Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4185 in Books
• Published on: 1994-03-31
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 528 pages

Customer Reviews

Dickens strikes gold
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens is actually a story based upon the main character of the novel, a child, Oliver Twist. Born on the day of his mother's death, the boy falls victim to great tragedies. Forced by his fortune to live in a cruel Orphan house, then to work as a servant for an undertaker. After escaping there in the pursuiance of his aims, to London, he again falls prey to wrong hands and wrong people and from there on starts the real adventure of the story. Though, the happy ending in the story gets a bit film-ish.

The language used by Dickens in the story, like his other novels, is so mesmerising that the reader feels that he is seeing the actual picture, that makes Dickens style so appealing and touchy. I just finished the whole story in a couple of hours, so I recommend that it can be a good travel companion too. Full of emotions from love and kindness to hatred and ruthlessness, the story is an outstanding one. Dickens has struck gold again. Go for it!

A Pleasant Re-Discovery
"Oliver Twist" was assigned reading for my sophomore English class in 1967, and did not finish it until today. To this high school student, it seemed too depressing to hold my interest, even under compulsion. When I recently started this again in preparation for watching "Oliver" at the Muny I was presently surprised. I now understand why this is a classic and maintains a loyal following. The story held my interest in what would happen next. I could see the traits of the characters and the development of the plot while progressing through the story. I am glad I rediscovered "Oliver Twist". Whether you are interested in classical literature or just a good story, it is a good choice.

Wonderful Storytelling
This is the novel most associated with Mr. Dickens due to the much loved (deservedly) musical production. If you've seen the film version of the musical and havent read the book yet and like everyone else in the world you love the Fagin in the film, you will not be disappointed with his portrayal in the book, he is as creepy and sinister as he is in the musical, maybe not quite so loveable but still very sleasy. The description involved is incredible, you can smell the darkness in the streets you can feel the smell of the sewers, such quality of descriptions without boring the reader is rare. Also if you expect the plot to be identicle and so by now getting monotonous with amount of times you have seen your beloved musical version, you're in for a surprise. There are new characters; a much more gory ending, none of this death in the shadows so you can't fully see what's happening; I mean full blood dripping everywhere (you might want to read the end before reading to small children who aren't of a bloodthirsty nature); and no "cheerio but be back soon" to get the kids singing. The book is much darker and sinister than the musical, but a fantastic read none-the-less.