The Old Curiosity ShopThe story of Little Nell and her "tragedy of sorrows," told in a blend of realism and fairy-tale The sensational bestselling story of Little Nell, the beautiful child thrown into a shadowy, terrifying world, seems to belong less to the history of the Victorian novel than to folklore, fairy tale, or myth. The sorrows of Nell and her grandfather are offset by Dickens's creation of a dazzling contemporary world inhabited by some of his most brilliantly drawn characters-the eloquent ne'er-do-well Dick Swiveller; the hungry maid known as the "Marchioness"; the mannish lawyer Sally Brass; Quilp's brow-beaten mother-in-law; and Quilp himself, the lustful, vengeful dwarf, whose demonic energy makes a vivid counterpoint to Nell's purity. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators. |
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Common terms and phrases
Abel appeared Barbara Barbara's mother Becky Morgan better Bevis Marks CHAPTER Charles Dickens Cheggs child Chuckster Codlin cried Brass Daniel Quilp dear Dick Dickens Dickens's door dwarf eyes face fire Garland gone grandfather hand happy head hear heart hope hurried Jarley Jiniwin kind Kit's mother light little Jacob little Nell looked ma'am Marchioness Master Humphrey's Clock matter mind Miss Brass Miss Monflathers Miss Sally morning Nell's never night nodded Notary Old Curiosity Shop old gentleman old lady passed pony poor Quilp rejoined replied returned Richard Swiveller round Sampson Brass schoolmaster seemed short silence single gentleman sleep small servant smile stairs stood stopped street sure talk tell There's things thought told Tom Scott took turned voice Wackles walked wax-work whispered window Witherden wonder word young
Popular passages
Page xvi - The desire to be buried next her is as strong upon me now, as it was five years ago; and I know (for I don't think there ever was love like that I bear her) that it will never diminish.
Page 5 - Men who pay for what they eat will insist on gratifying their palates, however nice and whimsical these may prove ; and if everything is not agreeable to their taste, will challenge a right to censure, to abuse, and to d — n their dinner without control.