What do you think?
Rate this book
Dodger #1.5
Dodger's Guide to London
ROLL UP! ROLL UP! READ ALL ABOUT IT!
Ladies and Gents, Sir Jack Dodger brings you a most excellent Guide to London!
Did you know . . . ?
If a Victorian couldn’t afford a sweep, they might drop a goose down their chimney to clean it!
A posh lady’s unmentionables could weigh up to 40lbs!
Parliament had to be suspended during the Great Stink of 1858!
From the wretches of the rookeries to the posh nobs at Buckingham Palace, Dodger will show you every dirty inch of London.
Warning: Includes ’orrible murders, naughty ladies and plenty of geezers!
Ladies and Gents, Sir Jack Dodger brings you a most excellent Guide to London!
Did you know . . . ?
If a Victorian couldn’t afford a sweep, they might drop a goose down their chimney to clean it!
A posh lady’s unmentionables could weigh up to 40lbs!
Parliament had to be suspended during the Great Stink of 1858!
From the wretches of the rookeries to the posh nobs at Buckingham Palace, Dodger will show you every dirty inch of London.
Warning: Includes ’orrible murders, naughty ladies and plenty of geezers!
144 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
13 people are currently reading
1243 people want to read
About the author
Terry Pratchett
681 books46.1k followersSir Terence David John Pratchett was an English author, humorist, and satirist, best known for the Discworld series of 41 comic fantasy novels published between 1983–2015, and for the apocalyptic comedy novel Good Omens (1990), which he co-wrote with Neil Gaiman.
Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, after which Pratchett wrote an average of two books a year. The final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.
With more than 100 million books sold worldwide in 43 languages, Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
In December 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust (now Alzheimer's Research UK, ARUK), filmed three television programmes chronicling his experiences with the condition for the BBC, and became a patron of ARUK. Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, at the age of 66.
Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, after which Pratchett wrote an average of two books a year. The final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.
With more than 100 million books sold worldwide in 43 languages, Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
In December 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust (now Alzheimer's Research UK, ARUK), filmed three television programmes chronicling his experiences with the condition for the BBC, and became a patron of ARUK. Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, at the age of 66.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
![Profile Image for [ J o ].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1673171874i%2F4639825._UY200_CR4%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
November 24, 2021
Dodger's Guide to London comes as a companion to the novel Dodger and provides us with a casual look at what life was like for the lower classes of Victorian London.
It's a good place to start if you're looking to start researching Victorian London, as it has some very good references and recommendations for further reading. Paul Kidby provides the wonderful illustrations that always accompanies Terry Pratchett's work, as well as some real-life photographs that do not disappoint in bringing the era close to hand.
It does not contain much humour, though I would suggest this was a child-orientated book, and as such it can get a little boring. In-and-out reading would be best, and definitely it is a referenceesque book as opposed to any other kind. Be wary of the fictional elements that Pratchett provides, as these are not factual and may trip you up. Altogether an interesting read.
It's a good place to start if you're looking to start researching Victorian London, as it has some very good references and recommendations for further reading. Paul Kidby provides the wonderful illustrations that always accompanies Terry Pratchett's work, as well as some real-life photographs that do not disappoint in bringing the era close to hand.
It does not contain much humour, though I would suggest this was a child-orientated book, and as such it can get a little boring. In-and-out reading would be best, and definitely it is a referenceesque book as opposed to any other kind. Be wary of the fictional elements that Pratchett provides, as these are not factual and may trip you up. Altogether an interesting read.
March 8, 2014
Although this is a nice little book with some interesting factoids about Victorian London, presented in a way that a Pratchett/"Dodger" fan will find them accessible, there was one big thing missing from something you'd expect associated with Terry Pratchett - humour. There was maybe 2 or 3 giggle-worthy moments in the entire book, which is not enough. Also a point to note is that despite his name being in big letters on the cover, it's plainly obvious that this is /not/ written by Terry Pratchett. The Discworld Emporium (who've released this along with last year's The World of Poo and the upcoming Mrs Bradshaw's Handbook) may need to step up their game if they want to release /good/ Pratchett spinoff material.
January 26, 2014
Although this book is aimed at younger readers (I am 25 years old) I found the book extremely enjoyable and picked up a lot of facts that I previously never knew about Victorian London. It is recommended that you read Dodger first before reading this book but for the casual reader it is a great read especially for all Terry Pratchett fans.
February 6, 2022
For those who have read Sir Terry’s Dodger, this book is an added bonus of interesting information about the time period in London, in which the novel is set. The novel itself is an excellent work of historical fiction which, to pull off well, requires just that extra amount of research to know and describe the time period in question.
Dodger’s guide is very much along the lines of the notes that Sir Terry likely made as he was researching; finding interesting tidbits that could be the realistic background of his fictional novel. It also has an interesting conceit of being “penned” by Dodger himself, so the interior is full of quotes, notes from Dodger and many prints of newspapers, drawings and fliers of the time. However, in the book’s small status, the sometimes grey’d background for the typeset as well as a hard to read font for Dodger’s “notes”, there is a fair amount of squinting and a need for good lighting. Some of the facsimiles are especially light and hard to read.
That all being said, for those interested in some further details about London’s history in the time of Dodger, this is a reasonable place to start, and Sir Terry has included further reading references at the end.
Dodger’s guide is very much along the lines of the notes that Sir Terry likely made as he was researching; finding interesting tidbits that could be the realistic background of his fictional novel. It also has an interesting conceit of being “penned” by Dodger himself, so the interior is full of quotes, notes from Dodger and many prints of newspapers, drawings and fliers of the time. However, in the book’s small status, the sometimes grey’d background for the typeset as well as a hard to read font for Dodger’s “notes”, there is a fair amount of squinting and a need for good lighting. Some of the facsimiles are especially light and hard to read.
That all being said, for those interested in some further details about London’s history in the time of Dodger, this is a reasonable place to start, and Sir Terry has included further reading references at the end.
February 9, 2020
Interessante, skurrile und schmutzige Einblicke in das viktorianische London. Es handelt sich um ein Begleitbuch zu "Dunkle Halunken", das man aber unabhängig davon lesen kann. Für Freunde skurriler Fakten, des viktorianischen Zeitalters oder Fans von Terry Pratchett lohnt sich ein Blick in Dodgers London Guide. Hinweis; lest das Buch komplett, auch die ersten Seiten.
April 8, 2022
Not just an ideal companion piece to 'Dodger', 'Dodger's Guide to London' is full of the exact sort of wonderful trivia that should encourage enquiring minds to look up the history of London. Pratchett's writing is not just full of humour but excitement for the delightfully esoteric.
January 5, 2014
This slim little volume is a companion book to Sir Terry’s non-Discworld novel published last year, Dodger.
The original story is a Dickensian style tale of one Jack Dodger, who in the novel is an ‘Artful Dodger’ type character running around the rather mucky streets of Victorian London.
It’s a fine old tale, involving characters based on people such as England’s Prime Minister at the time, Benjamin Disraeli, originator of the English police force Sir Robert Peel, a journalst named Charlie Dickens, Sweeney Todd, the fictional butcher of Fleet Street and even Queen Victoria herself.
There’s clearly a mine of material to work with there, and as you would expect, Sir Terry has done his research to write the novel. (There’s a long list of websites on the last page of Dodger’s Guide for further research, should the reader be so inclined.) Dodger’s Guide for London is obviously based on this research, and is presented as a collection of various details as a means of showing the perhaps uninformed reader what Victorian London was like.
It’s a book that can perhaps be regarded as a Schott’s Miscellany for Victorian London, or for those with younger people in their household, a Horrible Histories type romp through Victoriana. Most of the details inside are factual, though there are, peppered throughout, quotes and comments from the fictional Jack Dodger himself. As expected, there are lots of real details here that will surprise and perhaps revolt the reader. It’s a book designed to be dipped into.
It is profusely illustrated throughout, with almost every page having a picture of some sort, and many more than one. Most of the drawings in black and white pencil throughout are drawn by long-time Pratchett collaborator Paul Kidby, although there are also 135 illustrations and photographs from the time, of places, magazines and key events.
You don’t need to have read Dodger to get a lot from this book, although the comments from Dodger throughout may make more sense if you have.
Dodger’s Guide to London is clearly one for the young enquiring mind, who wishes to know more about the real Victorian London, as well as a little of Pratchett’s fictional one. In summary, it is a good way to pass a couple of hours, after which the reader is almost guaranteed to come away with something they didn’t know before.
And coincidentally available just in time to accompany the paperback copy of Dodger for that most Victorian of celebrations, Christmas….
The original story is a Dickensian style tale of one Jack Dodger, who in the novel is an ‘Artful Dodger’ type character running around the rather mucky streets of Victorian London.
It’s a fine old tale, involving characters based on people such as England’s Prime Minister at the time, Benjamin Disraeli, originator of the English police force Sir Robert Peel, a journalst named Charlie Dickens, Sweeney Todd, the fictional butcher of Fleet Street and even Queen Victoria herself.
There’s clearly a mine of material to work with there, and as you would expect, Sir Terry has done his research to write the novel. (There’s a long list of websites on the last page of Dodger’s Guide for further research, should the reader be so inclined.) Dodger’s Guide for London is obviously based on this research, and is presented as a collection of various details as a means of showing the perhaps uninformed reader what Victorian London was like.
It’s a book that can perhaps be regarded as a Schott’s Miscellany for Victorian London, or for those with younger people in their household, a Horrible Histories type romp through Victoriana. Most of the details inside are factual, though there are, peppered throughout, quotes and comments from the fictional Jack Dodger himself. As expected, there are lots of real details here that will surprise and perhaps revolt the reader. It’s a book designed to be dipped into.
It is profusely illustrated throughout, with almost every page having a picture of some sort, and many more than one. Most of the drawings in black and white pencil throughout are drawn by long-time Pratchett collaborator Paul Kidby, although there are also 135 illustrations and photographs from the time, of places, magazines and key events.
You don’t need to have read Dodger to get a lot from this book, although the comments from Dodger throughout may make more sense if you have.
Dodger’s Guide to London is clearly one for the young enquiring mind, who wishes to know more about the real Victorian London, as well as a little of Pratchett’s fictional one. In summary, it is a good way to pass a couple of hours, after which the reader is almost guaranteed to come away with something they didn’t know before.
And coincidentally available just in time to accompany the paperback copy of Dodger for that most Victorian of celebrations, Christmas….
January 30, 2017
There is a lovely book by Pratchett, called Dodger, I read it over Christmas and New Year 2014/15. Not the greatest of Pratchett's novels, but quite enjoyable. A novel centering around the life of the fictional inspiration for the Artful Dodger in Oliver Twist, complete with many real life Victorian characters, Charles Dickens and Henry Mayhew figure prominently. It worked acceptably well as a novel, the story was fun - this here book is a spin-off from it.
Now, this book isn't a novel, there's not a story contained within. It's more of a travel guide and historical account of the life and times of London in the Victorian era, as seen through the eyes of Dodger, one of its poorer inhabitants - an uncommon perspective for the time.
Really, the book in my eyes, is an attempt to make a funny and entertaining version of London Labour and the London Poor by Henry Mayhew. That is an iconic book detailing the struggle of the working classes in the city and this book covers similar territory and references that tome quite heavily. It also continuously uses cartoons from Punch, a pioneering satirical magazine founded by Henry Mayhew again and illustrated by John Tenniel (who is also famous for illustrating Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It is also peppered with adverts, both real and made-up, of the kind found in newspapers and other printed media of the time.
The overall effect is to form an informative and entertaining look at the underbelly of the city, just what regular life was like one and a half centuries ago. Pratchett obviously is enthralled by the subject matter and I can see why.
Now, this book isn't a novel, there's not a story contained within. It's more of a travel guide and historical account of the life and times of London in the Victorian era, as seen through the eyes of Dodger, one of its poorer inhabitants - an uncommon perspective for the time.
Really, the book in my eyes, is an attempt to make a funny and entertaining version of London Labour and the London Poor by Henry Mayhew. That is an iconic book detailing the struggle of the working classes in the city and this book covers similar territory and references that tome quite heavily. It also continuously uses cartoons from Punch, a pioneering satirical magazine founded by Henry Mayhew again and illustrated by John Tenniel (who is also famous for illustrating Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It is also peppered with adverts, both real and made-up, of the kind found in newspapers and other printed media of the time.
The overall effect is to form an informative and entertaining look at the underbelly of the city, just what regular life was like one and a half centuries ago. Pratchett obviously is enthralled by the subject matter and I can see why.
November 19, 2014
For what this is, I found it very good and interesting! I don't have a 'passion' for History but recently I have found it more exciting (history used to bore me) and this book had a good amount of fact with a bit of made up characters but I have learnt a lot about Victorian London! It has been a great help for my dram project, where we are prodding a play based in Victorian London and has given us: fact to base lines and plot off, a feel for the scene setting, lines and a bit of dialogue to practice saying in an accent as well as using some in our drama! All in all I'm impressed for what it is! I wouldn't say its really what I would read for leisure as it is mostly non-fiction, and also the layout/design was nice !! It has made me want to read Oliver and some more historical fiction!!
June 1, 2015
Although I love Victorian London, I know nothing about it. I am familiar with historical fiction...but I'm no historian.
I am not familiar with Terry Pratchett nor Jack Dodger so I judged it by its cover....and was satisfied with it! I don't know if this book is supposed to be somewhat educational or based on other fiction novels, but it was in the Sci-Fi section so I'm guessing it is supposed to be fiction...and what I absolutely loved about it is the art. It contains retro visuals, which is a huge plus. I am definitely going to keep this book so that my future kids can read it too! And I'm not even married yet! :)
I am not familiar with Terry Pratchett nor Jack Dodger so I judged it by its cover....and was satisfied with it! I don't know if this book is supposed to be somewhat educational or based on other fiction novels, but it was in the Sci-Fi section so I'm guessing it is supposed to be fiction...and what I absolutely loved about it is the art. It contains retro visuals, which is a huge plus. I am definitely going to keep this book so that my future kids can read it too! And I'm not even married yet! :)
February 4, 2016
The reality behind the fiction
The reader is guided through early-victorian London by the witty character Dodger. More than a merry historical romp, this book principal goal is to transmit in a fun way part of the huge research work that Pratchett did to plunge the fictional novel Dodger in a very realistic setting. Didactic at the very least.
The reader is guided through early-victorian London by the witty character Dodger. More than a merry historical romp, this book principal goal is to transmit in a fun way part of the huge research work that Pratchett did to plunge the fictional novel Dodger in a very realistic setting. Didactic at the very least.
July 13, 2015
Fascinating stuff - lots of historical facts about Victorian London with a very well-dressed-up layer of fiction, both quite clearly defined (the factual bits are fully cited) that makes it much more than a list of facts and figures, and provides further reading among its quotations and bibliography to occupy one for months, especially those involving the characters featured in "Dodger" who really existed.
December 17, 2016
Love London. Love Terry Pratchett... and I liked Dodger, the novel. But this book really contained nothing I hadn't already read in other books, and it lacked the depth. Might be really good for somebody who hasn't already explored the history and culture of London, extensively, but left me a bit disappointed.
Not bad by any means. It was a good quick read. But my hopes were higher.
Not bad by any means. It was a good quick read. But my hopes were higher.
February 1, 2015
This companion book to Terry Pratchett's 'Dodger' is the kind of bathroom trivia book persons interested in Victorian London would emjoy leafing through to while away a few minutes here and there. Filled with facts about the Victorian age and asides from 'Dodger' himself it is an easygoing way to learn about minutae of the period without slogging through heavier reference material.
October 16, 2014
An unremarkable collection of factoids about Victorian London, purporting to be an original period piece by the title character in Terry Pratchett's novel Dodger, but never convincingly so. Although there are some interesting facts here and there and some fiction.
October 28, 2014
Dodger was not my favorite book but it was enjoyable nonetheless, his guiding through London's dirty secrets was real joy and I have learned many interesting things :-) Lovely put and what a beautiful illustration, they don't make books like this anymore. Took me back :)
December 10, 2014
This was a lot of fun...based on real studies of nineteenth century London. Did you know that the song Pop Goes The Weasel refers to pawning ones tools to buy food! A fun follow up to Terry Pratchett's Dodger
May 6, 2015
i loved "Did you know...?" books as a kid, and reading this i discovered i still love them now. super fun stuff. not sure how much of it pratchett actually wrote, but the warm spirit and the enthusiasm are surely all his. sir terry, you are dearly missed.
February 17, 2014
I asked for this as I needed it for my collection but it was an interesting read and tempted to take it to London as an alternative guide!
May 17, 2014
Guess where I just moved to!
... Thankfully, things aren't quite as rough as they were back in Victorian times anymore!
... Thankfully, things aren't quite as rough as they were back in Victorian times anymore!
March 9, 2015
Mildly amusing at times with short interesting facts on London. may be worth getting one of referenced books for a detailed history of Victorian London
January 17, 2024
This book was pretty fun, but it wasn’t Pratchett’s best. I’m not even sure how involved in it he was.
It’s a fun non-fiction book about Victorian London, but with a couple of references to Pratchett’s standalone novel, Dodger. I prefer his Discworld stuff, but I also find Victorian London fascinating and so I don’t have too many complaints.
All in all, it reminded me of Terry Deary’s Horrible Histories books. It had the same kind of humour to it and some fascinating information about what life was like for Victorian Londoners. It was pretty grim by all accounts, and if nothing else, this book made me glad to live the life I have.
It’s a fun non-fiction book about Victorian London, but with a couple of references to Pratchett’s standalone novel, Dodger. I prefer his Discworld stuff, but I also find Victorian London fascinating and so I don’t have too many complaints.
All in all, it reminded me of Terry Deary’s Horrible Histories books. It had the same kind of humour to it and some fascinating information about what life was like for Victorian Londoners. It was pretty grim by all accounts, and if nothing else, this book made me glad to live the life I have.
November 15, 2020
Interesting little addition to Dodger.
The book contains lots of well-presented information about Victorian London - its key personages, its people and their daily lives, curious bits and pieces that will make the reader raise their eyebrows.
It is worth having as an addition to Dodger, or for readers not familiar (but interested in) Victorian London.
While it is funny at times, and it was written partly by Terry Pratchett, it is a companion book, and it will not be as exciting to someone who is already familiar with Victorian London.
The book contains lots of well-presented information about Victorian London - its key personages, its people and their daily lives, curious bits and pieces that will make the reader raise their eyebrows.
It is worth having as an addition to Dodger, or for readers not familiar (but interested in) Victorian London.
While it is funny at times, and it was written partly by Terry Pratchett, it is a companion book, and it will not be as exciting to someone who is already familiar with Victorian London.
February 25, 2022
A brief, but interesting history of London, one of the most notable cities of the world, with small injections of Pratchett's well-loved humour. This ties in with his novel, Dodger, but can be read alone. Full of excellent tidbits of trivia to store away and help you win a pub quiz at some point in the future. A must for the collection of any Pratchett fan, and an excellent introduction to London for budding historians of any age.
June 15, 2017
An entertaining guide to Victorian London by Terry Pratchett's young Victorian scalawag, Dodger. It's full of snippets regarding that time period and are presented in an amusing fashion. I wish I had had this when I read "Dodger".
May 26, 2020
Some interesting facts about Victorian London, but very superficial. And absolutely no exploration or even mention of the atrocities taking place in order to fund the British Empire, which is a very glaring omission.
January 4, 2019
Really enjoyed all the facts about Victorian London but did not feel like I was reading something written by Terry Pratchett.
November 16, 2019
I wouldn’t say that it’s a book one can’t put down but it is indeed entertaining. And the design is really beautiful.
January 30, 2023
pretty enjoyable and i learnt a lot more then i expected from a kids book
February 6, 2023
An interesting (but not particularly entertaining) look at the realities of Victorian London, as seen in Terry Pratchett’s Dodger.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews