Ten of the best elections in literature

For the Guardian, John Mullan named ten of the best elections in literature.

One novel on the list:

The Pickwick Papers, by Charles Dickens

In the Eatanswill election Mr Fizkin is pitted against Samuel Slumkey, whose agent, Perker, explains contemporary election methods. "Fizkin's people have got three-and-thirty voters in the lock-up coach-house at the White Hart ... The effect, you see, is to prevent our getting at them. Even if we could, it would be of no use, for they keep them very drunk on purpose."

Read about another book on the list.

The Pickwick Papers also appears on Mullan's list of ten of the best ice-skating episodes in literature.

--Marshal Zeringue