The Gospel in Dickens: Selections from His Works, edited by Gina Dalfonzo with a foreword by Karen Swallow Prior, highlights the many ways in which Charles Dickens highlights various aspects of the Gospel message through the characters in many beloved novels. Dalfonzo begins by providing an introduction to Dickens' life, his religious viewpoints, and works. After this introduction, Dalfonzo groups excerpts from Dickens' novels into three sections: Sin and Its Victims, Repentance and Grace, and The Righteous Life. Each section includes an introduction to section followed by excerpts which portray the topic. Dalfonzo offers insights between each excerpt which highlight specific aspects to notice while reading as well as offers enough information regarding the larger novel so that the reader can join a story in progress. This is useful if the reader is not as familiar with a specific novel or has not read it in quite some time.

The Gospel in Dickens is recommended for several different audiences and can be used in a variety of ways. This would be a great resource in a literature class devoted to Dickens or to Victorian literature. If you were teaching a course on biblical or religious themes in literatures, this would definitely be appropriate either as a textbook or for teacher preparation. Ministers, public speakers, or writers may find it useful as a resource when they wish to find an illustration to use as Dalfonzo has done some a marvelous job of categorizing scenes from various novels. Moving beyond the classroom or professional use, this work is wonderful for individuals who simply enjoy great literature ,or Dickens specifically, and wish to read it for enjoyment or who want to have an introduction to the entirety of Dickens writing. You may find after reading The Gospel in Dickens that you wish to re-read your favorite Dickens novel or find a new one to enjoy.