Paperback, 457 pages
English language
Published Jan. 10, 1970 by Washington Square Press.
Oliver Twist is a powerful story of crime. poverty and vio- lence, It is one of Charles Dickens' most widely read novels.
Oliver was born and reared in a workhouse and apprenticed ro a brutal master, He ran away to London. Starving, he was taken from the streets by Fagin. a master criminal who corrupted homeless boys by teaching them the tricks of a professional thief.
Oliver's early career and 'he that lead to his rescue present every facet oj the genius that has made Charles Dickens perhaps the greatest of all English novelists.
Very classical. I read the original English version as native German speaker...
I don't consider myself an especially sensitive person, I grew up in a Gentile neighborhood so I've heard it all forever, and I knew ahead of time about Dicken's bigotry and who Fagin was, but I was surprised to be so put off. After a while, I felt like things would be going along OK and then I would be slapped in the face. So here are two stars, don't spend them all in one place.
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I think I've selected the wrong edition. I read the Norton Critical Edition and the included essays are very good.
Over all, I thought this was an alright book. I will say though that I've got to be in the mood for Dickens. There was a lot of conversation in the book, and at the beginning I thought Oliver cried a whole heck of a lot. The story was pretty good though, and it did have a happy ending.
