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Quiz: How Many Charles Dickens Book Titles Can You Complete From Memory?

Put that literature expertise to the test.
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens | Chris Hellier/GettyImages

Charles Dickens is one of the most renowned authors of the 19th century. Most people will know at least one or two works from his career. But the English novelist also published lesser-known works, and other titles are sometimes shortened for ease. How well can you remember the full titles from memory? Let’s see!

Did you score 8/8? There are some titles you may not have ever heard of in full. After all, you know there’s a book about David Copperfield, but did you know just how long the actual title is? Don’t worry if you got some wrong. How about having a Dickens read-athon to make up for it?



The Best Charles Dickens Books to Start With

If you haven’t read anything from Charles Dickens before, you may wonder where to start. Even if you have read a book or two of his, you probably want to know the best place to jump back in. The good news is that there are some fan favorites out there.

Of course, A Christmas Carol is a must, especially as we get closer to the holidays. There have been many retellings of this, but the original story brings heart and meaning, with the Three Ghosts of Christmas and a tale of helping to change a man’s heart.

After that, you’ll want to turn to Great Expectations. This coming-of-age story follows an orphan, Pip, who receives mysterious funds. There are deep and meaningful lessons about morals and life, and it’s a story that will sit with you for days (and sometimes years) after.

Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens | Stock Montage/GettyImages

If you want something that brings the French Revolution to life, A Tale of Two Cities is a great starting point for all readers. It’s a dramatic story set in both London and Paris, and brings stories of sacrifice and redemption with the Revolution at the heart of it. You know a little about why the Revolution happened, but this gets into the nitty gritty parts of it.

Finally, there’s Oliver Twist, which you likely know as the musical. There have also been various retellings and sequel series, such as Disney+’s The Artful Dodger. However, the original novel goes into the darker parts of the workhouse and delivers more of the criminal underbelly in London.

Do you love to test how much you remember about books, shows, movies, and more? Follow the Mental Floss quiz page for more challenges.