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.

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.

Dickens is doing quite well with a new illustrator for 'The Pickwick Papers', which is proving a great success. Meanwhile, Kate is pregnant, expecting their first child. A dream about an orphan boy leads Dickens to write 'Oliver Twist'. He researches the subject thoroughly, visiting prisons and following a jailer's suggestion that such boys are often pickpockets. In many ways, it reminds him of his own youth.

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.