Oliver Twist

Story

The story of Oliver Twist, born in the workhouse (where he famously asks for more food) then apprenticed to an undertaker, he runs away and is taken in by a gang of young pickpockets working the streets of London .

Why we chose it

Charles Dickens is considered to be one of the greatest writers in the history of English Literature. Although not written for children, Oliver Twist, the story of the boy who asked for more, is one of his best known novels and inspired the much loved musical, Oliver!

Where it came from

Oliver Twist was Dicken's second novel and the first in which he exposed the plight of the urban poor. He drew on his own childhood experiences of working as a child when his father was sent to debtor’s prison and also on the outrage he felt at the living conditions of the poor and working class in London. Oliver Twist portrayed crime and murder, scandalous subjects which were popular with the reading public at the time and it was published in serial form so readers had to wait for each instalment, often being left on a cliff hanger from one episode to the next, much like television dramas today.

Where it went next

Oliver Twist is one of the most adapted books of all time. In 1948, a David Lean film adaptation was released titled Oliver Twist. In 1960 a stage musical, Oliver! with music and lyrics by Lionel Bart premiered in the West End before moving to Broadway. The film of the musical followed in 1968 and was the winner in the Best Picture category at the 41^st Academy Awards. A recent adaptation was released in 2005 directed by Roman Polanski and starring Ben Kingsley and Barney Clark. The BBC screened a television adaptation in 2007 with an all-star cast.

Associated stories

Charles Dickens wrote many novels and short stories. His best known works include Great Expectations, David Copperfield, Tale of Two Cities, Nicholas Nickleby, The Old Curiousity Shop, Bleak House and Dombey and Son. Many of them have been filmed, televised or adapted for the stage.