Had to be

Well it is the 200th anniversary of the great man's birth so it would be scandalous of me not to post some sort of tribute.

When I was about 11, I shamelessly asked my grandmother if she'd leave me the hard back collection in her will. Cheeky.

Fortunately for me, their premature arrival on my bookcase didn't come at the expense of her death. No, 7 years ago she came to the conclusion that she didn't have quite enough space for her shoes and so the books had to be sacrificed. That is of course, the most probable explanation; she does after all, rival Imelda Marcos when it comes to footwear.

Haven't read them all. Yet. Decided at Christmas I'd work my way through them from A-Z but when I discovered American Notes was first, I chose more sporadically.

So, favourite? Not sure. Somewhere between Great Expectations and Oliver Twist. His portrayal of the 'crushed' members of society in the latter is nothing short of miraculous. No wonder he was so endearing to so many ordinary folk.

Favourite character? Betsey Trotwood of course!