In addition, he captured the feelings of childhood in a way that was novel at the time. His protagonists, such as David Copperfield and Pip in Great Expectations, suffer at the hands of cruel adults and display the real emotions of childhood at the time. Many of Dickens's works are cherished classics, including A Tale of Two Cities (which takes place during the French Revolution) and his Christmas stories such as A Christmas Carol. Dickens was an extremely prolific writer, penning 15 novels and many short stories that are known for their humor, social realism, and readability. He was also a philanthropist and social reformer who set up a home for "fallen" women that focused on providing them with skills rather than punishing them. His works continue to be read and have never ceased being in print.