Two hundred years after Charles Dickens's birth on February 7 1812, his energetic, blazing life still fascinates us, writes Jenny Uglow.

Prince Charles has led celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens, one of English literature's most revered novelists.

In true Dickensian style, a magnificent gift has arrived at the doorstep of Charles Dickens's only surviving London home.

Oliver Twist wouldn't have needed any more gruel in real life, scientists said on Thursday.

Britons are losing their grip on reality, according to a poll that came out on Monday, which showed that nearly a quarter think Winston Churchill was a myth while the majority reckon Sherlock Holmes was real. The survey found that 47% thought the 12th century English king, Richard the Lionheart, was a myth.

Arundhati Roy wrote a Booker winner, then became a political activist. Ten years and two court cases later, she has begun a second novel. Randeep Ramesh speaks to the author.