About this book
Oliver Twist (Parish Boy's Progress) focuses on orphan Oliver Twist, born in a workhouse and sold into an apprenticeship with an undertaker. After escaping, Oliver travels to London, where he meets the "Artful Dodger", a member of a gang of juvenile pickpockets led by an elderly criminal Fagin. The book shows an unromantic portrayal of criminals and the treatment of the many orphans in London in the mid-19th century.
From the rear cover
Starved and mistreated, empty bowl in hand, the young hero musters the courage to approach his master, saying, "Please, sir, I want some more." Oliver Twist's famous cry of the heart has resounded with readers since the novel's initial appearance in 1837, and the book remains a popular favorite with fans of all ages.
Dickens was no stranger to the pain of hunger and the degradation of poverty. He poured his own youthful experience of Victorian London's unspeakable squalor into this realistic depiction of the link between destitution and crime. Oliver escapes his miserable servitude by running away to London, where he unwillingly but inevitably joins a scabrous gang of thieves. Masterminded by the loathsome Fagin, the underworld crew features some of Dickens' most memorable characters, including the juvenile pickpocket known as the Artful Dodger, the vicious Bill Sikes, and gentle Nancy, an angel of self-sacrifice.
A profound social critic, Dickens introduced genteel readers to the problems of the poor in a way that had rarely been attempted before. This tale of the struggle between hope and cruelty continues to speak to modern audiences.
First Edition Identification
Oliver Twist was first published as a serial from 1837 to 1839 and released as a three-volume book in 1838 before the serialization ended. The first edition was published by Richard Bentley in London, 1838. Octavo, three volumes, original reddish-brown cloth, gilt titles to the spine, front and rear panels marked with a stamp. Features 24 illustrated plates by George Cruikshank. The first issue has the "Fireside" plate in volume 3 and "Boz" listed as the author on all title pages. It was issued on November 9, 1838. At Dicken's insistence, the Fireside plate was replaced with the "Church" plate, and Dickens's name replaced "Boz". The book was then reissued in three volumes 7 days after the first issue, on November 16. The First US Edition of Oliver Twist was published in New York by Jemima M. Lewer in 1838, as two volumes, bound in modern brown quarter-leather bindings, with marbled paper boards.
Details
- Title Oliver Twist
- Author Charles Dickens
- Binding Paperback
- Edition [ Edition: Repri
- Pages 368
- Volumes 1
- Language ENG
- Publisher Dover Publications, Mineola, New York, U.S.A.
- Date 2002-12
- ISBN 9780486424538 / 0486424537
- Weight 0.6 lbs (0.27 kg)
- Dimensions 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.9 in (20.83 x 13.21 x 2.29 cm)
- Ages 11 to UP years
- Grade levels 6 - UP
- Reading level 530
-
Themes
- Chronological Period: 19th Century
- Cultural Region: British
- Topical: Coming of Age
- Library of Congress subjects London (England), Bildungsromans
- Library of Congress Catalog Number 2002073314
- Dewey Decimal Code FIC
More Copies for Sale
Oliver Twist (Dover Thrift Editions)
by Charles Dickens
- Used
- very good
- Paperback
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780486424538 / 0486424537
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, United States
- Item Price
-
$1.69$4.49 shipping to USA
Show Details
Oliver Twist (Dover Thrift Editions)
by Charles Dickens
- Used
- Condition
- UsedGood
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780486424538 / 0486424537
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Imperial, Missouri, United States
- Item Price
-
$4.74FREE shipping to USA
Show Details
Oliver Twist
by Dickens, Charles
- Used
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780486424538 / 0486424537
- Quantity Available
- 4
- Seller
-
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
- Item Price
-
$5.00FREE shipping to USA
Show Details
Oliver Twist
by Dickens, Charles
- Used
- Condition
- Used - Good
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780486424538 / 0486424537
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Reno, Nevada, United States
- Item Price
-
$5.00FREE shipping to USA
Show Details
Oliver Twist
by Dickens, Charles
- Used
- Condition
- Used - Good
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780486424538 / 0486424537
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
- Item Price
-
$5.00FREE shipping to USA
Show Details
Oliver Twist (Dover Thrift Editions)
by Charles Dickens
- Used
- good
- Paperback
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780486424538 / 0486424537
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Kingwood, Texas, United States
- Item Price
-
$5.15FREE shipping to USA
Show Details
Oliver Twist
by Charles Dickens
- Used
- good
- Paperback
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780486424538 / 0486424537
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Seattle, Washington, United States
- Item Price
-
$5.99FREE shipping to USA
Show Details
Oliver Twist
by Charles Dickens
- Used
- Acceptable
- Paperback
- Condition
- Used - Acceptable
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780486424538 / 0486424537
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Seattle, Washington, United States
- Item Price
-
$5.99FREE shipping to USA
Show Details
Oliver Twist (Dover Thrift Editions)
by Charles Dickens
- Used
- Condition
- UsedAcceptable
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780486424538 / 0486424537
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Interlochen, Michigan, United States
- Item Price
-
$6.15FREE shipping to USA
Show Details
Oliver Twist
by Dickens, Charles
- Used
- Condition
- Used - Good
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780486424538 / 0486424537
- Quantity Available
- 2
- Seller
-
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
- Item Price
-
$6.51FREE shipping to USA