Showing results by author "Dickens Charles" in All Categories

Join Nicholas Nickleby on a captivating journey through the pages of Dickenss third novel, following his adventures after the beloved Pickwick Papers and Oliver Twist. This tale is filled with a vibrant cast of characters, including the villainous Wackford Squeers, whose tyrannical rule over his Yorkshire school leads to the tragic fate of many orphaned children. Meet Mr. Vincent Crummles and his hilariously clumsy touring company, the generous Cheeryble brothers, and Ralph Nickleby, Nicholas’s avaricious uncle consumed by irrational hatred for his nephew. Encounter Smike, a boy cruelly ...

Welcome to Doug Bradley's Spinechillers, Volume Four, part of what is on the way of becoming the world's largest collection of high quality, classic horror short-story audiobooks. We start with Doug Bradley's well-researched introduction to the authors and stories featured in this volume. Launching us into "Lost Hearts", M. R. James' creepy tale of ghostly children seeking revenge and peace from the man who caused their untimely demise.

In a case of mistaken identification, Barnaby Rudge, a pale half-wit with long red hair who dresses all in green and carries a large raven on his back, is arrested as the leader of a mob of anti-Catholic rioters. He is condemned to death on the gallows, but an upright locksmith named Gabriel Varden comes to his aid.

Listen as David recounts the experiences of his rise to successful novelist - his wretched boyhood , the drudgery of his various jobs, his marriage to the boss’ pretty daughter, his flight to the continent, and finally, a reunion with his true love. Tull’s marvelously resonant voice ushers us smoothly through young David’s trials. His ability to move deftly between different accents gives new life to some of the best-known characters in all of literature.

Charles Dickens' classic novel David Copperfield is loosely based on the life of the author. It tells the story of David Copperfield’s life from childhood to adulthood with all of the hardships, changes, and good fortune that David encounters on his life journey. It focuses on the relationships he develops with a huge cast of characters who he meets as he travels from rags to riches and back again.

Hard Times is the tenth novel by Charles Dickens, first published in 1854. The book surveys English society and satirizes the social and economic conditions of the era. Hard Times is unusual in several ways. It is by far the shortest of Dickens's novels, barely a quarter of the length of those written immediately before and after it. Moreover, it is his only novel not to have scenes set in London. Instead, the story is set in the fictitious Victorian industrial Coketown, a generic Northern English mill-town.

Oliver Twist is the well-loved tale of an orphan, who starts life in a workhouse and finds himself embroiled in London's criminal underworld, before being saved by a kind gentleman who knows something of his surprising family history. A satire and social commentary as well as a page-turning yarn, full of grit, wit, and some of the most memorable characters in English Literature. The second published serialised novel by Charles Dickens, The British Library remarks that "it has proven to be one of the best-loved novels in the history of literature".

Charles Dickens' The Old Curiosity Shop performed by his Great Great Grandson Gerald Dickens. A tale about Little Nell, a young girl who lives in the Old Curosity Shop, London with her grandfather. Through not wanting her to die in poverty as her parents did. Nell's grandfather gambles what little money they have left and the tale takes on an even darker turn.

When the young orphan called Pip encounters the escaped convict Magwitch, the child's life is altered forever - in ways he cannot even imagine. In the course of his story, Pip encounters such memorable characters as the eccentric Miss Havisham and her beautiful ward Estella - and a mysterious benefactor. This recording includes both of the endings Dickens wrote for this classic novel.

La veille de Noël. Tous s'affairent aux préparatifs. Mais, préférant la solitude à ces fêtes joyeuses, Ebenezer Scrooge refuse les invitations.

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." So begins this classic, one of the most beloved novels of all time. Charles Dickens brings the French Revolution to life through such vivid characters as Charles Darnay, the Old Doctor, Sydney Carton and Lucy Manette. The action peaks with the storming of the Bastille, the dreaded symbol of government authority. And the blade of La Guillotine falls again...

The Chimes is Charles Dickens 1844 novella that concerns the disillusionment of Toby "Trotty" Veck, a poor working-class man. When Trotty has lost his faith in Humanity and believes that his poverty is the result of his unworthiness he is visited on New Year's Eve by spirits who collectively help restore his faith and show him that nobody is born evil, but rather that crime and poverty are man-made creations.

Dive into the world of Our Mutual Friend, the final novel by Charles Dickens, penned between 1864 and 1865. This intricate narrative weaves together psychological depth and keen social commentary, exploring the themes of wealth and its impact on human relationships. The story unfolds with the discovery of a body in the Thames, identified as John Harmon—a young man poised to inherit a fortune. His fathers will, however, mandates that he marry Bella Wilfer, a beautiful yet materialistic stranger. With Harmon’s death, the inheritance shifts to the humble Boffins, sending ripples through the ...

In this, Dickens' most openly political novel, we discover the terrible human consequences of a ruthlessly materialistic philosophy in the lives of Thomas Gradgrind's family, brought up to believe that only "Facts! Facts! Facts!" have any meaning. Set in Coketown, a typical Lancashire milltown, the novel graphically exposes the truth about Victorian "progress".

The brightest light of the Pickwick Club is its founder member and illustrious leader, Samuel Pickwick. He is joined by his three friends and fellow club members: the poetic Augustus Snodgrass, the romantic Tracy Tupman, and the sporting Nathaniel Winkle. Their mission is to travel the country in search of interesting scenes and characters and to report back the results of their observations. What follows is a series of adventures and misadventures, encounters and intrigues which show the dazzling brilliancy of Charles Dickens' comic invention with regard to character and situation.

The Old Curiosity Shop unfolds the poignant tale of Little Nell, a charming and virtuous girl living a solitary life with her beloved grandfather in his shop of wonders. Though her grandfather adores her, their lives are shadowed by financial struggles he desperately tries to conceal. His obsession with securing a fortune through high-stakes card games leads him to borrow heavily from the sinister dwarf, Quilp. When his gambling results in disaster, Quilp seizes their shop, plunging Nell and her grandfather into turmoil. In a courageous bid for freedom, they flee to the English Midlands, ...

Bleak House stands as one of Charles Dickens most remarkable achievements. Written in 1853 during the height of his literary career, it captivated readers and outperformed his previous bestseller, David Copperfield. This dynamic novel weaves a complex mystery around the heroine, Esther Summerson, as she navigates her journey from childhood to marriage. Dickens showcases his unparalleled command of the English language, introducing a cast of unforgettable characters while delivering a poignant critique of the legal systems corruption and the self-serving interests that dominated the era. With ...

Dive into the world of Little Dorrit, one of Charles Dickens’ most profound novels, published in monthly installments between 1855 and 1857. Drawing inspiration from his fathers imprisonment in Marshalsea Prison for debt, Dickens weaves a tale that explores the depths of human experience and societal struggles. The story unfolds in the notorious Marshalsea, where we meet Mr. Dorrit, a long-term inmate, and his daughter Amy, affectionately known as Little Dorrit, who was born within the prison walls. As she grows, her kindness and resilience earn her the respect and love of her fellow inmates...

Ghost stories continue to be a popular audiobook genre, and this group of four stories brings together some of the best. Reader Stephen Critchelow has spent a lifetime collecting and reading works like these and, with carefully chosen music, brings a strong sense of atmosphere to the recordings.

Celebrate the magic and warmth of the holiday season with The Essential Christmas Collection, a curated anthology of timeless stories that capture the spirit of Christmas. From classic tales of generosity and joy to heartfelt moments of reflection, this collection will transport you to a world where miracles and Christmas cheer come to life. This enchanting compendium is perfect for cosy winter nights, family gatherings, and anyone seeking to rekindle the true meaning of Christmas. Enjoy these classic tales that have delighted generations and continue to bring joy year after year.