Oliver Twist

Dickens on Dickens

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: Gerald Dickens

Length: 17 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Gerald Dickens, great, great grandson of Charles Dickens, reads this traditional tale.

Oliver Twist is the second novel by English author Charles Dickens. The time honoured story is about the orphan Oliver Twist, who escapes from a workhouse and travels to London where he meets the renowned Artful Dodger, leader of a gang of juvenile pickpockets. Oliver is led to the lair of their elderly criminal trainer Fagin, naively unaware of their unlawful activities.

It is likely that Dickens's own early youth as a child labourer contributed to the story's development.

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Dickens on Dickens

Gerald Dickens narration is wonderful. Wish he'd do more.
We missed him doing Christmas Carol this year at Winterthur.

Hands Down, THIS Is The Version To Listen To

What did you love best about Oliver Twist?

The story is wonderful to start with, but Gerald Dickens' narration puts it over the top!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Oliver Twist?

All the truths coming out at the end.

Have you listened to any of Gerald Dickens’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first, and I will most definitely seek out more of his work!

Who was the most memorable character of Oliver Twist and why?

All of the characters are so well-drawn, but for me... probably Nancy. She risks everything to do the right thing.

Any additional comments?

Just one... if you are reading this review to see what others think of this particular version of Oliver Twist -- trust me... THIS is the one to get. You will not be sorry!

Dickens with Oliverr

The writing and the performance were both topnotch. I would highly recommend this book to anyone above age 13.

My least favorite Dickens, but still a classic

I've got to say that even though this is my least favorite Dickens so far, this is still a book well worth listening to!

Dickens wrote this book to call attention to the plight of orphans during his time. I'd like to point out that worldwide there are about 147 million orphans at this time and we can all use this book to inspire thought on how to help orphans throughout the world.

I think the visceral reaction to the things which orphans routinely suffered was the main reason I didn't like this book so much. It hit me very hard. However, I must also say, that it does have a Dickens happy ending and some poetic as well as real, justice.

Gerald Dickens does a really fabulous job of narrating this story and I enjoyed listening to him very much.

Clearly, I was ruined for this book after having watched "Oliver!" the musical as a child...and all I can say about the movie is, how can anyone read this book and then say, "Let's make a musical out of it!"

Still a great book, but I won't be renting the movie anytime soon.

Amazing reader!

One of the best readers ever. So many characters with such emotion and distinction. That is he related to the author is icing on the cake. I hope he reads other books as I would enjoy his portrayal again!

Brilliant narration

Would you listen to Oliver Twist again? Why?

I will probably listen to Oliver Twist again, even though I have already read it several times.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Oliver Twist?

I love the contrast between Dickens descriptions of his "evil" characters; Bill Sykes, Fagin, and his "good" characters; Oliver, Nancy.My favorite scenes are the comedic ones between Mr. and Mrs. Bumble.

What about Gerald Dickens’s performance did you like?

Gerald Dickens is a brilliant narrator who accurately imitates every regional accent necessary to this cast of characters; a skill I greatly admire.
When I purchased this version of Oliver Twist, I had to chose between a couple of very fine narrators and was pleasantly surprised that Gerald Dickens was not just trying to "cash in" on being the great grandchild of Charles Dickens, but is highly skilled and talented in his own right.

Great Book, even though a bit over acted.

This is an excellant story but the narrator tends to over act at times. His voice characterizations can get confusin' as they tend to blend. overall....great book.

Really excellent narrator!!!!!

I loved the narrator! His voice is distinct and clear, there are no extraneous noises such as catching one's breath, and he modulates his voice and emphasis appropriately so that the listener is held captive....my mind never wandered while listening. I may sound effusive, but I have heard more than a hundred audiobooks, and this narrator is the best one yet....or at least equal to anyone else.

The story itself is great also...most people know Oliver's story...but although I read the book some years ago, I was surprised at some stuff I had forgotten, and the story kept my attention and admiration completely.

If you have NOT ever encountered Oliver Twist, do so now! It is a very entertaining story.

Absolutely perfect performance!

Having listened to many audiobooks over the years, I can honestly say that I have never heard a performance as excellent, as true to each character and to each regional accent, as well as era as this reader has delivered. He takes the listener directly back to that place and time which Charles Dickens so accurately portrayed.

Wonderful!

Timeless classic and fantastic narration... best I’ve heard in a long time. Cannot wait to start another dickens classic narrated by this talented man!