Of the many works that have been published on Dickens, this stands with the very finest. Wilson applies his incisive mind and elegant pen to one of the 'greats' of English literature, producing a work that 'stands out for its vigour, range and discrimination' (New Statesman) and is 'vivid...thoughtful and penetrating' (Sunday Times). The book is illustrated with a large number of engravings and colour reproductions.