Nicholas Nickleby was Dickens's third novel following on from Pickwick Papers and Oliver twist. It has a cast of wonderful characters that include Wackford Squeers, the reprehensible and villainous headmaster whose reign of terror at his school in Yorkshire resulted in the abuse and deaths of many of his unwanted and orphaned children, Mr Vincent Crummles and his hilariously inept touring company, the munificent Cheeryble brothers, Ralph Nickleby, Nicholas's uncle, a mean spirited man who is driven by avarice and irrational hatred of his nephew, Smike a boy brutalised by Squeers and his family leaving him mentally and physically handicapped and Mrs Nickleby, Nicholas’s mother, who is pretentiously genteel and somewhat garrulous.
There are many more finely drawn characters who combine to make this not only a comic masterpiece of the period but more than one love story threads its way through the dialogue. Probably what we would call today a ‘Romacom’ and as such Nicholas Nickleby never ceases to delight. (Summary by Peter Keeble)
Authors PrefaceChapter 1- Introduces All The RestOf Mr Ralph Nickleby, And His Establishments . . .Mr Ralph Nickleby receives sad tidings of his brother . . .The reader is informed how he liked Nicholas . . .Nicholas and his Uncle . . . wait upon Mr Wackford Squeers, the Yorkshire SchoolmasterNicholas starts for Yorkshire. Of his Leave-taking and his Fellow-Travellers . . .In which the Occurrence of the Accident . . . affords an Opportunity . . .to tell Stories against each otherMr and Mrs Squeers at HomeOf the Internal Economy of Dotheboys HallOf Miss Squeers, Mrs Squeers, Master Squeers, and Mr Squeers . . .How Mr Ralph Nickleby provided for his Niece and Sister-in-LawNewman Noggs inducts Mrs and Miss Nickleby into their New Dwelling in the CityWhereby the Reader will be enabled to trace the further course of Miss Fanny Squeer's Love . . .Nicholas varies the Monotony of Dothebys Hall . . .Having the Misfortune to treat of none but Common People . . .Acquaints the Reader with the Cause and Origin of the Interruption . . .Nicholas seeks to employ himself in a New Capacity . . .Follows the Fortunes of Miss NicklebyMiss Knag, after doting on Kate Nickleby . . . makes up her Mind to hate her for evermore . . .Descriptive of a Dinner at Mr Ralph Nickleby's . . .Wherein Nicholas at length encounters his Uncle . . . His Resolution.Madam Mantalini finds herself in a Situation . . . and Miss Nickleby finds herself in no Situation at allNicholas, accompanied by Smike, sallies forth to seek his Fortune . . .Treats of the Company of Mr Vincent Crummles, and of his Affairs, Domestic and TheatricalOf the Great Bespeak for Miss Snevellicci . . .Concerning a young Lady from London . . . and an elderly Admirer who follows in her Train . . .Is fraught with some Danger to Miss Nickleby's Peace of MindMrs Nickleby becomes acquainted with Messrs Pyke and Pluck . . .Miss Nickleby, rendered desperate by the Persecution of Sir Mulberry Hawk . . . appeals. . . to her Uncle for ProtectionOf the Proceedings of Nicholas, and certain Internal Divisions in the Company . . .Festivities are held in honour of Nicholas . . .Of Ralph Nickleby and Newman Noggs . . .Relating chiefly to some remarkable Conversation, and some remarkable Proceedings . . .In which Mr. Ralph Nickleby is relieved, by a very expeditious Process, from all Commerce with his RelationsWherein Mr. Ralph Nickleby is visited by Persons with whom the Reader has been already made acquaintedSmike becomes known to Mrs. Nickleby and Kate. Nicholas also meets with new Acquaintances . . .Private and confidential; relating to Family Matters . . . Mr Kenwigs underwent violent Agitation . . . Mrs. Kenwigs was as well as could be expectedNicholas finds further Favour in the Eyes of the brothers Cheeryble and Mr Timothy Linkinwater . . .Comprises certain Particulars arising out of a Visit of Condolence . . . Smike unexpectedly encounters a very old Friend . . .In which another old Friend encounters Smike, very opportunely . . .In which Nicholas falls in Love. . . .Containing some Romantic Passages between Mrs. Nickleby and the Gentleman in the Small-clothes next DoorIllustrative of the convivial Sentiment, that the best of Friends must sometimes partOfficiates as a kind of Gentleman Usher, in bringing various People togetherMr. Ralph Nickleby cuts an old Acquaintance . .Containing Matter of a surprising KindThrows some Light upon Nicholas's Love, but whether for Good or Evil the Reader must determineMr. Ralph Nickleby has some confidential Intercourse with another old Friend. . .Being for the Benefit of Mr. Vincent Crummles, and positively his last Appearance on this StageChronicles the further Proceedings of the Nickleby Family, and the Sequel of the Adventure of the Gentleman in the Small-clothesInvolves a serious CatastropheThe Project of Mr. Ralph Nickleby and his Friend approaching a successful Issue, becomes unexpectedly known to another Party . . .Nicholas despairs of rescuing Madeline Bray . . .Containing the further Progress of the Plot contrived by Mr. Ralph Nickleby and Mr. Arthur GrideThe Crisis of the Project and its ResultOf Family Matters, Cares, Hopes, Disappointments, and SorrowsRalph Nickleby, baffled by his Nephew in his late Design, hatches a Scheme of Retaliation . . .How Ralph Nickleby's Auxiliary went about his Work, and how he prospered with itIn which one Scene of this History is closedThe Plots begin to fail, and Doubts and Dangers to disturb the PlotterThe Dangers thicken, and the Worst is ToldWherein Nicholas and his Sister forfeit the good Opinion of all worldly and prudent PeopleRalph makes one last Appointment—and keeps itThe Brothers Cheeryble make various Declarations for themselves and others . . .An old Acquaintance is recognised . . . and Dotheboys Hall breaks up for everConclusion
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (Version 3) - Charles Dickens - Description and brief content, listen free online on the e-library site at Knigi-Audio.com/en/
