Novel-cum-app opens up dark, Dickensian London to iOS users

Charles Dickens, is one of English Literature's most celebrated writers, whose works are recalled with great reverence, even today. Several of his great works are known to have been inspired and coined out of his 'nightwalks', which he would frequently indulge in, on London streets of the Victorian period, which he often described as his 'magic lantern'.

The man himself - Charles Dickens! (Image credit: Getty Images)

Now, years later, the Museum of London, in the same city Dickens so loved and drew inspiration from, is hosting an exhibition, called 'Dickens and London' to commemorate the great author. Just in time for the exhibition, is the release of an app for the iPad and the iPhone. The app opens up Dickensian London in all its glory. The app, called Dickens: Dark London is essentially a graphic novel-cum-app. Much like Dickens' work  in real life, the graphic novel-cum-app will be released in editions. The first edition of Dickens: Dark London, called Seven Dials is now available for download for free off the App Store. The other editions that will follow will cost the user a monthly £1.49 for download.

From Dickens: Dark London

The app comes loaded with illustrations by David Foldvari that almost make the Dickensian London come alive. Along with Foldvari's illustrations, Tinker Tailor Solder Spy actor, Mark Strong adds his narratives to all the episodes of Dickens: Dark London. The app will also feature some 'bonus illustrations' from some of Dickens' most loved works - from Bleak House to Oliver Twist. A description of the app further reveals that, "Drawn from a selection of his short stories featured in Sketches By Boz, Dickens: Dark London will be published monthly throughout the run of the exhibition to echo how Dickens himself released his writings. All editions of the app are brought together on an 1862 map of London, overlaid with modern satellite images of the capital, allowing you to compare the city that Dickens knew with the London of today."