Nicholas Nickleby

arroduction and Notes by Dr T. C. B. Cook llustrations by Hublot K. Brotene (Phic)

Following the success of Pickwick Papers and Oliver Treist. Nicholas Nickleby was hailed as a comie triumph and firmly established Dickens as a "literary gentleman'. It has a full supporting cast of delectable characters that range from the iniquitous Wackford Squeers and his family. to the delightful Mrs Nickleby, taking in the eccentric Crummles and his travelling players, the Mantalinis, the Kenwigs and many more. Combining these with typically Dickensian elements of burlesque and farce, the novel is eminently suited to dramatic adaptation. So great was its impact as it left Dickens' pen that many pirated versions appeared in print and on stage before the original was even finished.