Oliver Twist

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
Recommended Reading Age: 14
Rating: 10+

Oliver Twist was probably one of the best books I have ever read. The literacy was great and the plot was enthralling.

The story starts with the main character, Oliver, being born in a parish workhouse. He lives in squalor there for the first years of his life. Through a series of events, he goes to London. While on the road there he meets a boy who is part of a gang of reprobates which is made up of pickpockets and a harlot. They try to lead young Oliver into their life but he escapes, for a time. All to soon, however, he is recaptured and held by the gang. Eventually, he is saved yet again and he goes to live in happiness. The grand finale is wonderful for him, yet justly awful for the criminals.

This book was clearly written for an adult audience, so you're going to come across drinking, smoking, murder and harlotry (there are no details on this, I think that it was included so that the woman could have an occupation befitting a criminal). There were also some bad words. However, all of these things were clearly explained by Dickens in his preface. He said "As I saw no reason, when I wrote this book, why the dregs of life (so long as their speech does not offend the ear) should not serve the purpose of a moral..." I was struck by this reason and I think that it is a very good one. In this book, the criminals are not to be envied. They are painted in such a way so as to reveal just how frightening they are and how undesirable their life is.

Don't get me wrong, that is not the bulk of the book. I don't want to paint it as all bad, because it wasn't. I haven't told half the story, so that it will be just as suspenseful if and when you read it. There were some touching and humorously sarcastic parts. It also reflects well the general views of the different classes in Victorian England. A wonderful read.