Crossword Genius

Uninspired by Dickens' last work of fiction? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stale

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'uninspired by dickens' last work of fiction?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'last work of fiction?' is the wordplay.
'work of' is an anagram indicator (I've seen 'work' mean this).
'fiction?' becomes 'e' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'last' is an anagram of 'stal'.
'stal'+'e'='STALE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stale that I've seen before include "past the sell-by date" , "Not fresh, being least" , "Boring" , "no longer bearing interest?" , "piss" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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