Dickens first, and in my opinion, his best. Great comedy, and in its final pages, Pickwicks emotional toast to his friends conjures that lump in throat ecstacy.

America, here is your Great American Novel. You can stop searching now. Forget the rest you fools.

Not just a great childrens book, but a great book when pitched against anything. Critics of the world unite, so we can cast a big nasty spell on the lot of you at once.

Another American G R E A T. Pearl as literatures finest character ? She gets my vote.

Mickey Mouse et al, Spiderman, X-Men, Superman, Batman, Tintin....you can all move over...here are the real comic superstars in their best tale.