- Paperback: 752 pages
- Publisher: Oxford Paperbacks; New edition edition (15 July 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0192835661
- ISBN-13: 978-0192835666
- Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 885,937 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Little Dorrit [with Biographical Introduction]
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Product Description
Review
One of the most glorious achievements of publishing in our time --The Daily Telegraph
It will never be more possible for a more complete and perfect edition to be put on the market --Arthur Waugh, Past President, Dickens Fellowship
It will never be more possible for a more complete and perfect edition to be put on the market --Arthur Waugh, Past President, Dickens Fellowship --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
It will never be more possible for a more complete and perfect edition to be put on the market --Arthur Waugh, Past President, Dickens Fellowship
It will never be more possible for a more complete and perfect edition to be put on the market --Arthur Waugh, Past President, Dickens Fellowship --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Book Description
A novel in which Dickens launches a ferocious onslaught against England and English society. He draws on the memory of his father in his depiction of the Marshalsea debtors prison and there is also the story of the love between an older man and a younger woman.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
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First Sentence
THIRTY years ago, Marseilles lay burning in the sun, one day. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
THIRTY years ago, Marseilles lay burning in the sun, one day. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
From its first publication in book form after the serialisation, Little Dorrit has always proved to be a good seller. So why has this book always been so popular? For whole segments Amy 'Little' Dorrit does not even appear. The novel covers so much more than the title implies.
Little Dorrit is born in the Marshalsea, where her father is imprisoned for debt. Eventually he is released at the end of book one, when he comes into an inheritance. For Mr Dorrit this leads to paranoia that people are talking behind his back or laughing at him due to his former poverty. Poor little Dorrit finds it difficult to change her ways and is still a ministering angel to all and sundry.
What really stands out in this book are the locations, as the story travels from London through France, Switzerland and Italy. This is the most widespread geographically of any of Dickens' novels. Also this book probably has the most sub-plots of any Dickens novel, with mention of murder and smuggling, to actual acts of corruption and suicide, to love, marriages and death. Mrs Clennam tries to keep a family secret buried but is being blackmailed, and is her house haunted or is there a more rational explanation?
As to be expected with Dickens there are some great characters and some good comedy. Anyone who has ever had any dealings with govermental departments can really appreciate the Circumloction Office, and its practices. A few of the illustrations in this book are some of the very best to appear in any of his novels.
This is a must read book, that with so many things going on throughout will keep you absorbed for hours, and that you will want to read again.
Little Dorrit is born in the Marshalsea, where her father is imprisoned for debt. Eventually he is released at the end of book one, when he comes into an inheritance. For Mr Dorrit this leads to paranoia that people are talking behind his back or laughing at him due to his former poverty. Poor little Dorrit finds it difficult to change her ways and is still a ministering angel to all and sundry.
What really stands out in this book are the locations, as the story travels from London through France, Switzerland and Italy. This is the most widespread geographically of any of Dickens' novels. Also this book probably has the most sub-plots of any Dickens novel, with mention of murder and smuggling, to actual acts of corruption and suicide, to love, marriages and death. Mrs Clennam tries to keep a family secret buried but is being blackmailed, and is her house haunted or is there a more rational explanation?
As to be expected with Dickens there are some great characters and some good comedy. Anyone who has ever had any dealings with govermental departments can really appreciate the Circumloction Office, and its practices. A few of the illustrations in this book are some of the very best to appear in any of his novels.
This is a must read book, that with so many things going on throughout will keep you absorbed for hours, and that you will want to read again.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Having recently tried to follow the BBC TV adaptation on various nights,as if it were part of an obstacle course, it is much easier to follow the main lines of the plot in this version. Dickens' novels don't fillet easily, but this adaptation, for the ears only, has all the atmosphere and characterisation that one could wish. The BBC have much experience in such adaptations and with Ian McKellen's authoritative narrator one never feels lost. Both adaptations omit the reasons for the spooky noises in the house, but to get that and much else, you have to read the original novel, to which this is an excellent painless enjoyable primer. Good sound.Little Dorrit (BBC Radio Collection)
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Little Dorrit is a prime example of Dickens' weighty descriptive style and his genius for observation and characterisation. It also, perhaps unusually for Dickens, has a semi-coherent story line.
The book chronicles the respective fortunes of the title heroine, a young women caring for her incarcerated father in the Marshalsea Prison, and Mr Arthur Clennam, a kindly businessman returned lately from the east, who becomes obsessed with the idea that his father was responsible for the Dorrit families woes. An entrie host of characters, good and bad, amusing and obnoxious, accompany the main protagonists on their mysteriously intertwined journeys. The only fault I can find is with the tale's finale, when it seems Dickens grows tired of the story, not actually having a great twist for the climax, and bumps off many of his characters before ending with a rather predictable chocolate tin finish. However, your sense of achievment at having penetrated deeper into the world of Dickens, meeting memorable heroes and villains will probably overcome any misgivings on this score. The scene where Mr Pancks cuts the patriarch's hair is pure genius and the petulant Mr Dorrit, Flora Casby and her objectionable Aunt are another constant stream of entertainment.
Apart from the moral that money will not buy you happiness, Dickens also used this book to launch a scathing criticism against the government and society of the time, represented by the infamous Circumlocution Office and a certain affluent couple named Merdle.
An excellent read for all those who have a reasonable grasp of the English language or have enjoyed other Dickens books.
The book chronicles the respective fortunes of the title heroine, a young women caring for her incarcerated father in the Marshalsea Prison, and Mr Arthur Clennam, a kindly businessman returned lately from the east, who becomes obsessed with the idea that his father was responsible for the Dorrit families woes. An entrie host of characters, good and bad, amusing and obnoxious, accompany the main protagonists on their mysteriously intertwined journeys. The only fault I can find is with the tale's finale, when it seems Dickens grows tired of the story, not actually having a great twist for the climax, and bumps off many of his characters before ending with a rather predictable chocolate tin finish. However, your sense of achievment at having penetrated deeper into the world of Dickens, meeting memorable heroes and villains will probably overcome any misgivings on this score. The scene where Mr Pancks cuts the patriarch's hair is pure genius and the petulant Mr Dorrit, Flora Casby and her objectionable Aunt are another constant stream of entertainment.
Apart from the moral that money will not buy you happiness, Dickens also used this book to launch a scathing criticism against the government and society of the time, represented by the infamous Circumlocution Office and a certain affluent couple named Merdle.
An excellent read for all those who have a reasonable grasp of the English language or have enjoyed other Dickens books.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Moving and gripping
This is a review of the BBC CD recording. It is a pity that Amazon seem unable to sort out reviews but lump in book and audio reviews together. This radio version is outstanding. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Chaucer
Outstanding
This is the best book I have read for some time. It has everything! Lovable characters; rogues; several plausible and engrossing story lines; suspense; sadness; brilliant... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Donald Hughes
item not recieved
as the title, the book i have purchased has not recieved. please check the history and give the immediate feedback.
Published 5 months ago by ming
Unforgettable, one of Dickens' best
The task I had set myself about a year ago to read all Dickens' novels soon became not a task but a profound pleasure. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Didier
Best Edition of a Classic
I have long since been of the opinion that Dickens is the greatest novelist of all time. All though less well known than David Copperfield, Great Expectations and others I believe... Read more
Published 11 months ago by David Ashworth
Another Dicken's Classic
I did enjoy this novel however it isn't my all time favourite Dickens novel.
Dickens had an amazing talent and creates a book full of romance, mystery and humour. Read more
Dickens had an amazing talent and creates a book full of romance, mystery and humour. Read more
Published 14 months ago by S.Duncan
Dickens is good all the time but there are exceptions
This is the story of Amy Dorrit and Arthur Clennam and their respective families. You can imagine with 43 main characters needing a cast list that this is the usual brilliant... Read more
Published 15 months ago by H. Tee
Tour de Force
This is a major radio production extremely competently done. It requires the listener's undivided attention. Read more
Published 22 months ago by D. Morley
A classic
This is a great novel simply teeming with wonderful characthers and institutions fromm Clennam, a decent bloke, William Dorrit, a man who regards himself as immensely... Read more
Published on 26 Aug 2009 by Aquinas
Excellent but not quite as good as "Bleak House"
This is a great novel simply teeming with wonderful characthers and institutions fromm Clennam, a decent bloke, William Dorrit, a man who regards himself as immensely... Read more
Published on 26 Aug 2009 by Aquinas
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