Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens

Name: Little Dorrit
Author: Charles Dickens

Little Dorrit is a novel by Charles Dickens, first published in serial form between 1855 and 1857. It tells the story of Amy Dorrit, a young woman who has been born and raised in the Marshalsea debtors' prison in London. Amy's father, William Dorrit, has been imprisoned for debt for most of her life, and she has grown up in the prison, taking care of her father and the other inmates. She is a kind and gentle soul, and is beloved by all who know her. When a mysterious benefactor, Arthur Clennam, arrives at the prison, he takes an interest in Amy and her family. He discovers that her father was once a wealthy man, and that his fortune has been mismanaged by his brother, Frederick. Arthur helps the Dorrits to regain their fortune, and Amy is released from the prison. She and Arthur fall in love, and they eventually marry. The novel follows the Dorrits as they travel around Europe, and Amy discovers the truth about her family's past. Along the way, she also learns about the power of money and the corrupting influence of wealth. In the end, she and Arthur are reunited and the Dorrits are restored to their former glory.

By Charles Dickens · First published 1855 · Genre: Realistic Fiction, Social Criticism, Satire · 60 chapters · 339,516 words

First lines

In the autumn of the year, Darkness and Night were creeping up to the highest ridges of the Alps.

It was vintage time in the valleys on the Swiss side of the Pass of the Great Saint Bernard, and along the banks of the Lake of Geneva.

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Little Dorrit is listed on Textopian as a novel by Charles Dickens, dated 1855 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Charles Dickens
Date: 1855 CE
Language: English
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Social Criticism, Satire, Romance, Historical Fiction
Length: 339,516 words
Structure: 70 chapters, 7,207 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Realistic Fiction — Little Dorrit is a realistic novel that follows the lives of the Dorrit family and their struggles with poverty and debt.
Social Criticism — The novel is a critique of the Victorian social system and its effects on the lower classes.
Satire — The novel is full of satirical elements, such as the depiction of the wealthy and powerful as corrupt and hypocritical.
Romance — The novel contains a romantic subplot between Amy Dorrit and Arthur Clennam.