ricefun 's review for:

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

4.0

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While my life has been filled with books, I’ve never immersed myself in Dickens the way that many lovers of British literature have. That’s why I chose Oliver Twist as a book I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve not read. It seems like a book I should have read well before now. But, having finished, while I experienced Dickens’ ability to hook me as a reader, I was not enamored with the story. So many things seemed circumstantial. While life does include an enormous amount of serendipity, the fact that every person in Oliver’s life somehow connected directly back to his tragic birth felt contrived. And the many references to “The Jew” Fagin and other social/racial bumbling made this book feel dated. I do appreciate Oliver’s sweet and shining personality throughout his trials, and the references to goodness and kindness in others. But overall, not a favorite of mine.