Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Martin Chuzzlewit" in English language version.
Dickens is said to have proclaimed Martin Chuzzlewit his best work. When early public sales of its first monthly instalments proved disappointing, Dickens changed the plot to send Martin to America, drawing on his visit there in 1842.[dead link]
ten novels (1836-74): Martin Chuzzlewit (40 plates plus sketches)
At the end of [monthly instalment] Chuzzlewit V, the May number, young Martin Chuzzlewit, following his show-down with Pecksniff, suddenly announces he will go to America. Nothing has prepared the reader for this, … No doubt a desire to increase the disappointing sales of the monthly parts had much to do with the decision. … motivated by the hope of increasing sales (which it did only very moderately, however)