The Pickwick Papers was Charles Dickens's first novel, published in serial form in 1837. This is the story of the "Pickwick Club," a private society of eccentric gentlemen who feel themselves to be very dignified. Much to their dismay, comic misadventures rule the day for the gentlemen of the club. Pickwick and his friends—Winkle, Snodgrass, and Tupman—have countless adventures, never quite seeming to learn to stay out of trouble's way. Their taste for mischief, fun, and romance most often leads to disaster, all of which is recounted in hilarious detail throughout. Whether they are on the run from the law or evading zealous would-be brides, the trials and tribulations of the "Pickwick Club" have brought delight and laughter to generations of readers.