The Rag and Bone Shop

The Rag and Bone Shop by Jeff Rackham, published by Penguin Publishing Group in 2002, is a historical fiction work that delves into the complexities of Charles Dickens’s life. Spanning 310 pages, this edition presents a narrative that explores Dickens’s public persona and the hidden aspects of his private life, particularly his thirteen-year affair with actress Ellen Ternan. The story unfolds through the alternating perspectives of Dickens’s sister-in-law Georgina Hogarth, his friend Wilkie Collins, and Ternan herself, highlighting the tension between societal expectations and personal desires.

Readers will find a rich exploration of the themes of public propriety and private libertinism woven throughout the narrative. The book captures the intricacies of relationships and the societal pressures faced by its characters, providing insight into the historical context of Dickens’s life. With its focus on biographical elements and the historical backdrop, The Rag and Bone Shop offers a compelling look at the man behind the literary legend, appealing to those interested in both Dickens and the genre of historical fiction.