Showing results by author "Charles Dickens" in All Categories

The Haunted House is a story series published in 1859 for the weekly periodical All the Year Round. It was "Conducted by Charles Dickens", with Charles Dickens writing the opening and closing stories, framing stories by Dickens himself and five other authors. The story appeared in the Extra Christmas Number on 13 December 1859. Dickens began a tradition of Christmas publications with A Christmas Carol in 1843 and his Christmas stories soon became a national institution. The Haunted House was his 1859 offering.

The Essential Classics: Volume 2 brings together 5 of the greatest classics ever written, perfectly read by an esteemed cast including Juliet Stevenson, David Rintoul, Rachel Atkins, Stephen Hogan, Aoife McMahon, and Lucy Scott. Spanning a broad range of British and Irish literature, this collection includes hilarious stories of the 'gentleman's gentleman' in My Man, Jeeves, the revolutionary and intense tale of Jane and Rochester in Jane Eyre, as well as Joyce's grand modern masterpiece, Ulysses, and many more.

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.

Set in the atmospheric town of Cloisterham, the novel centers on the sudden disappearance of young Edwin Drood, a man with a tangled web of relationships and a dark past. As those closest to him—his fiancée Rosa, his uncle Jasper, and a colorful array of town residents—become embroiled in the search for the truth, the lines between innocence and guilt blur in a chilling way.

Dive into Charles Dickens final and unfinished masterpiece, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. A captivating tale entwined with suspense, love, and rivalry, it follows the enigmatic choirmaster John Jasper. Tortured by his illicit love for his student, Rosa Bud, who is engaged to his nephew Edwin Drood, Jasper reveals a sinister side. Adding to the intrigue is the fiery Neville Landless, who hails from Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka) and vies for Rosas affection, causing a rift with Drood. Although Jasper seems the likely culprit behind the mysterious circumstances, Dickens untimely death leaves it ...

Immerse yourself in the mysterious world of House to Let, a captivating short story first published in 1858 in the Christmas edition of Charles Dickens magazine, Household Words. This unique narrative, a collective effort of various contributors each penning a chapter, was skillfully edited by Dickens himself. The tale follows an elderly woman, Sophonisba, who becomes intrigued by signs of life in a seemingly abandoned, run-down house across the street. Aided by her lovestruck admirer, Jabez Jarber, and loyal servant, Trottle, she sets out on a fascinating journey to uncover the secrets hidden...

In his final Christmas story, Dickens narrates the hair-raising experiences of a professor. As the protagonist dwells on his past sorrows and mistakes, a phantom visits him. It offers him a bizarre escape from painful recollections of yesteryear by offering to eradicate his memory.

Almost always when we think of Ghost Stories, we first think of those written by the Victorians. If you want a really good ghost story to bring that edge of chill, that foreboding of dread, that feeling that in an empty house we are not quite alone and that sometimes the sharp, sheer shock of what just happened is upon us then look no further than ‘The Victorian Ghost Story’ for your reading and listening pleasure.

The Paris Classics Collection: Stories of the City immerses you in the rich, timeless world of Paris through a collection of iconic stories that span the spectrum of passion, revolution, romance, and intrigue. From the bustling streets to the glittering ballrooms, some of the greatest novels of all time transport you to the heart of one of the world's most captivating cities. Featuring unforgettable characters, dramatic plots, and a deep dive into the human spirit, this collection showcases the best of Parisian storytelling.

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.

Best-selling novelist and award-winning audiobook narrator Alison Larkin changes the gender of two of Dickens' most famous characters in these critically acclaimed recordings of Great Expectations and A Christmas Carol. These are the same beloved stories; only one thing has changed. In these versions, Pip and Scrooge are women.

Best-selling novelist and award-winning audiobook narrator Alison Larkin changes the gender of Scrooge in this ground-breaking new recording of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It's the same beloved Christmas story - only one thing has changed. In this version, Scrooge is a woman. Everything else, though, is pure Dickens. So, in this version, the characters behave as if it were quite normal for a girl to learn to read and write, fall in love with a woman, and have the kind of life and career only men could dream of in 1843.

In Coketown, England, wealthy retiree Thomas Gradgrind has founded a school based on his belief that life should be factual - not fanciful. Among his pupils are his children, Thomas and Louisa, who are raised on his teachings of rational self-interest and grow into loveless, despairing adults. As he bears witness to his children’s suffering, Gradgrind is forced to confront the dangers of his dispassionate, utilitarian philosophy.

Am Weihnachtsabend erscheinen dem habgierigen und herzlosen Geizhals Ebenezer Scrooge die Geister der vergangenen, gegenwärtigen und künftigen Weihnachten, die ihm das Glück vor Augen führen, das er bislang durch seine beispiellose Selbstsucht versäumt hat. Zutiefst betroffen, wandelt er sich über Nacht vom boshaften Egoisten zum gütigen, hilfsbereiten Wohltäter, einem Muster an Nächstenliebe und Hochherzigkeit.

Dem hartherzigen Mr. Scrooge sind Mitgefühl und Nächstenliebe fremd. Auch mit Weihnachten kann er nichts anfangen. Für den alten Geizkragen ist das Fest nichts weiter als eine einzige Verschwendung von Zeit und Geld. Da erscheint ihm eines Nachts der Geist seines vor sieben Jahren verstorbenen Kompagnons Jacob Marley. Marley will seinen ehemaligen Partner vor einem schrecklichen Schicksal bewahren und ihn mithilfe dreier Geister zu einem besseren Menschen machen.

Sour and stingy Ebenezer Scrooge has an emotional transformation after the supernatural visits of Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and yet to come. The novella met with instant success and critical acclaim. A Christmas Carol has never been out of print and has been adapted to film, opera, and other media.

Here is Charles Dickens' semi-autobiographical tale of a boy who is sent away by his stepfather after his mother dies but manages to overcome many incredible adversities.

Great Expectations is a novel by Charles Dickens, first serialised in All the Year Round from December 1860 to August 1861. The action of the story takes place from Christmas Eve 1812, when the protagonist is about seven years old, to the winter of 1840. Great Expectations is written in a semi-autobiographical style, and is the story of the orphan Pip, tracing his life from his early days of childhood until adulthood.

A story of love and broken dreams, Great Expectations is regarded by many as Dickens' finest achievement. He combines a gripping, melodramatic plot with a rich and memorable cast of characters, some comic, some tragic, some eccentric and some exemplary, like the generous-spirited Joe Gargery. The tale is told by Pip, an orphan of humble origins, who rises to be a gentleman through a mysterious benefactor. But his world is turned upside-down by a revelation, the nature of which he could never have guessed.

Meet Mr. Samuel Pickwick, luminous presence, general chairman and member of the Pickwick Club, an organization devoted to meeting good friends, sharing good stories and spreading good cheer. Join Mr. Pickwick and his friends Mr. Snodgrass, Mr. Jingle and all the rest in Part One of their adventures, which include: the first day's journey, an old-fashioned card party, the action of Bardell against Pickwick, and Christmas.