This title takes readers into the world of Dickens, both real and imaginary. Davis has used letters, criticism, correspondence, reviews, bibliographies, and text to provide detailed synopses of all of the author's major and minor works, the critical reception of each one, and character descriptions. Dickens's life is described in fascinating detail (e.g., readers learn about the real child who inspired the creation of Tiny Tim). Black-and-white illustrations, a chronology of the writer's life and major works, and an extensive index complete this book. Students will love the clear descriptions and facts offered up in this fine dictionary.