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srreid's review
4.0
The Huckleberry Finn of old London town, picks pockets, does what he likes, and looks out for his sisters. Smith is your typical unwashed toerag who minutes after picking a particularly ripe looking target witnesses that same individual being brutally murdered, with the perpetrators after the very thing Smith just pocketed. Turns out it's a letter, but Smith can't read, what is he to do?
Great character, shame it was so short, would love to have read more of his adventures, felt it slowed down a little too much towards the end.
Great character, shame it was so short, would love to have read more of his adventures, felt it slowed down a little too much towards the end.
andra_cati's review
5.0
The boy named Smith is but a child to the mere eye, but it isn't until he obtains their wallets that people pay his attention. After the accidental theft of an important document, Smith must learn to live his life in pursuit. With bumps and obstacles, cries and cheers, Garfield's novel will consume you.
Why must Garfield's novels be so overlooked? I personally cannot imagine my childhood without this novel. I have said it before, but Leon Garfield is certainly one of the most prolific classic writers from his time. It is a shame that his novels are barely sold in stores anymore. If you can get ahold of any of Garfield's pieces, I highly recommend that you cherish them, even if the writing is not for you. Finding his work has unfortunately become a rarity, though for those of us who acclaim, his legacy will live on.
Why must Garfield's novels be so overlooked? I personally cannot imagine my childhood without this novel. I have said it before, but Leon Garfield is certainly one of the most prolific classic writers from his time. It is a shame that his novels are barely sold in stores anymore. If you can get ahold of any of Garfield's pieces, I highly recommend that you cherish them, even if the writing is not for you. Finding his work has unfortunately become a rarity, though for those of us who acclaim, his legacy will live on.
gargamela's review
4.0
Smith is a twelve year old boy living in the slums of 19th century London together with a bunch of swindlers and pickpockets. One day he witnesses a crime and steals an important document which he can't read. The story is dark in a Dickensian way, but has a happy ending after a rather anti-climatic discovery of what the document said. I read it in chunks, but I still felt that the story dragged a bit too much in the middle. Nonetheless, this is a great classic story about a child growing up and finding his place in a world dominated by lies and mistrust. It is beautifully written, and it provided me with the opportunity to enjoy myself with some British English humor after a long period of reading only American middle grade books.
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