We Have Great Expectations for These Books Inspired By Charles Dickens

Not only is Zadie Smith’s first novel since 2016 also her first work of historical fiction, it also includes Charles Dickens as a character. The Fraud’s protagonist, Eliza Touchet, knows Charles Dickens as a friend of her cousin, and she suspects he’s both a bully and a moralist. Centering the Tichborne Trial which divided Victorian England, this dazzling story about authenticity and belief will stick with you long after you’ve finished.   

Barbara Kingsolver brings the themes of Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield to southern Appalachia in her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Inspired by the man while staying in his house, Kingsolver captures the opioid epidemic in a survivor’s tale told with beauty, nuance and compassion. Pick up our exclusive edition for a special cover and an essay about her stay at the seaside home where Dickens wrote David Copperfield, and listen to her talk about Appalachian culture, the influence of journalism on her writing and more on our Poured Over podcast.  

The East Indian is a picaresque novel, with a roguish but lovable protagonist who’s coming-of-age story reminds us of Oliver Twist and David Copperfield. This sweeping tale is inspired by the first Indian in Colonial America — a true historical figure found in Dr. Brinda Charry’s research for this richly imagined story. Learn more about that research process, the effects of colonialism in the story, Charry’s love of world literature and more on our Poured Over podcast.  

A gripping tale that has nods both to Great Expectations and Oliver Twist, Fingersmith is a revisionist historical novel full of astonishing plot twists. Susan Trinder is an orphan who joins forces with a man known as Gentleman to swindle a wealthy old man. Reshaping the ending of Great Expectations, Sarah Waters brilliantly writes a story that will keep you guessing to the end and delight your Victorian-loving heart.  

Largely inspired by Great Expectations, Booker Prize-winning author Peter Carey’s post-colonial Dickens novel adds his own twist to its characters. Jack Maggs returns to London from the prison island of Australia with a heart set on vengeance, and he quickly finds himself at the center of an eclectic range of individuals as all their schemes converge around Maggs’ own plan. Blending mystery and romance, this sharp and witty story has more nods to Charles’ Dickens’ work than we can count — with one of the characters resembling a young Dickens himself.