714 The Real Charles Dickens (with Stephen Browning and Simon Thomas) | Dickens and the Theatre

The History of Literature

Jacke Wilson

History, Books, Arts

4.6 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 7 July 2025

⏱️ 84 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) led one of the most colorful and interesting lives of any author. But while many of us are familiar with his unforgettable characters and fantastically successful novels, we often don't know the details of his difficult early life, his success as a reporter, his troubled marriage and suspected relationship with another woman, and his social reform efforts. In this episode, Jacke talks to Stephen Browning and Simon Thomas, whose book The Real Charles Dickens takes the reader on a journey into the heart of Dickens's life, work, and legacy. PLUS Jacke, inspired by a new exhibit at the Charles Dickens Museum, discusses the theatricality of Dickens's work. Note: The conversation in this episode was recorded before the untimely passing of Stephen Browning. He was a wonderful guest, and we at the History of Literature Podcast are very grateful to have had the chance to speak with him. Our deepest sympathies are with his friends, family, and loved ones. May he rest in peace. Special Announcement: The History of Literature Podcast Tour is happening in May 2026! Act now to join Jacke and fellow literature fans on an eight-day journey through literary England in partnership with John Shors Travel. Find out more by emailing [email protected] or [email protected], or by contacting us through our website historyofliterature.com. Or visit the History of Literature Podcast Tour itinerary at John Shors Travel. The music in this episode is by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal. Learn more at gabrielruizbernal.com . Help support the show at patreon.com/literature or historyofliterature.com/donate . The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	The History of Literature Podcast is a member of the Podglomerate Network and Lit Hub Radio.
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0:59.6	Hello, my head is spinning people, and my heart is heavy.
1:04.8	I'm at a loss because of a loss.
1:07.5	We were planning to run this episode in a few weeks, but we're moving it up because of a sad development.
1:14.1	One of the guests whom you will hear today, Stephen Browning, passed away suddenly last week.
1:22.0	I wanted to put this episode up, this conversation for anyone who knew Steve and for his co-author, Simon Thomas,
1:31.1	who tells us that Steve would have absolutely wanted us to go forward with the episode.
1:37.7	Stephen Browning and Simon Thomas were not just co-authors, as you will hear in this discussion.
	...

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