Book description
Penguin Classics e-books give you the best possible editions of
Charles Dickens's novels, including all the original illustrations,
useful and informative introductions, the definitive, accurate text as
it was meant to be published, a chronology of Dickens's life and notes
that fill in the background to the book.
The Old Curiosity Shop and the tale of Little Nell gripped
the nation when it first appeared in 1841. Described as a 'tragedy of
sorrows', it shows Nell uprooted from a secure and innocent childhood
and cast into a world where evil takes many shapes, the most
fascinating of which is the stunted, lecherous and demonic Quilp.
Blending realism with non-realistic genres such as fairy-tale,
allegory and pastoral, The Old Curiosity Shop contains some of
Dickens most memorable comic and grotesque creations, including the
dwarf Daniel Quilp, Dick Swiveller and Kit Nubbles.
Charles Dickens (1812-70) was a political reporter and journalist
whose popularity was established by the phenomenally successful
PICKWICK PAPERS (1836-7). His novels captured and held the public
imagination over a period of more than thirty years. He is considered
one of the greatest novelists in the English language.
Norman Page is Emeritus Professor at the University of Nottingham
and the University of Alberta, Canada. His books include A Dickens
Companion and A Dickens Chronology.
