Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens is a mid-19th century novel that explores the complexities of society and human relationships, set against the backdrop of the River Thames. The story weaves a tapestry of interconnected lives through themes of wealth, morality, and the struggles of survival, particularly revolving around the mysterious death of John Harmon.
The novel opens with Gaffer Hexam and his daughter, Lizzie, who make their living by retrieving bodies from the river. As they row their decrepit boat along the Thames, an atmosphere of tension and mystery unfolds. Gaffer’s grim expression contrasts with Lizzie’s discomfort in their work, hinting at a deeper psychological and emotional conflict between them. Meanwhile, the narrative shifts to another side of society with the Veneering family, who have recently acquired wealth and are obsessed with social standing. Their lives are filled with superficial relationships based on vanity and pretense, revealing the shallow nature of the upper class. This beginning sets the stage for a complex tale of entangled lives, exploring issues of identity, family loyalty, and the dangers of societal ambition.

BOOK THE FIRST ? THE CUP AND THE LIP

Chapter 1. ON THE LOOK OUT
Chapter 2. THE MAN FROM SOMEWHERE
Chapter 3. ANOTHER MAN
Chapter 4. THE R. WILFER FAMILY
Chapter 5. BOFFIN’S BOWER
Chapter 6. CUT ADRIFT
Chapter 7. MR WEGG LOOKS AFTER HIMSELF
Chapter 8. MR BOFFIN IN CONSULTATION
Chapter 9. MR AND MRS BOFFIN IN CONSULTATION
Chapter 10. A MARRIAGE CONTRACT
Chapter 11. PODSNAPPERY
Chapter 12. THE SWEAT OF AN HONEST MAN’S BROW
Chapter 13. TRACKING THE BIRD OF PREY
Chapter 14. THE BIRD OF PREY BROUGHT DOWN
Chapter 15. TWO NEW SERVANTS
Chapter 16. MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS
Chapter 17. A DISMAL SWAMP

BOOK THE SECOND ? BIRDS OF A FEATHER

Chapter 1. OF AN EDUCATIONAL CHARACTER
Chapter 2. STILL EDUCATIONAL
Chapter 3. A PIECE OF WORK
Chapter 4. CUPID PROMPTED
Chapter 5. MERCURY PROMPTING
Chapter 6. A RIDDLE WITHOUT AN ANSWER
Chapter 7. IN WHICH A FRIENDLY MOVE IS ORIGINATED
Chapter 8. IN WHICH AN INNOCENT ELOPEMENT OCCURS
Chapter 9. IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL
Chapter 10. A SUCCESSOR
Chapter 11. SOME AFFAIRS OF THE HEART
Chapter 12. MORE BIRDS OF PREY
Chapter 13. A SOLO AND A DUETT
Chapter 14. STRONG OF PURPOSE
Chapter 15. THE WHOLE CASE SO FAR
Chapter 16. AN ANNIVERSARY OCCASION

BOOK THE THIRD ? A LONG LANE

Chapter 1. LODGERS IN QUEER STREET
Chapter 2. A RESPECTED FRIEND IN A NEW ASPECT
Chapter 3. THE SAME RESPECTED FRIEND IN MORE ASPECTS THAN ONE
Chapter 4. A HAPPY RETURN OF THE DAY
Chapter 5. THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN FALLS INTO BAD COMPANY
Chapter 6. THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN FALLS INTO WORSE COMPANY
Chapter 7. THE FRIENDLY MOVE TAKES UP A STRONG POSITION
Chapter 8. THE END OF A LONG JOURNEY
Chapter 9. SOMEBODY BECOMES THE SUBJECT OF A PREDICTION
Chapter 10. SCOUTS OUT
Chapter 11. IN THE DARK
Chapter 12. MEANING MISCHIEF
Chapter 13. GIVE A DOG A BAD NAME, AND HANG HIM
Chapter 14. MR WEGG PREPARES A GRINDSTONE FOR MR BOFFIN’S NOSE
Chapter 15. THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST
Chapter 16. THE FEAST OF THE THREE HOBGOBLINS
Chapter 17. A SOCIAL CHORUS

BOOK THE FOURTH ? A TURNING

Chapter 1. SETTING TRAPS
Chapter 2. THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN RISES A LITTLE
Chapter 3. THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN SINKS AGAIN
Chapter 4. A RUNAWAY MATCH
Chapter 5. CONCERNING THE MENDICANT’S BRIDE
Chapter 6. A CRY FOR HELP
Chapter 7. BETTER TO BE ABEL THAN CAIN
Chapter 8. A FEW GRAINS OF PEPPER
Chapter 9. TWO PLACES VACATED
Chapter 10. THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER DISCOVERS A WORD
Chapter 11. EFFECT IS GIVEN TO THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER’S DISCOVERY
Chapter 12. THE PASSING SHADOW
Chapter 13. SHOWING HOW THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN HELPED TO SCATTER DUST
Chapter 14. CHECKMATE TO THE FRIENDLY MOVE
Chapter 15. WHAT WAS CAUGHT IN THE TRAPS THAT WERE SET
Chapter 16. PERSONS AND THINGS IN GENERAL
Chapter 17. THE VOICE OF SOCIETY

POSTSCRIPT. IN LIEU OF PREFACE