Oliver Twist features some of the author's most enduring characters, such as Oliver himself (who dares to ask for more), the tyrannical Bumble, the diabolical Fagin, the menacing Bill Sykes, Nancy and 'the Artful Dodger'.

Dickens had already achieved renown with The Pickwick Papers. With Oliver Twist his reputation was enhanced and strengthened. The novel contains many classic Dickensian themes - grinding poverty, desperation, fear, temptation and the eventual triumph of good in the face of great adversity.

Oliver Twist features some of the author's most enduring characters, such as Oliver himself (who dares to ask for more), the tyrannical Bumble, the diabolical Fagin, the menacing Bill Sykes, Nancy and 'the Artful Dodger'.

For any reader wishing to delve into the works of the great Victorian literary colossus, Oliver Twist is, without doubt, an essential title.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

INTRODUCTION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Treats of the place where Oliver Twist was born; and

of the circumstances attending his birth

Treats of Oliver Twist's growth, education, and board

Relates how Oliver Twist was very near getting a place,

which would not have been a sinecure

Oliver, being offered another place, makes his first

entry into public life

Oliver mingles with new associates. Going to a funeral

  for the first time, he forms an unfavourable notion

of his master's business

Oliver, being goaded by the taunts of Noah, rouses

into action and rather astonishes him

Oliver continues refractory

Oliver walks to London. He encounters on the road a

strange sort of young gentleman

Containing further particulars concerning the pleasant

old gentleman and his hopeful pupils

Oliver becomes better acquainted with the characters of his

new associates; and purchases experience at a high price.

Being a short but very important chapter in this history

Treats of Mr Fang, the police magistrate; and furnishes a

slight specimen of his mode of administering justice

In which Oliver is taken better care of than he ever was

before. And in which the narrative reverts to the

merry oM gentleman and his youthfulfriends

Some new acquaintances are introduced to the intelligent

reader; connected with whom various pleasant matters

are related appertaining to this history

Comprising further particulars of Oliver's stay at

  Mr Brownlow's, with the remarkable prediction

  which one Mr Grimwig uttered concerning him

  when he went out on an errand

Showing how very fond of Oliver Twist the merry

old Jew and Miss Nancy were

Relates what became of Oliver Twist, after he had

been claimed by Nancy

Oliver's destiny, continuing unpropitious, brings a

great man to London to injure his reputation

How Oliver passed his time in the improving society

  of his reputable friends

In which a notable plan is discussed and determined on

Wherein Oliver is delivered over to Mr William Sikes

The expedition

The burglary

Which contains the substance of a pleasant conversation

between Mr Bumble and a lady; and shows that

even a beadle may be susceptible on some points

Treats of a very poor subject. But is a short one; and

may be found of some importance in this history

Wherein this history refers to Mr Fagin and company

In which a mysterious character appears upon the

scene; and many things, inseparable from this

history, are done and performed

Atones for the unpoliteness of a former chapter;

which deserted a lady most unceremoniously

Looks after Oliver, and proceeds with his adventures

Has an introductory account of the inmates of the

house to which Oliver resorted

Relates what Oliver's new visitors thought of him

Involves a critical position

Of the happy life Oliver began to lead with his

kind friends

Wherein the happiness of Oliver and his friends

experiences a sudden check

Contains some introductory particulars relative to a

young gentleman who now arrives upon the scene;

and a new adventure which happened to Oliver

Containing the unsatisfactory result of Oliver's

adventure; and a conversation of some importance

between Harry Maylie and Rose

Is a very short one, and may appear of no great

  importance in its place. But it should be read,

  notwithstanding, as a sequel to the last, and a

  key to one that will follow when its time arrives

In which the reader may perceive a contrast, not

  uncommon in matrimonial cases

Containing an account of what passed between

  Mr and Mrs Bumble, and Monks, at their

  nocturnal interview

Introduces some respectable characters with whom the

  reader is already acquainted, and shows how Monks

  and the Jew laid their worthy heads together

A strange interview, which is a sequel to the last

  chapter

Containing fresh discoveries, and showing that

  surprises, like misfortunes, seldom come alone

An old acquaintance of Oliver's, exhibiting decided

  marks of genius, becomes a public character in

  the metropolis

Wherein is shown how the Artful Dodger got into

  trouble

The time arrives for Nancy to redeem her pledge

  to Rose Maylie. She fails

Noah Claypole is employed by Fagin on a secret

  mission

The appointment kept

Fatal consequences

The flight of Sikes

Monks and Mr Brownlow at length meet.

Their conversation, and the intelligence

  that interrupts it

The pursuit and escape

Affording an explanation of more mysteries than

  one, and comprehending a proposal of marriage,

  with no word of settlement or pin-money

The Jew's last night alive

And last

GLOSSARY OF SLANG

NOTE ON PUBLICATION

NOTES