His novels combine humor, unforgettable characters, and sharp social criticism, exposing issues such as child labor, class inequality, and the harsh realities of industrial England. His major works include The Pickwick Papers (1836), which brought him immediate popularity; Oliver Twist (1838), depicting the plight of orphans in London; A Christmas Carol (1843), a beloved tale of redemption; David Copperfield (1850), largely autobiographical; Bleak House (1853), a critique of the legal system; Hard Times (1854), attacking industrial exploitation; A Tale of Two Cities (1859), set during the French Revolution; and Great Expectations (1861), a masterpiece about ambition and personal growth.
Dickens's serialized novels reached enormous audiences, making him the most celebrated author of his age. He died in 1870, leaving his final novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, unfinished. He was buried in Westminster Abbey's Poets' Corner, and his works remain enduring classics of English literature worldwide.