72 pages 2 hours read

Charles Dickens

The Old Curiosity Shop

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1840

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In Charles Dickens’s The Old Curiosity Shop, young Nell Trent and her grandfather live in a curiosity shop, but their lives take a dramatic turn due to the grandfather’s gambling debts, forcing them to flee from the malicious Daniel Quilp and seek refuge elsewhere. Along their journey, they encounter various characters and hardships, leading to a profound and sentimental conclusion. The narrative involves themes of gambling addiction, child neglect, and death.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Various reviews on Charles Dickens' The Old Curiosity Shop emphasize its vivid characterization and emotional depth, particularly the poignant journey of Little Nell. Critics praise Dickens' descriptive prose and the novel's rich social commentary. However, some find the plot meandering and melodramatic. Overall, it remains a compelling, if somewhat divisive, work showcasing Dickens' storytelling prowess.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Old Curiosity Shop?

A reader who enjoys The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens is likely a fan of Victorian literature with a taste for rich, descriptive storytelling and complex characters. They might also appreciate works like A Christmas Carol by Dickens or Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë for their similar themes and period settings.

Recommended

Reading Age

14+years

Book Details

Genre

Classic Fiction

Historical Fiction

British Literature

Topics

Grief / Death

History: World

Period

Victorian Period

Victorian Literature / Period

Themes

Values/Ideas: Good & Evil

Life/Time: Mortality & Death

Natural World: Place