Discover a new way to read classics with Quick Read.
This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 20 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: about 1 hour

"The Old Curiosity Shop" is a novel by Charles Dickens, published in 1840-1841, which gained immense popularity. The plot revolves around Nell Trent and her grandfather, who face destitution due to the actions of an evil moneylender. The story is set around 1825 and follows Nell's journey to escape poverty and the pursuit of her villainous relatives. The novel was part of a weekly serial called Master Humphrey's Clock, and it was initially narrated by Master Humphrey himself. The characters, including Nell, her grandfather, Kit, and the villainous Quilp, are central to the story. The novel received mixed reviews, with some critics finding Nell's character too idealized. The story's conclusion generated significant excitement, and it has been adapted into various forms, including silent films, operas, and television series. The novel's real-life locations, such as "The Old Curiosity Shop" in London, add to its historical significance. Overall, "The Old Curiosity Shop" remains a classic work of literature that continues to captivate audiences.