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Nicholas Nickleby #1
Nicholas Nickleby [Easyread Edition]
This is a widely read adventurous story of young Nicholas Nickleby. Dickens' contempt for injustice and poverty in Victorian England is palpable here. The book shimmers with Dickensian twists and turns. The characters are unforgettable and Dickens' commentary on social vices pricks the conscience. It is considered one of the finest works in 19th century literature. Enthralling!
Paperback
First published January 1, 1957
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About the author
Charles Dickens
12.1k books31k 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 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 15, 2012
"The Life and Adventure of Nicholas Nickleby" is like I expect a Dickens to be. A widow with two children gone poor, a villainous and ruthless uncle and schoolteacher, poor abused boys, angel-like ladies, chivalrous young men, misery, poverty, abuse... and a fairytale-like ending.
I loved it, as I loved "Oliver Twist", "Great Expectations" and "Martin Chuzzlewit", but curiously enough I have to reads books like this in autumn or winter.
Other thoughts/reviews:
Frisbee: A Book Journal: http://frisbeebookjournal.wordpress.c...
Clothes in Books: http://clothesinbooks.blogspot.be/201...
I loved it, as I loved "Oliver Twist", "Great Expectations" and "Martin Chuzzlewit", but curiously enough I have to reads books like this in autumn or winter.
Other thoughts/reviews:
Frisbee: A Book Journal: http://frisbeebookjournal.wordpress.c...
Clothes in Books: http://clothesinbooks.blogspot.be/201...
July 30, 2020
An early novel with little of the autobiographical content of later epics. We have a noble hero, challenged by adversity, monstrous villains to be opposed, lovely but vulnerable heroines and a host of sympathetic characters to provide relief from the high drama. There is pathos at it's most raw and comedy, too. Dickens' love of the theatre is explored in the company of the Crummles, a family of travelling players to whom Nicholas turns for support and escape from the Yorkshire headmaster, Squeers whose cruelty and exploitation became a symbol of Dickens' campaign against a historical evil.
June 29, 2021
Excellent read Love Charles Dickens' names of his characters
October 22, 2021
Nothing gets any better than a good old story from Charles Dickens.. Never ever is he short on characters that have their own personality!!! Saw the movie had to read the book!! If you like any of Dicken 's stories you will call in love with this one. It seems as if he has combined some of his stories into this one... You find two children now as adults and the mom in very tough times as the father has died and now has to go and seek out their uncle who they need a helping hand in finding work to survive!!! The uncle reminded me of Scrooges but in such a different ending.. Follow this family and how they fight to not only survive but to survive their uncle's hate as the uncle brings more trouble into their lives...there will always be hard times and troubles but when happiness comes your way enjoy it and no matter what is thrown at you,do not lose the love in your heart for others,make you bitter,there is always as you will see another person's troubles are worse than your own and never stop helping others with their misfortune if you only have a kind word to share...love the language in the story that is shared from this family to others and they open their hearts and home to make a home and family for the others that do not have one!! A very much need to be read book!!!
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 1, 2019
Dickens knows how to weave a great plot, but it's is turn of phrase and creative use of language that really grabs me.
December 16, 2022
Not bad.
February 6, 2023
One of my favourite books. Dickens at his best!
February 6, 2024
Fabulous story!!!
October 22, 2009
Reading on an audio CD by the BBC. So far it's fantastic. It reads like a live radio show, and the acting is just amazing.
April 22, 2010
My Grandma and I read this together and it was FANTASTIC . I am really liking this Dickens guy.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews