The Story

We meet Oliver as a baby in a harsh workhouse. His life is miserable, and when he famously asks for a little more food, he's cast out. He escapes to London, where he's quickly snatched up by a crew of child thieves led by the creepy Fagin. Oliver tries to be good, but the world keeps pushing him into trouble. After being wrongly accused of a crime, he's taken in by the kind Mr. Brownlow. Just when things look up, the gang kidnaps him back! Oliver's journey becomes a desperate tug-of-war between the forces of greed and corruption, and the few people who see the goodness in him.

Why You Should Read It

Look, the characters are what make this book stick with you. Oliver himself is almost too pure, but that’s the point—he’s a beacon of innocence in a filthy, unfair world. The villains are fantastic. Fagin is complex and unsettling, Bill Sikes is pure terror, and the Artful Dodger is weirdly charming. Dickens makes you feel the chill of the London fog and the desperation of poverty. He’s angry about social injustice, and that anger gives the story its power, but he balances it with warmth and humor, too.

Final Verdict

This is a classic for a reason. It’s perfect for anyone who loves a gripping, atmospheric story with a huge heart. If you enjoy tales about society's outcasts, intricate plots with surprising connections, or characters you’ll love to hate (and a few you’ll just love), give it a read. It’s darker than you might remember, but the hope at its core makes it all worthwhile.