LETTERS: The follow-up that could be written

Sir: In principle I dislike the idea of sequels by other hands ("Follow-ups that can't be written", 26 June). But David Lister is not quite correct in saying that "Dickens has, so far, been avoided by the sequel writers."

Sir Harry Johnston, the explorer and writer, who died in 1927, wrote sequels to Dombey and Son and Our Mutual Friend, entitled The Gay-Dombeys and The Veneerings. It is a long time since I read them; they pursue the fate of some Dickens characters and their descendants against a late Victorian background.

JAMES N DAWSON

London SE26