A young man named Martin Chuzzlewit finds himself disinherited by his wealthy grandfather, forcing him to navigate a world defined by greed and hypocrisy. Martin seeks to establish his own fortune, eventually traveling to the United States to find his way, only to encounter a series of disillusioning experiences. He is opposed by his selfish relative, Jonas Chuzzlewit, and the manipulative architect Seth Pecksniff, both of whom embody the moral decay the protagonist must overcome. The narrative framework utilizes a sprawling, third-person omniscient perspective that tracks multiple interconnected lives across England and America. The story operates under the constraints of Victorian social hierarchies and the rigid expectations of inheritance and status.

Readers frequently highlight the novel's biting satire, particularly regarding the American sections which often generate significant debate among scholars. Discussion often centers on the effectiveness of the characterizations, with many noting that the villains are more memorable than the protagonist himself. Critics often point to the book's uneven pacing, which shifts between intense character studies and broader social commentary. The work is widely regarded as a significant exploration of human greed, maintaining a balance between comedic absurdity and serious moral inquiry that defines much of the author's later output.