Nicholas Nickleby

Nicholas Nickleby is a classic English comic novel written by Charles Dickens. The story follows the life of Nicholas Nickleby after his father's death leaves him penniless. He turns to his uncle for help but soon finds himself forced to make his own way in the world when his uncle proves to be hardhearted and unscrupulous.

The novel is characterized by Dickens' outrage at cruelty and social injustice, as well as its flamboyantly exuberant style that harks back to earlier picaresque novels. Mark Ford's introduction compares Nicholas Nickleby to eighteenth-century picaresque novels and examines Dickens' criticism of the 'Yorkshire schools,' his social satire, and use of language.

This edition includes the original illustrations by "Phiz," as well as Dickens' original preface to the work, a chronology, and a list of further reading. Charles Dickens is one of the most beloved novelists in the English language, whose 200th anniversary was celebrated in 2012. His other famous works include Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, David Copperfield, and The Pickwick Papers, which have been adapted for stage and screen and read by millions. If you enjoyed Nicholas Nickleby, you might also like Dickens' David Copperfield, also available in Penguin Classics.