After his father's death, Nicholas Nickleby is broke and must turn to his wealthy uncle, Ralph Nickleby, to help him find to provide for his mother and sister. But his coldhearted uncle refuses to help him, forcing Nicholas to carve his own path.
The novel features are peculiar cast of characters: Wackford Squeers, the malicious overseer of Dotheboys Hall, a school for unwanted boys; the somewhat dim orphan Smike, who is rescued by Nicholas; the haughty Mantalini family; and the dramatic Crummel family. Like so many other works by Dickens, Nicholas Nickleby is a satirical critique of injustice in Victorian England, but it is also a tale told with a fine balance enthusiasm and gravitas.
This edition includes:
A biography of Charles Dickens to introduce the text.