It's novel #12, and I cannot be stopped!
Seriously, Nicholas Nickleby is now ranked as my second favorite novel by Dickens. This novel has everything: a likable protagonist, a rich, but not too complicated plot, quirky characters with outstanding names (Smike, Squeers, etc.), the money conflict, love interests, and a very satisfying ending.
Briefly: the father of Nicholas and Kate Nickleby has died and left his children in dire financial straits. Their flighty mother is of no assistance whatsoever. Each sibling sets off to make money, and the fun begins. . . NN first works at a crazy, scary school. That's where he hooks up with Smikes. He then joins a wacky theatre troupe, which provides much entertainment for everyone involved. Really, the novel is a series of adventures for NN. Along the way, he meets many fine (and not so fine) folks and matures and finds himself. It's all good.
This is a long one, but definitely worth your time.
11/24/08
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