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Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens Oliver Twist, or the Parish Boys Progress, Charles Dickenss second novel, was published as a serial from 1837 to 1839, and as a three-volume book in 1838.Born in a workhouse, the orphan Oliver Twist is sold into apprenticeship with an undertaker. After escaping, Oliver travels to London, where he meets the "Artful Dodger", a member of a gang of juvenile pickpockets led by the elderly criminal Fagin.Oliver Twist unromantically portrays the sordid lives of criminals, and exposes the cruel treatment of the many orphans in London in the mid-19th century.The alternative title, The Parish Boys Progress, alludes to Bunyans The Pilgrims Progress, as well as the 18th-century caricature series by painter William Hogarth, A Rakes Progress and A Harlots Progress.In an early example of the social novel, Dickens satirises child labour, domestic violence, the recruitment of children as criminals, and the presence of street children. The novel may have been inspired by the story of Robert Blincoe, an orphan whose account of working as a child labourer in a cotton mill was widely read in the 1830s. It is likely that Dickenss own experiences as a youth contributed as well.Oliver Twist has been the subject of numerous adaptations, including a highly successful musical, Oliver!, the multiple Academy Award-winning 1968 motion picture, Disneys animated film Oliver & Company in 1988 and the 1948 film, starring Alec Guinness as Fagin.

Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens is a novel by Charles Dickens, originally published in serial form between 1855 and 1857. The story features Amy Dorrit, youngest child of her family, born and raised in the Marshalsea prison for debtors in London. Arthur Clennam encounters her after returning home from a 20-year absence, ready to begin his life anew.The novel satirises some shortcomings of both government and society, including the institution of debtors prisons, where debtors were imprisoned, unable to work and yet incarcerated until they had repaid their debts. The prison in this case is the Marshalsea, where Dickenss own father had been imprisoned. Dickens is also critical of the impotent bureaucracy of the British government, in this novel in the form of the fictional "Circumlocution Office". Dickens also satirises the stratification of society that results from the British class system.The novel begins in Marseilles "thirty years ago" (c. 1826), with the notorious murderer Rigaud telling his prison cellmate John Baptist Cavalletto how he killed his wife, just prior to being taken to trial. Businessman Arthur Clennam is detained with other travellers in quarantine in Marseilles and becomes friends with the merchants Mr. and Mrs. Meagles, their spoiled daughter "Pet", and their maid, an orphan named Harriet Beadle the family has nicknamed Tattycoram.Another traveller, Miss Wade, takes interest in the rebellious Tattycoram. Arthur has spent the last twenty years in China with his father, handling that part of the family business; his father died recently there. Arthur is now returning to London to see his mother, Mrs Clennam.

David Copperfield, one of Charles Dickenss most beloved novels, is a semi-autobiographical work that intricately weaves a tale of personal development, social critique, and vivid character portrayal. Set against the backdrop of Victorian England, the narrative follows the life of the titular character from his troubled childhood to his eventual maturity, exploring themes of identity, class, and resilience. Dickens employs a first-person narrative style that fosters an intimate connection between Copperfield and the reader, allowing for deep emotional engagement and empathy with the struggles faced by the protagonist. Charles Dickens, a towering figure in 19th-century literature, drew from his own life experiences to inform the creation of David Copperfield. Born into modest circumstances, Dickens faced adversity in his youth, which instilled in him a profound understanding of social injustices. His background as a journalist and an active social reformer also influenced the novels exploration of the harsh realities of poverty, labor exploitation, and the importance of compassion within society. I highly recommend David Copperfield to readers seeking not only a captivating narrative but also a poignant reflection on human resilience and societal issues. Dickenss mastery of character development and his ability to evoke empathy ensure that this novel will resonate with anyone interested in the complexities of life and the growth of the human spirit.

This is an Upper Level story in a series of ELT readers comprising a wide range of titles - some original and some simplified - from modern and classic novels, and designed to appeal to all age-groups, tastes and cultures. The books are divided into five levels: Starter Level, with about 300 basic words; Beginner Level (600 basic words); Elementary Level (1100); Intermediate Level (1600); and Upper Level (2200). Some of the titles are also available on cassette.

This series of readers features adaptations of over 60 classic and popular literary works. Attractive and helpful illustrations clarify vocabulary and reinforce understanding of the stories, while questions and activities at the end of each book test understanding. Words essential to the story are explained within the text, illustrated, and then reused for maximum reinforcement. The books are graded at five vocabulary levels, ranging from 1,400 words (Intermediate) to 5,000 words (Advanced). Young adults from the Intermediate level upwards will enjoy reading the lively stories, and they can progress from level to level as their reading skills develop.

Tells the life story of David Copperfield, from his birth in Suffolk, through the various struggles of his childhood, to his successful career as a novelist. The early scenes are particularly masterful, depicting the world as seen from the perspective of a fatherless, small boy, whose idyllic life is ruined when his mother remarries.

Charles DickensA Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations represent two pillars of Victorian literature, showcasing his masterful storytelling, social commentary, and vivid characterizations. A Tale of Two Cities is set against the tumultuous backdrop of the French Revolution, exploring themes of resurrection and sacrifice through the lives of characters caught in the throes of revolutionary fervor. In contrast, Great Expectations follows the journey of Pip, a young orphan who navigates the complexities of ambition, class, and personal growth in early 19th-century England. Dickens employs a rich, emotive prose style, interspersed with sharp humor and poignant observations about society, creating a multifaceted narrative that reflects both the historical context and the psychological depths of his characters. Charles Dickens, born into poverty and experiencing the hardships of the working class, used his literary prowess to shed light on social injustices and the struggles of the underprivileged. His own life experiences deeply informed his understanding of human resilience and aspiration, themes that resonate through both novels. Enriched by his background and keen social consciousness, Dickens crafted these works as reflections of his time, making poignant critiques of class disparities and the moral complexities of human existence. This dual offeringA Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectationsis essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the depth of human experience through the lens of history and personal transformation. Dickenss intricate plotting and profound insights invite readers to engage thoughtfully with the characters journeys, rendering these works timeless in their relevance and emotional resonance.

The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens (commonly known as Martin Chuzzlewit) is a novel by Charles Dickens, considered the last of his picaresque novels. It was originally serialised between 1842 and 1844.While he was writing it Dickens told a friend that he thought it was his best work thus far, but it was one of his least popular novels, judged by sales of the monthly instalments. Characters in this novel gained fame, including Pecksniff and Mrs Gamp.The late nineteenth century English novelist George Gissing read the novel in February 1888 "for refreshment" but felt that it showed "incomprehensible weakness of story".Like nearly all of Dickenss novels, Martin Chuzzlewit was first published in monthly instalments. Early sales of the monthly parts were lower than those of previous works, so Dickens changed the plot to send the title character to the United States.Dickens had visited America in 1842 in part as a failed attempt to get the US publishers to honour international copyright laws. He satirized the country as a place filled with self-promoting hucksters, eager to sell land sight unseen. In later editions, and in his second visit 24 years later to a much-changed US, he made clear it was satire and not a balanced image of the nation in a speech and then included that speech in all future editions.

Edwin Drood is contracted to marry orphan Rosa Bud when he comes of age, but when they find that duty has gradually replaced affection, they agree to break off the engagement. Shortly afterwards, in the middle of a storm on Christmas Eve, Edwin disappears, leaving nothing behind but some personal belongings and the suspicion that his jealous uncle John Jasper, madly in love with Rosa, is the killer. And beyond this presumed crime there are further intrigues: the dark opium dens of the sleepy cathedral town of Cloisterham, and the sinister double life of Choirmaster Jasper, whose drug-fuelled fantasy life belies his respectable appearance. Dickens died before completing "The Mystery of Edwin Drood", leaving its tantalising mystery unsolved and encouraging successive generations of readers to turn detective.

To Paul Dombey, business is all and money can do anything. He runs his family life as he runs his firm: coldly, calculatingly and commercially. The only person he cares for is his frail son, grooming him for entry into the family business; his daughter Florence, abandoned and ignored, craves affection from her unloving father, who sees her only as a base coin that couldnt be invested. As Dombeys callousness extends to others - from his defiant second wife Edith, to Florences admirer Walter Gay - he sows the seeds of his own destruction. Can this heartless businessman be redeemed? A compelling depiction of a man imprisoned by his own pride, "Dombey and Son" explores the devastating effects of emotional deprivation on a dysfunctional family and on society as a whole.

The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens is one of two novels (the other being Barnaby Rudge) which Charles Dickens published along with short stories in his weekly serial Master Humphreys Clock, from 1840 to 1841. It was so popular that New York readers stormed the wharf when the ship bearing the final instalment arrived in 1841. The Old Curiosity Shop was printed in book form in 1841.The plot follows the life of Nell Trent and her grandfather, both residents of The Old Curiosity Shop in London.Queen Victoria read the novel in 1841 and found it "very interesting and cleverly written".The Old Curiosity Shop tells the story of Nell Trent, a beautiful and virtuous young girl of "not quite fourteen". An orphan, she lives with her maternal grandfather (whose name is never revealed) in his shop of odds and ends.Her grandfather loves her dearly, and Nell does not complain, but she lives a lonely existence with almost no friends her own age. Her only friend is Kit, an honest boy employed at the shop, whom she is teaching to write. Secretly obsessed with ensuring that Nell does not die in poverty as her parents did, her grandfather attempts to provide Nell with a good inheritance through gambling at cards.He keeps his nocturnal games a secret, but borrows heavily from the evil Daniel Quilp, a malicious, grotesquely deformed, hunchbacked dwarf moneylender. In the end, he gambles away what little money they have, and Quilp seizes the opportunity to take possession of the shop and evict Nell and her grandfather. Her grandfather suffers a breakdown that leaves him bereft of his wits, and Nell takes him away to the Midlands of England, to live as beggars.