A timeline of the Novels and Short Stories of Charles Dickens
February 1836
Sketches by Boz vol 1
A collection of short articles
Published by John Macrone
Pen portraits of – Our Parish, Scenes, Characters and Tales
Published by John Macrone
Pen portraits of – Our Parish, Scenes, Characters and Tales
March 1836
The Pickwick Papers
Alternative title – The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club
Published in monthly instalments then in book form by Chapman and Hall
Theme – Injustice of the justice system
Published in monthly instalments then in book form by Chapman and Hall
Theme – Injustice of the justice system
August 1836
Sketches by Boz vol 2
A collection of short articles
Published by John Macrone
Pen portraits of – Our Parish, Scenes, Characters and Tales
Published by John Macrone
Pen portraits of – Our Parish, Scenes, Characters and Tales
February 1837
Oliver Twist
Alternative title – The Parish Boy’s Progress
A Novel
Published in monthly instalments by Bentley’s Miscellany and in book form by Richard Bentley
Theme – the plight of the poor and how they are failed by the system
A Novel
Published in monthly instalments by Bentley’s Miscellany and in book form by Richard Bentley
Theme – the plight of the poor and how they are failed by the system
During 1838
The Lamplighter
A short Story
Theme – The lives of lamplighters
Theme – The lives of lamplighters
31st March 1838
Nicholas Nickleby
A Novel
Published in instalments then in book form by Chapman and Hall
Theme – All people need love whatever their station
Published in instalments then in book form by Chapman and Hall
Theme – All people need love whatever their station
During 1839
Sketches by Boz
Vol 1 and 2 in book form
Published by John Macrone
Published by John Macrone
April 1840
The Old Curiosity Shop
A Novel
Published in instalments in ‘Humphrey’s Clock’ then in book form by Chapman and Hall
Theme – the strength of family
Published in instalments in ‘Humphrey’s Clock’ then in book form by Chapman and Hall
Theme – the strength of family
February 1841
Barnaby Rudge
A historical novel
Published in instalments then in book form by Chapman and Hall
Theme – the Gordon Riots of 1780
Published in instalments then in book form by Chapman and Hall
Theme – the Gordon Riots of 1780
January 1843
Martin Chuzzlewit
Alternative title – The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit
A novel
Published in instalments then in book form by Chapman and Hall
Theme – Greed and selfishness
A novel
Published in instalments then in book form by Chapman and Hall
Theme – Greed and selfishness
19th December 1843
A Christmas Carol
A novella
Published by Chapman and Hall
Theme – The treatment of the poor, selfishness and redemption
Published by Chapman and Hall
Theme – The treatment of the poor, selfishness and redemption
Late 1844
The Chimes
A novella
Published by Chapman and Hall
Theme – The treatment of the poor, selfishness and redemption
Published by Chapman and Hall
Theme – The treatment of the poor, selfishness and redemption
20th December 1845
The Cricket on the Hearth
Alternate title – The Cricket on the Hearth: A Fairy Tale of Home
A short Story
Published by Bradbury and Evans
Theme – A Victorian ideal happy home.
A short Story
Published by Bradbury and Evans
Theme – A Victorian ideal happy home.
During 1846
The Battle of Life
Alternative Title – The Battle of Life: A Love Story
A short Story
Published by Bradbury and Evans
A short Story
Published by Bradbury and Evans
October 1846
Dombey and Son
A novel
Published in instalments then in book form by Bradbury and Evans
Theme – Money and power
Published in instalments then in book form by Bradbury and Evans
Theme – Money and power
19th December 1848
The Haunted Man
Alternative title – The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain, A Fancy for Christmas-Time
A novella
Published by Bradbury and Evans
Theme – The true spirit of Christmas
A novella
Published by Bradbury and Evans
Theme – The true spirit of Christmas
May 1849
David Copperfield
A novel
Published in instalments then in book form by Bradbury and Evans
Theme – Partly autobiographical this novel deals with growing up in Victorian England
Published in instalments then in book form by Bradbury and Evans
Theme – Partly autobiographical this novel deals with growing up in Victorian England
During 1850
Captain Murderer
A short Story
Theme – Loosely based on the tale of Blue Beard
Theme – Loosely based on the tale of Blue Beard
18th March 1850
A Child’s Dream of a Star
A short Story
Published in ‘Household Words’
Theme – A child dealing with death
Published in ‘Household Words’
Theme – A child dealing with death
Christmas 1850
A Christmas Tree
A short Story
Theme – Reminiscences of Christmas past
Theme – Reminiscences of Christmas past
During 1851
A Flight
A short Story
Theme – Travel in Victorian Britain
Theme – Travel in Victorian Britain
During 1852
To Be Read at Dusk
A short Ghost Story
Published in the literary annual Heath’s Keepsake
Published in the literary annual Heath’s Keepsake
During 1852
The Child’s Story
A short Story
Theme – A traveller remembers his life
Theme – A traveller remembers his life
March 1852
Bleak House
A novel
Published in instalments then in book form by Bradbury and Evans
Theme – The search for love and the dangers of passion
Published in instalments then in book form by Bradbury and Evans
Theme – The search for love and the dangers of passion
Christmas 1852
The Poor Relation’s Story
A short Story
Theme – Family stories are shared by the fireside
Theme – Family stories are shared by the fireside
Christmas 1853
The Schoolboy’s Story
A short Story
Published in ‘Household Words’
Theme – A schoolboy becomes a teacher
Published in ‘Household Words’
Theme – A schoolboy becomes a teacher
Christmas 1853
Nobody’s Story
A short Story
Theme – Class in Victorian Britain
Theme – Class in Victorian Britain
31st December 1853
The Long Voyage
A short Story
Published in ‘Household Words’
Theme – A man enjoys travel through the exploits of others
Published in ‘Household Words’
Theme – A man enjoys travel through the exploits of others
During 1854
A Child’s History of England
A history
3 volumes serialised from 1851 – 1853 combined into 1 book
Theme – History of England Ancient Times to 1688 for children
3 volumes serialised from 1851 – 1853 combined into 1 book
Theme – History of England Ancient Times to 1688 for children
April 1854
Hard Times
A novel
Published in instalments then in book form by Bradbury and Evans
Theme – Utilitarianism and the failures of a life built on statistics
Published in instalments then in book form by Bradbury and Evans
Theme – Utilitarianism and the failures of a life built on statistics
Christmas 1854
The Seven Poor Travellers
A short Story
Published in ‘Household Words’
Theme – The experience of travellers at an alms-house
Published in ‘Household Words’
Theme – The experience of travellers at an alms-house
During 1855
The Thousand and One Humbugs
A short Story
Published in ‘Household Words’
Theme – A parody of ‘The Merchant and the Genie’ from the ‘Arabian Nights’
Published in ‘Household Words’
Theme – A parody of ‘The Merchant and the Genie’ from the ‘Arabian Nights’
During 1855
Prince Bull
A short Fairy Story
Theme – A satirical view of the Crimean War
Theme – A satirical view of the Crimean War
During 1855
Mrs Lirriper’s Lodgings
A short Story
Theme – The people who stay at Mrs Lirriper’s Lodgings
Theme – The people who stay at Mrs Lirriper’s Lodgings
December 1855
Little Dorrit
A novel
Published in instalments then in book form by Bradbury and Evans
Theme – Imprisonment
Published in instalments then in book form by Bradbury and Evans
Theme – Imprisonment
Christmas 1855
The Holly-Tree Inn
A short Story
Theme – A traveller recalls his experiences of inns he has stayed in
Theme – A traveller recalls his experiences of inns he has stayed in
Christmas 1856
The Wreck of the Golden Mary
Alternative title – The Wreck of the Golden Mary: Being the Captain’s Account of the Loss of the Ship, and the Mate’s Account of the Great Deliverance of Her People in an Open Boat at Sea
A novel
Written with Wilkie Collins
Published in ‘Household Words’
Theme – Shipwreck
A novel
Written with Wilkie Collins
Published in ‘Household Words’
Theme – Shipwreck
During 1857
Frozen Deep
A play
Written with Wilkie Collins
Written with Wilkie Collins
Christmas 1857
The Perils of Certain English Prisoners
A novella
Written with Wilkie Collins
Theme – English Imperialism
Written with Wilkie Collins
Theme – English Imperialism
During 1858
Going into Society
A short Story
Theme – The restrictions of society
Theme – The restrictions of society
During 1859
Hunted Down
A short Detective Story
April 1859
A Tale of Two Cities
A historical novel
Published in instalments then in book form by Chapman and Hall
Theme – The French and American Revolutions
Published in instalments then in book form by Chapman and Hall
Theme – The French and American Revolutions
December 1860
Great Expectations
A novel
Published in instalments and in book form by Chapman and Hall
Theme – Loyalty and conscience is more important than social advancement
Published in instalments and in book form by Chapman and Hall
Theme – Loyalty and conscience is more important than social advancement
Christmas 1860
A Message from the Sea
A short Story
Published in ‘All the Year Round’
Written with Wilkie Collins
Published in ‘All the Year Round’
Written with Wilkie Collins
During 1861
Tom Tiddler’s Ground
A short story
Published in instalments and in book form by Chapman and Hall
It was written in collaboration with Charles Collins, Wilkie Collins, Amelia Edwards, John Harwood
Published in instalments and in book form by Chapman and Hall
It was written in collaboration with Charles Collins, Wilkie Collins, Amelia Edwards, John Harwood
During 1862
Somebody’s Luggage
A short Story
Theme – Left luggage and the stories of the contents
Theme – Left luggage and the stories of the contents
During 1863
Mrs Lirriper’s Lodgings
A short Story
Theme – The experience of Mrs Lirriper takiing in lodgers to make ends meet
Theme – The experience of Mrs Lirriper takiing in lodgers to make ends meet
During 1864
Mrs Lirriper’s Legacy
A short Story
Theme – Continues the story of Mrs Lirriper who is left a legacy
Theme – Continues the story of Mrs Lirriper who is left a legacy
1864
Our Mutual Friend
A novel
Published in instalments and in book form by Chapman and Hall
Theme – The link between wealth and corruption
Published in instalments and in book form by Chapman and Hall
Theme – The link between wealth and corruption
During 1865
Doctor Marigold’s Prescriptions
A short Story
Published in ‘All the Year Round’
Theme – the life and experiences of a pedlar
Published in ‘All the Year Round’
Theme – the life and experiences of a pedlar
During 1866
The Trial for Murder
A short Horror Story
Theme – the ghost of a murder victim appears to the foreman of the jury in the trial of his murderer
Theme – the ghost of a murder victim appears to the foreman of the jury in the trial of his murderer
During 1866
Mugby Junction
A collection of short stories
Written with Andrew Halliday, Charles Collins, Hesba Stretton and Amelia B Edwards
Written with Andrew Halliday, Charles Collins, Hesba Stretton and Amelia B Edwards
Christmas 1866
The Signal-Man
A short Ghost Story
Published in ‘All the Year Round’
Theme – the experiences of a signal man who sees an apparition before disaster
Published in ‘All the Year Round’
Theme – the experiences of a signal man who sees an apparition before disaster
Christmas 1867
No Thoroughfare
A play
Written with Wilkie Collins
The consequences of two boys being given the same name
Written with Wilkie Collins
The consequences of two boys being given the same name
During 1868
A Holiday Romance
A short Story
Theme – The imaginings of four children while on holiday
Theme – The imaginings of four children while on holiday
During 1868
George Silverman’s Explanation
A short Story
Theme – Failure and guilt
Theme – Failure and guilt
1870
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
A novel (unfinished)
Published in instalments and in book form by Chapman and Hall
Theme – People are not always what they seem
Published in instalments and in book form by Chapman and Hall
Theme – People are not always what they seem
Published Apr 27, 2021 @ 8:40 pm – Updated – [last-modified]
Harvard Reference for this page::
Heather Y Wheeler. (2021). Charles Dickens Novels and Short Stories.