About 

The Friends of Dickens New York (FODNY) is a literary, cultural, and educational organization dedicated to the works of Charles Dickens. Our motto is FUN, FRIENDSHIP AND LEARNING!

 

Fun, because we get together regularly to read, dramatize and discuss the works of Charles Dickens.

Friendship, because the group encourages and cements unity, understanding and cooperation among people.

Learning, because great literature adds to our knowledge and understanding of one another and the world.

 

The Friends of Dickens New York is an official branch of the Dickens Fellowship. Founded in 1902, the Dickens Fellowship is a worldwide association of people who share an interest in the life and works of Charles Dickens.

 

As a branch, we hold monthly meetings from September through June, taking some time off during the hottest months of the summer. At a typical meeting, we generally have one person facilitate a discussion of selected chapters of a Dickens novel. The September meeting discusses the novel’s opening chapters, and we work our way through the book, completing the novel in June.

 

This year (September 2025 to June 2026) we have chosen to discuss A Tale of Two Cities, and we have broken down our readings to align with how they were meant to be read in installments. The novel was illustrated by Hablot Knight Browne (Phiz), and if you get the Penguin edition, you will have all of his illustrations.

 

With the exception of the Dickens Birthday Luncheon in February, all meetings are free and open to the public, so please feel welcome to come and join in our discussions.