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Oliver Twist

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Oliver Twist

By: Charles Dickens
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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About this listen

 One of Charles Dickens' most popular novels, Oliver Twist is the story of a young orphan who dares to say, "Please, sir, I want some more". After escaping from the dark and dismal workhouse where he was born, Oliver finds himself on the mean streets of Victorian-era London and is unwittingly recruited into a scabrous gang of scheming urchins. In this band of petty thieves, Oliver encounters the extraordinary and vibrant characters who have captured audiences' imaginations for more than 150 years: the loathsome Fagin, the beautiful and tragic Nancy, the crafty Artful Dodger, and the terrifying Bill Sikes, perhaps one of the greatest villains of all time.

Rife with Dickens' disturbing descriptions of street life, the novel is buoyed by the purity of the orphan Oliver. Though he is treated with cruelty and surrounded by coarseness for most of his life, his pious innocence leads him at last to salvation - and the shocking discovery of his true identity.

Click here to see all the titles in our Charles Dickens collection.Public Domain (P)2008 Tantor Classics Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction
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What made the experience of listening to Oliver Twist the most enjoyable?

Re-hearing the parts of the story I had forgotten and remembering the horror of the whole thing

What other book might you compare Oliver Twist to, and why?

Most of Dickens books, but maybe David Copperfield the most.

Which character – as performed by Simon Vance – was your favourite?

Fagin - I thought his Fagin sounded like the Fagin that has always been in my mind. The self-preservation-at-all-costs mentality. The way he will corrupt the innocent to further his means - His total lack of conscience if it of benefit to him.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It is a book that I have 'rewound' more times than I can count to make sure I haven't missed anything, such as when I have dozed off or there has been an interruption. Because of the books length it has not been possible to do it in one sitting - but not for the want of trying !!

Any additional comments?

I cannot think of a modern book that has all of the horror, sadness, gripping, spine tingling, look-over-your-shoulder moments, but also has uplifting, humerous, sentimental and moral content all within the same volume. A work of art - A masterpiece of English literature.

As captivating and as jaw dropping as always

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Absolutely brilliant. I enjoyed the unabridged version so very much. Have a listen people..you wont regret it.

Oliver Twist

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I had never read this book and was only aware of the musical version - so was surprised by the complexity and darkness of the plot and characters - it was quite a revelation. I extended the length of the book by constantly pausing it and looking things up - finding out more about the role of the beadle and Jacob's Island as well as reading more about the depiction of Fagin throughout the years. Simon Vance is a brilliant narrator and kept me listening throughout. I’m glad that I have now heard the novel, but I can’t say that I actually enjoyed the experience as I felt too sorry for the main protagonist – I’m also feeling sorry for myself as Consider Yourself and other omnipresent tunes from the musical are now rolling around my head.

Got to pick a......

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Nonsense, gets to page 10 and stops. Son was trying to get involved with Dickens and got the hump and gave up.

Ok for 10 pages

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