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Oliver Twist
Oliver Twist; or, the Parish Boy's Progress is Charles Dickens' second novel, and was first published as a serial 1837–39. The story centres on orphan Oliver Twist, born in a workhouse and sold into apprenticeship with an undertaker. After escaping, Oliver travels to London, where he meets "The Artful Dodger", a member of a gang of juvenile pickpockets led by the elderly criminal, Fagin.
Oliver Twist is notable for its unromantic portrayal by Dickens of criminals and their sordid lives, as well as for exposing the cruel treatment of the many orphans in London in the mid-19th century. The alternative title, The Parish Boy's Progress, alludes to Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, as well as the 18th-century caricature series by William Hogarth, A Rake's Progress and A Harlot's Progress.
In this early example of the social novel, Dickens satirises the hypocrisies of his time, including child labour, the recruitment of children as criminals, and the presence of street children. The novel may have been inspired by the story of Robert Blincoe, an orphan whose account of working as a child labourer in a cotton mill was widely read in the 1830s. It is likely that Dickens's own youthful experiences contributed as well.
Oliver Twist has been the subject of numerous adaptations for various media, including a highly successful musical play, Oliver!, and the multiple Academy Award-winning 1968 motion picture. Disney also put its spin on the novel with the animated film called Oliver & Company in 1988.
Oliver Twist is notable for its unromantic portrayal by Dickens of criminals and their sordid lives, as well as for exposing the cruel treatment of the many orphans in London in the mid-19th century. The alternative title, The Parish Boy's Progress, alludes to Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, as well as the 18th-century caricature series by William Hogarth, A Rake's Progress and A Harlot's Progress.
In this early example of the social novel, Dickens satirises the hypocrisies of his time, including child labour, the recruitment of children as criminals, and the presence of street children. The novel may have been inspired by the story of Robert Blincoe, an orphan whose account of working as a child labourer in a cotton mill was widely read in the 1830s. It is likely that Dickens's own youthful experiences contributed as well.
Oliver Twist has been the subject of numerous adaptations for various media, including a highly successful musical play, Oliver!, and the multiple Academy Award-winning 1968 motion picture. Disney also put its spin on the novel with the animated film called Oliver & Company in 1988.
96 pages, Paperback
Published May 14, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 11, 2024
A classic, I loved watching it on TV every Christmas, I’ve even seen it a a theatre production several times and it’s one of my more favourite Dickins books.
I saw this in my local library and picked it up, I returned it fairly quick as it’s only a short read at just 96 pages. so is more like a novella rather than a full size paperback. It is an edition that is aimed for people who are learning to read and was listed at level 6. Makes me wonder what level I am reading at now then 🤣
I saw this in my local library and picked it up, I returned it fairly quick as it’s only a short read at just 96 pages. so is more like a novella rather than a full size paperback. It is an edition that is aimed for people who are learning to read and was listed at level 6. Makes me wonder what level I am reading at now then 🤣
May 1, 2024
Although I’ve saw the films etc it was good to read the book. Nuff said.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews