Dodger (edition 2012)

This is an exciting and intriguing alternate story of the famous Dodger from Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist. I highly recommend this book. ( )

If you're a Pratchett fan, you'll like it! Not a Discworld novel, but set in an alternate Victorian London. Dodger meets Charles Dickens, Sweeney Todd, Robert Peel and more. Can a tough, street smart boy get the girl, mix with high society, and outwit thugs between sewer crawls? Read it! ( )

Remember Charles Dickens' Artful Dodger? In this delightful period piece set in Victorian London, Pratchett presents Dodger, a "tosher" (one who roams the sewers in search of the treasures that fall through the grates) who enjoys the freedom of life on the streets and has nary a care in the world. Until, that is, he is witness to two men beating up a young woman during a rainstorm one night. Dodger rushes to her defense and beats the thugs soundly. His rescue is witnessed by two other men, Charlie and Henry. They gather up Dodger and the young lady and take them to Henry's house so that the lady can be cared for. This is the beginning of quite an adventure for Dodger-- Simplicity is at first hesitant to reveal details of her past, but it is obvious she is fearful of being caught by the people who are after her. Charlie and Henry (who turn out to be Charles Dickens and Henry Mayhew) want to do right by her and they, along with Dodger, are drawn into a net of intrigue that is only made the more interesting as Dodger has a run-in with Sweeney Todd, meets Benjamin Disraili and Robert Peel, and generally finds himself moving up in the world whether he wants to or not. Pratchett's characters are all fully developed, the dialog is fresh and humorous, and the pacing is such that the reader will quickly find himself swept up onto the streets of London. A wonderful romp. And the audio version, narrated by Stephen Briggs, who reads with a style reminiscent of Monty Python sketches, is a real treat. ( )

Dodger is the star of this adventure set in Victorian London's underbelly, literally. Dodger makes a living by trolling through the city's sewers looking for coins, jewelry, and other valuables tossed away and lost by London's upper classes. His plucky attitude and hankering for a fight lands Dodger in the middle of a scandal way over his head.

Full of Pratchett's signature humor and wordplay, Dodger is a fun, but lengthy read. Pratchett does a little to much telling and it makes for a cumberosme read at times. Overall enjoyable, but not for reluctant readers. ( )

A good sprinkling of notable Victorian characters written in style that nods to Dickens but incorporates helpings of TP humour ( )