The Life Of Our Lord

The Life Of Our Lord by Charles Dickens is a remarkable and deeply personal work originally written for the author’s own children between 1846 and 1849 but published posthumously in London in 1934 by Associated Newspapers Ltd. Unlike Dickens’s celebrated novels, this concise book presents a straightforward and heartfelt retelling of the life, teachings and central events in the life of Jesus Christ, conveyed in gentle and accessible prose that reflects Dickens’s intention to educate and inspire his children. Though composed during the height of his literary powers, Dickens expressly forbade its publication in his lifetime, and it remained a closely guarded family manuscript until the early twentieth century.

In The Life Of Our Lord, Dickens’s narrative begins by addressing his young listeners directly, expressing a desire that they should know “something about the History of Jesus Christ,” and then unfolds a clear and compassionate account of the Nativity, ministry, miracles, crucifixion and resurrection. The Life Of Our Lord’s tone is devotional yet unpretentious, offering moral reflections and tender observations alongside its recounting of biblical events. This unique piece of writing stands apart from Dickens’s fictional oeuvre, revealing a personal dimension of faith and family life that was kept private for decades.

The 1934 Associated Newspapers edition of The Life Of Our Lord was first issued in book form after Dickens’s last surviving child died and the family decided to share the manuscript with the world. The Life Of Our Lord was also serialised in newspapers prior to the book’s release, generating widespread interest because the work represented a previously unpublished chapter in Dickens’s literary legacy. Early editions often feature a frontispiece portrait of Dickens and a series of illustrative plates that complement the text. Today this volume remains a significant and poignant testament to Dickens’s personal reflections on one of history’s most enduring figures, appealing to collectors, bibliophiles and readers seeking a thoughtful and intimate treatment of the Gospels.

Condition – Near Fine Original grey textured dust jacket with title and author in black to cover and spine. Jacket edges moderately worn with several small tears and a discoloured spine. Burgundy cloth boards with blind-stamped border and gilt title and author remain in immaculate condition. Internally clean and well preserved, with only evenly discoloured endpapers noted. A very presentable copy overall.