This companion is an invaluable aid to modern readers in understanding Dickens's book, as it examines both specific details and the broader context of the story. To discover the meaning of a difficult detail or idea, the reader needs only find the appropriate chapter in ^IThe Companion^R, look for the italicized phrase that identifies the relevant paragraph, and then read the discussion of the word or passage in question, which will be marked in bold. The book is the result of extensive original research and will appeal to both scholars, secondary school students and amateur Dickens enthusiasts. From details about food, costume, and transport to the political and social concerns of the day, ^IThe Companion^R will open up Dickens's world in an accessible, fascinating way.

MARGARET SIMPSON is an independent scholar./e She completed her thesis at Queen's University, Belfast.