First Module: Sketches by Boz by Charles Dickens

NOTE: This module is full.

Welcome to the very first Dinner with Dickens module! To kick things off, we’re going to be reading his first book, Sketches by Boz. Published in 1836, it is a collection of observations, fancies, short stories and musings on the London that Dickens would so famously characterise in his later works. It is a mix of fiction and non-fiction, and provides readers with a look into many of Dickens’ inspirations for famous (and infamous) characters.

We’ll also talk about what the Victorian Era was all about culturally, politically, socially and literarily. What were the main characteristics? Who were other famous authors of the time? What was daily life like? How did commoners, like us, live? What were some of the main issues they were dealing with? How was the world changing? All that fun stuff.

I will provide some background reading, but of course feel free to just stick with Boz! It’s going to be a blast.

Space is limited for this reading group, so please click below to sign up. Thank you!

WHEN: Sunday, March 1st at 6pm for a potluck dinner
WHERE: Pile of Books, Zentralstrasse 16, 8003

  • Ch. 1 “Paradise” (10 pages)

    Chapter 4: “The Birth of Boz” (24 pages)

  • Ch. 1: “Lost and Found” (23 pages)

    Ch. 6: “Becoming Boz” (27 pages)

  • Ch. 1 “Dead to Begin With” (14 pages)


  • Part 1 Ch.2 “Victoria’s Inheritance” (10 pages)

    • How does food/ meals play a role in Dickens? Something to keep an eye out as we read more of his novels….

    • London as a character itself in his stories- the different aspects of London, both good and bad

    • The home as a setting

    • Role of women and if it changes at all throughout his writing