<p>'[These] well-chosen excerpts reveal Dickens’s superlative gift for humour and the sheer delight he took in poking fun at his comic creations, such as Mr Micawber, Betsey Trotwood and Mr Pickwick. They seem so real, so flawed and human that we often forget they are actually fictional.'</p>
The Lady
<p>This charming collection of extracts from Charles Dickens’ novels featuring his most beloved comic characters<br />
will leave the great writer’s many fans chortling. As author Nick Hornby says<br />
in his introduction to the book, “It is not hard to write comedy. It is hard, however, to write comedy that will<br />
stay funny for generation after generation.” It is safe to say that Dickens does this with great aplomb.</p>
This England
<p><em>Dickens: The Funny Bits</em> is a delightful and dippable anthology. It would act as a wonderful introduction to the author if you’ve not read him before, and if you’re an old hand it’s still going to be an enjoyable read by concentrating his humorous bits into one place. Whether presenting slapstick or satire, Dickens really is one of the funniest writers this country has produced, and if you have a sense of humour you’ll love this book. </p>
- Karen Langley, Shiny New Books
Organized by novel, the extracts have been chosen as standalone vignettes or set pieces which can be enjoyed without needing further explanation. They are illustrated with the much-loved line drawings from the early editions, including work by George Cruikshank, Phiz, John Leech and Marcus Stone. Here you will find passages from the great novels Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Bleak House, Great Expectations and A Christmas Carol, as well as the unfinished Mystery of Edwin Drood.
Joyous and satirical, this is the ideal gift not only for Dickens enthusiasts but for anyone with an appreciation of the power of humour.