Dickens Universe

The Dickens Universe is a unique cultural event that brings together scholars, teachers, students, and members of the general public for a week of stimulating discussion and festive social activity on the beautiful Santa Cruz campus of the University of California—all focused on one or two Victorian novels, usually (but not always) one by Charles Dickens.

In 2025, the Dickens Universe will feature The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens. Most people remember the novel for its famous and climatic death scene, featuring one of Dickens's most beloved (and reviled) girl heroines, Little Nell. It is a novel full of interesting scenes, themes, and curiosities. Featuring a gallery of Dickens's most grotesque characters, it explores the idea of deformity, especially as it contrasts with the angelic innocence and strangely embodied beauty of Little Nell. Its picaresque roots make it an adventure story as well as an allegory of moral journey; its interest in the urban landscape, its pleasure and dangers, suggest Dickens's social concerns. 

Now in its 45th year of operation, the Dickens Universe combines features of a scholarly conference, a festival, a book club, and a summer camp. Participants include people of all ages and walks of life—distinguished scholars, graduate students, undergraduates, retirees, young professionals, high school teachers, and anyone who loves reading and enjoys long Victorian novels.

Here are some things that make the Universe such a special experience.

• The college lifestyle: participants live on campus, eat together in the student dining hall, and have time to meet and come to know each other in different ways.
• Everyone is reading the same book. We all have this one important thing in common.
• The activities include formal lectures, small discussion groups, films, daily Victorian teas, performances, and Victorian dancing.

The Universe offers a week of total immersion in the world of Victorian fiction with friendly, like-minded colleagues in a beautiful setting. Whether we’re returning to a Dickens novel that everyone knows and loves, or branching out into a Victorian novel by another author who might be less familiar, during the Universe we build a community out of our passion for reading, talking with one another, and bringing Victorian culture to life.