Charles Dickens was one of the most famous English authors of the early Victorian era. His work has had numerous TV, theater, and movie adaptations over the years. In his own life, he was also a social critic of the 19th century.
In 1833, he began his career by writing short stories, novellas and essays for periodicals. However, he is best known as the author of Oliver Twist, which is considered a groundbreaking piece of literature.
In this article, we’ll briefly go over some of his most famous works.
Best books by Charles Dickens
Here are the best books by Charles Dickens and their short summaries.
Great Expectations (1861)
In Great Expectations, the storyline follows the life of Pip, a young English orphan. As the story unravels, Pip acquires wealth, abandons his friends, and becomes humbled by his arrogance. This piece also introduces a rather interesting character, Miss Havisham, whose relationship with Pip can be described as ambiguous.
David Copperfield (1850)
The novel David Copperfield follows the life of the protagonist. This is considered to be Dicken’s autobiography.
In this novel, he also introduces Uriah Heep, the main antagonist, who mostly appears in the second part. It’s a touching story that follows David’s journey from impoverishment to success and all the gut-wrenching lessons along the way.
A Christmas Carol (1843)
A Christmas Carol is one of the most famous Charles Dickens books. It’s undoubtedly the most read Charles Dickens story. Since it was first published in London, it’s never been out of print. The story is about Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly man who is visited by a ghost of his former business partner, Jacob, and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.
After the visits, Ebenezer Scrooge is transformed into a kind man.
This piece popularized the word “humbug,” as Scrooge was fond of exclaiming it. The word means “fraud” or “impostor.”
Bleak House (1853)
Dickens’s Bleak House is special because it’s the only novel by this author that’s almost wholly narrated in the first person. The novel tells the story of the Jarndyce family, who are waiting in vain to inherit the family fortune.
Oliver Twist (1839)
Oliver Twist is a famous novel about an orphan, Oliver, who was raised in a workhouse. One day, he escapes to London, where he meets a juvenile pickpocket gang. Throughout the story, Oliver finds out more about his parentage and reconnects with his remaining family members.
A Tale of Two Cities (1859)
A Tale of Two Cities is a story that occurs during the French Revolution. It’s about a famous French doctor named Manette and his 18-year-long imprisonment in Bastille in Paris. When Manette is released from prison, he starts living with his daughter Lucie, who he never met before.
Martin Chuzzlewit (1844)
Martin Chuzzlewit is Dickens’ sixth novel. When Martin is near death, the worst comes out of the people around him. His family only cares about inheriting the money and chasing his fortune. This novel focuses on selfishness of all types.
Barnaby Rudge (1841)
Barnaby Rudge is Dickens’ historical novel. The plot of this novel is centered around a fire at the Maypole Inn. This is a murder mystery about Barnaby Rudge, a local fool and a son of a murderer. He is arrested as a leader of an anti-Catholic rioters group in a case of mistaken identity.
The novel talks about rebellion, patriarchy, and oppression.
Nicholas Nickleby (1839)
This is one of Charles’ early novels. It focuses on Nicholas, the protagonist, and the adventures of this young man struggling to seek fortune in Victorian London. This Dickens novel criticizes the way society treats young children and the cruel educational system.
The Pickwick Papers (1837)
This Dickens novel is an adventure story of low-class characters who manage to become heroes despite being faced with corruption and cruelty. The Pickwick Papers is an engaging story about a traveling society across England.
Little Dorrit (1857)
The serial novel Little Dorrit tells a story about Amy Dorrit. Amy is the youngest daughter in her family. She was born and raised in a debtor’s prison in London, Marshalsea, where her father is imprisoned as well. Amy and her siblings earn money during the day and return to prison at night.
Our Mutual Friend (1865)
Our Mutual Friend centers around John Harmon. He is supposed to inherit money when he returns to London and marries Bella Wilfer, a young woman who is born into poverty. However, when John is murdered, Bella is left without any future prospects.
One of the major themes of this novel is corruption and wealth and what they can do to a person.
Dombey and Son (1848)
Dombey and Son is a story about a fortune of a shipping firm owner. As the plot unravels, the father is frustrated as his son won’t follow in his footsteps, and at the same time, he rejects his daughter’s love. Dombey and Son offers the reader a deeper view into the fear of the apocalypse, comic relief, and the fear of future technological progress.
The Old Curiosity Shop (1841)
Little Nell, a frail child, is a central fictional character in Dickens’s The Old Curiosity Shop. It follows the story of this little girl and an evil dwarf Quilp. After her grandfather gambles away the shop, the two flee to London.
The Mystery of Edwin Drood (1870)
The Mystery of Edwin Drood is a famous murder story. Edwin is believed murdered, and all suspicions fall on his uncle. This is a masterpiece filled with mystery, family vendettas, and inheritance issues. However, this piece is left unfinished because Charles died of a stroke before he could write the ending pages of the book.
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FAQ
What is the best Dickens novel to read?
Many argue that A Tale of Two Cities (1859) is the best Dickens novel to read.
What is Dickens’s masterpiece?
Dicken’s masterpiece is David Copperfield (1850), which celebrates everyday heroes.
What is Dickens’s funniest book?
The most amusing work by Dickens is Great Expectations, mainly because of its characters (Mr. Jaggers and Mr. Wemmick).
What is Charles Dickens’s best-selling novel?
In addition to being the best novel by Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities is also his best-selling novel, with more than 200 million copies sold.
Which of Dickens’s novels is his shortest?
Dicken’s shortest novel is Hard Times. It is 294 pages, which is barely a quarter of the length of his other literary works.
Which of Dickens novels has the best ending?
Dicken’s David Copperfield has the best ending. Although the protagonist encounters death multiple times, he gets his happy ending at the end of this masterpiece.
