The Memoirs of Mr. Charles J. Yellowplush: Special Biographical Edition, Vol. 1

This witty collection of stories, narrated by the cockney footman Charles J. Yellowplush, showcases Thackeray’s sharp satirical voice. Through the perspective of this shrewd yet unpolished servant, Thackeray critiques the upper classes and their moral failings with humor and irony. The stories highlight the absurdities and hypocrisies of Victorian society, offering a clever commentary on class distinctions and human nature.

William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863) was famous for his satirical novels, particularly Vanity Fair, a panoramic portrait of English society of the 19th century. Thackeray’s writing career really began with a series of satirical sketches now usually known as The Yellowplush Papers, which appeared in Fraser’s Magazine beginning in 1837.