It's a Dickens of an August at Ela Area Library

The will host a series of events in August celebrating the life, times and works of the popular classical literature author Charles Dickens. Geared for adults, events and discussions are free and are held at the Library. For more information call 847/438-3433, or to register visit www.eapl.org.

Celebrate  the 200th Birthday of Charles Dickens–Thursday, August 2 from 2-3 p.m. One of the greatest storytellers who ever lived will be honored in this enjoyable and informative film presentation by Steven Frenzel of Marquee Movies Presentations. Celebrate with entertaining scenes from some of the most famous movies based on the works of this genius author. Dickens fought tirelessly for the children of the world and made advances in protecting the rights of authors.

The Making of Downton Abbey: Setting the Scene – Wednesday, August 8 from 7-8 p.m. The drama began hundreds of years before Edith wrote her letter to the Turkish ambassador! Yet the aristocratic way of life that had evolved at places like Downton Abbey was nearly ruined by the time we first meet the Crawleys in 1912. How did a few families come to own so much English property? Why do places like Downton Abbey (Highclere Castle in real life) look the way they do? Landscape Historian Barbara Geiger will share details about the landscape designers, land ownership patterns and inheritance laws that produced great estates like Downton and why radical changes were inevitable.

Book Discussion –Thursday, August 9 from 10 –11:30 a.m. Our discussion will focus on two of Charles Dickens’s famous works – A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations. Read one, both or any other Dickens work and join us for a lively discussion. Copies are available at the Readers’ Services desk.    

Dickens at 200 –Wednesday, August 15 from 7-8 p.m. Dickens at 200 will examine Dickens’ birth and early formative years, and then glide over to the days when he was writing his powerful and famous novels. London Talks and Tours Owner Linda Putnam will present this informative lecture. Her presentation explores four of his important works which include Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Dombey and Son and A Tale of Two Cities.