Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
Yes, I'm a Victorianist and have never read Oliver Twist before. I kinda put it off because, you know, everyone knows this story. But of course, reading the story always reveals things you wouldn't have realized otherwise, and it was worth it. If you don't count Sketches by Boz, this was only Dickens's second novel, and you can really tell. He's not always known for his nuance, but this novel is absolutely black and white: the bad guys are really bad, and the good people are really, really good. The closest thing to complexity is, perhaps, Nancy: the classic prostitute with a heart of gold (did Dickens invent this cliche, or did he inherit it?). Oliver himself is a cipher, not a character; he is an opportunity to make statements about poverty and childhood innocence, and once's he's made it to safety, he drops out of the story almost entirely (although the novel does drag on surprisingly long). And the ending where Oliver finds out about his true parentage is so ridiculously sentimental that it was almost like a comic book someone made *about* Dickens novels instead of being part of one itself.
However, I still am glad I read it. For one, you can see the nascent beginnings of the themes, images, and characters Dickens later twists and weaves into much more complex, darkly beautiful, moving works of art. But I'm also just glad I gave attention -- even though I knew the story -- to Oliver's plight. I've been thinking a lot more lately about how incredibly violent Victorian novels are. There is an astounding amount of domestic violence, often child abuse, in these novels. It seems easy to forget how, after Oliver precociously requests "more," he is BEATEN for his impertinence. I don't know exactly what I want to say about this right now, but it really is making me think a lot about Victorian culture and how many children, even today, suffer at the hands of people who are enacting a cycle of violence.
However, I still am glad I read it. For one, you can see the nascent beginnings of the themes, images, and characters Dickens later twists and weaves into much more complex, darkly beautiful, moving works of art. But I'm also just glad I gave attention -- even though I knew the story -- to Oliver's plight. I've been thinking a lot more lately about how incredibly violent Victorian novels are. There is an astounding amount of domestic violence, often child abuse, in these novels. It seems easy to forget how, after Oliver precociously requests "more," he is BEATEN for his impertinence. I don't know exactly what I want to say about this right now, but it really is making me think a lot about Victorian culture and how many children, even today, suffer at the hands of people who are enacting a cycle of violence.
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
I found the book to be overlong but I attribute that to the fact that it was a serial first. I probably should have read/listened to an abridged version. Just like Les Mis I was struck by how little has changed in society in the last 185 yrs since it was published. Society is still not kind to poor people or children (at least in certain countries). Also if you do try to make a better life, the crabs in the barrel will always try to bring you back down.
Oliver seems to disappear as a character about half way through the book and becomes an object that other people worry over. Story is okay, not great.
An excellent book and very readable. Life for poor people sounded very miserable and the book really brought it to life.
I didn’t absolutely hate it, but I wish we spent more time with Oliver instead of hearing about Fagin’s cronies and their shenanigans. It started off really strong and then I just got way too bored.
Also contained a shocking amount of antisemitism. Oof.
Also contained a shocking amount of antisemitism. Oof.