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Charles Dickens

Oliver Twist (Signet Classics) Mass Market Paperback – April 5, 2005

by Charles Dickens (Author), Frederick Busch (Introduction), Edward Le Comte (Afterword)

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One of the great novelist’s most popular works, Oliver Twist is also the purest distillation of Dickens’s genius.

This tale of the orphan who is reared in a workhouse and runs away to London is a novel of social protest, a morality tale, and a detective story. Oliver Twist presents some of the most sinister characters in Dickens: the master thief, Fagin; the leering Artful Dodger; the murderer, Bill Sikes…along with some of his most sentimental and comical characters. Only Dickens can give us nightmare and daydream together.

According to George Orwell, “in Oliver Twist…Dickens attacked English institutions with a ferocity that has never since been approached. Yet he managed to do it without making himself hated, and, more than this, the very people he attacked have welcomed him so completely that he has become a national institution himself.”

With an Introduction by Frederick Busch
and an Afterword by Edward Le Comte

Reading age

7 - 10 years, from customers
Print length

512 pages
Language

English
Dimensions

4.19 x 0.8 x 6.81 inches
Publisher

Signet
Publication date

April 5, 2005
ISBN-10

9780451529718
ISBN-13

978-0451529718
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The greatest writer of his time."—Edmund Wilson

"One of the great poets of the novel, a genius of his art."—Edgar Johnson

"All of his characters are my personal friends—I am constantly comparing them with living persons and living persons with them, and what a spirit there was in all he wrote."—Leo Tolstoy

About the Author

Charles Dickens was perhaps the most popular English novelist of the nineteenth century. Born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England in 1812, he had a happy early childhood, which was interrupted when his father was sent to debtors' prison. Young Dickens came to know not only hunger and privation but also the evils of child labor when he had to go to work in a factory at age twelve. After a turn of fortune in the shape of a legacy, Dickens was able to work as an attorney's clerk and newspaper reporter until his first novel, The Pickwick Papers (1837), brought him instant success at age twenty-five. Subsequent works were published serially in periodicals and cemented his reputation as a master of colorful characterization and a harsh critic of social evils and corrupt institutions. His many classic books include Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, A Christmas Carol, and Bleak House. Dickens married Catherine Hogarth in 1836, and the couple had nine children before separating in 1858, when he began a long affair with Ellen Ternan, a young actress. Despite the scandal, Dickens remained a public figure, appearing often to read his fiction. He died in 1870, leaving his final novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, unfinished.

Distinguished writer, teacher, and critic Frederick Busch is the author of more than twenty works of fiction, including North, Girls, and The Mutual Friend, a novel about Charles Dickens.

Edward Le Comte (1916-2004) was professor of English at the State University of New York at Albany, and he also taught at Columbia, his alma mater, and the University of California at Berkley. He was the author of more than twenty books, including novels, a biography of John Donne, and two memoirs. His specialty, both in teaching and in numerous influential articles and books, was Milton.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Chapter I

Treats of the place where Oliver Twist was Born; and of the Circumstances attending his Birth.

Among other public buildings in a certain town, which for many reasons it will be prudent to refrain from mentioning, and to which I will assign no fictitious name, there is one anciently common to most towns, great or small: to wit, a workhouse; and in this workhouse was born: on a day and date which I need not trouble myself to repeat, inasmuch as it can be of no possible consequence to the reader, in this stage of the business at all events: the item of mortality whose name is prefixed to the head of this chapter.

For a long time after it was ushered into this world of sorrow and trouble, by the parish surgeon, it remained a matter of considerable doubt whether the child would survive to bear any name at all; in which case it is somewhat more than probable that these memoirs would never have appeared; or, if they had, that being comprised within a couple of pages, they would have possessed the inestimable merit of being the most concise and faithful specimen of biography, extant in the literature of any age or country.

Although I am not disposed to maintain that the being born in a workhouse, is in itself the most fortunate and enviable circumstance that can possibly befal a human being, I do mean to say that in this particular instance, it was the best thing for Oliver Twist that could by possibility have occurred. The fact is, that there was considerable difficulty in inducing Oliver to take upon himself the office of respiration,-a troublesome practice, but one which custom has rendered necessary to our easy existence; and for some time he lay gasping on a little flock mattress, rather unequally poised between this world and the next: the balance being decidedly in favour of the latter. Now, if, during this brief period, Oliver had been surrounded by careful grandmothers, anxious aunts, experienced nurses, and doctors of profound wisdom, he would most inevitably and indubitably have been killed in no time. There being nobody by, however, but a pauper old woman, who was rendered rather misty by an unwonted allowance of beer; and a parish surgeon who did such matters by contract; Oliver and Nature fought out the point between them. The result was, that, after a few struggles, Oliver breathed, sneezed, and proceeded to advertise to the inmates of the workhouse the fact of a new burden having been imposed upon the parish, by setting up as loud a cry as could reasonably have been expected from a male infant who had not been possessed of that very useful appendage, a voice, for a much longer space of time than three minutes and a quarter.

As Oliver gave this first proof of the free and proper action of his lungs, the patchwork coverlet which was carelessly flung over the iron bedstead, rustled; the pale face of a young woman was raised feebly from the pillow; and a faint voice imperfectly articulated the words, "Let me see the child, and die."

The surgeon had been sitting with his face turned towards the fire: giving the palms of his hands, a warm and a rub alternately. As the young woman spoke, he rose, and advancing to the bed's head, said, with more kindness than might have been expected of him:

"Oh, you must not talk about dying yet."

"Lor bless her dear heart, no!" interposed the nurse, hastily depositing in her pocket a green glass bottle, the contents of which she had been tasting in a corner with evident satisfaction. "Lor bless her dear heart, when she has lived as long as I have, sir, and had thirteen children of her own, and all on 'em dead except two, and them in the wurkus with me, she'll know better than to take on in that way, bless her dear heart! Think what it is to be a mother, there's a dear young lamb, do."

Apparently this consolatory perspective of a mother's prospects, failed in producing its due effect. The patient shook her head, and stretched out her hand towards the child.

The surgeon deposited it in her arms. She imprinted her cold white lips passionately on its forehead; passed her hands over her face; gazed wildly round; shuddered; fell back-and died. They chafed her breast, hands, and temples; but the blood had stopped for ever. They talked of hope and comfort. They had been strangers too long.

"It's all over, Mrs. Thingummy!" said the surgeon at last.

"Ah, poor dear, so it is!" said the nurse, picking up the cork of the green bottle which had fallen out on the pillow as she stooped to take up the child. "Poor dear!"

"You needn't mind sending up to me, if the child cries, nurse," said the surgeon, putting on his gloves with great deliberation. "It's very likely it will be troublesome. Give it a little gruel7 if it is." He put on his hat, and, pausing by the bed-side on his way to the door, added "She was a good-looking girl, too; where did she come from?"

"She was brought here last night," replied the old woman, "by the overseer's order. She was found lying in the street. She had walked some distance, for her shoes were worn to pieces; but where she came from, or where she was going to, nobody knows."

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0451529715
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Signet; Reissue edition (April 5, 2005)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 512 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780451529718
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0451529718
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.5 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.19 x 0.8 x 6.81 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #834,206 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #10,289 in Coming of Age Fiction (Books)
- #21,094 in Classic Literature & Fiction
- #46,341 in Literary Fiction (Books)

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7,197 ratings

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Charles Dickens
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Charles Dickens was born in 1812 near Portsmouth where his father was a clerk in the navy pay office. The family moved to London in 1823, but their fortunes were severely impaired. Dickens was sent to work in a blacking-warehouse when his father was imprisoned for debt. Both experiences deeply affected the future novelist. In 1833 he began contributing stories to newspapers and magazines, and in 1836 started the serial publication of Pickwick Papers. Thereafter, Dickens published his major novels over the course of the next twenty years, from Nicholas Nickleby to Little Dorrit. He also edited the journals Household Words and All the Year Round. Dickens died in June 1870.
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1 star		3%

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Amazon Customer

Not the actual text of Oliver Twist. It’s a Non-English translation.

Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2020

Verified Purchase

I tried to read this edition for a few chapters thinking that Dickens was just writing in some weird London dialect. By the beginning of chapter 3 it became apparent that this book was translated from another language, apparently using Google translate. The first photo is the edition I’m rating, whereas the second is the Amazon edition. The only reason there would be nonsense synonyms in the blue highlighted section is because it was translated from a non-English edition.

I attempted to return this book but it seems to be outside Amazon’s timeframe. I would still like to return this book without refund because the edition should be pulled from Amazon’s digital shelves.

33 people found this helpful

Helpful

Bilbo Fredericks

My go-to when my kids complain about dinner

Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2019

Verified Purchase

If my kids don't like what's on the table, I simply point out that Oliver Twist would eat the whole thing, ask for more, and get it without so much as a thought about assault by soup ladle. So far it hasn't worked, but I'm thinking that a more immersive old-timey London experience might do the trick. Therefore, I've started a chimney sweeping business to make use of their tiny stature and instill some of that good old fashioned work ethic and gratitude.

Please sir, may I have some more.

22 people found this helpful

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L. Waters

kindle edition is terrible

Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2017

Verified Purchase

Kindle edition
Is written like this with lots of words on one line then
two words
on next line then on and on and on making it difficult to read
I would
Not buy this again and I wish I could get my money back.

45 people found this helpful

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NYteacher

Introduction to the Classics

Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2016

Verified Purchase

Read this aloud to low-performing fifth graders in an afterschool academic intervention class. They loved it, shared it with others, read it on their own, and were ready to read other Illustrated Classics from our shelves. Some argue that those who read these simpler versions will never read the original books. This may be true, but not necessarily. What I noticed, besides the cheers for our receipt of this additional copy was how surprised and thrilled the students were when they noticed allusions in other books to lines such as, "Please, sir, may I have more?" and similar character names used in other books for kids. What I really DON'T like in these books is the illustrator! The drawings are crude woodcuts. Why? Anyway, the student were amused that I didn't like them, and they therefore felt free to express their opinions about Oliver Twist. Every one of them looked forward to hearing the next chapter, groaned over every new cliffhanger, and hoped to get a copy in their own hands.

25 people found this helpful

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Headly

Pleas sir...May I have some more?

Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2020

Verified Purchase

Have not read this 18th century tome in a long while but still it brings back all the overly sweet disposition of young Oliver and the dastardly machinations of Fagin and his crowd. The book is full of middle English phrases that leave the reader wondering what on earth Mr Dickens wanted to say. Words such as Cupidity and Opprobrious will have us running to the dictionary time and again. Mr Dickens loves to draw out attention to the nastiest parts of old England where the theft of a crust of bread could have you thrown into a workhouse, or worse. Also every paragraph seems find someone in tears...years of joy, sorrow, remembrance or some stay thought will bring about the breaking of the waterworks. But it's a classic read everyone needs to experience. I find it humorous that the language of the lowlife , and all the other characters ( for the most part) sounds more like Harvard English majors having a discussion...so very formal. Oliver Twist..... nice kid but easily seduced.

4 people found this helpful

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Donald E

I did not find them complicated but very refreshing reading and much above a lot of the garbage of modern writers

Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2017

Verified Purchase

It is a well constructed tale literally wise. It gives insight in the common speech and language of the English People in Dicken's time. It brings to remembrance words I have not heard for several years. I started reading Dickens after reading an article about his works being dropped from College Courses as they were too complicated for modern readers. I did not find them complicated but very refreshing reading and much above a lot of the garbage of modern writers.

13 people found this helpful

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Timothy M. Moran

I haven't read it

Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2020

Verified Purchase

I haven't actually had the time to read Oliver Twist, but I've heard this Dickens fellow is a pretty decent writer. And folks have thought highly enough of this work to convert it into plays and movies, so there is that. I have recently read Great Expectations by the same author, and he does seem to have a way with words, characters and plot. So I'm guessing that Oliver Twist is probably a very good read, and I look forward to getting to it. Another reason to give the novel an excellent review is the Kindle price, which if I recall, was 99 cents. At that price, even waifs like Oliver Twist could afford to give it a read.

One person found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

A good read!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 1, 2020

Verified Purchase

I'm very happy that I bought this book. It's great that I can share this wonderful story with children - my own son and the class I teach. I read it to my son, eight years old, and he said it was excellent. And for the price, one pound and forty nine pence, I have to agree.
I have to take one star off for a few things. The art is generally very good. A few.minor flaws with proportion and perspective. I don't count it a mistake that Oliver is drawn to look ridiculously sweet and innocent, because honestly that's pretty much how Sickens wrote him.
There are a few changes in the story. It's not necessarily a problem that they left out the Monks subplot and Oliver being the heir to a fortune. But it's a bit strange how they said that Cabin was under thirty (a, he wasn't, he was an old man, and b, that's weirdly specific) and said that Mr. Sowerberry threw Oliver out instead of him running away. Also, that Oliver quickly realised Fagin and his boys were thieves, when in fact he didn't.
The final problem is that this was obviously written by someone who didn't speak English as a first language. There are numerous minor English errors that any native speaker of English could have fixed immediately.
But even with all these flaws the book is still well worth buying, and I can recommend it. It's a competent retelling of a beautiful tale, with lovely pictures. Children everywhere will enjoy reading it.
Besides which, I'm planning on giving it to my class as an English test, to see if they can spot all the mistakes!

7 people found this helpful

Jasmine Tea

Perfect on Kindle; a Dickens classic

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 25, 2018

Verified Purchase

Great story of course - being one of Charles Dickens' most famous characters (especially due to Lionel Bart's musical versions, on stage and film). If you're familiar with the film, you may notice the understandable artistic licence Lionel Bart took in simplifying the story. But I take that to be part of the fun of reading the original. Dickens was highly observant of Britain's class structure and the ease at which one could fall - something he knew from personal experience and put to great effect in this book. The fall from grace of Mr Bumble is tragic-comic (and quite cruel, proving the point).

The book is very much of its time, and although Dickens was acutely aware of poverty and class, he seemed to have a racial blind spot - still controversial to this day.

5 people found this helpful

CC Hogan

Poorly formatted

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 23, 2017

Verified Purchase

Such a wonderful story, but sadly this particular edition has been poorly formatted. Many words are joined together and some of the punctuation is off. This feels like a badly scanned version that was not properly proofed after.

16 people found this helpful

Rosie Booker

Read the book.. don't rely on the film!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 26, 2020

Verified Purchase

The classic story of Oliver Twist. Terribly, even though I'm an English teacher I had never read this, but am a fan of the films. Well, the book is nothing like the film at all. There is so much more to this story that I had no idea about! It is surprisingly long but definitely worth a read to find out the full story! The film only deals with about 25% of the book!

3 people found this helpful

M. Dowden

Always Popular

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 17, 2018

Verified Purchase

First appearing in Bentley’s Miscellany in serial form, between 1837-1839 this then appeared in book form in 1839. This was Dickens’s second novel, the first being of course The Pickwick Papers. This is probably the only book that fell into what was called Newgate Novels that is still regularly read today, although as Dickens wanted to distance himself from allegations that such novels romanticised and increased crime, so this has other elements as well, such as satire and a realistic look at society at the time.

For most people, even if they have never read this before they will recognise a number of the characters, such as Oliver himself, Fagin, Artful Dodger, Bill Sikes, Nancy, the dog Bull’s Eye, and of course the beadle Mr Bumble. The story of course follows the character of the title, as we read of Oliver being born, how he got his name, and how he was given birth to in a workhouse. Taking in the conditions in such institutions and the baby farming that went on, along with the abuse of the system, so we can easily see that young Twist’s life is not an easy one.

As he grows so we read of trying to get him away from the workhouse by apprenticing him, and then his running away to London, where he falls in with certain characters of the underworld. There is certainly a lot of incident here as we read of plots against our hapless main character and the mystery surrounding his mother. Thus falling between those who are moral and those who are immoral so we see the machinations carried out by the latter to keep him on the path of criminalisation for devious purposes.

Taking in the inequalities of the period and the hypocrisy as well as greed of others, although we do see with the likes of the Artful Dodger certain characters of the criminal fraternity glamourizing their deeds, we also see what ends can be awaiting them. This book has always been a popular read, and for many of us this is something that we often come back to, and if this is the first time you are going to read this then prepare to be impressed as you get caught up in the whole tale, although nowadays I should warn you that some of the scenes are a bit oversentimental.

One person found this helpful

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