Pickwick Papers is the first novel of master story-teller Charles Dickens. Through its 800+ pages Dickens reveals his unmatched sense of humour, wit, irony, satire and empathy. The basic setting of the novel is as follows :

The novel journalizes the travels and en route adventures of members of the Pickwick Club( based in England, named after the founder Samuel Pickwick who is also a member of the traveling party). It can also be considered a collection of stories, as on their way, the club members often come across strangers in a bar, in an inn who have their own stories to tell. Each story has a definite theme ; which vary from kindness,funny to etching out the grim realities of life. They linger on long after u have finished reading them.Thus Dickens weaves a complex yet brilliant web of tales within a tale.

The humour in the novel is unparalleled and its beauty lies in the fact, that nearly two centuries from the time they were first written the jokes and anecdotes, the foibles of humanity, still a hearty laughter ! The language is rich yet simple enough for readers who at times find the English of old classics slightly difficult to grasp.

The size of the novel can intimidate one, but once you start with the book, the genius of Charles Dickens' craftsmanship keeps one engrossed. It is not a murder-mystery that one usually tries to finish in record time :) Instead it is a vintage work, to be read at leisure or f you wish to seek solace through some charmed moments spent in the luxury of an unhurried past.

However I would say do not take my word for it ! If you have never read a Charles Dickens before I would suggest you start with A Christmas Carol. It is a novelette which will give you a basic sense of Dickens writings i.e. its simplicity, visual imagery and richness. Humour however is more of a corner stone of Pickwick Papers. I for one always keep my personal copy of Pickwick Papers by my bedside. Its a tremendous stress buster and always takes me to my happy place :)

Whichever book you choose happy reading !