Product Description

The story of the orphan Oliver, who runs away from the workhouse only to be taken in by a den of thieves, shocked readers when it was first published. Dickens's tale of childhood innocence beset by evil depicts the dark criminal underworld of a London peopled by vivid and memorable characters - the arch-villain Fagin, the artful Dodger, the menacing Bill Sikes and the prostitute Nancy. Combining elements of Gothic Romance, the Newgate Novel and popular melodrama, Dickens created an entirely newkind of fiction, scathing in its indictment of a cruel society, and pervaded by an unforgettable sense of threat and mystery.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #33446 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 608 pages

About the Author
Charles Dickens (1812-70) was a political reporter and journalist whose popularity was established by the phenomenally successful Pickwick Papers (1836-7). His novels captured and held the public imagination over a period of more than thirty years. Philip Horne is a Reader in English at UCL. He is author of the acclaimed 'Henry James: A Life in Letters' and editor of James' The Tragic Muse for Penguin.

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.