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The Novels of Charles Dickens: An Introduction to Oliver Twist
David Timson talks about Charles Dickens, much loved for his great contribution to classic English Literature. Listen to Oliver Twist narrated by Anthony Lesser.
Oliver Twist, Dickens' second novel, is a thrilling study of childhood innocence thrust into the darkly comic world of Fagin, his apprentice, the Artful Dodger, and their gang of child thieves. Who will help the orphaned Oliver to escape from their clutches and discover his true history?
The original story is even more powerful and compelling than the musical, which has popularized it. Anton Lesser reads with all his intensity and comic versatility.
Oliver Twist, Dickens' second novel, is a thrilling study of childhood innocence thrust into the darkly comic world of Fagin, his apprentice, the Artful Dodger, and their gang of child thieves. Who will help the orphaned Oliver to escape from their clutches and discover his true history?
The original story is even more powerful and compelling than the musical, which has popularized it. Anton Lesser reads with all his intensity and comic versatility.
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First published February 3, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 22, 2019
David Timson reads an introduction to "Oliver Twist"by Charles Dickens.This is currently a free download on Audible-no doubt to encourage listeners to download the whole book!Lots of interesting facts,here.It is claimed that this novel enabled Dickens to establish his "unique style"said to be"the tackling of social issues with wit and humour,mixed with pathos and sadness."Oliver Twist emerges from the workhouse-a grim place for any child-and struggles to escape a life of poverty and crime.So real does he appear,and so true to life were Dickens descriptions of Victorian London that the working classes sought out his novels(often serialized)and his readership was vastly extended.His work would also go on to challenge the Poor Laws of 1834 which allowed parishes to do very little for their able bodied poor-resulting in the terrible and unacceptable conditions provided for orphaned and abandoned children which the young Oliver experienced.
After a short,but very informative introduction,a few excerpts from the novel itself are included which are very well read-although,in my version by Jonathan Keeble,rather than by Anton Lesser who is mentioned above.Here,the scene is set for the story and we meet many of its' main characters-young Oliver Twist,Mr Bumble the Beadle,Fagin,Dodger,Bill Sykes and Nancy.All seem to have been chosen to echo the theme introduced at the very beginning of the novel when a starving child pleads "Please,sir,I want some more."
After a short,but very informative introduction,a few excerpts from the novel itself are included which are very well read-although,in my version by Jonathan Keeble,rather than by Anton Lesser who is mentioned above.Here,the scene is set for the story and we meet many of its' main characters-young Oliver Twist,Mr Bumble the Beadle,Fagin,Dodger,Bill Sykes and Nancy.All seem to have been chosen to echo the theme introduced at the very beginning of the novel when a starving child pleads "Please,sir,I want some more."
February 14, 2019
I am not sure why this "book" exists. The book is three or four minutes of introduction and background information followed by 20 minutes of excerpts from Oliver Twist.
December 30, 2019
Useful information on context and a lively reading
April 18, 2020
Very interesting intro to the works of Charles Dickens telling the background of the works of Charles Dickenson
February 23, 2023
It gives you good tastes !
November 22, 2023
Quick primer for anyone wanting to read the full text.
Information was descriptive of content.
Brief Old English narration was spot on.
Information was descriptive of content.
Brief Old English narration was spot on.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews