Dickens’ first novel is almost the story of a road trip; the nineteenth century gap year adventure of posh old gents.
It’s a little odd at first, as every chapter seems a self-contained sketch, but eventually it blends into the rambling, wonderfully observed novel we know from the author. In particular, every page stings with wit and satire. No-one takes the piss like Dickens.
One reply on “The Pickwick Papers”
Hi – I LOVE your description of The Pickwick Papers as a “nineteenth century gap year adventure of posh old gents”!
I don’t know whether you will get to see this comment, as your post is nearly three years old, but anyway I thought you might be interested in hearing about my new novel Death and Mr Pickwick, which tells the story behind the creation of The Pickwick Papers. You can find out more at:
http://www.deathandmrpickwick.com
Or, for a quick overview, here is the first pre-publication review from the American book trade journal Publishers Weekly:
http://www.publishersweekly.com/9780374139667
Best wishes
Stephen Jarvis