Sketches of Young Gentlemen (ePub)

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was an English writer and social critic, widely regarded as one of the greatest novelists of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime and continue to be celebrated for their vibrant characters, trenchant satire, and keen observations of Victorian society. Dickens began his writing career as a journalist, but his literary legacy took shape with the publication of 'The Pickwick Papers' in 1836. His gift for caricature and acute social commentary was further evident in 'Sketches by Boz' and 'Sketches of Young Gentlemen,' the latter offering a series of satirical portraits of typical characters of that time. Renowned novels such as 'Oliver Twist', 'David Copperfield', and 'Great Expectations' established his reputation as a master storyteller and advocate for the impoverished and downtrodden. Dickens's literary style combined comic elements with a deep concern for social justice, employing his wit and moral earnestness to critique the class disparities and injustices of his age. His works not only depict the lives of the poor and destitute but also critique the institutions that allow such conditions to persist. His novelistic approach, including the use of cliffhangers in serial publication, contributed to the form of the modern novel. Despite the passage of time, Dickens's body of work remains an integral part of the English literary canon, and his novels continue to gain recognition for their narrative complexity and moral depth.