Peter Conrad is a cultural critic and historian, who has published more than 20 books on a wide variety of subjects and writes regularly for the Observer. He taught English Literature at Christ Church, Oxford for more than three decades and has lectured throughout the world. He lives in London and New York.

• Preface: A Visionary Companion1 On Planet Dick2 In the Family3 In the Dark4 Cabbalistic Words5 The Great Creator6 Devilkins7 In Arabia8 Species and Origins9 In the Carvery10 In the Forge11 Arranging the Universe12 Heroes of His Own Life13 The So Potent Art14 In the CryptAcknowledgementsSelect BibliographyIndex

Dickensian is a language, not an adjective. Conrad speaks it fluently.

Peter Conrad is a cultural critic and historian, who has published more than 20 books on a wide variety of subjects and writes regularly for the Observer. He taught English Literature at Christ Church, Oxford for more than three decades and has lectured throughout the world. He lives in London and New York.

• Preface: A Visionary Companion1 On Planet Dick2 In the Family3 In the Dark4 Cabbalistic Words5 The Great Creator6 Devilkins7 In Arabia8 Species and Origins9 In the Carvery10 In the Forge11 Arranging the Universe12 Heroes of His Own Life13 The So Potent Art14 In the CryptAcknowledgementsSelect BibliographyIndex

Dickensian is a language, not an adjective. Conrad speaks it fluently.

Peter Conrad is a cultural critic and historian, who has published more than 20 books on a wide variety of subjects and writes regularly for the Observer. He taught English Literature at Christ Church, Oxford for more than three decades and has lectured throughout the world. He lives in London and New York.

• Preface: A Visionary Companion1 On Planet Dick2 In the Family3 In the Dark4 Cabbalistic Words5 The Great Creator6 Devilkins7 In Arabia8 Species and Origins9 In the Carvery10 In the Forge11 Arranging the Universe12 Heroes of His Own Life13 The So Potent Art14 In the CryptAcknowledgementsSelect BibliographyIndex

Dickensian is a language, not an adjective. Conrad speaks it fluently.