The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Name: The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Author: Charles Dickens

The Mystery of Edwin Drood is a novel by Charles Dickens, unfinished at the time of his death in 1870. It is the last novel he wrote and is set in the fictional English town of Cloisterham. The story follows the life of Edwin Drood, a young man who is engaged to be married to Rosa Bud. On the night of his engagement, Edwin disappears without a trace. His uncle, John Jasper, is the prime suspect in the case, as he is known to have a deep and passionate hatred for Edwin. The novel follows the investigation into Edwin's disappearance, as well as the lives of the other characters in Cloisterham. It is a mystery novel, with many twists and turns, and the reader is left to guess the outcome of the story.

By Charles Dickens · First published 1914 · Genre: Mystery, Gothic Fiction, Romance · 23 chapters · 94,411 words

First lines

An ancient English Cathedral Tower? How can the ancient English Cathedral tower be here! The well-known massive gray square tower of its old Cathedral? How can that be here! There is no spike of rusty iron in the air, between the eye and it, from any point of the real prospect. What is the spike that intervenes, and who has set it up? Maybe it is set up by the Sultan's orders for the impaling of a horde of Turkish robbers, one by one. It is so, for cymbals clash, and the Sultan goes by to his palace in long procession. Ten thousand scimitars flash in the sunlight, and thrice ten thousand dancing-girls strew flowers. Then, follow white elephants caparisoned in countless gorgeous colours, and infinite in number and attendants. Still the Cathedral Tower rises in the background, where it cannot be, and still no writhing figure is on the grim spike. Stay! Is the spike so low a thing as the rusty spike on the top of a post of an old bedstead that has tumbled all awry? Some vague period of drowsy laughter must be devoted to the consideration of this possibility.

What this Textopian page supports

The Mystery of Edwin Drood is listed on Textopian as a novel by Charles Dickens, dated 1914 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Charles Dickens
Date: 1914 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Gothic Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction
Length: 94,411 words
Structure: 23 chapters, 3,647 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Mystery — The title of the book is 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood', indicating that the primary genre of the book is mystery.
Gothic Fiction — The book is set in a mysterious and spooky atmosphere, with a mysterious disappearance at its center, making it a classic example of Gothic Fiction.
Romance — The book contains a romantic subplot between Edwin Drood and Rosa Bud, making it a romance novel as well.
Historical Fiction — The book is set in the Victorian era, making it a historical fiction novel.