This book follows the story of little Oliver Twist, an orphan, born in a workhouse in Victorian London and brought up there as a parish child. He is later sent away from the workhouse for daring to ask for more food and apprenticed to an undertaker at the age of ten. Unable to withstand the hardships of his life, Oliver runs away and unfortunately falls in with the evil Fagin and his gang of thieves.

Tutored by his new benefactor Fagin and his gang including the Artful Dodger, Charley Bates, the cunning yet gentle Nancy and the brutal Bill Sikes this meek, mild young boy enters a life of crime. However, destiny has other things in store for Oliver. After many trials and tribulations, he is saved from a life of misery by kind and generous people and he finally finds his rightful place in the world.

This type of book is good for almost anyone especially those who like to read the classics. It is a timeless novel that can be enjoyed by adults and children alike

I especially liked the myriad of colourful characters in this story. Dickens’s characters are a treat for any reader and here you will meet some of the most memorable ones. The loathsome, satanic Fagin, the wily Artful Dodger, Mr. Giles the highly respectable butler and my favourite Mr. Bumble the parochial beadle of the parochial (I just love that word) workhouse. Moreover you will have the honor of meeting Messers Blathers and Duff the wise officers from Bow Street and many more.

Nothing, I enjoyed the book completely.

When I finished reading the book I wanted to share it with as many people and possible. I got pen and paper and decided to write a review and post it on this site hoping that someone will see it and try out the book. Trust me, you will not be disappointed. I noticed that there have been no previous reviews for Oliver Twist. Mine is the first. I hope I have done this great book justice and others will be persuaded to read it after seeing my review.

The Author of this book Charles Dickens (1812 – 70) was born in Portsmouth, the second child of a clerk in the Navy Pay-Office. His father’s inability to stay out of debt lead to his eventual imprisonment in 1824 and Charles Dickens was sent to work in a blacking house. Memories of this unhappy childhood are depicted in his books including Oliver Twist. Dickens worked hard to become first a clerk in a solicitor’s office and then a reporter of Parliamentary debates for the ‘Morning Chronicle’.

Best known for his host of cruel, comic and repugnant characters he remains the most widely read of the Victorian novelists. Some of his popular works include The Pickwick Papers, Nicholas Nickleby, The Old Curiosity Shop, David Copperfield, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities and the hugely popular Christmas Books.

I recommend this book because it is an extremely poignant and moving novel. The incredible spirit of little Oliver, which enables him to survive all the trials of his young life, will undoubtedly touch your heart.

Moreover, the book will give you a shocking glimpse into the sufferings of poverty stricken people, the horrifying conditions of the workhouses they are forced into and the hypocrisy of the wealthy who run them.

I don’t recommend this book for very young children because of its very dark and sombre nature.

Once you have read this story you will never forget Oliver Twist the little boy who said, “Please Sir, I want some more”.

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Created Apr 15, 2004 at 2:35am • Submit your own review...