Charles Dickens is one of the most celebrated authors of all time- if you haven’t read any of his books then you really, as they are brilliantly written. Dickens was born on the 7th of February, 1812 but he first wrote for magazines, producing ongoing pieces that would feature as a series. His writings often focus on the victims in society and his writing can be seen as a call for social change at the time- interestingly very few of his works were originally presented as novels, instead featuring in serialised magazines. Thankfully his works have since been published as books, helping Dickens and his stories become household names.

Oliver Twist

Oliver Twist is one of the most famous of Charles Dickens stories, and tells the story of a young orphaned boy called Oliver who is bought up in a life of poverty in a workhouse. After six months, he escapes the clutches of the workhouse and works for an undertaker instead; however he is still poorly treated and eventually decides to escape and embarks upon a journey to London. However he falls into the hands of a gang of pick pockets, which is an ill fit for his strong morals. However escaping the clutches of the gang is more difficult than one might assume, and Oliver has few allies to rely upon. The book itself is a brilliant read, with an intriguing plot and a brilliant writing style and it is also really interesting to see Dickens’ obvious criticisms of the society he is describing.

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol was published in 1843, and has become very famous, a favourite story for plays and pantomimes. The story describes Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly but wealthy miser, who has little time for those around him and who has no cares for those less fortunate then himself. The tale starts on Christmas eve, when Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, who warns him to change his ways. After visits by three more ghosts, who show him visions of the past, present and future, Scrooge awakes on Christmas morning a compassionate and benevolent man, a far cry from his former self. Another classic novel by Dickens, shorter than his serialised novels but more interestingly perhaps an appeal to the wealthy of his generation to become more philanthropic.

Great Expectations

Arguably one of the most famous of Dickens’ serialised novels, Great Expectations is a tale dominated by the social context of the time in which it was written. The main character is Pip, who, at the start of the book encounters an escaped convict. Pip steals food for him, and helps him free himself of his shackles, actions for which he is later rewarded. The story traces Pips upbringing, life in society and his pursuit of the cold hearted Estella, but ultimately it is a story of harsh reality and social restrictions rather than one with a fairy tale ending.