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Pip is an orphan, brought up in a village on the Essex marshes by his disagreeable sister and her husband Joe Gargery, the kind-hearted village blacksmith. Life is harsh and Pip has few prospects until he receives from an anonymous benefactor the chance of escaping the forge for a more promising life in London. But his expectations are fraught with difficulties as he is haunted by figures from his past such as the escaped convict Magwitch, the eccentric Miss Havisham, and her proud, beautiful ward, Estella.

In this Audible Exclusive performance by Matt Lucas of Great Expectations, Charles Dickens demonstrates that conscience, loyalty and empathy are virtues far more valuable than intellect, wealth and social standing. First published in Dickens’ own periodical, All the Year Round, the novel was divided into nine monthly instalments, from December 1860 to August 1861. Unsurprisingly, it was an instant success and managed to sell over 100,000 copies per week. Though written at a challenging time in Dickens’ life, when the impending breakdown of his marriage loomed over him, Great Expectations proves to be one of his most optimistic, comical and romantic novels.

Pip is an orphan, brought up by his sister and her husband, the kindly blacksmith Joe Gargery. One evening, while visiting his parents' graves, he has a shocking encounter with an escaped convict who forces Pip to help him. The very next day, he is invited to go and see Miss Havisham, a rich old lady who is seeking a playmate for the beautiful Estella. These two chance events are to change Pip's life in ways he could never have imagined...

A scathing social critique which skilfully explores class, corruption and moral decay, Bleak House is centred around a long-running legal case – Jarndyce v. Jarndyce – and its devastating consequences on the people involved. From financial ruin to relentless personal suffering, the case has wreaked havoc on the lives of generations, having dragged on for decades.

The 19th Century Classics Collection steps into the vibrant world of 19th century Europe, America, and Russia with this rich collection of literary masterpieces that continue to captivate listeners. From the dark allure of Dracula and the tragic romance of Anna Karenina to the moral complexities of Tess of the D'Urbervilles and the thrilling suspense of Wuthering Heights, this collection invites listeners to experience the enduring power of 19th-century storytelling.

An anthology of writings for the Christmas season from the pen of Charles Dickens.

Step into the whimsical world of The Mudfog Papers, a delightful collection penned by the illustrious Victorian novelist Charles Dickens. Originally published between 1837 and 1838 in Bentleys Miscellany, which Dickens himself edited, these sketches introduce us to the eccentric Mudfog Society for the Advancement of Everything. This clever parody of the British Association for the Advancement of Science is set against the backdrop of the fictional town of Mudfog, inspired by Dickenss own youthful experiences in Chatham, Kent. Rich with humor and social commentary, the sketches capture the ...

Brought to you by Penguin. After reading Christmas Carol, the notoriously reculsive Thomas Carlyle was "seized with a perfect convulsion of hospitality" and threw not one but two Christmas dinner parties. The impact of the story may not always have been so dramatic but, along with Dickens other...

A Christmas Carol is undoubtedly the most famous supernatural story in English. However, it was not the only supernatural story of the season that Charles Dickens wrote. In Victorian England, Christmas was the time to explore the supernatural in stories, and Charles Dickens was one of the best at it. Included in this volume are a full-cast dramatization of A Christmas Carol, plus three more of Dickens' best stories of the season.

Step inside the mind of one of history’s greatest writers with The Selected Letters of Charles Dickens, a fascinating collection of personal correspondence that reveals the character behind the novels. These letters offer an intimate glimpse into Dickens’ life, thoughts, and creative process, from his early days as a struggling writer to his rise as a global literary icon.

This audiobook features the classic A Christmas Carol, narrated by actor and performer Sam Goodyear, and ten more of Dickens' most famous and best-loved Christmas stories to celebrate the 200th anniversary of his birth. Dickens was the man who almost literally created the spirit of Christmas as we know it today.

In a world of wealth, debt, and deception, Amy Dorrit has spent her life in the shadows, born and raised in the notorious Marshalsea Prison where her father has been locked away for years. But while the world around her is obsessed with status and money, Amy remains a beacon of kindness and resilience. When she crosses paths with the wealthy, yet troubled Arthur Clennam, their lives intertwine in a journey of secrets, betrayal, and the search for freedom.

Step into the bustling streets of Victorian London with Sketches by Boz: The Complete Collection, which includes Volume 1, 2, and 3 of Sketches by Boz, where Charles Dickens brings the city’s diverse characters, neighborhoods, and daily life to vivid, unforgettable life. From the grimy alleys to the grandest ballrooms, this collection of sketches captures the essence of the people and places Dickens encountered, offering a sharp yet affectionate portrait of a society in flux.

Dive into the sharp and insightful mind of Charles Dickens with The Selected Journalism & Essays, a collection that showcases his unparalleled skill as a social critic, journalist, and essayist. From his early writings on urban poverty to his passionate commentary on politics, crime, and education, Dickens’ sharp observations remain as relevant today as they were in Victorian England.

Martin Chuzzlewit follows the ambitious and headstrong young Martin as he embarks on a journey that will test his character and shake his beliefs. Driven by greed, selfishness, and a desire for wealth, Martin clashes with his eccentric, self-serving relatives—none more so than his manipulative grandfather, old Martin Chuzzlewit. The novel's twisty narrative takes him across the Atlantic to America, where he is confronted with the greed of the New World, revealing his own flaws in the process.

Dickens weaves a tale of mystery, betrayal, and social unrest, centered around the simple, good-hearted Barnaby Rudge, a man with a mysterious past and a deep connection to the chaos brewing in London. As Barnaby’s journey unfolds, he is caught in the whirlwind of political and social upheaval, facing dark secrets, unexpected twists, and a society teetering on the brink of violence.

Dombey and Son is a poignant exploration of pride, family, and the pursuit of legacy in Victorian England. The novel follows the powerful and often cold-hearted Paul Dombey, a wealthy shipping magnate, who places all his hopes for the future on his son, young Paul. Obsessed with the idea of inheriting his business and name, Dombey’s disregard for the emotional needs of his children—especially his daughter Florence—leads to devastating consequences. As the story unfolds, Dombey’s single-minded pursuit of his goals ultimately challenges his understanding of love, family, and success.

In Master Humphrey’s Clock, Dickens invites us into the world of an eccentric, warm-hearted bachelor, Master Humphrey, who spends his days in his cozy London study, spinning tales to entertain himself and others. The clock on his mantlepiece marks the passage of time, but it’s the stories shared around it that truly capture the essence of life—stories of love, betrayal, mystery, and the complexities of human nature.

In a world of darkness and hardship, young Oliver Twist is a beacon of innocence and hope. Orphaned and abandoned, Oliver is thrust into a life of brutal workhouses, crime, and betrayal. When he’s lured into a gang of pickpockets led by the sinister Fagin, Oliver finds himself caught in a dangerous world he doesn’t belong to—yet through it all, his quest for love, belonging, and justice drives him forward.

Through the story of Thomas Gradgrind, a strict, no-nonsense man who values "facts" above all else, Dickens explores the consequences of an education system that prioritizes logic and reason over imagination, emotion, and humanity. Gradgrind's rigid philosophy deeply affects his children and the lives of many others, including the innocent and idealistic Sissy Jupe, whose life is shaped by her connection to the circus and its emotional, colorful world.