Book description
With an essay by Lyn Pykett.
'But what added most to the grotesque expression of his face, was
a ghastly smile, which, appearing to be the mere result of habit and
to have no connexion with any mirthful or complacent feeling,
constantly revealed the few discoloured fangs that were yet
scattered in his mouth, and gave him the aspect of a panting dog'
The tale of Little Nell gripped the nation when it first appeared in
1841. Described as a 'tragedy of sorrows', the story tells of 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 Quilp. Blending realism with non-realistic genres
such as fairy-tale, allegory, and pastoral, the tale of Nell's tragedy
contains some of Dickens most memorable comic and grotesque creations,
including the dwarf Daniel Quilp, Dick Swiveller and Kit Nubbles.
The Penguin English Library - 100 editions of the best fiction in
English, from the eighteenth century and the first novels to the
beginning of the First World War.
Charles Dickens (1812-70) had his first, astounding success with
his first novel The Pickwick Papers and never looked back. In
an extraordinarily full life he wrote, campaigned and spoke on a huge
range of issues, and was involved in many of the key aspects of
Victorian life, by turns cajoling, moving and irritating. He completed
numerous volumes of journalism and fourteen full-length novels, of
which The Old Curiosity Shop is fourth. It was an instant bestseller.
The Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist, Nicholas
Nickleby, Barnaby Rudge, A Christmas Carol,
Martin Chuzzlewit, Dombey and Son, David
Copperfield, Bleak House, Hard Times, Litte
Dorrit, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations,
Our Mutual Friend and The Mystery of Edwin Drood are
also published in the Penguin English Library.
