Lori Warner, age 14, of Decatur, I11., for her question:
WHICH NOVEL DID CHARLES DICKENS WRITE FIRST?
"Oliver Twist" was the first regular novel written by the famous English author, Charles Dickens. It was first published in a most interesting way: as a serial or continuing story in inexpensive monthly installments. Publication started in 1837 and wasn't completed until 1839.
A year after the first chapter of "Oliver Twist" was released, publication started on Dickens' second novel, "Nicholas Nickleby." It also completed its serial publication in 1839.
"Oliver Twist" tells the story of an orphan who becomes involved with a band of London thieves. It paints a picture of the horrors of London's slums.
Dickens was born in 1812 and moved to London with his family when he was 4. His father was put in prison because he was deeply in debt. His mother opened a small school to support her eight children. Young Charles had to work to help support the family.
When his father came out of prison, Dickens was able to go to school for two years. He worked first in a lawyer's office and then became a newspaper reporter. He wrote sketches of London's everyday life.
His sketches led to the serial publication between 1836 and 1837 of "Pickwick Papers," which included comic drawings by an artist named Robert Seymour. Dickens created Mr. Pickwick's servant, Sam Weller, and Sam's father, two of the funniest characters in English Literature.
Next Dickens became editor of a magazine and started publishing his own novels serially, starting with "The Old Curiosity Shop."
Dickens wrote only two historical novels: "Barnaby Rudge" and the classic "A Tale of Two Cities."
Dickens wrote "Martin Chuzzlewit" when he returned from his first visit to the United States in 1842. He caricatured the lofty ideals of the Americans much as he had caricatured the failings of the English.
In 1843 Dickens wrote another of his classics: "A Christmas Carol."
Generally regarded as Dickens' masterpiece is "David Copperfield." It is the story of a boy who spends his time in misery in the slums of London. It actually is the story of his own early years.
Other popular books by Dickens include "Great Expectations," "Little Dorcitt," "Our Mutual Friend" and "Bleak House." Hs was writing a detective story called "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" when he died in 1870.
Dickens was a man of great energy and wide talents. In addition to his literary work, he composed travel books, administered charitable organizations and pressed for social reforms. He also managed a theatrical company that played before Queen Victoria in 1851 and he also gave public readings of his own works in England and in the United States (on his second visit in 1867).
Dickens and his wife had 10 children.
The great writer is buried in London's Westminster Abbey.