An original study of Dickens' early career and the way he constructed his literary reputation.
Robert L. Patten is Lynette S. Autrey Professor in Humanities at Rice University.
Prologue; 1. Christening Boz (1812-1834): The Journalism Sketches; 2. Characterizing Boz (1834-1837): Sketches by Boz; 3. Writing Boz (1836-1837): The Pickwick Papers; 4. Hiring Boz (1837-1839): Bentley's Miscellany and Oliver Twist; 5. Paying Boz (1838-1839): Nicholas Nickleby; 6. Rewriting Boz (1839-1841): Master Humphrey's Clock and The Old Curiosity Shop; 7. Unwriting Boz (1841): Master Humphrey's Clock and Barnaby Rudge; Bibliography; Index.