Charles Dickens Rediscovered

Saturday 14 November, 10 – 11am, Dulverton Town Hall

Emily Howes and Helena Kelly

What happens when one of the world’s greatest novelists is seen through the eyes of the woman who knew him best? In this fascinating Festival author talk, award-winning historical novelist Emily Howes and literary biographer Helena Kelly will explore the life, marriage and legacy of 19^th Century novelist Charles Dickens from strikingly different perspectives.

Emily Howes’ powerful new novel, Mrs Dickens, gives voice to Catherine Dickens, whose long marriage to Charles Dickens ended in a deeply public separation that shaped her reputation for generations. Richly researched and emotionally compelling, the novel restores Catherine to the centre of her own story, illuminating the personal cost of life beside literary genius. Emily is the award-winning author of The Painter’s Daughters and has worked across theatre, television and radio as a writer, performer and director. She also practises as a psychotherapist.

Helena Kelly’s The Life and Lies of Charles Dickens offers a fresh and revealing portrait of Dickens himself, examining the myths he carefully created around his life and the truths they concealed. A literary biographer and acclaimed author of books about Jane Austen, which she brought to Dulverton in 2025, Helena will bring fresh insight at the Festival into one of Britain’s most celebrated writers.

Tickets £12 adults £6 children (under 17)