Where to start with Charles Dickens?

Loosheesh · 05-27-2026, 11:02 AM

I got an audiobook collection of Charles Dickens's major works, and I'd like recommendations on what you think is the best book to start with and (without spoilers) why:

Oliver Twist
Nicholas Nickleby
The Old Curiosity Shop
Dombey and Son
Bleak House
Little Dorrit
A Tale of Two Cities
Great Expectations
Our Mutual Friend

I removed A Christmas Carol and David Copperfield from the list; the former I've read more than once, and the latter I attempted to read, got a quarter way through and gave up. Let's leave it for (way) later

(This is the audiobook collection, in case anyone is interested: The Charles Dickens Collection: 10 Novels & A Christmas Carol)

Adam Scribentis · 05-27-2026, 05:47 PM

Why not follow the order of the list, since it's the chronological order of publication? Then you can observe Mr Dickens's progress.

John F · 05-27-2026, 07:12 PM

Great Expectations or A Tale of Two Cities.

Skip Bleak House.

issybird · 05-27-2026, 08:30 PM

Great Expectations, the best of his novels. It's shorter than the doorstops and not nearly so turgid.

I agree on not starting with Bleak House and I'd add Dombey and Son and Little Dorrit to that list. They're something of a plod. I'm also not a fan of Tale of Two Cities, which tends to the sensational and Old Curiosity Shop, which is mawkish.

After Great Expectations, I'd do Nicholas Nickleby and Our Mutual Friend.

That's a quality collection! Really sterling narrators.

Loosheesh · 05-28-2026, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Scribentis

Why not follow the order of the list, since it's the chronological order of publication?

I wasn't even aware the list was in chronological order!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Scribentis

Then you can observe Mr Dickens's progress.

When it comes to fiction, I have little interest in tracking an author's progress. I'm just hoping to start with a book that doesn't turn me off the author's other works.

Loosheesh · 05-28-2026, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John F

Great Expectations or A Tale of Two Cities.

Skip Bleak House.

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

Great Expectations, the best of his novels. It's shorter than the doorstops and not nearly so turgid.

I agree on not starting with Bleak House and I'd add Dombey and Son and Little Dorrit to that list. They're something of a plod. I'm also not a fan of Tale of Two Cities, which tends to the sensational and Old Curiosity Shop, which is mawkish.

After Great Expectations, I'd do Nicholas Nickleby and Our Mutual Friend.

That's a quality collection! Really sterling narrators.

Loosheesh · 06-07-2026, 03:12 PM

I came back to add that I did start Great Expectations and I'm following the original serialization schedule, which means I'll complete the book in about 9 months! I'm both listening to the audiobook (Stephen Fry is excellent!) and reading from the ebook.

I'm starting the second week from tomorrow, and it's chapters 3-4 next. After the Great Pantry Robbery, I'm excited (not in a good way

) to see what's in store for Pip.

05-27-2026, 11:02 AM	#1
Loosheesh Wizard Posts: 1,730 Karma: 3177153 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Jianghu Device: PW5, iPhone 13 Pro, iPad Pro 2021, iPad Air 2025	Where to start with Charles Dickens? I got an audiobook collection of Charles Dickens's major works, and I'd like recommendations on what you think is the best book to start with and (without spoilers) why: Oliver Twist Nicholas Nickleby The Old Curiosity Shop Dombey and Son Bleak House Little Dorrit A Tale of Two Cities Great Expectations Our Mutual Friend I removed A Christmas Carol and David Copperfield from the list; the former I've read more than once, and the latter I attempted to read, got a quarter way through and gave up. Let's leave it for (way) later (This is the audiobook collection, in case anyone is interested: The Charles Dickens Collection: 10 Novels & A Christmas Carol)

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05-27-2026, 05:47 PM	#2
Adam Scribentis Member Posts: 24 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2026 Location: UK Device: E-pub	Why not follow the order of the list, since it's the chronological order of publication? Then you can observe Mr Dickens's progress.

05-27-2026, 07:12 PM	#3
John F Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,225 Karma: 72583667 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kobo Clara 2E	Great Expectations or A Tale of Two Cities. Skip Bleak House.

05-27-2026, 08:30 PM	#4
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 21,992 Karma: 239916229 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: Mini, H2O, Glo HD, Aura One, PW4, PW5	Great Expectations, the best of his novels. It's shorter than the doorstops and not nearly so turgid. I agree on not starting with Bleak House and I'd add Dombey and Son and Little Dorrit to that list. They're something of a plod. I'm also not a fan of Tale of Two Cities, which tends to the sensational and Old Curiosity Shop, which is mawkish. After Great Expectations, I'd do Nicholas Nickleby and Our Mutual Friend. That's a quality collection! Really sterling narrators.

06-07-2026, 03:12 PM	#7
Loosheesh Wizard Posts: 1,730 Karma: 3177153 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Jianghu Device: PW5, iPhone 13 Pro, iPad Pro 2021, iPad Air 2025	I came back to add that I did start Great Expectations and I'm following the original serialization schedule, which means I'll complete the book in about 9 months! I'm both listening to the audiobook (Stephen Fry is excellent!) and reading from the ebook. I'm starting the second week from tomorrow, and it's chapters 3-4 next. After the Great Pantry Robbery, I'm excited (not in a good way ) to see what's in store for Pip.