Part of "Penguin's" beautiful hardback "Clothbound Classics" series, designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith, these delectable and collectible editions are bound in high-quality colourful, tactile cloth with foil stamped into the design. The story of the orphan Oliver, who runs away from the workhouse only to be taken in by a den of thieves, shocked readers when it was first published. Dickens' tale of childhood innocence beset by evil depicts the dark criminal underworld of a London peopled by vivid and memorable characters - the arch-villain Fagin, the artful Dodger, the menacing Bill Sikes and the prostitute Nancy. Combining elements of Gothic Romance, the Newgate Novel and popular melodrama, Dickens created an entirely newkind of fiction, scathing in its indictment of a cruel society, and pervaded by an unforgettable sense of threat and mystery.
Oliver Twist
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
From Library Journal
Oliver Twist was Dickens's second novel and one of his darkest, dealing with burglary, kidnapping, child abuse, prostitution, and murder. Alongside this gallery of horrors are the corrupt and incompetent institutions of 19th-century England set up to address social problems and instead making them worse. The author's moral indignation drives the creation of some of his most memorably grotesque characters: squirming, vile Fagin; brutal Bill Sykes; the brooding, sickly Monks; and Bumble, the pompous and incorrigibly dense beadle. Clearly, a reading of this work must carry the author's passionate narrative voice while being flexible and broad enough to define the wide range of character voices suggested by the text. John Wells's capable but bland reading only suggests the rich possibilities of the material. Restraint and Dickens simply don't go together. The abridgment deftly and seamlessly manages to deliver all major characters and plot lines, but there are many superior audiobook versions of this material, both abridged and unabridged. Not recommended.
-John Owen, Advanced Micro Devices, Sunnyvale, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
-John Owen, Advanced Micro Devices, Sunnyvale, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"The power of [Dickens] is so amazing, that the reader at once becomes his captive, and must follow him whithersoever he leads."
--William Makepeace Thackeray
From the Trade Paperback edition. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
--William Makepeace Thackeray
From the Trade Paperback edition. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I haven't read Oliver Twist in over 30 years. The last time was when I was in high school and it was an assigned reading. It really is a classic and I can tell you I appreciated it much more this time around. I'm now inspired to go back and read more of the classics.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is one of Dickens' most accessible tales for the younger audience, though it's still a pretty emotionally wrenching read.
By James Gallen
TOP 100 REVIEWER
Format:Mass Market Paperback
"Oliver Twist" was assigned reading for my sophomore English class in 1967, and did not finish it until today. To this high school student, it seemed too depressing to hold my interest, even under compulsion. When I recently started this again in preparation for watching "Oliver" at the Muny I was presently surprised. I now understand why this is a classic and maintains a loyal following. The story held my interest in what would happen next. I could see the traits of the characters and the development of the plot while progressing through the story. I am glad I rediscovered "Oliver Twist". Whether you are interested in classical literature or just a good story, it is a good choice.
Want to see more reviews on this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 432 reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Oliver-5, Reviewers-0
What's with the dumbass highschool kids panning Oliver Twist while praising the likes of Michael Crichton? Read more
Published on Sep 1 2005
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Surprising Delight
For one whose impression of classics was quite ruined by other less intriguing books I found Oliver Twist to be a surprising delight. Read more
Published on July 19 2004 by K. Ko
1.0 out of 5 stars
Literary quality does not exist
While cultural pundits try to convince you that some literature is better than other literature, the truth is that all art is relative to individial tastes. Read more
Published on May 6 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
It is a good novel.
Anybody who claims that Oliver Twist is not a good novel should be ashamed of themselves. First of all, Mr. Dickens wrote this in 1838 WHEN HE WAS TWENTY-FOUR! Read more
Published on April 12 2004 by Jill Piangerelli
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Language is Easier to Understand
The meandering plots of most Dickens novels leave me cold most of the time, but I found this book easier to understand and enjoy. Read more
Published on April 8 2004
4.0 out of 5 stars
Biting Social Commentary, Pretty Good Story
Starting with Oliver's premature birth to a dying mother looked on by a gin-swilling nurse in a parish workhouse, Dickens tone is extremely satirical. Read more
Published on Mar 2 2004 by Jennifer B. Barton
3.0 out of 5 stars
okay
I'm a junior in high school and I had to read Dickens's novel in my sophmore year. I liked it. It's my favorite book. Read more
Published on Feb 13 2004
2.0 out of 5 stars
can you say overrated...
I here alot about how this book is a classic and how it has an amazing story, blah blah blah... Well, here's a view from a Freshman in HS. This book totally blows. Read more
Published on Nov 4 2003
4.0 out of 5 stars
Oliver Twist...
I found it to be a well-drawn book; the storyline and the characters involved were very entertaining, particularly the story between Fagin and his charges. Read more
Published on May 29 2003 by Asher Willmott
5.0 out of 5 stars
Forsaken child
The creative novel Oliver Twist, written by Charles Dickens in 1838, defines a classic of all times. Read more
Published on April 9 2003 by Bianca Kramer
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
