The Artful Dickens: The Tricks and Ploys of the Great Novelist
by
John Mullan
Published
October 2020
Publishers
UK
Bloomsbury
From Pickwick to Scrooge, Copperfield to Twist, how did Dickens find the perfect names for his characters?
What was Dickens's favourite way of killing his characters?
When is a Dickens character most likely to see a ghost?
Why is Dickens's trickery only fully realised when his novels are read aloud?
In thirteen entertaining and wonderfully insightful essays, John Mullan explores the literary machinations of Dickens's eccentric genius, from his delight in clichés to his rendering of smells and his outrageous use of coincidences. A treat for all lovers of Dickens, this essential companion puts his audacity, originality and brilliance on full display.