Book Details
Published
1838
Genre
Classic Fiction
Audiobook
18h 0m
Narrator
Various (LibriVox)
Oliver Twist
by Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was an English writer and social critic, widely regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works, including 'Oliver Twist,' 'A Tale of Two Cities,' and 'Great Expectations,' are celebrated for their memorable characters, masterful storytelling, and passionate critique of social injustice.
About This Book
"Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy's Progress" is Charles Dickens's second novel and was published as a serial from 1837 to 1839. The story follows Oliver Twist, an orphan born in a workhouse who escapes to London, where he meets a gang of juvenile pickpockets led by the elderly criminal Fagin.
Oliver is repeatedly captured and escapes, through a series of encounters with criminal figures, kind benefactors, and surprising revelations about his true heritage. The novel is notable for its unromantic portrayal of criminals and their sordid lives, and its frank depiction of the brutal treatment of orphans.
Dickens's masterful storytelling exposes the hypocrisy of the Poor Laws and the workhouse system, while creating unforgettable characters like the Artful Dodger, Bill Sikes, and Nancy. The novel's themes of good versus evil, the power of kindness, and the search for identity continue to resonate with readers today.
What Makes This Special
- •Complete original text of Dickens's classic novel
- •Published in 1838 - a cornerstone of Victorian literature
- •Unforgettable characters: Fagin, the Artful Dodger, Bill Sikes
- •FREE audiobook narration included
- •Public domain classic - free to read
- •Powerful social commentary still relevant today
About Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century, critics and scholars had recognized him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories are still widely read today, and his social commentary on poverty, crime, and the treatment of children remains powerfully relevant.
Why Read This Classic?
- • One of the most beloved novels in English literature
- • Powerful social commentary on Victorian England's poverty and injustice
- • Features unforgettable characters: Fagin, the Artful Dodger, Bill Sikes, Nancy
- • Explores themes of good vs. evil, redemption, and the power of kindness
- • The famous line "Please, sir, I want some more" comes from this novel
