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Oliver Twist

Authoritative Text - Backgrounds and Sources - Early Reviews - Criticism

By Charles Dickens, Various Authors, Fred Kaplan (Editor)

(502)

| Paperback | 9780393962925

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14 Reviews

2 people find this helpful

Not Dickens best work

To be honest, I couldnt stand this book. I mean it has a very good plot, but Dickens practically had a plot-twist on every page, and by the end I didnt understand half of what I was reading, and threw the book in frustration.

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Zachary said on Jul 13, 2011 about the Mass Market Paperback edition | Add your feedback

1 person find this helpful

'Please, sir,' replied Oliver, 'I want some more.'

The only fault which I found in this marvellous reading is the ending: the closure was very much deplorable and I was really expecting something better from the greatest of character shapers.
A great book nevertheless.
Best character: Mr. Bumble
Best jocular fellow: Master Charley B ... (continue)

The only fault which I found in this marvellous reading is the ending: the closure was very much deplorable and I was really expecting something better from the greatest of character shapers.
A great book nevertheless.
Best character: Mr. Bumble
Best jocular fellow: Master Charley Bates

The evening arrived; the boys took their places. The master, in his cook's uniform, stationed himself at the copper; his pauper assistants ranged themselves behind him; the gruel was served out; and a long grace was said over the short commons. The gruel disappeared; the boys whispered each other, and winked at Oliver; while his next neighbors nudged him. Child as he was, he was desperate with hunger, and reckless with misery. He rose from the table; and advancing to the master, basin and spoon in hand, said: somewhat alarmed at his own temerity:
'Please, sir, I want some more.'
The master was a fat, healthy man; but he turned very pale. He gazed in stupefied astonishment on the small rebel for some seconds, and then clung for support to the copper. The assistants were paralysed with wonder; the boys with fear.
'What!' said the master at length, in a faint voice.
'Please, sir,' replied Oliver, 'I want some more.'
The master aimed a blow at Oliver's head with the ladle; pinioned him in his arm; and shrieked aloud for the beadle.
The board were sitting in solemn conclave, when Mr. Bumble rushed into the room in great excitement, and addressing the gentleman in the high chair, said,
'Mr. Limbkins, I beg your pardon, sir! Oliver Twist has asked for more!'
There was a general start. Horror was depicted on every countenance.
'For more!' said Mr. Limbkins. 'Compose yourself, Bumble, and answer me distinctly. Do I understand that he asked for more, after he had eaten the supper allotted by the dietary?'
'He did, sir,' replied Bumble.
'That boy will be hung,' said the gentleman in the white waistcoat. 'I know that boy will be hung.'

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daniele said on Jul 30, 2009 | Add your feedback

So I've not really enjoyed any Dickens before but the library was promoting a "cityread" event this month when they were trying to get people to read Oliver Twist and have lots of activities relating to the book. (We're having a talk by Jerry White on Law and Order in Oliver Twist on Tuesday and the ... (continue)

So I've not really enjoyed any Dickens before but the library was promoting a "cityread" event this month when they were trying to get people to read Oliver Twist and have lots of activities relating to the book. (We're having a talk by Jerry White on Law and Order in Oliver Twist on Tuesday and the borough archivist is doing a Dickens walk in Limehouse on Friday). So I thought I'd better read it. I managed to find a lovely 1877 edition on abe for about £5 as I thought if I was going to read Oliver Twist I needed to do it properly and not some modern paperback.
I'm very pleased to say that I really enjoyed this book!!!! It is by far my favourite Dickens and has made me think perhaps I shouldn't totally dismiss him yet. Despite having a child protagonist this was the first book of his that I read that didn't feel like a kids book. Perhaps it was because the poverty and the criminals were just that bit more nasty. There were still the typical foolish Dickens characters that annoy me. But Sikes was actually pretty scary and believable. Fagin was twisted and multi-dimensional. Nancy I actually loved, her drinking, her refusal to leave, her acceptance of her life, her coming back as a ghost. She had agency and did things that had a huge effect on the story and went against society and her fellows and paid for it. But still very much enjoyed her portrayal. I even found Oliver much more likeable than in the film version as he wasn't some blonde cherub but got in fights and stood up for himself. I found the middle class people less interesting. Though was glad to see that even there the women were taking an active role.
I loved all the social commentary and discussion of the poor law, workhouses, etc. This was what I always imagined Dickens should be like. The other books I think came across as just a bit too middle class but this was much more like Zola actually dealing with the lives of poor people. I even found myself enjoying his style much more in this. So now once more I've decided I should try and read more Dickens.

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Robot-mel said on Apr 15, 2012 about the Others edition | Add your feedback

I found it slow and boring. Left for something else.

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Rossella said on Mar 8, 2012 | Add your feedback

oliver twist

i,ve read and watched this fantastic classic alot timeless

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Jimmy2bellys said on Sep 17, 2011 about the Mass Market Paperback edition | Add your feedback

I don't like the arrangement for Nancy who died for revealing the
secret to Rose and therefore being murdered by Bill. Nancy was a brave and kind hearted woman. For woman like her, the god should grant her a better life for her kindness, however why good people don't have a good ending but a miser ... (continue)

I don't like the arrangement for Nancy who died for revealing the
secret to Rose and therefore being murdered by Bill. Nancy was a brave and kind hearted woman. For woman like her, the god should grant her a better life for her kindness, however why good people don't have a good ending but a miserable one? I do feel upset when reading it.

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Denise said on Oct 6, 2010 | Add your feedback