The Old Curiosity Shop
by Charles Dickens, Norman Page
The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens, Norman Page holds a well received rating of 3.75 out of 5, based on 11.1K reader ratings. First published in 1840. The book spans 576 pages.
About The Old Curiosity Shop
The archetypal Victorian melodrama, as heartfelt and moving today as when it was first published, Charles Dickens's The Old Curiosity Shop is edited with notes and an introduction by Norman Page in Penguin Classics.Little Nell Trent lives in the quiet gloom of the old curiosity shop with her ailing grandfather, for whom she cares with selfless devotion. But when they are unable to pay their debts to the stunted, lecherous and demonic money-lender Daniel Quilp, the shop is seized and they are forced to flee, thrown into a shadowy world in which there seems to be no safe haven. Dickens's portrayal of the innocent, tragic Nell made The Old Curiosity Shop an instant bestseller that captured the hearts of the nation, even as it was criticised for its sentimentality by figures such as Oscar Wilde. Yet alongside the story's pathos are some of Dickens's greatest comic and grotesque creations: the ne'er-do-well Dick Swiveller, the mannish lawyer Sally Brass, the half-starved 'Marchioness' and the lustful, loathsome Quilp himself.This edition, based on the original text of 1841, contains an introduction by Norman Page discussing the various contrasting themes of the novel and its roots in Dickens's own personal tragedy, with prefaces to the 1841 and 1848 editions, a chronology, notes and original illustrations produced for the serial version.Charles Dickens is one of the best-loved novelists in the English language, whose 200th anniversary was celebrated in 2012. His most famous books, including Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, David Copperfield and The Pickwick Papers, have been adapted for stage and screen and read by millions.If you enjoyed The Old Curiosity Shop, you might like Dickens's Hard Times, also available in Penguin Classics.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Charles Dickens, Norman Page |
| Published | 1840 |
| Pages | 576 |
| Genres | Classics, Fiction, Historical Fiction |
| Average Rating | 3.75 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 11,092 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is The Old Curiosity Shop?
The Old Curiosity Shop is categorized as Classics, Fiction, Historical Fiction. Its primary genre classification is Historical Fiction.
Is The Old Curiosity Shop worth reading?
Based on 11.1K reader ratings, The Old Curiosity Shop has an average score of 3.75 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is The Old Curiosity Shop?
The Old Curiosity Shop has 576 pages. It is a longer read suited for dedicated readers.
Who wrote The Old Curiosity Shop?
The Old Curiosity Shop was written by Charles Dickens, Norman Page. It was first published in 1840.
What is the ISBN for The Old Curiosity Shop?
The ISBN-13 for The Old Curiosity Shop is 9780140437420.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
