'Among the most powerful things Dickens ever did in fiction' Guardian Greed has led wealthy old Martin Chuzzlewit to become suspicious and misanthropic, leaving his grandson and name-sake to make his own way in the world. And so young Martin sets out from the Wiltshire home of his supposed champion, the scheming architect Pecksniff, to seek his fortune in America. In depicting Martin's journey Dickens created many vividly realized figures, from Martin's optimistic manservant Mark Tapley to the drunken and corrupt private nurse Mrs Gamp. With its portrayal of greed, blackmail and murder, and its searing satire on America, Dickens's novel is a powerful and blackly comic story of hypocrisy and redemption. Edited with an Introduction and Notes by Patricia Ingham

Martin Chuzzlewit (1843-44) is the last of Dickens' picaresque novels, and to the author's mind, one of his best. After being disinherited by his grandfather--greedy and misanthropic in his old age--young Martin is forced to live by his wits. Along the way, he encounters a villainous architect, seeks his fortune in America and eventually grows to be a man of honor and character. Martin Chuzzlewit features some of Dickens richest creations and fiercest social commentary.