Charles Dickens' Nicholas Nickleby follows the young hero's struggles to support his family after his father's death, exposing the cruelty of Yorkshire boarding schools and Victorian society's injustices. Through Nicholas's adventures, his sister Kate's trials, and encounters with villains like Ralph Nickleby and Wackford Squeers, Dickens created a sprawling tale of good versus evil. This Everyman's Library edition becomes both social protest and entertaining melodrama, proving that Dickens could combine reform advocacy with unforgettable characters and that some novels changed real-world conditions.

WHY WE PICKED IT: Because Dickens exposed the horrors of Yorkshire schools through Dotheboys Hall, actually helping shut down abusive institutions. This edition reminds us that Nicholas is one of Dickens' most heroic protagonists, that Squeers is deliciously villainous, and that the Crummles theater troupe provides comic relief and warmth.

DETAILS: • Author: Charles Dickens • Introduction: John Carey • Publisher: Everyman's Library • Format: Hardcover • Publication Date: October 26, 1993 • ISBN: 9780679423072 • Ships direct from distributor in 3–7 business days