Product Description

Includes introduction and notes by Dr Ella Westland, University of Exeter and Illustrations by George Cruickshank. Dickens had already achieved renown with "The Pickwick Papers". With "Oliver Twist" his reputation was enhanced and strengthened. This novel contains many classic Dickensian themes - grinding poverty, desperation, fear, temptation and the eventual triumph of good in the face of great adversity. "Oliver Twist" features some of the author's most enduring characters, such as Oliver himself (Who dares to ask for more), the tyrannical Bumble, the diabolical Fagin, the menacing Bill Sykes, Nancy and 'the Artful Dodger'.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4609 in Books
• Published on: 2000
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

About the Author
Michael Slater is Professor of Victorian Literature at Birkbeck College in the University of London. He was editor of The Dickensian (1968-77) and President of the International Dickens Fellowship (1988-90). He has published many books and articles on Dickens.

Customer Reviews

A powerfully moving critique of Victorian society,
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this accessible novel. Not only does Dickens take great effort to build up a nuanced plot structure and characterisations, he also uses this novel as an opportunity to launch a full scale critique against the disparities of Victorian society. By describing so persuasively the plight of Twist's character, and the decay of Victorian London, the author gains the full acceptance of the reader, and develops a sense of hope within the plot. This is a polemic study of society at its worst, and looks to the very characters in 'Oliver Twist' for some glimmer of hope. A much recommended read.

Cruel Deception with a Twist of Fate
Dickens writes with authority in ‘Oliver Twist’. The preface to the book outlines clearly how Dickens has grown tired of the glamorising of criminals, and sets off in pursuit of putting the record straight.
All his characters and settings are drawn on using his own experiences from his own life, as well as purposefully bringing into his story characters to whom he familiarised himself with at first hand, such as the obnoxious and arrogantly rude character, ‘Mr Fang’the Police Magistrate. What is so amazing about this and many of Dickens’ books, is the authors ability to draw the reader into each character, as you read Sikes’s part, you feel like the nasty criminal, you can’t help hunching your shoulders and wanting to rub the back of your hands as you read the words of ‘Fagin,’ even the pompous and outrageous ‘Mr Bumble’ commands the readers attempts at the recognition of his character.
Throughout the book your emotions are tested at the unbelievable cruelty bestowed on the innocence of ‘Oliver Twist’ by the worst criminal elements, and their attempts at ruining the life of a child, denied of his true identity, an identity that would free him from a life of degradation, poverty and enforced crime.

Oliver Twist
I bought the book as a present for my daughter and after seeing the show Oliver she really enjoyed the book.