RE-VISITING THE GENIUS OF DICKENS

by MariaDiDanieli on April 19, 2007

This is a lovely little book that confirms for me exactly how exceptional an author Charles Dickens really was. (If there was any doubt to begin with!)

Charles Dickens wrote this book to teach his children about the life of Jesus Christ. In it, he chronicles Jesus' life from birth to cruxifiction detailing Christ's actions, journeys and parables. Peppering this storyline, familiar to many, are Dickens' explanations and interpretations of Christ's actions and teachings, offered as lessons for his intimate audience.

(Indeed, Dickens very deliberately kept this book within his home. He willed that it not be released for publication until the death of his last remaining offspring. His youngest son, Sir Henry Fielding Dickens was the last of Charles' Dickens progeny to die. It was Sir Henry, who, in turn, left the manuscript to HIS wife and children, honouring them with the choice of whether to have it published it or not. Sir Henry's wife had the book published in 1934, one year after the death of her husband.)

If you have young ones, and have ever tried to purchase a children's Christian Bible, you know how frustrating it is to find one that is clear and concise while being complete and, most of all, appealing to your kids. For some reason, for modern writers, the New Testament seems to elude being simplied in such a way as to make its contents tangible for children.

But, this is not the case with Charles Dickens' version of the Christian Testament. Dickens captures the meaning of each Bible story in beautifully simple and instructive language which keeps children staring at you in that wide-eyed manner that lets you know they're listening and learning. As his interpretation unfolds before you, you wonder why no one else has been able to reproduce an appropriate Bible for kids! He makes it look so easy!

But, as I said before, this book just emphasizes the genius of Charles Dickens. I recommend it for reading to any child but I also recommend for any adult who wishes to get back to the basics of the Christian message.