The Pickwick Papers was Dickens's first novel. Retired businessman and confirmed bachelor, Mr Samuel Pickwick esquire, embarks on a journey through the English countryside accompanied by three fellow “Pickwickians”, Mr Tupman, Mr Snodgrass and Mr Winkle. It is a joy to hear of their misadventures in search of stories and characters of interest and the repeated efforts of the quick-witted Sam Weller (Mr. Pickwicks manservant) to rescue them all from disaster. With a host of unlikely and wonderful characters this masterpiece of comic writing is still to this day one of literatures most beloved works.