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Nicholas Nickleby #2
The Life And Adventures Of Nicholas Nickleby: Reproduced In Facsimile From The Original Monthly Parts Of 1838-9
Nicholas Nickleby is an early novel, but already shows in developed form Dickens's characteristic concern for the poor, children and dependent, and vigorous dislike of materialism and exploitation under the guise of education.
624 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1970
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About the author
Charles Dickens
12.6k books31.3k followersCharles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was a writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.
Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.
Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.
On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.
(from Wikipedia)
Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.
Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.
On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 26, 2013
Con un tono ironicamente critico Dickens narra la storia di Nicholas Nickleby, degna degli intrecci e delle complicazioni umane, tipici nella letteratura dell’autore.
Il giovane Nicholas Nickleby si trova a dover sostenere la sua famiglia, dopo la perdita del padre. La famiglia, trasferitasi nella caotica Londra cerca appoggio nella figura del fratello del defunto, Ralph Nickleby, che si rivela, ben presto, nella sua natura perfida ed egoistica.
Fondendo drammaticità, spunti critici, satira e avventura, Dickens costruisce una trama ricca di fascino, con personaggi psicologicamente intensi e con ambientazioni particolareggiate.
Il giovane Nicholas Nickleby si trova a dover sostenere la sua famiglia, dopo la perdita del padre. La famiglia, trasferitasi nella caotica Londra cerca appoggio nella figura del fratello del defunto, Ralph Nickleby, che si rivela, ben presto, nella sua natura perfida ed egoistica.
Fondendo drammaticità, spunti critici, satira e avventura, Dickens costruisce una trama ricca di fascino, con personaggi psicologicamente intensi e con ambientazioni particolareggiate.
July 24, 2022
As a whole, I found this novel interesting, eventful, illuminating, fascinating.
Some of the descriptions of people, places, events are so vivid they make me feel I travelled back in time. CD exhibits a decidedly dry droll humour at times such as when he remarks that a man wore a suit that did not suit him. CD is a severe critic of hypocrisy, of social injustice (such as cruelty to children and husbands taking over their wives' property) and ridicules greed, avarice, snobbery (particularly in Mrs Nickleby) and other aspects of the social setups in Victorian society. Makes me appreciate living in the Western world in the 21C rather than the 19C.
Some parts I found tedious. The main hero and two heroines seemed too bland for my liking although both Nicholas N and his sister Kate are very direct and Nicholas N does have a hot temper.
The novel ends in a very typical sugary Victorian sentimental way.
Some of the descriptions of people, places, events are so vivid they make me feel I travelled back in time. CD exhibits a decidedly dry droll humour at times such as when he remarks that a man wore a suit that did not suit him. CD is a severe critic of hypocrisy, of social injustice (such as cruelty to children and husbands taking over their wives' property) and ridicules greed, avarice, snobbery (particularly in Mrs Nickleby) and other aspects of the social setups in Victorian society. Makes me appreciate living in the Western world in the 21C rather than the 19C.
Some parts I found tedious. The main hero and two heroines seemed too bland for my liking although both Nicholas N and his sister Kate are very direct and Nicholas N does have a hot temper.
The novel ends in a very typical sugary Victorian sentimental way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2014
Loved this book; probably my favorite Dickens so far, although I say that with each one I read! Long but worth every page. I was afraid when I started it was just another Oliver Twist story, but it wasn't. Lots of intertwined character stories with superb character development. Dickens is the master fiction writer. I was sad when it was over.
May 22, 2014
a lovely story.
April 9, 2018
Read long time ago.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews