From childhood, Charles Dickens was fascinated by tales from other countries and other cultures, and he longed to see the world. Lucinda Hawksley talked about her latest book, Dickens and Travel, which looks at the journeys made by the author, and how they influenced his writing and enriched his life.
Although Dickens is usually perceived as a London author, in the 1840s he whisked his family away to live in Italy for a year, and spent several months in Switzerland. Some years later he took up residence in Paris and Boulogne (where he lived in secret with his lover). In addition to travelling widely in Europe (including, of course, Liverpool), he also toured America twice, performed onstage in Canada and, before his untimely death, was planning a tour of Australia.
Lucinda spoke to a packed audience at St Barnabas Penny Lane Church. She was in conversation with Dr Kate Walchester of Liverpool John Moores University.
Lucinda with her book, Dickens and Travel.