Oliver Twist

4.7 (1,355 ratings)

Written by: Charles Dickens

Performed by: Jonathan Pryce

Length: 18 hrs 16 mins

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Oliver Twist is a deeply affecting and widely beloved novel by the acclaimed English author Charles Dickens. It tells the story of a young orphan boy who is born into a life of poverty and misfortune. After being raised in a harsh workhouse, Oliver escapes to London, where he unwittingly falls in with a gang of juvenile pickpockets led by the cunning Fagin. Throughout the novel, Dickens sheds light on the cruel treatment of orphans and the exploitation of children in 19th-century England.

Oliver's journey begins when he is expelled from the workhouse for daring to ask for more food. He is then apprenticed to an undertaker, but after enduring mistreatment, he runs away to London. There, he meets the Artful Dodger, a charismatic member of Fagin's gang of child thieves. Fagin takes Oliver under his wing, training him to be a pickpocket. However, Oliver's inherent goodness prevents him from fully embracing a life of crime.

As the story progresses, Oliver finds himself caught up in a web of secrets and deception involving his mysterious parentage. He is pursued by the menacing Bill Sikes and his lover Nancy, who are determined to prevent Oliver from discovering the truth about his past. Despite the obstacles he faces, Oliver ultimately finds salvation and is reunited with his family, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the harsh realities of Victorian society.

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About the author

Charles Dickens was an acclaimed English novelist, trailblazing social critic, and popular entertainer of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and his genius continues to be recognized by critics and scholars around the world.

Born in 1812 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, Dickens was raised in a family beset by financial hardship. His father was sent to debtor's prison, and, while still a child, Charles was forced to work in a bottling factory. His early experiences of poverty and injustice deeply influenced his writing, propelling him to champion social reforms through his vivid narratives and unforgettable characters. Beginning his career as a journalist in the early 1830s, Dickens soon ventured into fiction, achieving early success with The Pickwick Papers (1836). He went on to write several influential novels, including Oliver Twist (1838), A Christmas Carol (1843), David Copperfield (1850), A Tale of Two Cities (1859), and Great Expectations (1861).

In addition to writing fiction, Dickens was an active social commentator, who used his sharp wit and mastery of satire to critique the injustices of his time, particularly the plight of the poor and the corruption endemic within the legal and social systems of Victorian England. His ability to intertwine humor with grim social realities, creating stories that are both entertaining and thought-provoking, confirmed his status as one of the greatest storytellers in the English language. He was a celebrity on both sides of the Atlantic, undertaking successful reading tours to public acclaim. His influence extended to the revival of the Christmas holiday and popular culture, with terms like "Scrooge" and "Bah! Humbug!" entering the mainstream vocabulary.

Dickens died on June 9, 1870. at his home in Kent. His legacy is preserved through numerous adaptations of his novels in film, television, and theater, reflecting the timeless appeal of his stories and characters. Dedications to his life and work, such as The Charles Dickens Museum in London and The Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum in Portsmouth, along with worldwide celebrations of his contributions to literature, continue to honor the indelible mark he has left on the literary world.