One of the most famous names in classic literature, Charles Dickens is without a doubt one of the most influential writers of the Victorian era. In fact, the term “Dickensian” is even used to refer to anything that reminds us of his works!
Most of us first encountered Dickens in our school reading assignments, whether it was Oliver Twist, A Tale of Two Cities, or Great Expectations. If you have read any of his works, you know that he’s an expert at crafting characters that break your heart, plots twists that seem to pull the rug from under you, and satire and social commentary that may give you a headache!
Yet, others of us may have heard of him first through A Christmas Carol, thanks to the numerous film portrayals of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. This gives us an idea of the wide range that Dickens is capable of writing!
Charles Dickens Books to Read Right Now
Whether you’ve had prior experience reading Charles Dickens, we hope this list of some of his most famous works will help you pick which ones to add to your to-be-read pile:
1. The Pickwick Papers (1837)
This first book is more of a collection of stories, and they’re all about Mr. Samuel Pickwick. Mr. Pickwick is a vibrant, elderly man who roams around England with members of the Pickwick Club, which he founded to encourage scientific exploration. Throughout the book, they end up on numerous adventures, including drinking sprees.
2. Oliver Twist (1839)
Considered Dickens’ first “social” novel, Oliver Twist inspired a hit musical and an Oscar-winning film. The story follows the life of Oliver, a young orphan raised up by pickpockets, and gives us a clear look at the social struggles in England during that time, particularly in the case of poverty and cruelty to children.
3. Nicholas Nickleby (1839)
This novel follows the life of Nicholas Nickleby after his father’s death makes him the sole defender of his sister and mother. Dickens weaves a very complex tale as Nicholas gets a job and encounters a boardmaster out to make his life a complete misery.
4. The Old Curiosity Shop (1842)
Follow the story of a young girl named Nell Trent, who lives with her grandpa and works at The Old Curiosity Shop. After her grandfather gambles away all their money, Nell needs to take the lead in getting them out of London and hopefully, to a better life.
5. A Christmas Carol (1843)
Hailed as almost everyone’s go-to Christmas story, A Christmas Carol was published at the exact same time that people in Victorian England were relooking at old traditions for Christmas and introducing new ones. The story follows Ebenezer Scrooge as he sets out to make Christmas terrible for everyone, and how three spirits visit him and transform his mindset for good.
6. The Chimes (1844)
Riding on the success of A Christmas Carol, Dickens added a few more moral novellas surrounding Christmas. The protagonist of this story is another elderly man named Trotty Veck, who longs for the good old days. He also encounters spiritual creatures who show him a picture of a future filled with social injustice and suffering.
7. The Cricket on the Hearth (1845)
Dickens diverts from his usual critique of social conditions to give us this domestic tale, another Christmas story in the form of a novella. John Peerybingle lives a simple life, but ends up in a tangled romance involving a miser of a toy merchant wanting to wed a younger woman. The cricket on the hearth acts as his guardian angel in the midst of all these challenging decisions.
8. Dombey and Son (1848)
Ironically, this story follows Paul Dombey, a shipping firm owner, and his daughter Florence, to whom he is emotionally abusive after the death of his son. He plans to marry a woman named Edith Granger, who, unfortunately, learns his true colors from his daughter and turns against him.
9. David Copperfield (1850)
Considered by Dickens himself as his life’s masterpiece, this is the first occurrence of the name David Copperfield, before the magician made it famous. This heartwrenching tale follows the life story of Copperfield, detailing his troubled childhood and chaotic adolescence, all the way up to his career and marriage.
10. Little Dorrit (1857)
Amy Dorrit’s father is detained in a debtor’s prison, where she was born and raised. Because her father cannot work to pay off his debts, Little Dorrit contributes her share. But when an inheritance changes their fortunes, they set off on a luxurious tour of Europe, giving us a very poignant look at the fragility of wealth.
11. A Tale of Two Cities (1859)
This engrossing story set in 18th century France during the Reign of Terror follows French doctor Manette, whose daughter Lucie is believed to be dead over his 18-year imprisonment in the Bastille. After his release and reunification with Lucie, they start a new life in London, where Lucie falls in love with wealthy Charles Darnay, who advocates against the cruel treatment of the poor.
12. Great Expectations (1861)
One of the most famous of Dickens’ works, this story follows the life of Pip, an orphan wanting to learn how to be a gentleman. He falls in love with Estella, and seeks to prove himself by building a career thanks to an unknown benefactor. What happens when Estella decides to marry another man?
Books by Dickens
With Charles Dickens’ prowess at exposing issues of social injustice and inequality, his novels are all worth a read for their deep insights and realistic, heart-wrenching descriptions.
If you’ve never read any of his books, we recommend you to start with the more well-known ones so you can at least have a basic framework for his style.
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
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Yen Cabag is the Blog Writer of TCK Publishing. She is also a homeschooling mom, family coach, and speaker for the Charlotte Mason method, an educational philosophy that places great emphasis on classic literature and the masterpieces in art and music. She has also written several books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her passion is to see the next generation of children become lovers of reading and learning in the midst of short attention spans.
