Oliver Twist

Charles Dickens's second novel, "e;Oliver Twist"e; was first published as a serial from 1837 to 1839 and centres around the story of orphan Oliver Twist, who was born in a workhouse and sold as an apprentice to an undertaker. When he manages to escape, Oliver travels to London where he encounters the "e;Artful Dodger"e; and his gang of pickpockets. A gritty representation of the London underworld, "e;Oliver"e; famously exposed the hardships of the poor, especially the terrible treatment of orphans in the mid-19th century. Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was an English writer and social critic famous for having created some of the world's most well-known fictional characters. His works became unprecedentedly popular during his life, and today he is commonly regarded as the greatest Victorian-era novelist. Although perhaps better known for such works as "e;Great Expectations"e; or "e;A Christmas Carol"e;, Dickens first gained success with the 1836 serial publication of "e;The Pickwick Papers"e;, which turned him almost overnight into an international literary celebrity thanks to his humour, satire, and astute observations concerning society and character. This classic work is being republished now in a new edition complete with an introductory chapter from "e;Appreciations and Criticisms of the Works of Charles Dickens"e; by G. K. Chesterton.