Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

As the sub-title tells is, this is not a straightforward biography of Dickens but an account of the places and objects that were important to him. I found this approach both interesting and informative, and it worked very well. The many photos and illustrations are well-chosen, and add to the reader’s enjoyment. The life is sketched in through the places and objects, making this a excellent guide book to Dicken’s oeuvre. Essential reading for all Dickens fans.

NetGalley, Mandy Jenkinson

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Charles Dickens: Places and Objects of Interest is a must read for any Dickens lover. In what seems a fairly exhaustive listing of places, objects, news articles and reviews, Kendall draws a line from Dickens’s birth, through the events of his early life (and his father’s time at Marshalsea prison), his education and early work life. Of course, it moves on through his life as a writer, a family man and father, then as a speaker/performer doing lauded readings from his novels.

There are both historic and contemporary photos of places throughout, photos of characters illustrated in Dickens’ novels, quotes from contemporary critics, etc. Putting more background behind the novels is always interesting and, for me, also fun.

I recommend this book to any dedicated reader of Dickens’ works. Some information may be familiar but I am quite certain most of it will be new or fleshed out more fully unless you majored in Dickens and Victorian England.

NetGalley, Susan Drees

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This was a well written and very enjoyable book, in which I learnt many new things about Dickens’ life and work, and also enjoyed all the different photographs and sketches included with each of the chapters. (Amongst the pictures, there are also Players cigarette cards of various characters—I’d always heard of cigarette cards but never seen any, so this was especial fun).

NetGalley, Mallika Ramachandran

I probably shouldn’t start this review by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but I really did. Having never really been a big fan of Charles Dickens I decided to read this and learn all about him. What a really good book this was as we follow the journey through life from beginning to end. We were able to see where he was born, where he was bought up and where he started, we were able to see admission tickets, walking sticks, illustrations and learn about his character creations and where they came from. From this book, I found the life and creations of Charles Dickens fascinating and it was the characters and illustrations that really made me want to start reading his books. Plus as my wife has a collection of his books I have no excuse. A really good read one I would happily recommend to others.

Read the full review here

UK Historian

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I loved learning more about Dickens and where he wrote, his family, society and class. The illustrations and photographs are fascinating and incredibly useful. The sketches of characters from his books bring them to life! The author includes letters and tickets to his readings as well.

NetGalley, Michelle Coates

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Another excellent book that can be used as travel guide if you want to travel following Charles Dickens.
Plenty of information, great pictures. Informative and entertaining.
Highly recommended.

NetGalley, Anna Maria Giacomasso

As featured in

Books By Your Bedside

As featured in: 'Where the Dickens are these buildings now?'

South London Press

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

If you are looking for a book that highlights the legacies Charles Dickens left behind not only to the United Kingdom but to the world at large, I highly recommend Charles Dickens; Places and Objects of interests.


Five out of five stars!

NetGalley, Michelle Kidwell

I thought I knew a fair amount about Dickens outside of his books, but Paul has uncovered such niche and fascinating insights to him as a boy and a man, as well as a writer, which makes me further appreciate what he created. Paul has presented such heartfelt insight into his background, as well as the thought and passion that went into each of Dickens’ characters.

This is a must-read for any Dickens obsessive.

NetGalley, Victoria Bucknell

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Charles Dickens was and continues to be one of the most iconic literary figures in British history, so it is no surprise that “Dickensia” has built up over the years — memorabilia and relics, places associated with his life and his fiction. This book uses telling the stories of this memorabilia as an entry point to celebrating the man’s life and work. An entertaining and enjoyable read that we highly recommend to lovers of Dickens and of the literary life.

NetGalley, Rob Brown

Featured: 'Northamptonshire landmark inspired Charles Dickens' Bleak House after many visits; A new book about the author's life is being released in November'

Highlight: 'Dickens was a frequent visitor to the hall in Northamptonshire as a guest of its owners, the Honourable Richard and Mrs Watson whom he had met at Lausanne in 1846.

The first trip took place in 1849 and Dickens would use it as inspiration for Chesney Wold, the home of the Dedlocks in his novel Bleak House, according to Kendall.

He said: "I have always been interested in Dickens' life and work since I was a boy [...] "There are so many places and objects connected with Dickens in the UK and abroad, that it was a pleasure to research and write."'

Northants Live

I love Charles Dickens and this is an excellent book for Dickens fans. This reads as if you’re taking a personal tour of Charles dickens life through London. The book includes photographs of objects, places and buildings which helps the visualization of the tour. It’s truly intriguing. We get to see where he grew up, his family history and what inspired his books.

Literally most of his life events in one way or another influenced his writing and made up a lot of memorable scenes. All the places he lived at, visited and so on when on to inspire his novels. It was interesting to learned how Dickens works led people to establish many schools, orphanages and hospitals.

This is a thorough biography timeline. The writing is easy to follow which makes the tour even more enjoyable.

NetGalley, Mayda Madrid

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A book for fans of Charles Dickens. It covers places Dickens lived in, visited, or used as locations in his books; his books and characters, and objects including his desk, walking stick and his pet raven Grip (now stuffed and on display in the Free Library of Philadelphia). Following in chronological order, with plenty of photographs this is a really enjoyable way of reading about Dickens’ life and work. So many buildings with plaques on them! ( Dickens lived here, Dickens wrote something there etc) A thorough timeline at the start, this is a simplified biography but still detailed. I loved it!

NetGalley, Janelle Womsley

I was pleased with the book because it gives a view into the man who put so much effort and time into everything he wrote. I have an old collection of his books.

I recommend this story. The author put a lot of research into this book.

NetGalley, Andrea latish

My love of Dickens started when I was a child, my father bought my older brother a collection of his books but luckily my brother wasn’t interested so I claimed them. I read and reread them over and over again, I never tired of them. My favourite was Great Expectations, I have lost count how many times I’ve read it in total. When I saw this book, I knew I had to read it, after all he is the reason I love to read.

It is clear the author did an incredible amount of research, this book is filled with a wealth of information from birth to death and everything in between. I discovered many new things I never knew about Dickens and his life from reading this book. The photo’s were such a good addition to the book. The writing made it easy to read and I never felt bored or bogged down with information.

Overall a fantastic book for everyone, whether you like Dickens or not. I would highly recommend.

NetGalley, Michelle Lyons

If you do not know Dickens’ work, and would like to know more about the man, his world, and his motivation, this is a wonderful resource. For those who have read him, but not yet become opinionated about Dickens’ work, this is a worthy introduction to new ideas and information. For me, it has been a transforming read. Despite my own reflections upon, and Dickens’ commitment to social commentary, its relevance even today and his thoroughgoing fight for decent behaviour which compels so much of the positive characters’ actions, I must admit that I have not been a great admirer of Dickens’ work. However, I am now tempted to revise my opinion. I am looking forward to the Dickens novels I have not yet read. Paul Kendall’s Charles Dickens Places and Objects of Interest is the source of such a reassessment. Thank you, Paul Kendall, this is a fine book.

NetGalley, Robin Joyce

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A wonderful book Love when a book is full of photographs, illustrations and have a easy and friendly design. All the info in it is totally interesting and the road through it is wonderful. His life, his books, the art inside them, those memorable places... everything is here. Totally recommended.

NetGalley, Mariana Cevallos

I really enjoyed this book. I liked learning and seeing the places where Charles live, so long ago. The pictures are great too. I learned so much about Charles Dickens.

NetGalley, Sheila Treacy

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I loved learning more about Dickens and where he wrote, his family, society and class. The illustrations and photographs are fascinating and incredibly useful. The sketches of characters from his books bring them to life! The author includes letters and tickets to his readings as well. His traveling cutlery kit and walking stick...wow! Details like this elevate a book from great to sublime. Paul Kendall's meticulous research is really appreciated.

Anyone with one iota of interest in Charles Dickens, do read this unique and remarkably thorough book. You will surely fall in love with Dickens' writing all over again.

NetGalley, Brenda Carleton