Tab Article

ratings: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Genre: Classic Literature / Victorian Novel / Social Criticism

Book Review:
''Nicholas Nickleby'' has it all: a dashing hero, a dastardly villain, a sister in peril, a cruel boarding school, a troupe of eccentric actors, and the full, glorious sprawl of Dickensian London. It's a big, generous, angry, and funny book. You'll root for Nicholas from the first page as he fights to protect his family from his scheming uncle and the horrific schoolmaster Wackford Squeers. And what a villain Squeers is—one of Dickens' absolute best, a man whose cruelty is both monstrous and darkly comedic. But the book also has so much joy, especially in the scenes with the Crummles theater company, which are pure delight. This Wordsworth edition is great, with the original Phiz illustrations and helpful notes. It's a long read, but it's never boring. A true masterpiece of 19th-century fiction and a perfect example of why Dickens remains so beloved.