Wrote in English · 1812–1870
Charles Dickens
2 books in the original English, with a translation beside each.
Charles Dickens (1812–1870) was an English writer and journalist who created some of literature's best-known fictional characters. Born in Portsmouth, he left school at twelve to work in a boot-blacking factory after his father was imprisoned for debt. This early hardship informed his later career as a novelist and social critic. He is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era, with works that enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime.
Dickens pioneered the serial publication of narrative fiction, publishing novels in monthly or weekly instalments. His works, including Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol, are famous for their humour, satire, and keen observation of character and society. He campaigned vigorously for social reforms, and his vivid depictions of early Victorian London continue to inspire adaptations. His literary genius and enduring appeal have made his novels widely read today.
Reading Charles Dickens in translation
The reader already reads English, the language Charles Dickens wrote in. On Paralelo they read these books in the original with a translation beside them (German), using the English they know as the anchor while they learn the other language. Dickens writes in the literary realism movement, using a register that blends humour, satire, and keen observation. His sentences are carefully constructed, often featuring cliffhanger endings that keep readers in suspense. The vocabulary reflects early Victorian London. Start with Oliver Twist, Vol. 2 (of 3), the shortest available text. It takes about 230 minutes to read. This allows you to experience his distinctive style and social critique while building your German skills through aligned phrase by phrase reading.
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- Born
- 1812Landport
- Died
- 1870Gads Hill Place
- Wrote in
- English
- On Paralelo
- 2 titles
- Shortest read
- 230 minOliver Twist, Vol. 2 (of 3)
Where to start with Charles Dickens
Shortest first- 01
Oliver Twist, Vol. 2 (of 3)
"Oliver Twist, Vol. 2 (of 3)" by Charles Dickens is a novel originally published serially from 1837 to 1839.
Read a passage free →EN · PASSAGE“It blows, ma’am,” replied Mr. Bumble, turning up his coat-collar, “enough to cut one’s ears off.”
DE„Es bläst, meine Dame,“ erwiderte Herr Bumble, den Kragen seines Mantels aufschlagend, „so stark, dass man sich die Ohren abschneiden lassen könnte.“
- 02
Great Expectations
"Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens is a novel first published serially from 1860 to 1861. The story follows Pip, a young orphan living with his sister and her blacksmith husband on England's…
Read a passage free →EN · PASSAGE“Nothing worth mentioning,” replied Camilla.
DE„Nichts, das erwähnenswert wäre“, antwortete Camilla.
Reading Charles Dickens in English
Which Charles Dickens book should I read first?
Oliver Twist, Vol. 2 (of 3). At about 230 minutes it is the shortest of the 2 titles on Paralelo, so it is the quickest way in.
Can I read Charles Dickens in English with a translation beside it for free?
Yes. A passage from every title is free to read without an account, and a free account opens the whole book, with a translation aligned to the original phrase by phrase.
Are the books by Charles Dickens in the public domain?
Yes. Charles Dickens died in 1870, and the texts on Paralelo come from Project Gutenberg’s public-domain editions.