This month, we did something a little different from our usual meeting at the library and enjoyed a day out together instead. Six members of our group set off from Pulborough station in glorious sunshine, a welcome change after Wednesday’s heavy rain, to visit the birthplace of one of Britain’s best-loved authors, Charles Dickens.
On arriving at Portsmouth Harbour, we quickly transferred to a bus and were soon stepping back in time at the museum in Dickens’ birthplace.
Charles Dickens was born in February 1812 in a newly built Georgian terraced house. Although he lived there for only the first five months of his life, the house gave us a fascinating glimpse into the world of his early childhood. The rooms were small and square, furnished in Georgian style, and the house would have been a comfortable family home, probably with at least one maid.
We learnt how Dickens’ early life was shaped by his family’s financial difficulties. His father, John Dickens, worked as a clerk for the Royal Navy, but his debts eventually led to imprisonment in the Marshalsea Debtors’ Prison when Charles was just 12 years old. These experiences had a lasting influence on Dickens’ writing, and it was fascinating to discover how his descriptions of poverty, debt and child labour drew on his own experiences.
A highlight of our visit was an actor in nineteenth-century costume giving a reading from A Christmas Carol, bringing Dickens’ words to life in a wonderfully atmospheric setting.
After exploring the house, we travelled by bus to Gunwharf Quays for lunch, where we discussed this month’s novel, A Christmas Carol. Everyone had enjoyed the book, finding it surprisingly easy to read, with language that felt familiar despite it being published in 1843.
We discussed the story’s enduring themes of redemption, compassion, kindness and recognising the hard work of others. Scrooge’s transformation reminded us that it is never too late to change our behaviour and make a positive difference. We also enjoyed discovering how many of the Christmas traditions described by Dickens are still part of our celebrations today.
Everyone appreciated Dickens’ wonderful ability to bring people, places and relationships vividly to life, and our visit gave us a deeper understanding of the man behind the stories.
It was a lovely day of literary discovery and lively conversation.
The next book to be read will be ‘The Temptation of Gracie’ by Santa Montefiore.
This will be discussed on Friday 13th November 2026.