With Introduction and Notes by Peter Preston, University of Nottingham. Illustrations by S.L. Fildes and Hablot K. Browne (Phiz).
The last novel of Dickens, left unfinished at his death, is a mystery story set in an ancient cathedral city and some of the darkest corners of nineteenth-century London. Drugs, sexual obsession, colonial adventures, and enigmas surrounding identity are some of the themes of the novel. At the center of the plot is the strange disappearance of Edwin Drood and the many explanations for his fate. A dark and threatening atmosphere, a variety of characters, and Dickens's exceptional linguistic prowess combine to make this story compelling and revealing.
The volume also includes several neglected stories and sketches, with themes as diverse as murder and guilt, as well as childhood romance. This unusual selection illustrates Dickens's spectacular creativity and complexity.
Pages: 496, Dimensions: 12.9x12.9cm
