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
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Speeches : literary and social. by Dickens, Charles
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Master Humphrey's Clock "I hope that real love and truth are stronger in the end than any evil or misfortune in the world.". by Dickens , Charles
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The Lamplighter ""An idea, like a ghost, must be spoken to a little before it will explain itself."". by Dickens, Charles
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Out Of Town & Other Short Stories ""Life is made of ever so many partings welded together."". by Dickens, Charles
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The Seven Poor Travellers ""The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again."". by Dickens , Charles
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Little Dorrit. by Dickens, Charles
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The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit. by Dickens, Charles
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Nicholas Nickleby : a Faithful Account of the Fortunes, Misfortunes, Uprisings, Downfallings and Complete Career of the Nickelby Family. by Dickens, Charles
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The Village Coquettes "There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast.". by Dickens, Charles
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The Lazy Tour Of Two Idle Apprentices "I do not know the American gentleman, God forgive me for putting two such words together.". by Dickens , Charles
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Pictures From Italy, By Charles Dickens ""Never close your lips to those whom you have already opened your heart."". by Dickens, Charles
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Charles Dickens - On Detectives ""Vices are sometimes only virtures carried to excess!"". by Dickens, Charles
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Our Mutual Friend. by Dickens, Charles
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David Copperfield. by Dickens, Charles
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Speeches. by Dickens, Charles
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Gothic Tales Of Terror - Volume 6 A classic collection of Gothic stories. In this volume we have Dickens, Lovecraft, Poe & Jerome. by Dickens, Charles
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The Mystery of Edwin Drood. by Dickens, Charles
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Oliver Twist : Or the Parish Boy's Progress. by Dickens, Charles
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The old curiosity shop by Dickens, Charles
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Holiday Romance. by Dickens, Charles
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Doctor Marigold "No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.". by Dickens , Charles
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Sketches Of Young Men "My advice is to never do tomorrow what you can do today. Procrastination is the thief of time.". by Dickens , Charles
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The Mystery of Edwin Drood "A man is lucky if he is the first love of a woman. A woman is lucky if she is the last love of a man.". by Dickens , Charles
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Pictures From Italy. by Dickens, Charles
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A Tale of Two Cities : a Story of the French Revolution. by Dickens, Charles
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A Tale of Two Cities by Dickens, Charles
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The Strange Gentleman "A very little key will open a very heavy door.". by Dickens, Charles
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To Be Read At Dusk ""If there were no bad people, there would be no good lawyers."". by Dickens , Charles
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The Wreck Of The Golden Mary ""It is a melancholy truth that even great men have their poor relations."". by Dickens , Charles
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Charles Dickens - On London ""Charity begins at home, and justice begins next door."". by Dickens, Charles
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A Christmas Carol : In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas. by Dickens, Charles
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American Notes For General Circulation. by Dickens, Charles
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Little Dorrit. by Dickens, Charles
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The Battle Of Life "I have been bent and broken, but - I hope - into a better shape.". by Dickens , Charles
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Bleak House by Dickens, Charles
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The Short Ghost Stories Of Charles Dickens by Dickens, Charles
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Charles Dickens - Persons Of Interest ""Regrets are the natural property of grey hairs."". by Dickens, Charles
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Great Expectations by Dickens, Charles
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Sketches by Boz Illustrative of Every-Day Life and Every-Day People. by Dickens, Charles
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Perils Of Certain English Prisoners "To a young heart everything is fun.". by Dickens , Charles
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