Reading this makes you appreciate how gifted Dickens was as a writer who both entertained and dramatised while he also informed. Many of the characters are classic caricatures of real people, exaggerated for effects that, no doubt, his vast public came to expect (and demand?) from Dickens. and many of the big scenes (Dickens is a very melo-dramatic writer) are masterpieces of the fictional art.Dickens is arguably the first modern novelist, whose work was read in mansion and midden! Be warned; this work takes stamina to read. If you're usual fare is chick-lit or trashy thrillers, this will be too much for you,methinks!

Oliver Twist is far from Dickens' best novel. In fact, I would say it is my least favorite of those I have read so far. Although it starts off very strongly as an almost Swiftian satire, the satirical edge is abandoned over the course of the novel in favor of an increasingly clumsy and convoluted plot. It's a shame, because it could have really been great but ended up being merely good. Still, it was one of Dickens' earlier novels so he can be forgiven for its amateurishness in comparison to his later work.

Dickens does a great job of criticizing the injustices of the time; specifically here, the treatment of the poor and disenfranchised. Oliver is such a sweet and innocent boy and it's perfectly infuriating the way he is mistreated by those above him. Dickens also has a surprising wry wit that had me laughing in parts. But I thought the first half of the story was much stronger than the second. I found Oliver's descent to the depths of despair to be the most engaging. It goes from bad to worse for the poor kid which provokes quite an emotional response! Of course, things get better for our hero, and by this point the novel lost some its edge and it felt like Dickens was just tying up loose ends in order to finish the story. It fizzled out for me. A great introduction ... MoreDickens does a great job of criticizing the injustices of the time; specifically here, the treatment of the poor and disenfranchised. Oliver is such a sweet and innocent boy and it's perfectly infuriating the way he is mistreated by those above him. Dickens also has a surprising wry wit that had me laughing in parts. But I thought the first half of the story was much stronger than the second. I found Oliver's descent to the depths of despair to be the most engaging. It goes from bad to worse for the poor kid which provokes quite an emotional response! Of course, things get better for our hero, and by this point the novel lost some its edge and it felt like Dickens was just tying up loose ends in order to finish the story. It fizzled out for me. A great introduction to Charles Dickens though. Recommended!

It is hard to exit the original worlds created by Dickens. I usually manage it crying like a baby. Oliver Twist is top shelf storytelling. The characters are amazing. The setting is perfect. The plot manages to throw out hundreds of threads and ties them all together at the end, while never losing or boring the reader. Weakness? This is probably nit picking, but the story seems to work out too well in the end. Don't get me wrong, I know this is a social novel and FICTION, but I guess I just have a little bit of an issue with the whole melodramatic end, with every shoe finding a foot and every evil getting a noose. Other than that, Dickens shows with 'Oliver Twist' why he is/was the master and the giant of the social novel.

Oliver twist reminds me of job in the Bible. all these terrible things keep happening, he can't catch a break, mocked, beaten, betrayed by people he trusts. it is heartbreaking. and Oliver just takes it, without turning bitter or angry. i find myself getting angry for him just reading it. after so many trials, it is uplifting to see the young boy stand tall and become a young man of character

I know this book is supposed to be a classic that everyone loves but I struggled to believe in some of the characters and the coincidences that occur to create the happy ending, which I admit most readers want. It appeared in places to lack fluidity which shows the original serialisation. I enjoyed the story line of the innocent boy born into a life with what looks like no way out and yet he still achieves. I just felt the we didn't know Oliver because we don't see his perspective yet we are supposed to believe in him. All in slightly disappointed but think this is mainly due to my own high expectations. 4 Stars...

Compelling reading

This is my favourite Dickens book. The characters are so alive on the page as you read the narrative. I also really like the front cover with the bull terrier. He is as strong a character in the book as his human counterparts!

Does not hold up to modern scrutiny

A difficult novel to read, not because it is highfalutin but because it is racist. I've read a lot of 19th century novels and I know the propensity of authors to write derogatorily of Jews, but nothing comes anywhere near the vitriol Dickens uses on Fagen.

Excellent edition.

Such a nice edition of this Dickens classic. Beautiful. I wondered how my book order would come from Target. They all came very nicely packed. And better service/ packing than most bookstores. We recommend!

Not recommended for the naive or historically ignorant

It's difficult to get past the racism/anti-Semitisim of this novel. Thus I found it a difficult read. The character of Oliver is pathetic & not believable. I'm a Dickens lover but give this one a miss.