Dombey and Sonby Charles Dickens This was Dickens' seventh novel, and like many of those before, it was first serialised and published in monthly parts over two years (1846 to 1848). It tells the story of Paul Dombey, head of a shipping firm, who is desperate for a son and heir to his business. He is less than delighted when his new child is a daughter. If you haven't read any Dickens, then, honestly, this is probably not the one to start with. But if you are