Charles Dickens
43) American Notes
First published in 1854, Hard Times is a profoundly moving, articulate and searing indictment of the life-reducing effects of the industrial revolution, and certain aspects of enlightenment thinking. Set in the fictional midlands mill-town of Coketown, the narrative centers on the industrialist, Mr Thomas Gradgrind, whose belief in scientific utilitarianism skews his world view and is a motive force, carrying the narrative towards farce
...45) Sketches by Boz
49) Oliver Twist
The last major story that Dickens completed before his death, "George Silverman's Explanation" is something of a departure for the famed master of Victorian fiction. One of the rare tales Dickens wrote in the first person, the story is a narrative account of one man's horrific start in life, the ripples of which seem to fan out and negatively impact everything else that happens to him.
Anyone who has ever read a novel by Charles Dickens is well aware of the author's keen interest in social issues, especially the detrimental effects of poverty. This volume of essays brings together some of Dickens' best non-fiction writing on social issues, carried out in the form of letters to the editor, op-ed pieces, and correspondence.
Though he is best remembered today as one of the most renowned novelists of the Victorian era, British author Charles Dickens was deeply engaged with the political and social debates of his time and often wrote essays and opinion pieces staking out his position in topical debates. In the essay "Sunday Under Three Heads," which Dickens originally published under a pseudonym, the writer argues in favor of the working classes having Sundays free to
...The most unique aspect of Charles Dickens' skill as a writer — and the characteristic that propelled him to unprecedented heights of literary fame — was his ability to immerse readers in the quotidian details of his characters' lives, loves, and struggles. That strength shines through in this vast collection of short pieces culled from Dickens' tenure as a newspaper columnist.
58) The Holly-Tree
60) Hunted Down
Looking for a quick but engrossing read? In Hunted Down, master storyteller Charles Dickens makes an uncharacteristic foray into quasi-detective fiction, and creating an idiosyncratic protagonist whose strange interests and preoccupations make him a natural when it comes to tracking down criminals.