Charles Dickens Book List – The Novels, Novellas and Short Stories of Charles Dickens
Last Updated on September 4, 2023 – Originally published July 5, 2012
Wondering what books Dickens wrote? He was the author of 15 novels. (However, one of those is incomplete.) He also wrote short stories, essays, articles and novellas.
Note that A Christmas Carol isn’t included in the list of novels. Because of its length, it’s classified as a novella.
Here’s a list of all Dickens’s novels and a partial listing of his other work.
The 15 Novels by Charles Dickens Listed by Publication Date
The Pickwick Papers – 1836
The Pickwick Papers, also known as The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, was the first novel of Charles Dickens.
Chapman & Hall published it in monthly installments from March of 1836 until November 1837.
Dickens worked a very serious subject into comedic Pickwick Papers, that of the injustice of the justice system.
Oliver Twist – 1837
The second novel of Charles Dickens was Oliver Twist. The first edition had a longer title, Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy’s Progress.
It was initially published in monthly installments that began in February 1837 and ended in April 1839.
Dickens named the character Fagin after Bob Fagin, a fellow employee that young Charles Dickens met when he worked at a blacking factory.
Nicholas Nickleby – 1838
The first installment of Nicholas Nickleby was published on March 31, 1838 and the last installment was published on October 1, 1839.
Dickens’s mother, Elizabeth Dickens, was the model for the always-confused Mrs. Nickleby. Luckily for Charles, she didn’t recognize herself in the character. In fact, she asked someone if they “really believed there ever was such a woman”.
The Old Curiosity Shop – 1840
The Old Curiosity Shop was published in installments in the periodical, Master Humphrey’s Clock. The first installment was printed in April of 1840 and the last was printed in February of 1841.
Dickens was traumatized by the death of the book’s character, Little Nell. As he was writing the novel he felt as though he were experiencing the death of one of his children. It also brought back painful memories of the death of his sister-in-law, Mary Hogarth.
Barnaby Rudge – 1841
Barnaby Rudge was published in installments from February to November of 1841. It appeared in the magazine Master Humphrey’s Clock.
The historical novel is set during the Gordon Riots of 1780.
Martin Chuzzlewit – 1843
Martin Chuzzlewit was first published by Chapman & Hall in installments that began in January of 1843 and ran through July of 1844.
The novel was written after Dickens traveled to America in 1842. The trip left Dickens with a very unfavorable impression of the United States.
Dombey and Son – 1846
Dombey and Son was first published in installments that began in 1846 and ran through 1848.
Dickens gave a reading of the first installment of Dombey to some of his friends. It went very well and gave Dickens the idea of doing public readings.
David Copperfield – 1849
David Copperfield, Dickens’s eighth novel, was first published as a serial. The first installment was published in May of 1849. The last installment was issued in November of 1850.
David Copperfield held a special place in Dickens’s heart. In the preface to the 1867 edition, Dickens wrote, “like many fond parents, I have in my heart of hearts a favourite child. And his name is David Copperfield.”
Bleak House – 1852
Bleak House was published in installments from March 1852 through September 1853.
This novel has the distinction of being perhaps the only work of classic literature featuring a character that dies by spontaneous combustion
Hard Times – 1854
The novel first appeared in Dickens’s weekly periodical, Household Words. Hard Times was published in installments that began in April of 1854 and ran through August of 1854.
Hard Times takes an unsympathetic look at Utilitarianism. This no-nonsense movement relied heavily on statistics, rules and regulations.
Little Dorrit – 1855
Little Dorrit was published in installments from December of 1855 through June of 1857.
The Marshalsea debtors’ prison plays a large part in Little Dorrit. What very few people knew was that Dickens’s father had been sent to Marshalsea for three months.
A Tale of Two Cities – 1859
The first chapters of A Tale of Two Cities appeared in print in April of 1859. The last chapter was printed in November of that same year.
A play, The Frozen Deep, was the inspiration for A Tale of Two Cities. Not only did the play give Dickens the idea for A Tale of Two Cities, it brought about lasting changes to Dickens’s life in the form of Ellen Ternan.
Great Expectations – 1860
Great Expectations was initially published in All the Year Round, a weekly periodical founded and owned by Charles Dickens. There were nine monthly installments, running from December of 1860 until August 1861.
In the novel, Pip, like Dickens himself, dreams of becoming a gentleman. However, Pip comes to realize that there is more to life than wealth and station.
Our Mutual Friend – 1864
Our Mutual Friend is the last novel that Charles Dickens completed before his death.
An interesting feature of the novel is its focus on the “dust” business.
The Mystery of Edwin Drood – 1870
The Mystery of Edwin Drood was the fifteenth novel of Charles Dickens. Dickens was only halfway finished with the book when he died.
A Christmas Carol, because of its length, is classified as a novella and not a novel. It was published in 1843.
A Christmas Carol Characters
A Christmas Carol Picture Scramble
A Christmas Carol Quiz
A Christmas Carol Trivia
Ask Scrooge a Yes or No Question
Psychological Evaluation of Scrooge
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Partial Listing of Novellas, Short Stories and Other Works by Charles Dickens in Alphabetical Order
The Battle of Life – Published in 1852
To Be Read at Dusk – Published in 1846, it’s the fourth of his Christmas books.
A Child’s Dream of a Star – Published in 1850
Cover of A Child’s Dream of a Star
The Chimes: A Goblin Story
A Christmas Carol – Published in 1843
A Christmas Tree
The Cricket on the Hearth: A Fairy Tale of Home – Published in 1845
A Dinner at Poplar Walk – This was Dickens’s first published work of fiction. It was later retitled as Mr. Minns and his Cousin
Doctor Marigold’s Prescriptions – Published in 1865 in All The Year Round
A Flight – Published in 1851 in Household Words
Frozen Deep – Dickens and Wilkie Collins wrote this play. In 1857 they began benefit performances. Ellen Ternan was one of the actresses hired to for the event. She became the companion of Dickens.
George Silverman’s Explanation – Published in 1868
Going into Society – Published in 1858
The Haunted Man – Published in 1848, it’s the fifth of Dickens’s Christmas novellas.
Frontispiece of the first edition of The Haunted Man from 1848
A Holiday Romance – Published in 1868
The Holly-Tree – Published in 1855
Hunted Down – Published in 1859
The Lamplighter – Published in 1838
The Life of Our Lord – Published in 1934, 64 years after Dickens’s death
The book was written for Dickens’s young children, between 1846 and 1849.
The Long Voyage – Published in 1853 in the Household Words magazine
Master Humphrey’s Clock
A Message from the Sea – This short story appeared in the 1860 Christmas issue of All the Year Round. Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins wrote the first, second and fifth chapters of this collaborative work.
Mr. Minns and his Cousin – This was the second title for A Dinner at Poplar Walk.
Mrs. Lirriper’s Legacy – Published in 1864
Mrs. Lirriper’s Lodgings – Published in 1863
No Thoroughfare – This was co-written with Wilkie Collins.
Nobody’s Story
Prince Bull – Published in 1855
Public Life of Mr. Trumble, Once Mayor of Mudfog
Sketches by Boz – Collection of essays originally published between 1833 and 1836. They were gathered and issued in book form, in February and August 1836. The two volumes were consolidated into a one-volume edition that was published in 1839.
Sketches by Boz, illustration by George Cruikshank
The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton – This stand-alone story was published as the 29th chapter of The Pickwick Papers. Its theme is similar to A Christmas Carol.
The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton
Sunday under Three Heads
The Thousand and One Humbugs – Published in 1855
Tom Tiddler’s Ground
Travelling Abroad – City of London Churches
The Uncommercial Traveller
Wreck of the Golden Mary
