Martin Chuzzlewit was Dickens's sixth novel, serially published in 1843-44, and, compared to its great predecessors was something of a flop, much to Dickens's surprise and chagrin.

While he was writing it Dickens told a friend that he thought it was his best work, but it was one of his least popular novels.

Martin Chuzzlewit is a rich old man who has hired a nurse to take care of him named Mary.

Mary will only be paid as long as Martin is alive, while many others want Martin dead so they can inherit his money.

Meanwhile, Martin's grandson, also named Martin, falls in love with Mary and wants to marry her.