The Pickwick Papers

Pickwick Papers is one of the most popular novels of all time. Since its first publication in serial form in 1836 it has enjoyed an immense success. It inspired Pickwick products, literary imitations and plagiarisms, and state adaptations. Most "smash hits" are quickly forgotten, but this novel is still read for enjoyment by general readers. Moreover, in England today there are men who retrace the imaginary travels of the Pickwickians, as if to recreate the world of the novel. The reasons for its universal popularity are not hard to find. The novel is funny, easy to read, rich in characterization, humane and Christian in its values, lively and continuously entertaining — in short, a thorough delight. Pickwick Papers is a publisher's dream: the perennial best-seller.