Oliver Twist takes place in England during the 19th century, in a workhouse. Oliver Twist was born in this small institution. Oliver’s mother dies from starvation shortly after his birth. Oliver spent his first nine years in an adult workhouse, as he did not know who his father was. The parish beadle at the workhouse auctioned him off for 5 pounds for requesting more food. Then he moved around a lot until he finally decided to leave his last home with a Mr. Sowerberry.
Oliver was running for days before he found Jack Dawkins. Jack noticed that Oliver was hungry and tired, so Jack offered to house him with Fagin. Oliver finds out later that Fagin has a criminal business that hires orphans and trains them to steal from people. Oliver and the other boys are sent on their first pickpocketing missions after living with Fagin. Oliver runs away in fear and disgust after he sees the other kids steal. Oliver ran away and immediately the robber became suspicious. The man was caught by Oliver who falsely accused Oliver of stealing. Oliver narrowly escapes conviction while becoming increasingly ill throughout the entire trial. Oliver was sent home to recover from his illness by Mr. Brownlow. Oliver’s stay in Mr. Brownlows’ house is interrupted after a few weeks by Nancy, Bill Sikes and Fagin.
Fagin sent Oliver and Sikes as a punishment for leaving his gang to rob an apartment. Oliver was shot while trying to sneak into the house. Sikes then abandoned Oliver in a ditch after he had been shot. Oliver stumbles along in a muddy ditch after waking from his coma and tries to get help. Oliver apologizes upon arrival and shares his life’s story, which leads Mrs. Maylie to take him in. The story then shifts from Oliver and reveals to the audience Fagin’s increasing desire to recover Oliver. Also, Monk is a mysterious man with the same goal. Nancy tells Rose about Fagin’s plan when she meets her secretly in London. Sikes brutally kills Rose when he realizes that she has betrayed him. He then hangs himself to escape. Monks, Oliver’s brother, tries to steal the inheritance of their family, but is forced by Mr. Brownlow to give it to Oliver. Oliver is adopted by the Maylies.
This book is one I’d recommend to my friends. I really liked the book. Oliver’s story reminded me in some ways of Lemony Snicket. Oliver, just like the characters in “A Series of Unfortunate Events”, is an orphan. They both run from criminals that cause “unfortunate” events to occur. Oliver’s Fagin was Count Olaf, while the children were Fagin. The book will be enjoyed by any child of the same age as myself.
