The grandfather of Nell Trent owns a shop of odds and ends. He wants to make sure his grandfather is provided for when he dies. His memory of his daughter's suffering and early death gives him a fear of poverty. Gambling becomes an addiction for Nell's grandfather, which results in his financial and physical ruin. Nell and her grandfather flee from their home and begin a journey that has no destination. For Nell, all she wants is a peaceful existence with enough to live on. 

They come across many interesting people on their travels and often meet with the kindness of strangers. Yet, in a colorful world, they also face the reality of the Industrial Revolution. From simple villages and fields of flowers, they go into a dirty city full of mass unemployment and plague victims --- where children die of starvation and many are abandoned. 

The story isn't only about Nell and her grandfather, but also the people who are connected to them directly or indirectly. There is Richard Swiveller, a careless young man who is a friend of Nell's older brother, who wants Swiveller to marry Nell for the fortune he thinks she has. Daniel Quilp is a cruel moneylender, who manages to fool the grandfather into borrowing large sums of money from him. There is honest Kit, a boy employed at the shop, who becomes a victim even though he never harms other people. Kit desires to help Nell, whom he considers an angel that has always inspired the best in him. The mysterious Bevis Marks, who is a generous customer to some people and an enemy to others, also has his own reasons for looking after Nell and her grandfather. 

Unlike Dickens' other works, The Old Curiosity Shop is a book of contrasts: the purity of Nell compared to the dishonesty of Quilp, fresh air and scenic villages to the polluted, stone-covered city, etc. Even people's reaction to the book presented a cruel contrast. At first, Nell Trent was praised and considered Dickens' best character. Later, she was criticized by many well-known people like Oscar Wilde. While characters in Dickens' other books are moving towards a better future, Nell and her grandfather are fleeing for their life and their story is moving towards a sad ending.
Who owns a shop?
whose?
Did they meet many people?
What is the time period?
Is the story only about them?
Who else is it about?
Only close relatives?
Like whom?
Who was he?
What he wanted?
Who is the author?
What is the name of this novel?
Do some people disagree with the concept?
Did any famous author disagree?
Like who?
Is this novel different from author's other books?
Did the main characters stay home?
Where did they go?
Is there any mysterious character?
Who?
Was he good with the main characters?
grandfather
grandfather
Nell Trent
Nell Trent
yes
many interesting people
Industrial Revolution
Industrial Revolution
no
isn't only about 
people who connected to them
connected to them
indirectly
indirectly
Richard Swiveller
Richard Swiveller
a friend of Nell's older brother
a friend of Nell's older brother
marry Nell
marry Nell
Dickens
Dickens
The Old Curiosity Shop
The Old Curiosity Shop
presented a cruel contrast
presented a cruel contrast
yes
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde
yes
towards a sad ending
no
 flee from their home
no definite destination.
 no destination.
yes
mysterious Bevis Marks
Bevis Marks
Bevis Marks
yes
looking after Nell and her grandfather