"Please, sir, may I have some more (porridge)?" ( )

My third Dickens novel, and although I initally struggled a bit I ended up enjoying it very much. Dickens has such a way with words and you feel like you are living in his era when you read his books. So far, they have all made me want to wallow in history (in a good way!). ( )

This story is about a old man.
His name is Scrooge and he is stingy.
He loved only money.
A Christmas night, he dreamed and saw three spirits.
This book was published in 19th century.
but I think this story is not very old.
This story is good for modern people. ( )

I've always been intimidated by Dickens, having heard so much about his legendary wordiness and trenchant prose. This was my first attempt to seriously read Dickens, and I was pleasantly surprised at just how readable this book is. I did notice Dickens's wordiness for approximately the first two pages, but after that I was drawn into the story. I was also pleasantly surprised to discover that Dickens writes with a witty sarcasm- so much for the humorless Victorians. The story of a desperately poor orphan, Oliver Twist offers a deep and complex plot, and plenty of emotional engagement. It's hard not to feel sympathy for suffering young Oliver who, by his own admission, "hasn't a friend in the world." This novel is a book about morality, and is clearly a work of social criticism. Dickens reserves his criticism not for the wealthy, who might seem the obvious target, but for social strivers. Those attempting to raise their social standing, such as the sycophantic Bumble, and the criminal miser Fagin receive the sharpest pricks of Dickens's pen. The truly wealthy are the kindest characters in the book; they are the ones who rescue Oliver and show him true kindness. Dickens kept my attention throughout this novel, I will definitely be exploring more of his canon.

I loved reading this book. I was so excited to find out what happened. I think because I was enjoying the story so much, I got a little anxious with the author’s poetic digression.

I wanted to throw a fit when Oliver was kidnapped from Mr. Brownlow! Each chapter after, I was hoping that they would be reunited. I was so happy when they finally were.

I felt for each and every character in this story. Oliver had such a good heart, and people kept treating him terribly. I felt pity for Nancy, and disgust with Mr. Sikes. The Artful Dodger made me laugh several times, and I admired Rose’s kind heart.

I’m going to have to save a few dollars to buy myself a copy of this book, because I’m sure I’ll want to read it again! ( )