Oliver Twist

Oliver Twist is Charles Dickens's second novel, originally serialized between 1837 and 1839. The narrative follows the titular orphan from a grim workhouse to the streets of London, where he is drawn into the orbit of Fagin, a criminal who trains boys in pickpocketing. Through a plot that blends social satire with melodrama, Dickens exposes the harsh realities of child labor, poverty, and the criminal underworld of early Victorian England. The story serves as a critique of institutional neglect and the systemic exploitation of vulnerable children, while also exploring themes of identity and redemption.

Description adapted from Open Library ↗.