Nicholas Nickleby

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, (or Nicholas Nickleby for short) is a comic novel by Charles Dickens. Originally published as a serial from 1838 to 1839, it was Dickens' third novel. It is the story of the Nicklebys (Nicholas, his mother and his sister Kate) who have been left penniless by the death of Mr Nickleby.In their poverty and desperation they seek help from Nicholas' uncle - the difficult and oppressive money lender, Ralph Nickleby. Nicholas immediately bothers his uncle due to his independent attitudes and is sent to Dotheboys Hall to teach. He witnesses the mistreatment of orphans there by the villainous Wackford Squeers. Disgusted by this and particularly the treatment of Smike, Nicholas thrashes the evil Squeers and escapes with the lad Smike. So begins The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.