Kindles Show Less
LibraryThing member kimreadthis
This was not my favorite book - I am not much of a mystery reader, nor a Dickens fan. I think those qualities would have made the book more interesting for me. The main character was interesting and the mystery involved many other characters and took time to unravel. This mostly kept me interested,
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but could drag at times. This was my first Pearl book; perhaps I'll attempt others. Show Less
LibraryThing member Ezekiel99
I was incredibly disappointed by this book. Having seen it on display in a Waterstone's branch, I felt I wanted to read it. It just doesn't live up to expectations. It's totally contrived and doesn't ring true somehow. If he must use this amount of evidence to explain what happened to the
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manuscript of "Edwin Drood" after the death of Charles Dickens (as he died before the novel was completed, as everyone knows, or should know.) why not write a factual, documentary account, instead of this laboured, phoney novel? Show Less
LibraryThing member nevins
If the thought of tackling the nearly 800-page tome of Drood by Dan Simmons has daunted you from trying to lift it, let alone check it out and carry it home, here’s a terrific alternative for your Dickensian cravings. At 386 pages, Matthew Pearl’s The Last Dickens is a lighter, gentler vision
Pearl’s literary thriller focuses on James R. Osgood, exclusive American publisher of Dickens’s works, as he travels from Boston to England and back in search of clues to the elusive ending of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, following the untimely death of the author. Incorporating events and historical figures that were contemporaries of Dickens, he leads us into opium dens, encounters with greedy literary thieves, and a cast of colorful and mysterious characters that would make Charles proud. Flashbacks to Charles Dickens’s two successful U.S. book tours allow us to rub shoulders with the beloved author himself.
There’s something to be said for an unfinished novel. As one character from The Last Dickens puts it, "Every reader who picks up the book, finding it unfinished, can spend their time guessing what the ending should be. And they'll tell their friends to buy a copy and do the same, so it can be argued." In my mind, there’s nothing like being able to imagine a book’s ending just exactly the way you want it.
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of what just might have happened to the missing pages of Charles Dickens’s final, unfinished novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood.Pearl’s literary thriller focuses on James R. Osgood, exclusive American publisher of Dickens’s works, as he travels from Boston to England and back in search of clues to the elusive ending of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, following the untimely death of the author. Incorporating events and historical figures that were contemporaries of Dickens, he leads us into opium dens, encounters with greedy literary thieves, and a cast of colorful and mysterious characters that would make Charles proud. Flashbacks to Charles Dickens’s two successful U.S. book tours allow us to rub shoulders with the beloved author himself.
There’s something to be said for an unfinished novel. As one character from The Last Dickens puts it, "Every reader who picks up the book, finding it unfinished, can spend their time guessing what the ending should be. And they'll tell their friends to buy a copy and do the same, so it can be argued." In my mind, there’s nothing like being able to imagine a book’s ending just exactly the way you want it.
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LibraryThing member indygo88
When Charles Dickens dies unexpectedly, leaving his latest book unfinished, Boston publishers Fields & Osgood, Dickens' exclusive U.S. publishers, rush to get their hands on the most recent installments, supposedly in transit, in order to release them and hopefully rejuvenate their failing
I really don't have a history of reading Dickens and honestly, I probably would've enjoyed this more if I did. Being familiar with Dickens' last novel, the unfinished The Mystery of Edwin Drood, would also give the reader a better appreciation of this story. I have read a couple of Matthew Pearl's earlier novels, and he's good at creating a story based on a historical person or event, though sometimes he gets bogged down in the details and this takes away some of the enjoyment of the story. I found this to be true in this one as well. I listened to this on audio and I have to be honest in saying that my head was just not in this book the entire time. I found my mind wandering a lot and I probably missed some things that may have added to my understanding of the plot. I will say that the novel did pick up near the end and I found myself more engaged at that point. It was just a bit slow going up until then.
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publishing company. However, when one of the publisher's employees winds up dead and the manuscripts are missing, junior partner James Osgood takes it upon himself to discover what really happened and to rescue the missing manuscripts. I really don't have a history of reading Dickens and honestly, I probably would've enjoyed this more if I did. Being familiar with Dickens' last novel, the unfinished The Mystery of Edwin Drood, would also give the reader a better appreciation of this story. I have read a couple of Matthew Pearl's earlier novels, and he's good at creating a story based on a historical person or event, though sometimes he gets bogged down in the details and this takes away some of the enjoyment of the story. I found this to be true in this one as well. I listened to this on audio and I have to be honest in saying that my head was just not in this book the entire time. I found my mind wandering a lot and I probably missed some things that may have added to my understanding of the plot. I will say that the novel did pick up near the end and I found myself more engaged at that point. It was just a bit slow going up until then.
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LibraryThing member passion4reading
Set shortly after Dickens's death in 1870, and told partly in flashback, this novel follows (real-life) Boston publisher James Osgood as he tries to find any clues as to what Dickens had in mind for the ending of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, his famously unfinished last book. This journey takes him
I've never read anything by Matthew Pearl before, and, if this book is representative of his writing, probably won't be seeking out his other books, namely The Dante Club and The Poe Shadow. That's a shame because it started promisingly enough. The Last Dickens appears well researched, and I got a sense of Charles Dickens the man, and not just the author. Unfortunately his characterisations remain shallow and two-dimensional throughout, apart from Dickens himself, who comes across as a complex character. The prose remains flat, and never allows for a tense atmosphere to build up; the only exception is the scene at the London opium den, where I could see the opium smoke pervade the dingy room, and smell its intoxicating vapours. In terms of plot, it sometimes appeared as if I was reading a Victorian melodrama, Osgood's enemies almost becoming caricatures of themselves in their inherent villainy. If this was supposed to be the author's intention, then he doesn't pull it off as it appears as a parody of itself. Matthew Pearl tells us that with his character of Rebecca, Osgood's bookkeeper and love interest, he tried to reflect 'the real achievements and challenges in a new class of single working women ... as well as that of divorced women.' So, while probably historically accurate, I felt that Rebecca was often reduced to a mere accessory and wasn't given nearly enough to do for a modern reader. The central mystery was intriguing, especially when presented with all the historical facts that the author integrated into this novel, but the Indian subplot involving one of Dickens's sons bore only the slightest of connections to the rest of the narration and was extremely distracting as I was expecting it to make some sense in the wider context until right up to the end when it's clear that it doesn't.
A book for lovers of Dickens and literary murder mysteries, but unfortunately not for me.
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from New England to England, to Rochester, Dickens's former residence Gadshill Place, and London.I've never read anything by Matthew Pearl before, and, if this book is representative of his writing, probably won't be seeking out his other books, namely The Dante Club and The Poe Shadow. That's a shame because it started promisingly enough. The Last Dickens appears well researched, and I got a sense of Charles Dickens the man, and not just the author. Unfortunately his characterisations remain shallow and two-dimensional throughout, apart from Dickens himself, who comes across as a complex character. The prose remains flat, and never allows for a tense atmosphere to build up; the only exception is the scene at the London opium den, where I could see the opium smoke pervade the dingy room, and smell its intoxicating vapours. In terms of plot, it sometimes appeared as if I was reading a Victorian melodrama, Osgood's enemies almost becoming caricatures of themselves in their inherent villainy. If this was supposed to be the author's intention, then he doesn't pull it off as it appears as a parody of itself. Matthew Pearl tells us that with his character of Rebecca, Osgood's bookkeeper and love interest, he tried to reflect 'the real achievements and challenges in a new class of single working women ... as well as that of divorced women.' So, while probably historically accurate, I felt that Rebecca was often reduced to a mere accessory and wasn't given nearly enough to do for a modern reader. The central mystery was intriguing, especially when presented with all the historical facts that the author integrated into this novel, but the Indian subplot involving one of Dickens's sons bore only the slightest of connections to the rest of the narration and was extremely distracting as I was expecting it to make some sense in the wider context until right up to the end when it's clear that it doesn't.
A book for lovers of Dickens and literary murder mysteries, but unfortunately not for me.
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LibraryThing member zibilee
Part mystery, part history, The Last Dickens spins the tale of the complex and multi-faceted fate of Dickens' last novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Told primarily through a dual narrative style, the book examines the famous and difficult American reading tour that Dickens undertook in December of
This was a wonderfully rollicking read, with a swift plot line. The action began immediately, with the apprehension of a curious criminal and a trip down to the docks where the newest installment of Dickens' great manuscript is anxiously anticipated. Soon the story was barreling along, full to the brim with dastardly mischief makers, all waiting for the chance to have Dickens' masterpiece in their clutches. From the first moment the affable James Osgood was introduced, it was easy to see that he definitely had the mettle with which to fight these foes. I really enjoyed the alternating story sections between past and present, and thought that it was a interesting and colorful way for the readers to get to know Dickens and have a first-hand look at his public and private persona, while also spinning the wildly embroiling fate of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. The story was a great juxtaposition between two types of stories, and both halves were equally impressive and well rendered. This story was very unique in that it was a meld between a history both real and imagined.
In the last part of the book, the author explains that most of the sections regarding Dickens' American tour were heavily researched and as historically accurate as possible. I even came to find out that more than a handful of characters came straight out of history as well, including James Osgood. It was surprising to read that Dickens was so overwhelmingly popular during his time. I had known that he was considered one of the foremost authors in all of history, but I was unprepared to discover the depths of the public fervor for him. From what I understood, he was feverishly followed and lavish amounts of attention came his way, from both the famous and the unfamous alike. I can imagine that if there was such a thing a paparazzi back then that Dickens would have been one of their foremost attractions. I was both amused by this and a little taken aback by the lengths that people would go to just to touch an item the author himself had touched. Through it all, Dickens remained a consummate professional and always presented himself with a wonderful geniality to his admirers and maintained a humble attitude regarding his success.
One of the things I found most interesting about the book were the descriptions of the rivalries between the competing publishing houses of the time. Some looked at books as a business, rather than art or entertainment, and I was struck by how the attitudes of those forgotten times seem to be so reminiscent of the publishing world today. Another thing that stood out was the evocative and authentic historical flavor and ambiance of the book. The author did a great job with the small touches that gave the book a very realistic historical feel. The effect was transporting, and it was fun to be able to get lost in the details and setting of the book. The character creation was outstanding as well, with many unique and wonderful voices coming to life on the page. I got a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction from all the villains in this story, for there were many, and each had their own vices and loyalties. It was very diverting trying to figure out just what each character's motivations were, and I have to admit that I was shocked when many of the characters I was sure were gentlemen revealed themselves to be scoundrels. The conclusion of the book was clever as well. It was as if the author was well aware that he could not rewrite the history of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and instead formed a credible and plausible culmination that would validate both the real and the imagined.
This was a very smart read that held me spellbound with both its twisting plot and its singular characters. There was a great deal to relish in the book, and I think the author did a wonderful job of creating a narrative that one can get invested in on many levels. I also loved getting to know Charles Dickens a little better. Whether or not you are a fan of Dickens, I recommend this novel as one that is completely enveloping. An excellent read.
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1867, while also exploring the dark and dangerous forces that sought to steal the original manuscript from it's rightful publishers after Dickens' untimely death. With Dickens gone, the book, it seems, would not be able to be completed. But a few of the employees of the publishing house of Fields, Osgood and Co. believe that that the six final chapters may exist, hidden away by Dickens for its protection. In this hope, the company sends James Osgood and his bookkeeper Rebecca off to Dickens' ancestral home in England to seek out the missing chapters, knowing that if their discovery pans out, the company will be saved from financial ruin and that the author's pinnacle work will be forever preserved in history. But from the very beginning of the voyage other malevolent forces are at play, some that wish to possess the manuscript for themselves, and others who will do anything to make sure that those pages never see the light of day. Interspersed throughout the mystery is the tale of Dickens himself. A celebrity of the highest order in his time, Dickens sets out across America to give public readings to his adoring fans, scarcely avoiding illness, danger and the law. In these sections, Dickens comes to life as a reserved yet courageous man, both brilliant and humble. A man that gives his lifeblood to his creations and to the people that wait breathlessly for them. From the bustling wharf side docks of America to the filthy opium dens of England, Pearl creates an adventure not to be missed, and gives a stirring alternate history of the most widely speculated-on book in all of literature.This was a wonderfully rollicking read, with a swift plot line. The action began immediately, with the apprehension of a curious criminal and a trip down to the docks where the newest installment of Dickens' great manuscript is anxiously anticipated. Soon the story was barreling along, full to the brim with dastardly mischief makers, all waiting for the chance to have Dickens' masterpiece in their clutches. From the first moment the affable James Osgood was introduced, it was easy to see that he definitely had the mettle with which to fight these foes. I really enjoyed the alternating story sections between past and present, and thought that it was a interesting and colorful way for the readers to get to know Dickens and have a first-hand look at his public and private persona, while also spinning the wildly embroiling fate of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. The story was a great juxtaposition between two types of stories, and both halves were equally impressive and well rendered. This story was very unique in that it was a meld between a history both real and imagined.
In the last part of the book, the author explains that most of the sections regarding Dickens' American tour were heavily researched and as historically accurate as possible. I even came to find out that more than a handful of characters came straight out of history as well, including James Osgood. It was surprising to read that Dickens was so overwhelmingly popular during his time. I had known that he was considered one of the foremost authors in all of history, but I was unprepared to discover the depths of the public fervor for him. From what I understood, he was feverishly followed and lavish amounts of attention came his way, from both the famous and the unfamous alike. I can imagine that if there was such a thing a paparazzi back then that Dickens would have been one of their foremost attractions. I was both amused by this and a little taken aback by the lengths that people would go to just to touch an item the author himself had touched. Through it all, Dickens remained a consummate professional and always presented himself with a wonderful geniality to his admirers and maintained a humble attitude regarding his success.
One of the things I found most interesting about the book were the descriptions of the rivalries between the competing publishing houses of the time. Some looked at books as a business, rather than art or entertainment, and I was struck by how the attitudes of those forgotten times seem to be so reminiscent of the publishing world today. Another thing that stood out was the evocative and authentic historical flavor and ambiance of the book. The author did a great job with the small touches that gave the book a very realistic historical feel. The effect was transporting, and it was fun to be able to get lost in the details and setting of the book. The character creation was outstanding as well, with many unique and wonderful voices coming to life on the page. I got a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction from all the villains in this story, for there were many, and each had their own vices and loyalties. It was very diverting trying to figure out just what each character's motivations were, and I have to admit that I was shocked when many of the characters I was sure were gentlemen revealed themselves to be scoundrels. The conclusion of the book was clever as well. It was as if the author was well aware that he could not rewrite the history of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and instead formed a credible and plausible culmination that would validate both the real and the imagined.
This was a very smart read that held me spellbound with both its twisting plot and its singular characters. There was a great deal to relish in the book, and I think the author did a wonderful job of creating a narrative that one can get invested in on many levels. I also loved getting to know Charles Dickens a little better. Whether or not you are a fan of Dickens, I recommend this novel as one that is completely enveloping. An excellent read.
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Awards
Massachusetts Book Award (Must-Read (Longlist) — Fiction — 2010)