3 Review(s)

The framework of "Master Humphrey's Clock" centers around the character of Master Humphrey, an old man who lives in a London lodging and regularly invites friends to hear and share stories. The collection includes a mixture of short stories, character sketches, and anecdotes.One of the most notable features of "Master Humphrey's Clock" is that it originally serialized two of Dickens's later novels within its pages: "The Old Curiosity Shop" and "Barnaby Rudge." These novels were presented as part of the ongoing narrative of Master Humphrey's gatherings and were published alongside other stories and essays."The Old Curiosity Shop" tells the story of Little Nell and her grandfather and their adventures and misfortunes as they travel through England, while "Barnaby Rudge" is a historical novel set during the Gordon Riots of 1780.Despite the unique format of "Master Humphrey's Clock," it was not as successful as some of Dickens's other works. Eventually, Dickens abandoned the framework of Master Humphrey and his clock, and the serialized stories and novels were published as separate works.While "Master Humphrey's Clock" may not be as well-known or widely read as some of Dickens's major novels, it is still of historical interest to Dickens enthusiasts and scholars because of its unique format and its inclusion of "The Old Curiosity Shop" and "Barnaby Rudge."