[Victoria]

Originally Posted by gmw

I never said anything about having come into greater balance.

Such liberties! My apologies

I've always thought the final years for Dickens seemed rather unfair considering what he had tried to do for others.

Great point; it’s surprising how entitled people feel to judge public figures harshly, with no real knowledge of their private lives and struggles. Fame must be absolutely awful to live with - you just become a possession.

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

Matthew Pearl’s introduction suggests that there are some biographical elements in the book. Pearl suggests that the way Jasper views Edwin with resentment and disappointment could be compared to the way Dickens viewed his sons. He thought they lived extravagantly expensive lives and were unfocused, engaging in exotic colonial pursuits. Dickens also could have been reflecting regrets about his own marriage on to Edwin and Rosa’s anxiety about their engagement. Dickens also had brothers who lived dark lives and could have been inspiration for Jasper’s character. Pearl also states that Dickens relied on medical opiates in his final years, which could have been relevant to Jasper’s opium use. Lastly he alleges that Dickens could have projected his secret affair with Ellen Ternan (older man, young actress) onto Jasper’s pursuit of Rosa Bud.

Thank you Bookworm_Girl Very interesting, and great food for thought!