The Puzzle of Dickens's Last Plot

In "The Puzzle of Dickens's Last Plot", Andrew Lang delves into the complexities and ambiguities present in Charles Dickens's final literary work. Lang's scholarly approach unravels the intricacies of Dickens's narrative style, revealing hidden meanings and themes. With a keen eye for detail, Lang examines the literary context of the era in which Dickens was writing, shedding light on the social, political, and cultural influences that shaped the author's last plot. Through insightful analysis, Lang presents a compelling argument for the true significance of Dickens's final work. Andrew Lang, a respected literary critic and historian, brings his expertise to bear in unraveling the mysteries of Dickens's last plot. Drawing on his vast knowledge of Victorian literature, Lang offers valuable insights into the creative process behind one of the most renowned authors of the 19th century. Lang's meticulous research and careful analysis make this book a must-read for anyone interested in Dickens's work or the Victorian literary tradition. For readers seeking a deeper understanding of Charles Dickens's final novel and the complexities of his literary style, "The Puzzle of Dickens's Last Plot" is an essential resource. Lang's compelling arguments and meticulous research shed new light on the enigmatic themes and symbols present in Dickens's last work, making this book a valuable addition to any scholar's library.

Andrew Lang (1844–1912) was a prodigious Scottish scholar, literary critic, novelist, and poet, now best known for his collections of fairy tales and for his work in anthropology and mythology. With a career spanning genres such as history, folklore, and children's literature, Lang's contributions to the literary world are varied and significant. Lang, a contemporary of literary giants like Robert Louis Stevenson and H.G. Wells, distinguished himself with a remarkable academic insight into myths and legends, which he passionately collected from around the world, forming the basis for his popular 'Fairy Books' series. A graduate of St Andrews University and Balliol College, Oxford, Lang also took to journalistic writing, showcasing his wide-ranging interests that extended to poetry, history, and literary criticism. Perhaps one of his lesser-known works, 'The Puzzle of Dickens's Last Plot' (1905), focuses on Charles Dickens's unfinished novel 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood,' and is demonstrative of Lang's literary detective skills, as he engaged in scholarly speculation about the intended conclusion of Dickens's last work. Lang's diverse literary style embraced a descriptive narrative, often intertwining a conversational tone with analytical detail, which appealed to both scholarly audiences and the general public.