Folio Archives 263: The Dickens Encyclopaedia by Arthur L. Hayward 1989
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1wcarter
The Dickens Encyclopaedia by Arthur L. Hayward 1989
If you a fan of Dickens, this book by Arthur L. Hayward is an essential edition to your library.
Hayward has compiled information about every character and place mentioned in any of Dickens’ books, from his very first writings under the pseudonym Boz, to his final novel, Edwin Drood. He not only details the fictional biography of each character, but also, where appropriate, describes the real- life person from whom the character is derived. In a similar way, hotels, houses, castles and other buildings that appear in Dickens’ literature are identified as actual places.
The book is extensively illustrated, with 92 drawings by Charles Keeping from the novels, as well as contemporary prints, portraits and photographs, and modern photographs of relevant buildings and places. The result is that there is an illustration on virtually every page spread. The encyclopaedia is a quite extraordinary work of erudition, and absolutely fascinating to peruse. I will keep it beside me when I read my next Dickensian novel.
There is no introduction, but there is a list of every work ever written by Dickens at the front of the book, and lists of Familiar Sayings, Wellerisms and Wisdom from Mrs. Gamp at the back.
The 256 page book is quarter bound in dark green cloth, and has brown paper boards printed in black with drawings by Keeping. There is a gilt title printed black spine label, the page tops are stained brown, the endpapers are also brown, and the plain green slipcase measures 24.4x18.8cm.
. . . 
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
If you a fan of Dickens, this book by Arthur L. Hayward is an essential edition to your library.
Hayward has compiled information about every character and place mentioned in any of Dickens’ books, from his very first writings under the pseudonym Boz, to his final novel, Edwin Drood. He not only details the fictional biography of each character, but also, where appropriate, describes the real- life person from whom the character is derived. In a similar way, hotels, houses, castles and other buildings that appear in Dickens’ literature are identified as actual places.
The book is extensively illustrated, with 92 drawings by Charles Keeping from the novels, as well as contemporary prints, portraits and photographs, and modern photographs of relevant buildings and places. The result is that there is an illustration on virtually every page spread. The encyclopaedia is a quite extraordinary work of erudition, and absolutely fascinating to peruse. I will keep it beside me when I read my next Dickensian novel.
There is no introduction, but there is a list of every work ever written by Dickens at the front of the book, and lists of Familiar Sayings, Wellerisms and Wisdom from Mrs. Gamp at the back.
The 256 page book is quarter bound in dark green cloth, and has brown paper boards printed in black with drawings by Keeping. There is a gilt title printed black spine label, the page tops are stained brown, the endpapers are also brown, and the plain green slipcase measures 24.4x18.8cm.
. . . 
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
2podaniel
Oops--I posted on the wrong thread for you. I meant to post here that I had no idea of the existence of this book. Thanks--and enabled.
3podaniel
And I now see I stupidly posted on your pinned topic at the top (which this one was just beneath) and although I've deleted my post my name is still on it. Maybe you could post and delete so your name will reappear again. I am very sorry about this. But I do so enjoy your reviews of old FS books.
Again, my apologies.
Again, my apologies.
4OliviaBeale
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5elenchus
>2 podaniel:
I echo these sentiments: unfamiliar with this title but it certainly looks fun and useful.
I echo these sentiments: unfamiliar with this title but it certainly looks fun and useful.
6BionicJim
I enjoy flipping through this to remind me of the books I’ve read, but beware that there are spoilers in practically every listing, which I concede is the nature of an encyclopedia. It’s the only non-matching binding in my FS 1993 series of the complete Dickens because it wasn’t reissued, unfortunately.
8Bookworm59
That looks like a great book. But I wish the illustrations were by anyone but Keeping! I just cannot bring myself to like his illustrations.
9Willoyd
>8 Bookworm59: for me, he's the ideal Dickens illustrator. I find him hard work in quite a lot of other books, but have an old Puffin copy of Flood Warning by Paul Berna, a favourite of my childhood, where he's also my ideal!
