Martin Chuzzlewit — Charles Dickens

Regarded by Dickens himself as his best novel upon publication, the experiences of Martin Chuzzlewit relate a tale of familial selfishness and eventual moral redemption. While he is in love with the young Mary Graham, Martin alienates himself from his grandfather and begins working for the corrupt and dishonest Seth Pecksniff. Though he meets the unequivocally kind Tom Pinch during this apprenticeship, Martin is fired and decides to travel to the United States, where he nearly dies. It is in the swampy land of Eden, however, that he reforms, and upon return the crimes of other characters in Dickens's exceptional cast of characters are revealed, particularly those of the arch-villain Jonas Chuzzlewit. A dark comedy full of greed, manipulation, and duplicity intertwined with humility and selfless kindness, "Martin Chuzzlewit" is an exemplary story that carries a timeless message for its readers.