Review: The Old Curiosity Shop (novel)

Even great authors have their not-so-good books. Usually those books are their early works. This novel proves even Charles Dickens wasn't immune to that problem.

The Old Curiosity Shop was Charles Dickens' fourth novel, first published as a book in 1841. Although it's not one of his more popular books, it's been adapted into at least four films, an opera, a musical, and two radio dramas.

The story revolves around Nell Trent, a young girl who lives with her grandfather in the shop the book is named after. The two of them run away from Quilp, an evil moneylender who takes over their shop, and spend the rest of the book avoiding his attempts to catch them. Also involved in the plot are Kit, Nell's friend who becomes one of Quilp's targets; Dick Swiveller, the not-entirely willing accomplice of Nell's scheming brother; Sampson and Sally Brass, the vile lawyer and his equally vile sister who work for Quilp; the Marchioness, the Brasses' abused servant; and the mysterious single gentleman who lodges above the Brasses. And that's not even mentioning the hundreds of background characters who appear for only a few scenes but leave a lasting impression.

From a modern point of view Nell is a Mary Sue, an impossibly perfect character with no obvious flaws. She's always good, always kind, always trying to keep herself and her grandfather safe on their journey. If you're used to Victorian heroines you probably won't mind her, but if you're not you'll almost certainly dislike her and think her dull. As for her grandfather, the only things I remember clearly about him are his selfishness and his love of gambling.

Luckily there are many characters who are much more interesting than Nell and her grandfather. Some of them are good, like Kit and the Garlands. Some are more ambiguous but turn out to be good, like Dick Swiveller and the single gentleman. And then there are the villains. Dickens excelled at villains, and this is no exception.

Daniel Quilp is possibly the most evil character Dickens ever created. Abusive to everyone, deriving a sadistic pleasure from tormenting people, capable of doing things that ordinary people would find dangerous or impossible, described in ways that make him sound like barely human... oh yes, and all but outright stated to be lusting after Nell, a thirteen-year-old girl. He's right up there with Fagin and Bill Sykes on the list of "Dickens' vilest characters". And unlike many other villains, there's nothing remotely humourous about him. The Squeers and the Smallweeds were the source of darkly comic moments, but not so Quilp. Every time he appears you know something horrible's going to happen to someone. It was a downright relief when he finally died.

Sampson and Sally Brass, Quilp's lackeys, aren't quite as monstrous as their employer. That doesn't mean they aren't repulsive in their own way. But unlike Quilp, the reader can laugh at them. Especially Sally; Dickens' skill for sarcasm is in full force every time she appears 😆

All of Dickens' works were serialised before being published in book form. It's especially obvious in this story. The first few chapters are narrated by an unnamed character who never learns the real plot and disappears never to be heard from again. Some of the scene changes are clumsily-handled, giving the impression Dickens had only just remembered to go back to one of the many subplots. Because of this I was never quite able to completely suspend my disbelief when I was reading. But if you can ignore that, you'll probably enjoy this book quite well.

Is it available online?: Yes, on Gutenberg.

Rating: 7/10.