Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens (; 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English novelist, journalist, short story writer and social critic. He created some of literature's best-known fictional characters, and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime and, by the 20th century, critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories are widely read today.Born in Portsmouth, Dickens left school at age 12 to work in a boot-blacking factory when his father John was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. After three years, he returned to school before beginning his literary career as a journalist. Dickens edited a weekly journal for 20 years; wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and nonfiction articles; lectured and performed readings extensively; was an indefatigable letter writer; and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education and other social reforms.
Dickens's literary success began with the 1836 serial publication of ''The Pickwick Papers'', a publishing phenomenon—thanks largely to the introduction of the character Sam Weller in the fourth episode—that sparked ''Pickwick'' merchandise and spin-offs. Within a few years, Dickens had become an international literary celebrity, famous for his humour, satire and keen observation of character and society. His novels, most of them published in monthly or weekly instalments, pioneered the serial publication of narrative fiction, which became the dominant Victorian mode for novel publication. Cliffhanger endings in his serial publications kept readers in suspense. The instalment format allowed Dickens to evaluate his audience's reaction, and he often modified his plot and character development based on such feedback. For example, when his wife's chiropodist expressed distress at the way Miss Mowcher in ''David Copperfield'' seemed to reflect her own disabilities, Dickens improved the character with positive features. His plots were carefully constructed and he often wove elements from topical events into his narratives. Masses of the illiterate poor would individually pay a halfpenny to have each new monthly episode read to them, opening up and inspiring a new class of readers.
His 1843 novella ''A Christmas Carol'' remains especially popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every creative medium. ''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. The most famous celebrity of his era, he undertook, in response to public demand, a series of public reading tours in the later part of his career. The term ''Dickensian'' is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social or working conditions, or comically repulsive characters. Provided by Wikipedia
Showing 61 - 80 results of 310 for search 'Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870', query time: 0.14s
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61
Great expectations / by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
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A tale of two cities / by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
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63
The life & adventures of Nicholas Nickleby / by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
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64
The posthumous papers of the Pickwick Club / by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
Published 1987Other Authors: “…Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870…”
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65
The personal history of David Copperfield / by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
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66
The adventures of Oliver Twist / by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
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67
The amusements of the people and other papers : reports, essays, and reviews, 1834-51 / by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
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68
Dickens on America & the Americans / by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
Published 1978Call Number: Loading…
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69
The D. case : the truth about the mystery of Edwin Drood / by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
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70
Great expectations / by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
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71
Great novels of Charles Dickens. by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
Published 2000Other Authors: “…Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870…”
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72
Charles Dickens as editor, being letters written by him to William Henry Wills, his sub-editor. by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
Published 1972Call Number: Loading…
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73
The love romance of Charles Dickens told in his letters to Maria Beadnell (Mrs. Winter) by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
Published 1936Call Number: Loading…
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74
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Dickens; his letters to her. by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
Published 1972Call Number: Loading…
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75
Best stories. by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
Published 1959Call Number: Loading…
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76
Oliver Twist; by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
Published 1966Call Number: Loading…
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77
The life and adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit. by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
Published 1951Call Number: Loading…
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78
American notes and pictures from Italy / by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
Published 1957Other Authors: “…Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870…”
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79
A Christmas carol / by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
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80
Barnaby Rudge : a tale of the riots of 'eighty / by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
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