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Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Penguin Classics (2010), Edition: UK ed., 128 pages
Description
Charles Dickens describes in Night Walks his time as an insomniac, when he decided to cure himself by walking through London in the small hours, and discovered homelessness, drunkenness and vice on the streets. This collection of essays shows Dickens as one of the greatest visionaries of the city in all its variety and cruelty. GREAT IDEAS. Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member anyotherbizniz
I was given this book by someone who knew of my love of all things London - and Dickens too. Choice inspired by the current Dickens exhibition at the London Museum, where the title piece is read over film of modern London through the night. Which demonstrated just how true much of what he wrote
The book is a collection of short semi-journalistic articles. I always think that one can never tell with Dickens' at what point his journalism slides into fiction. But a good read notwithstanding, although I enjoyed (if enjoyed is the right word) the pieces about Dickens experience visiting the homes of the poor rather more than the title piece. A fascinating and somewhat upsetting look at the underbelly of the great city in Victorian times, which manages somehow not be prurient poverty tourism.
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still is.The book is a collection of short semi-journalistic articles. I always think that one can never tell with Dickens' at what point his journalism slides into fiction. But a good read notwithstanding, although I enjoyed (if enjoyed is the right word) the pieces about Dickens experience visiting the homes of the poor rather more than the title piece. A fascinating and somewhat upsetting look at the underbelly of the great city in Victorian times, which manages somehow not be prurient poverty tourism.
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LibraryThing member Davida.Chazan
This slim book of essays by Dickens is a true joy to read. While not all of these are actually accounts of his wanderings after sunset due to a case of insomnia, all of them have to do with something dark - making it a cohesive collection. Of course, as this is Dickens, the language is a touch
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difficult at times, but never to the point where readers won't understand the gist. Show Less
LibraryThing member tronella
A collection of essays. I particularly like the one about a time he got lost in the city as a child.
LibraryThing member P_S_Patrick
Dickens recounts his walks, mainly around London but also one in Chatham docks. Though the title has it that these are night walks, most of the eight accounts are actually of daytime walks. His walks always began with a definite route planned, which he methodically stuck to, however they seemingly
One of his main interests throughout these essays was to document the poverty and adverse conditions facing a large section of society. He shows a keen interest in humanity in its different forms, and the daily lives and concerns of the poor, and is a compassionate observer throughout. Though-provoking, and valuable as a record of social history.
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had no other aim than to soak up the ambiance of various locales, to familiarise himself with the social conditions of their inhabitants, and to build a picture of the way of life in different quarters and neighbourhoods. These vary from his visit to a workhouse, a trek around London as a child separated from his guardian, a story of a pop-up betting shop, and some complaints he has on funeral customs. One of his main interests throughout these essays was to document the poverty and adverse conditions facing a large section of society. He shows a keen interest in humanity in its different forms, and the daily lives and concerns of the poor, and is a compassionate observer throughout. Though-provoking, and valuable as a record of social history.
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LibraryThing member DarthDeverell
Charles Dickens’ Night Walks collects several essays from the master writer, including the titular account of his inability to sleep. To deal with his insomnia, Dickens walked all about London throughout the night, meeting people of different classes and describing their lives with the same skill
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he employed to combat classism elsewhere. Dickens influenced Neil Gaiman’s 1988 essay, “Six to Six,” which similarly follows an author wandering the streets of London at night, though Gaiman fills his work with a disappointment that the bustling nightlife is no longer to be found. The other essays include “Gone Astray,” “Chatham Dockyard,” “Wapping Workhouse,” “A Small Star in the East,” “On an Amateur Beat,” “Betting-Shops,” and “Trading in Death.” The essays capture the London of Dickens’ youth and life, bringing to vivid life the people he encountered and the sights he experienced. This Penguin Great Ideas edition is a must-read for those interested in Dickens or the London he knew. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
128 p.; 7.12 inches
ISBN
014104750X / 9780141047508