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.

During his tour, Dickens meets Commissioner Wentworth and takes exception to New York city's jail. He recalls when, as a boy of 12, his own father was jailed for nine months without any evidence. Charles had obtained employment with Cousin James, working in horrible circumstances making boot polish. At home, Mr. Kerr continues to press for repayment and the elder Dickens finds himself in the sponging-house, a temporary jail for debtors.

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 proposes to Catherine, which she happily accepts. Kate, however, is frightened by the prospect of marriage and also with her new husband's determination. Dickens has his first great success with his serialisation of 'The Pickwick Papers'. Sales are not as expected and he has issues with the illustrator. With an advance on the first two stories, Dickens sets out to furnish his new home.

In New York, Dickens is invited to a sportsman's dinner, one of many such invitations that he regularly receives. He recalls a time when, as still a young man, he sorely grieved the loss of sister-in-law Mary, whom he loved very dearly. He continues to produce novels, including 'Oliver Twist' but begins to fear for his health and seeks the world-weary Dr. Elliotson to take out an insurance policy.

Charles is acting very strangely and his friends are worried, as he claims to be in love with Queen Victoria, upset that she is marrying a German; he even threatens to leave England. He wants to buy back his his copyright to 'Oliver Twist', seemingly prepared to pay a hefty sum to do so. The serialisation of 'The Old Curiosity Shop' is a huge success, with the death of the protagonist, Little Nell, capturing the imagination of the nation, leaving many a grown man in tears.

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.