"Our Mutual Friend" (written in the years 1864–65) is the last novel completed by Charles Dickens. It centres on, in the words of critic J. Hillis Miller, "money, money, money, and what money can make of life" (which is, incidentally, a quote from Our Mutual Friend, spoken by Bella at the end of book III, chapter iv.). In the opening chapter, a young man is on his way to receive his inheritance, which, according to his father's will, he can only claim if he marries Bella Wilfer, a beautiful, mercenary girl whom he has never met. However, before he can arrive, a body is found in the Thames and identified as him. The money passes on, instead, to the working-class Boffins, and the effects spread throughout various corners of London society.
Fully illustrated with the 40 original black and white illustrations by Marcus Stone.
Enjoy!
EDIT: 29 Dec 07
Added the original illustrations by Marcus Stone. Created a proper Mobipocket version, with full-sized pictures, library information, working table of contents link, etc. Uploaded v3.
EDIT: 22 Mar 08
Re-scanned a number of the illustrations which weren't very clear. Improved the layout and formatting of the book. Uploaded v4.
EDIT: 22 Jul 12
Thoroughly proof-read, and several thousand errors corrected. Replaced all the illustrations with better quality versions. I'd now regard this as a "finished product"; if you find even the smallest error remaining in it, please let me know. Uploaded v5.
Previous download count: 640
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