On his sickbed, an elderly Dickens recalls his life. He remembers his father John as someone who is a bit larger than life. A great storyteller, he enjoys performing monologues in ale houses and even has the young Charles sing or recite from time to time. John works as a clerk but with a growing family, he has fallen behind in his payments to the local shopkeepers. He borrows a bit of money from a cousin but he has to make plans to relocate to a less prosperous part of London. Before he can do so however, he is visited by a solicitor seeking payment on behalf of his clients.

Young Charles returns to his family in London at the end of term and is unlikely to return. He finds it hard to accept that London is a great classroom for learning about life. He learns about the poverty around him. While he knows his father is employed in civil service, he's also aware that prosecutors are after him.

In New York City, Dickens meets an ardent admirer, a Miss Baldwin, who reminds him of someone from his youth. As a young man, Charles was involved in amateur theatricals and was writing, drawing on his own experiences for the latter. Charles has also taken an interest in Maria Beadnell, one of several daughters to a well-known banker. In fact, he's fallen madly in love with her and has taken to writing her poetry.

In 1835, Dickens is working as a journalist and publishing stories wherever and whenever he can. He's still in love with Maria but she seems to think less of him. Dickens drowns his sorrows at the ale house and falls into the arms of local prostitute Desdemona. Although under a pseudonym, Dickens begins to gather a following. His first book nets £150, much to his spendthrift father's joy. The money doesn't last long, however, as the elder Dickens is once again arrested.

Dickens grows ncreasingly concerned at Catherine's deteriorating mental condition. Meanwhile, he continues his flirtation with sister-in-law Mary, spending hours together. With his ever-growing success, Dickens rents a new 12-room London townhouse with a large garden. Unbeknownst to everyone, Mary is seriously ill.

Dickens recalls his first visit to the United States in 1842, where he met Edgar Allan Poe. Kate, psychologically fragile as she is, accompanied him though she isn't having much fun. Dickens and Poe find much to discuss and share stories over wine.

In New York, Dickens reads 'A Christmas Carol' to a sold-out audience. He reminisces about his childhood, particularly those involving his larger than life father and some of the financial difficulties they faced one particular holiday season. Similarly, he reads from his other works, and recalls how his father and events of his own life are reflected in his stories.