Charles Dickens (1812-1870) started his career as a writer with the phenomenally successful Pickwick Papers (1836-7). NICHOLAS NICKLEBY appeared in 1838 and was swiftly followed by 'The Old Curiosity Shop' (1840-41). Dickens is considered as one of the greatest novelists in the English language. Mark Ford is currently lecturer at University College, London and writes regularly for the London Review of Books, The Times Literary Supplement and the Guardian.