"The Pickwick Papers" was Charles Dickens's debut novel, first published in installments starting in 1836. The introduction of the character Sam Weller led to its massive success, making it a cultural phenomenon with widespread merchandise and stage adaptations.
Charles Dickens's "The Pickwick Papers" (1836-1837) was his first novel, initially published in installments. Its immense popularity surged with the introduction of Sam Weller, becoming a publishing phenomenon that spawned merchandise and adaptations.
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| Back | Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club (also known as The Pickwick Papers) was Charles Dickens's first novel. He was asked to contribute to the project as an up-and-coming writer following the success of Sketches by Boz, published in 1836 (most of Dickens' novels were issued in shilling instalments before being published as complete volumes). Dickens (still writing under the pseudonym of Boz) increasingly took over the unsuccessful monthly publication after the original illustrator Robert Seymour had committed suicide. Quick facts: Author, Original title … Autographed title page of a 1st edition copy With the introduction of Sam Weller in chapter 10, the book became the first real publishing phenomenon, with bootleg copies, theatrical performances, Sam Weller joke books, and other merchandise. After the publication, the widow of Robert Seymour claimed that the idea for the novel was originally her husband's; however, in his preface to the 1867 edition, Dickens strenuously denied any specific input, writing that "Mr Seymour never originated or suggested an incident, a phrase, or a word, to be found in the book." |
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