A Tale of Two Authors: An Afternoon with Mary Kay Zuravleff

Step into a literary world where the echoes of Dickensian tales meet the contemporary brilliance of Mary Kay Zuravleff's new novel ‘American Ending.’ We're thrilled to invite you to a captivating event hosted at the historic Charles Dickens Museum, where we'll delve into the intricate tapestry of storytelling that spans generations.

Date: 18^th May 2024

Time: 3pm (UK time)

Location: Charles Dickens Museum, 48 Doughty Street, London, WC1N 2LX or join us virtually.

About the Event:

Immerse yourself in an afternoon of literary exploration as we celebrate the enduring legacy of Charles Dickens and the profound influence he continues to wield on modern literature. Our esteemed guest, acclaimed author Mary Kay Zuravleff, will take us on a journey through her latest novel, 'American Ending,' a spellbinding narrative that intricately weaves the experiences of a young woman navigating the complexities of identity and heritage in contemporary America.

Highlights of the Afternoon:

Engaging Discussion: Mary Kay Zuravleff will share insights into her creative process, discussing how Dickens's timeless works inspired and informed the creation of 'American Ending.'

Q&A Session: Do you have burning questions about ‘American Ending’, Mary Kay's writing process, or the influence of Charles Dickens? Here's your chance to interact directly with the author.

Literary Insights: Explore the parallels between Zuravleff's modern narrative and the timeless themes explored in Dickens's classic tales of social justice, family, and the human condition.

Exclusive Book Signing: Purchase a copy of 'American Ending' and have it personally signed by the author, creating a cherished keepsake of this unforgettable afternoon.

Ticket Information:

Onsite Attendance: £5 per ticket

Virtual Attendance: Free, or choose to make a donation. 

Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to celebrate the intersection of past and present, as we honour the literary genius of Charles Dickens while embracing the contemporary brilliance of Mary Kay Zuravleff. Reserve your spot today and embark on a journey through time and imagination.

Limited spaces available. Secure your tickets now! For enquiries contact events@dickensmuseum.com. 



About ‘American Ending.’

A woman growing up in a family of Russian immigrants in the 1910s seeks a thoroughly American life. Yelena is the first American born to her Old Believer Russian Orthodox parents, who are building a life in a Pennsylvania Appalachian town. This town, in the first decades of the 20th century, is filled with Russian transplants and a new church with a dome. Here, boys quit grade school for the coal mines and girls are married off at fourteen. The young pair up, give birth to more babies than they can feed, and make shaky starts in their new world. However, Yelena craves a different path. Will she find her happy American ending or will a dreaded Russian ending be her fate?

In this immersive novel, Zuravleff weaves Russian fairy tales and fables into a family saga within the storied American landscape. The challenges facing immigrants—and the fragility of citizenship—are just as unsettling and surprising today as they were 100 years ago. American Ending is a poignant reminder that everything that is happening in America has already happened.

“It’s small acts of inventiveness, generosity, and love that keep individuals going when hard times close in. This is the wisdom and warmth of American Ending, which resurrects a community of immigrants from a century ago in magical, living detail to tell a story that rings true in the present.”

— Oprah Daily

Contact our events team on events@dickensmuseum.com for more information. 

To book a live onsite ticket (£5) click here. 

To book a virtual ticket, click here.