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Four Complete Novels

charles dickens

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Includes the major works by one of the greatest names in literature. Namely, Great Expectations, Hard Times, A Christmas Carol and A Tale of Two Cities. This Library of Literary Classics edition is bound in padded leather with luxurious gold-stamping on the front and spine, satin ribbon marker and gilded edges. Other titles in this Library of Literary Classics series include: Charlotte & Emily Bronte: The Complete Novels; Edgar Allan Poe: Selected Works; Mark Twain: Selected Works; Jane Austen: The Complete Novels: Lewis Carroll: The Complete, Fully Illustrated Works; and William Shakespeare: The Complete Works.

848 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1,1861

This edition

Format
848 pages, Hardcover
Published
October 3, 1990 by Gramercy
ISBN
9780517053607
ASIN
0517053608
Language
English

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About the author

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charles dickens

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Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was a writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.

Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.

Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.

On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.

(from Wikipedia)

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Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 54 votes)
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54 reviews All reviews
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LacingMaster
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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In my pursuit of literature on the French Revolution, A Tale of Two Cities is one of my favorites. While everyone knows Dickens can be verbose at times, he is very descriptive of these times and seasons, and of many historic locations (including the Bastille, which is no longer visible in Paris). I particularly enjoyed the story's intertwining of lives of families in both London and Paris. Sidney Cardon is my favorite character, who in the end, demonstrates the greatness of humanity, for which he is remembered for generations.
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Lpopo4lyfe
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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This omnibus of novels and novellas by Charles Dickens consists of Great Expectations, Hard Times, A Christmas Carol, and A Tale of Two Cities. Because I don't have the stamina or the patience to read all of these at one time, I decided to read each individually when the time is right. I will review each work as I finish it until I eventually have read them all. Below are links to my reviews for each of the works that I have read.

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens - Began 1/25/18 and finished 3/6/18, Rated 2/5


Hard Times by Charles Dickens - Began 2/19/2020 and finished 3/14/2020, Rated 1/5

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens - Began and finished on 12/1/2011, Rated 4/5

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens - Began 12/4/16 and finished 12/13/16, Rated 4/5
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LmaoPew
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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It's Charles Dickens. What more can I say? He's amazing, and his expertise with literary writing is incredible. His themes in his story are inspiring. He's Charles Dickens :)
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Alicorn14_8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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Just finished reading Tale of two cities. It can really make you think.
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SaoriHayami
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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This book has allot to do with expectations couse if u have great expectations and it does not happen u might not be very happy so this book taught me not to have great expectations!
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NeoAnkara
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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who knew a ghost story would become one of Christmas's best loved tales! A tale of two cities is Dickens best book in my opinion. One recommendation; first time you read it skim over the first chapter then come back and read it after you finish the book, It makes sence then. I first read great expectations with my Mother, great memories.
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Jeana
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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Reading "A Christmas Carol" to my daughters.
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