Charles Dickens and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term "Dickensian" is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters. Charles John Huffam Dickens was born on 7 February 1812, at 1 Mile End Terrace (now 393 Commercial Road), Landport in Portsea Island (Portsmouth), the second of eight children of Elizabeth Dickens (née Barrow; 1789–1863) and John Dickens (1785–1851). His father was a clerk in the
Old Portsmouth Still and West, Spice Island Inn, and the Dolphin. The area is also home to Portsmouth's small fishing fleet and fish market at Camber docks It is now also the site of the Land Rover BAR headquarters. The very modern building is not to be considered in keeping with the historic surroundings. This was considered one of the factors in Portsmouth be ruled out of contention for the race to be the UK's next city of culture. Old Portsmouth Old Portsmouth is a district of the city of Portsmouth. It is the area covered by the original medieval town of