Olly

by Adam Millard

When his mother dies giving birth to him, Oliver is adoptedby a wonderful family, The Brownlows, who bring him up to bethe best he can. Deciding to go to the cinema to watch the latestsuperhero movie, the unthinkable happens.Oliver is kidnapped, and taken to a mysterious old man, Fagin.After a series of brutal events, Oliver is forced to learn how tosteal, taught by a gang of hooded thugs. He risks everything to escape the sadistic clutches of his captors and return safelyto his family, who have their own problems.Bill “Psycho” Sykes is a man on the edge, a pimpwith not only the police to worry about. With his girlfriendon the game, and local criminal, Eddie Monks, up to no good,Sykes has enough on his plate......And then came Olly.

280 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 22, 2011

About the author

Adam Millard is the author of twenty novels, twelve novellas, and more than two hundred short stories, which can be found in various collections and anthologies. Probably best known for his post-apocalyptic fiction, Adam also writes fantasy/horror for children and Bizarro fiction for several publishers. His work has recently been translated for the German market.

Reviews

[Gary Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam Millard has a great talent. This story will not disappoint. I read this twist of Dickens story of Oliver Twist on my Kindle. But am also lucky enough to have a signed copy.

[Grw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that I wasn't expecting much from this, other than a basic updating of the original classic, but the author has done so much more than that just don't expect a musical.

Key elements of the plot are mostly there, although some are gone, like the workhouse as they no longer exists (give the current government time though!) and there's some switching about with the time lines but that just goes to keep things fresh.

All the characters are well drawn, fitting in perfectly with the modernised setting that is every bit as gritty as the original Dickins' London. It's just a shame it wasn't longer, as more details could have been filled in.

Overall though, a great read.