Our Mutual Friend

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Charles Dickens's last complete novel is a glorious satire of Victorian society, revolving around an inheritance tied to Old Harmon's profitable dust heaps. The story features young John Harmon, presumed drowned after a body is found in the River Thames, and the benevolent dustman Mr. Boffin, who inherits the fortune. Through sharp satire, Dickens depicts a dark, macabre London filled with diverse characters, including Gaffer Hexam, who scavenges the river for corpses; the charming yet mercenary Bella Wilfer; the ambitious Veneerings; and the unscrupulous street-trader Silas Wegg. The novel is rich in symbolism, exploring themes of death and renewal in a city overshadowed by the polluted Thames and the corrupting influence of wealth. This edition utilizes the text from the first volume of 1865 and features original illustrations, a chronology, and updated further reading. As noted in the introduction by Adrian Poole, the novel shares ambitious qualities with Dickens's earlier works like Bleak House and Little Dorrit, yet presents a more enigmatic and stealthy narrative. Penguin has been a leading publisher of classic literature for over seventy years, offering authoritative texts enhanced by scholarly introductions and notes, ensuring a trusted reading experience.