The Novels of Charles Dickens Trivia Quiz

"The Pickwick Papers" was first published in book form by Chapman & Hall in 1837. It was serialized from March 1836 to September 1837. The full title of the novel was "The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, Containing a Faithful Record of the Perambulations, Perils, Travels, Adventures and Sporting Transactions of the Corresponding Members".

Looser in format that many of the other novels by Charles Dickens, "The Pickwick Papers" reports on the fiction London gentlemen's club, "The Pickwick Club". The novel largely covers the journeys various members (including Nathaniel Winkle) make from London into the English countryside. Winkle proves ineffective in riding horses and using guns despite his self-promotion as a sportsman.

"Oliver Twist" was first published in "Bentley's Miscellany" in serial format between February 1837 and April 1839. The novel was first published in book form in 1838 before the conclusion of the serial publication. The full title was "Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy's Progress".

The novel follows the adventures of the titular character, a young orphan (or so he thinks) in teeming London. Over time, Oliver falls in with a gang of thieves that includes Jack Dawkins, the "Artful Dodger". As with many of the novels of Dickens, issues of poverty are examined (including their impact upon children).

"Nicholas Nickleby" was published in serial form by from March 1838 to October 1839. It was first published in book form in 1839 by Chapman & Hall. The full title of the novel was "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby". After Mr. Nickleby's death, his wife and children are thrown on the not-so-tender mercies of his brother. Mr. Nickleby's son, Nicholas is sent to be an assistant tutor at a boarding school where he works for Mr. Squeers.

"The Old Curiosity Shop" was serially published weekly by "Master Humphrey's clock" from April 1840 to February 1841. It was first published in book form in 1841.

In this novel, young Nell Trent lives with her grandfather in his shop of odds and ends, the titular curiosity shop. Her grandfather is attempting to earn enough money to provide for Nell's future and that attempt drives much of the rest of the plot.

Barnaby Rudge was published as a weekly serial in "Master Humphrey's Clock" from February to November 1841. It was first published in book form in 1841. The full title of the novel is "Barnaby Rudge: A Tale of the Riots of Eighty".

"Barnaby Rudge" is considered a historical novel, describing a situation from about sixty years before the novel was published. The historical events in the background of the novel are the Gordon anti-Catholic riots of 1780. Grip the Raven is the pet and companion of the title character.

The full title of the novel was "The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit". "Martin Chuzzlewit" was serial published from December 1842 to July 1844l. It was first published in book form in 1844 by Chapman & Hall.

The title character of the novel shares his name with his grandfather. The grandfather has employed a young woman, Mary Graham, to serve as his nursemaid. The younger Martin has fallen in love with the woman and wishes to marry her. This conflict sets off the plot of the novel.

"Dombey and Son" was published serially between October 1846 and April 1841. It was first published in book form by Bradbury & Evans in 1848. The full title of the novel was "Dealings with the Firm of Dombey and Son:Wholesale, Retail and for Exportation".

The "Dombey and Son" refers to a wealthy shipping firm. Mrs. Richards is a wet-nurse whom Mr. Dombey employs for his young son Paul after Mr. Dombey's wife dies. It is Dombey's daughter, Florence, however, who plays a larger role in the novel.

The full title of the novel was "The Personal History, Adventures, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery (Which He Never Meant to Publish on Any Account)". "David Copperfield" was first published serially from May 1849 to November 1850. It was first published in book form by Bradbury & Evans in 1850.

This is described as the most "autobiographical" of all of the novels of Dickens. It tells the story of David Copperfield, who has to deal with death, cruelty, and abandonment. Miss Betsy Trotwood is his paternal great aunt who plays an important role in David's life when he seemingly has few supporters on his side.

"Bleak House" was serialized between March 1852 and September 1853. The first book publishing by Bradbury & Evans occurred in 1853.

Esther Summerson is the heroine and narrator of "Bleak House". In many ways, the plot of the book is the story of her life. One plotline of the book is Esther discovering her true parentage and background. Though the location "Bleak House" in the novel is fictional, there was an actual house of this name in England, where Dickens was once a guest.

One of the shortest of the novels of Dickens, "Hard Times" was published serially in "Household Worlds" between April and August 1854. The first book publishing--by Bradbury & Evans--was also in 1854. The full title of the novel was "Hard Times: For These Times"

Unusual among the novels of Dickens, "Hard Times" is set entirely outside of the city of London. Mr. Gradgrind is the school superintendent of the industrial town of Coketown., where he makes decisions based on "facts and figures" rather than emotions. Criticism of Utilitarianism is a central feature of the novel.

"Little Dorrit" was published in serial form between December 1855 and June 1857. The first book publishing was by Bradbury & Evans in 1857.

Arthur Clennam is a businessman who has returned from abroad to England. His mother has employed young Amy Dorrit (the Little Dorrit of the title) as a seamstress. Amy works to help support her family, many of whom reside in debtor's prison.

"A Tale of Two Cities" was published as a weekly serial between April and November 1859 in "All the Year Round". The book was published in 1859 by Chapman & Hall.

"A Tale of Two Cities" refers to London and Paris and was set at the time of the French Revolution. Sydney Carton is an English barrister (lawyer) who bears a strong resemblance to another character, the French noble Charles Darnay. The novel is well known for its opening passage that sets up a series of comparisons: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times".

"Great Expectations" was published weekly in a serial form between December 1860 and August 1861. The novel was first published in book form by Chapman & Hall in 1861.

"Great Expectations" is the coming of age story of young Pip (Philip Pirrip) and his attempts to become a "gentleman". On several occasions he encounters the eccentric Miss Havisham, an almost-bride (who wears her wedding dress on a daily basis). On a personal note, I read this as part of my school's ninth grade curriculum and didn't really like it at the time, though I appreciate it more now.

"Our Mutual Friend" was published serially between April 1865 and November 1865. It was first published in book form by Chapman & Hall in 1865.

The novel focuses on a couple - Mr. and Mrs. Boffin, the faithful servants of a wealthy miser who was estranged from most of society. John Harmon, who is revealed by the end of the novel, is the estranged son of the miser. The novel contrasts living up to society's expectations versus following one's own dreams.

"Edwin Drood", or "The Mystery of Edwin Drood", was published serially between April and September 1870, the last few segments being published after the death of Dickens in June 1870. The novel is unfinished, with Dickens having planned to have had an additional six segments (which would have finished the novel in February 1871). Dickens left little detail in his notes as to how the story would have continued and concluded although various authors have attempted to predict this.

John Jasper is a cathedral choirmaster and uncle of the titular Edwin Drood. As other characters are introduced, their motives to wish harm on Drood are explored.