Second Module: The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens

Welcome to the second Dinner with Dickens! We’re continuing our journey with Dickens, and through the Victorian Era, with The Old Curiosity Shop published in 1841. In it, we meet young Nell and her grandfather, who owns a…. you guessed it.. curiosity shop. Nell cares for her ailing grandfather as they work tirelessly to keep the shop open. However, when they can’t pay their debts, they’re forced to flee into the sketchy world of the London streets.

As we did in the previous module, we’ll take a look at Dickens’ life as an author, as well as some aspects of life in the Victorian Era. We’ll dive not only into politics and social issues of the day, but we’ll look at the everyday life of the common people, drawing on the experiences of Ruth Goodman.

I hope to bring this period in time to life; minute details of how these people lived, what their days looked like, what the education system was like, what they wore, what they ate, everything. To me it brings the literature to life even more. When Dickens uses weird slang, or references some obscure this or that, we can say “Ah yes, I totally know what he's talking about.” Will we look like snobs? Yeah, probably. But hey…. who cares.

As always, feel free to read whatever interests you. If you just want to stick to the literature, that’s fine too!

The shop (Pile of Books) has copies of The Old Curiosity Shop if you need. All the other materials are available on this page on the right hand side.

If you have not already signed up, please click the button below. Space is limited to 10 people, so save your spot quickly!

WHEN: Sunday June 7th, 2026 at 6pm
WHERE: Pile of Books, Zentralstrasse 16, 8003