Works of Charles Dickens

by Charles Dickens, George Cruikshank

Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso

Genres: Fiction, Classics, Literature, Historical Fiction, Classic Literature, Collections, France

1113 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1978

About the author

Charles 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)

Reviews

[Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Currently Reading: The Mystery of Edwin Drood
To Read: TBA

Finished:
Oliver Twist: 4 Stars
David Copperfield: 5 Stars
Great Expectations: 4 Stars
A Christmas Carol: 5 Stars
The Chimes: 3 Stars
The Cricket on the Hearth: 4 Stars
The Battle of Life: 3 Stars
A Tale of Two Cities: 4 Stars
The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain: 3 Stars
Bleak House: 4 Stars

[Andy Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A CLASSIC

Enjoyed the collection of stories. Took me about three years to read. It was well worth the time spent. I am sure certain stories I will read again.

[Peter Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvellous collection from the incomparable Dickens. Incredible value as well. A great way to read the lesser known works as well.

[Bob Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent over 3 years in the early 20teens reading the (almost) complete works of Dickens. It is something one should really do. A nearly complete anthology like this online enables one to accomplish that goal. A real pleasure was finding gems in some of this lesser known works, especially the ones on this first visit to America in the early 1840s. One insight Dickens had was the peculiarly American unseemingly admiration of con men and grifters, on the notion that many people, when swindled, found some rationalization in that the swindler must have been very smart to swindle them. And disappointment in being taken some how turned into admiration towards the con man. Several years after I read this Dickens insight from 1842 along came Trump. Some things never change...

[John Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dickens must be the foremost writer of the English language. I will enjoy his books for ever.
Currently re-reading Pickwick Papers.