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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
Not at all what I expected - though in a good way. This is the second book read recently written in the 1860s (the other being Moby Dick). It's interesting the different styles used by each author - but in both cases I find it fascinating the different way in which the author approached the novel, which is so different than today. And in both cases, the object of the book is largely absent during much of the story.
Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
Most people are familiar with the story of Oliver Twist, one of Dicken’s best known tales. It features the little orphan boy, Oliver, born in a workhouse and sold into an apprenticeship with an undertaker. He escapes from the hypocritical beadle, Mr Bumble, ends up in London and meets The Artful Dodger. As a result of this new association, Oliver becomes a member of a gang of young pickpockets under the leadership of an elderly criminal mastermind, called Fagin.
The book chronicles Oliver's struggles as a child, the mistreatment he receives from a society of scoundrels in a dog-eat-dog world. It is an illustration of the horrific image of 19th century London slums, where disease and poverty are everywhere and where shady crime circles infect every aspect of life.
This is 19th century England! The Industrial Revolution is in full flow. Fortunes are being made (and lost) and the population is growing. Oliver Twist was born under difficult circumstances - not untypical of the time. His unmarried mother dies in childbirth and his father is absent without leave.
This was Charles Dicken’s second novel, published in 1838, one year after his very successful debut with Pickwick Papers. It was the first novel in English that focused entirely on a child as the main character. On its release, the public reception was wary and uncertain, as most people didn’t recognise its portrayal of English workhouse conditions. Many were shocked at the now famous (one might say infamous) scene where the hungry children draw lots and the loser must ask for a second portion of gruel. Upon being asked, the well-fed, hypocritical workhouse owners brand Oliver a troublemaker and set out to make him suffer, even more than before.
But in spite of its grim storyline, the book does (eventually) offer hope that kindness too can lurk in society’s murky corners. On several occasions, Oliver finds himself on the receiving end of love and his story eventually reaches a more respectable conclusion.
I really enjoyed it and will certainly be recommending my children read it too.
Most people are familiar with the story of Oliver Twist, one of Dicken’s best known tales. It features the little orphan boy, Oliver, born in a workhouse and sold into an apprenticeship with an undertaker. He escapes from the hypocritical beadle, Mr Bumble, ends up in London and meets The Artful Dodger. As a result of this new association, Oliver becomes a member of a gang of young pickpockets under the leadership of an elderly criminal mastermind, called Fagin.
The book chronicles Oliver's struggles as a child, the mistreatment he receives from a society of scoundrels in a dog-eat-dog world. It is an illustration of the horrific image of 19th century London slums, where disease and poverty are everywhere and where shady crime circles infect every aspect of life.
This is 19th century England! The Industrial Revolution is in full flow. Fortunes are being made (and lost) and the population is growing. Oliver Twist was born under difficult circumstances - not untypical of the time. His unmarried mother dies in childbirth and his father is absent without leave.
This was Charles Dicken’s second novel, published in 1838, one year after his very successful debut with Pickwick Papers. It was the first novel in English that focused entirely on a child as the main character. On its release, the public reception was wary and uncertain, as most people didn’t recognise its portrayal of English workhouse conditions. Many were shocked at the now famous (one might say infamous) scene where the hungry children draw lots and the loser must ask for a second portion of gruel. Upon being asked, the well-fed, hypocritical workhouse owners brand Oliver a troublemaker and set out to make him suffer, even more than before.
But in spite of its grim storyline, the book does (eventually) offer hope that kindness too can lurk in society’s murky corners. On several occasions, Oliver finds himself on the receiving end of love and his story eventually reaches a more respectable conclusion.
I really enjoyed it and will certainly be recommending my children read it too.
This was my second Dicken's book, and while I did like A tale of two cities better, I did enjoy reading the story of poor Oliver Twist. Oliver himself is likeable, and learning about how life for the poor was like in the 1800s was also quite interesting. Though it was NOTHING like the Disney movie haha
A classic.
A tragedy.
A horror.
A love story.
A fairytale.
Oliver Twist is the bleakest and brightest of tales. Charles Dickens weaves together all of the elements necessary for a gripping story. What I love most, however, is Mr. Dickens' expert ability to paint a vivid world where the interactions of bold characters evoke powerful emotions from readers. Reading this book was both a venture and an education. The story is captivating. The many characters are awful and wonderful. Scattered throughout the book are gems of wisdom, notable quotes which I paused to highlight so I can reread them time and again. I highly recommend this book to story lovers. It is a masterpiece.
A tragedy.
A horror.
A love story.
A fairytale.
Oliver Twist is the bleakest and brightest of tales. Charles Dickens weaves together all of the elements necessary for a gripping story. What I love most, however, is Mr. Dickens' expert ability to paint a vivid world where the interactions of bold characters evoke powerful emotions from readers. Reading this book was both a venture and an education. The story is captivating. The many characters are awful and wonderful. Scattered throughout the book are gems of wisdom, notable quotes which I paused to highlight so I can reread them time and again. I highly recommend this book to story lovers. It is a masterpiece.
Viimeinen Dickens sivistyslistoiltani, mutta ei varmastikaan viimeinen minkä tulen lukemaan. Dickens on ehdottomasti viime vuoden parhaita kirjailijatuttavuuksiani, hänessä on vain sitä jotakin mistä pidän tavattomasti. Huumorintajuista, hivenen yliteatraalista ja välillä todella kaunista kuvailua.
Lukuprosessi eteni samaan tapaan kuin kaikkien Dickensien kanssa. Aluksi olin innoissani, sitten junnasi paikallaan, sitten pääsin kirjaan sisään ja lopussa tirautin pari kyyneltäkin kun piti päästää hahmoista irti. Rakastan aina Dickensin viimeisiä lukuja, sillä hän päättää hahmojensa tarinat kunnolla ja tulen aina jotenkin tosi tunteelliseksi muutenkin. (Kaksi kaupunkia, Kaksi kaupunkia... Itkin aika lujaa.)
Oliver Twist ei ehkä ole lempparini Dickensiltä (se on se Kaksi kaupunkia edelleen), mutta nautin kirjasta kovasti. Olin osittain spoilaantunut, mutta se ei paljon vauhtia haitannut. Oliver Twist on hauska, koskettava, yhtäkaikaa sydäntä lämmittävä, mutta myös julmia puolia omaava tarina. Erityisesti sydäntäni kosketti itse pieni Oliver, minun olisi moneen otteeseen vain tehnyt rutistaa pientä raukka ja syöttää tälle pullaa.
Jotenkin minua itkettää. Oi voi.
Lukuprosessi eteni samaan tapaan kuin kaikkien Dickensien kanssa. Aluksi olin innoissani, sitten junnasi paikallaan, sitten pääsin kirjaan sisään ja lopussa tirautin pari kyyneltäkin kun piti päästää hahmoista irti. Rakastan aina Dickensin viimeisiä lukuja, sillä hän päättää hahmojensa tarinat kunnolla ja tulen aina jotenkin tosi tunteelliseksi muutenkin. (Kaksi kaupunkia, Kaksi kaupunkia... Itkin aika lujaa.)
Oliver Twist ei ehkä ole lempparini Dickensiltä (se on se Kaksi kaupunkia edelleen), mutta nautin kirjasta kovasti. Olin osittain spoilaantunut, mutta se ei paljon vauhtia haitannut. Oliver Twist on hauska, koskettava, yhtäkaikaa sydäntä lämmittävä, mutta myös julmia puolia omaava tarina. Erityisesti sydäntäni kosketti itse pieni Oliver, minun olisi moneen otteeseen vain tehnyt rutistaa pientä raukka ja syöttää tälle pullaa.
Jotenkin minua itkettää. Oi voi.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Really enjoyed reading this to my ten year old daughter. I was surprised how much of the humor and social commentary she was able to grasp. A challenging read-aloud, but a lot of fun!
The first half of the book was really dramatic, I wished for a couple of times, that Twist Oliver should be dead so he doesn't have to suffer like this. But after he got to London, he became important to Fagin and Monks, and everybody else.
I think this novel is more like a satire than a children's book, because I just can't imagine how a young boy could survive such a harsh and unjust world. Of course, Dickens is a genius, I really liked his characters, and I'm glad I don't have to live in Twist Oliver's London.
I think this novel is more like a satire than a children's book, because I just can't imagine how a young boy could survive such a harsh and unjust world. Of course, Dickens is a genius, I really liked his characters, and I'm glad I don't have to live in Twist Oliver's London.