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Sketches by Boz / Charles Dickens ; edited by Paul Schlicke ; with David Hewitt.
- Format:
- Book
- Author/Creator:
- Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870, author.
- Language:
- English
- Subjects (All):
- Manners and customs.
- England--Social life and customs--19th century--Fiction.
- England.
- Genre:
- Fiction.
- Place of Publication:
- Oxford University Press
- Summary:
- Sketches by Boz, the first volume of the new Oxford Dickens, was also the title of Dickens's first book. It is a collection of sixty pieces, mostly humorous although there is nothing funny about 'A Visit to Newgate', which first appeared as contributions to magazines and newspapers in the mid 1830s. They are distinguished by his sharp and often satirical observation of social situations and London characters; but, with one exception, they are works of fiction. Fourteen can be described as short stories, but most are sketches presented to us as reportage. They show why Dickens was recognised as a brilliant new talent from the outset of his career. In the absence of any manuscripts, the text of each piece (with one exception) is based upon the first published version. They offer Dickens as he appeared to his very first readers in the mid 1830s, and as he has not been seen since. Dickens edited later editions, cutting contemporary references, oaths and sexual innuendo. The consequence of reading Dickens as he was is startling, for these pieces both offer a direct reflection of the social scene in London of the period, and have a raciness which Dickens excised from later printings. This work rediscovers the young Dickens.
- Contents:
- Machine generated contents note: SKETCHES BY BOZ
- 1. A Dinner at Poplar Walk
- 2. Mrs. Joseph Porter, `Over the Way'
- 3. Horatio Sparkins
- 4. The Bloomsbury Christening
- 5. The Boarding-house
- 6. Sentiment!
- 7. The Boarding-house
- No. II
- 8. Omnibuses
- 9. The Steam Excursion
- 10. Shops, and Their Tenants
- 11. The Old Bailey
- 12. Shabby-genteel People
- 13. Brokers' and Marine Store Shops
- 14. Passage in the Life of Mr. Watkins Tottle: Chapter the First
- 15. Hackney-coach Stands
- 16. Passage in the Life of Mr. Watkins Tottle: Chapter the Second
- 17. Gin Shops
- 18. Early Coaches
- 19. The Parish
- 20. The House
- 21. London Recreations
- 22. Public Dinners
- 23. Bellamy's
- 24. Greenwich Fair
- 25. Thoughts about People
- 26. Astley's
- 27. Our Parish
- 28. The River
- 29. Our Parish
- 30. The Pawnbroker's Shop
- 31. Our Parish
- 32. The Streets
- Morning
- 33. Our Parish
- 34. Private Theatres
- 35. Our Parish
- 36. Seven Dials
- 37. Miss Evans and the Eagle
- 38. The Dancing Academy
- 39. Making a Night of It
- 40. Love and Oysters
- 41. Some Account of an Omnibus Cad
- 42. The Vocal Dress-Maker
- 43. The Prisoners' Van
- 44. The Parlour
- 45. Christmas Festivities
- 46. The New Year
- 47. The Streets at Night
- 48. A Visit to Newgate
- 49. The Black Veil
- 50. The Great Winglebury Duel
- 51. Our Next Door Neighbours
- 52. The Tuggs's at Ramsgate
- 53. A Little Talk about Spring, and the Sweeps
- 54. The Hospital Patient
- 55. Hackney Cabs, and Their Drivers
- 56. Meditations in Monmouth-street
- 57. Scotland-yard
- 58. Doctors' Commons
- 59. Vauxhall-gardens by Day
- 60. The Drunkard's Death.
- Contains:
- Container of: Boz, 1812-1870. Sketches by Boz.
- ISBN:
- 0-19-194309-6
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