Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Dodger

3.93 of 5 stars 3.93 · rating details · 5,468 ratings · 1,073 reviews

A storm. Rain-lashed city streets. A flash of lightning. A scruffy lad sees a girl leap desperately from a horse-drawn carriage in a vain attempt to escape her captors. Can the lad stand by and let her be caught again? Of course not, because he's . . . Dodger.

Seventeen-year-old Dodger may be a street urchin, but he gleans a living from London's sewers, and he knows a jewel...more

ebook, 263 pages

Published September 25th 2012 by HarperCollins (first published September 13th 2012)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Nov 16, 2012 Andrea rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library-requests

It is impossible for me to read a new Terry Pratchett independently of the memory of the last 30 years of reading each eagerly awaited book, one by one, with utmost delight.
It is impossible for me to read a new Terry Pratchett without my vivid recollection of him, eyes twinkling from under the brim of his hat, as he signed my precious books, and answered my breathless "Mr (it was ages ago) Pratchett, thank you so much for all the hours of reading pleasure" with "Madam, thank you so much for all...more It is impossible for me to read a new Terry Pratchett independently of the memory of the last 30 years of reading each eagerly awaited book, one by one, with utmost delight.
It is impossible for me to read a new Terry Pratchett without my vivid recollection of him, eyes twinkling from under the brim of his hat, as he signed my precious books, and answered my breathless "Mr (it was ages ago) Pratchett, thank you so much for all the hours of reading pleasure" with "Madam, thank you so much for all your money."
It is impossible for me to read a new Terry Pratchett without seeing the elephant in the room of the Alzheimers' PCA variant, looking for its heavy footsteps possibly crushing the words on the page, and remembering how I sobbed when I saw his soul-bearing BCC documentary about the cruel reality of his disease.

What I'm clumsily trying to say is that it's impossible for me to now separate the man from his writing, and to separate his writing from my own life. He is his writing, it is the expression of his philosophy and his social conscience. His writing has been a constant presence for more than half my life. Discworld has been the stage for his social commentary, one that has always resonated with my personal values. One with a special humour, Monty Pythonesque and quintessentially British in flavour.

Dodger is very similar, but uses Victorian London as a backdrop to highlighting the sweeping social changes of the times; the contrast between classes; and the striving of a few more privileged persons to understand the marginalised and deprived sectors of society. It is fun, it is a romp, it has wit and wisdom and eloquence. It is thoroughly researched and authentic in setting (with artistic licence) and language (modern USA persons are going to struggle with many of the words!).

Sir Terry is definitely still with us, the elephant is browsing quietly.

I wish you well Sir Terry, you are a treasure, and my life is very much richer for your contribution and your continued presence. (less)

72 likes · like · see review

Jan 10, 2013 Starswirl the Bearded rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

First, a disclaimer: As virtually a life-long Pratchett fan, I would probably buy anything he publishes. If he were to release a book titled World of Poo, I would probably...oh. Nevermind.

description

The point I'm making is that I can't be objective when it comes to this author - the Discworld books are too much a part of my life; I cried while watching TP's deeply personal euthanasia documentary; I know certain Discworld characters better than I know members of my extended family.

But this is a review of Do...more

12 likes · like · see review

May 17, 2013 FREEBIRD rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Everyone.

Shelves: action-adventure, family-problems, humor, thriller, young-adult

Holy smokes, this book was adorable.

This isn't my first Pratchett book, but I don't remember much of the one Discworld book I read back when I was thirteen or so. I do remember it being humorous - I just didn't remember how absolutely hilarious Pratchett is. I'm serious. This guy has a penchant for making people laugh and sometimes I found myself laughing so hard that I had to shut the book and put it down for a bit to recover. My flatmate found this endlessly amusing.

The characters in this book...more Holy smokes, this book was adorable.

This isn't my first Pratchett book, but I don't remember much of the one Discworld book I read back when I was thirteen or so. I do remember it being humorous - I just didn't remember how absolutely hilarious Pratchett is. I'm serious. This guy has a penchant for making people laugh and sometimes I found myself laughing so hard that I had to shut the book and put it down for a bit to recover. My flatmate found this endlessly amusing.

The characters in this book were the epitome of what it means to be lovable. Everyone from Jewish Solomon to the smelly Onan to the rich-but-will-always-be-single Angela were fleshed out and created solely for the purpose to be loved. I especially liked that Pratchett also included real people from this time. People like Robert Peel, Sweeny Todd, Benjamin Disraeli and even the well-known Charles Dickens. I can't be sure that's how those real people would've behaved in the circumstances that our hero, Dodger, always found himself in, but I loved seeing their reactions - especially Dickens's. The reader also gets to meet the Queen herself when she is young and first starting as ruler of England. This might have been my favorite part. I felt like I was being let in on some little secret by "being" with all of these people who were once real, by having these adventures with them.

I can think of no one better to write about Victorian London than Pratchett. He doesn't try to romanticize the hardships for you. He doesn't try to make it seem like this beautiful and idyllic place. He just gives you the facts - the facts from the rich people and the facts from the poor - and the facts from those caught kind of in the middle. Dodger finds himself, accidentally, caught in the middle of a diplomatic problem, something that, as a tosher, he really just wants nothing to do with. But because there's a damsel in distress (and no good Christian boy would leave a damsel in distress, would he?), he finds himself drawn deeper and deeper into the problem and the reader gets to experience his discoveries and epiphanies.

Highly recommended for everyone.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Nov 01, 2012 Bettie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: published-2012, amusing, library-in-norway, dickensphenalia, britain-england, london, autumn-2012, victoriana, mystery-thriller, dog-steals-the-show

A stand alone from the master.

Dodger the tosher teams up with Charles Dickens to solve the mystery of the golden-haired young woman.

Other Cameos:

Sweeney Todd
Henry Mayhew
Benjamin Disraeli
Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts
Sir John Tenniel
Karl Marx
Charles Babbage
Ada Lovelace (hah - there's Kaethe)
Robert Peel

Other interesting inclusions:

Punch & Judy
Happy Families
The Chimney Sweep
Crown & Anchor
Punch Magazine

----------------

5* Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch
5*...more

12 likes · like · see review

Aug 20, 2012 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-mt-bookpile

Usually a Pratchett gets a 5, but this one... there was something missing. Maybe it was the lack of humor? or that the Dickensian view of London was a little convenient? Or that I didn't really care about what happened to Miss Simplicity? Whatever the reason, it was a 4, not a 5.

Dodger (clearly the influence for Oliver's Artful friend) lives in the rookeries in Seven Dials, London. He's a tosher, a friend to all, and the "lodger" of Solomon Cohen, a Jewish jeweler/watchmaker (among other things)...more

2 likes · like · see review

May 12, 2013 Jessica Mcclelland rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Name: Jessica McClelland

APA citation: Pratchett, T.(2012) Dodger. Harper: NY.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Award (if applicable):

Format: Book

Selection process: The book is highly favored in School Library Journal. Baird, J. (2012). Dodger. School Library Journal, 58(11), 116.

Review: Dodger's job is not all that illustrious. He works beneath London's streets as a tosher, a person who searches the depths of the sewers for a living on whatever they can find of value. He's the best tosher there is but do...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 30, 2012 Nathan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: author-male, rated-4-star, read-2012, historical-fantasy, historical-fiction

I hate to say it, but maybe it is time Pratchett leaves Diskworld behind(much as I hope for one more trip with the witches of Lancre). If he keeps writing quality entertainment like this I will forgive him completely.

Hard to put in a category, but as the author calls it Historical Fantasy in the afterword, that is good enough for me. Follows the title character who early on rescues a women from a bad situation, then does his best to keep her safe. As is the norm for this type of book, meets lot...more

4 likes · like · see review

Mar 25, 2013 Matt rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I tried, honestly. But ultimately this book falls prey to a plot that you never really get invested or interested in. Lots of potential, but untapped.

3 likes · like · see review

Oct 08, 2012 Jeannette rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: terry-pratchett, ya, england, historical-fiction, 2012-read

In the final chapter of Dodger, Terry Pratchett explains that he has written a historical fantasy, by bringing historical figures together in ways they may or may not have interacted. I say that Terry Pratchett has written a wonderful romp through early-Victorian London. Our hero, Dodger, teams up with Charlie Dickens and John Mayhew, both men who worked hard to improve the lot of London’s poor, to help a young lady caught in a difficult situation. Along the way, Dodger encounters, and rubs elbo...more

16 likes · like · see review

May 04, 2013 prk rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Dodger is a seventeen year old Londoner who makes his living by toshing - scrounging in the city sewers for salvage. When he sees a girl trying to escape from her kidnappers, he gets involved and ends up saving her from them.

Thus begins the widening of Dodger's horizons, as he meets Charles Dickens and they team up to solve the mystery of who this golden haired woman is and why someone powerful wants her dead. Along the way, Dodger finds himself going through several makeovers and rapidly climbi...more

like · see review

Apr 30, 2013 Leonie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

The third of the four children's book I have to read for the Rotherham children's book awards. Despite being a broad reader I have never really read anything by Terry Pratchett other Than the amazing Maurice and his educated rodents. I was not entirely disappointed with dodger set in Dickensian London we meet the character of dodger who we have come to know and love as Oliver's friend in Dickens' own novel Oliver Twist. This dodger though is slightly different, instead of a pickpocket he is a 't...more

like · see review

Apr 29, 2013 Chris rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya, adult, historical, humor, adventure, not-graphic

The thing I find particularly hard about reviewing Terry Pratchett is trying to come up with anything I might say that would capture the deft, clever, articulate writing that characterizes his books. Nothing seems to do it justice and I end up feeling he's best left representing himself. He simply has a magical way with words.

This story he calls a "historical fantasy," although the only fantastical elements are the way he's slightly fictionalized some of the characters and their interactions in...more

like · see review

Mar 12, 2013 Jefferson rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult

Terry Pratchett's historical novel Dodger (2012) is a fun read right from the opening stormy night scene, in which the eponymous seventeen-year-old protagonist saves a golden-haired damsel in distress from two thugs and makes the acquaintance of Charles Dickens. This sets in motion a chain of events that threatens Dodger's comfortable and unambitious life and identity as a "tosher" (earning his living by scavenging the labyrinthine network of sewers running beneath mid-nineteenth century London)...more Terry Pratchett's historical novel Dodger (2012) is a fun read right from the opening stormy night scene, in which the eponymous seventeen-year-old protagonist saves a golden-haired damsel in distress from two thugs and makes the acquaintance of Charles Dickens. This sets in motion a chain of events that threatens Dodger's comfortable and unambitious life and identity as a "tosher" (earning his living by scavenging the labyrinthine network of sewers running beneath mid-nineteenth century London) with new emotions, revelations, responsibilities, reputations, dangers, and prospects.

In addition to being the "king of the toshers," Dodger is a "geezer," which means that he knows and is known by all the right people dwelling in London's underbelly and that he is sharp-witted, skilled at acting, and adept at reading people. Suiting his nickname, he's also quick and slippery, never to be caught by the police ("peelers") or other undesirables. Pratchett has taken the Artful Dodger from Dickens' Oliver Twist and reformed him with a handsome figure, a good heart, a salubrious mentor, and a less illegal occupation than pick pocketing (though he is accomplished at that as well).

Pratchett turns other fictional characters into "real" figures in his novel, including Sweeney Todd, a murderous though pitiable veteran suffering from war-trauma, and Solomon Cohen, a philosophical Freemason who has escaped in the nick of time from murderous anti-Semite mobs in seemingly every European city before ending up in London. Solomon, like Dodger, is a reformed version of his Oliver Twist persona, Fagin the Jew, who in Dickens' novel exploits street kids and corrupts them into lives of crime. In Pratchett's novel Solomon is a learned savant who repairs intricate watches and other valuable objects found by Dodger in the sewers in order to return them to their original owners for monetary rewards. He is Dodger's landlord and mentor, keeping him clean and fed, teaching him to read and write, educating him in the ways of the world and the scope of the universe, and generally helping him to grow his soul.

Pratchett, like Dickens, partly based his Jewish character on the historical crime lord Isaac Solomon, but unlike Dickens, writes a sympathetic character in Solomon. Other real life historical personages also appear in his novel, including Henry Mayhew, socially conscious co-founder of the journal Punch, Angela Burdett-Coots, independent woman of great wealth and connection, and of course Charles Dickens, a canny, crusading, and well-connected young journalist working to improve life for the impoverished masses. Dickens is also a burgeoning popular author, and through his dealings with Dodger he gains inspiration for titles of his future novels, like Great Expectations and Bleak House.

Pratchett writes vivid details about early Victorian London, like "honey wagons," "growlers," "flower girls," and "nobs." The foul London fog he turns into a metaphor for truth, an amorphous thing that people make into what they want it to be. From the toshers and their sewers he fashions an interesting sub-culture of London, with its own goddess of the sewers, the Lady, whom the Romans who built the sewers called Cloacina. And Pratchett, who highlights Dickens' role as social critic and reformer, does a fair amount of both himself by skewering politics, poverty, and wealth.

Sometimes Pratchett tries too hard to be constantly humorous, as when he plays with words like hubbub ("the epicenter of a hubbub that was loud enough to be considered a hubbub with at least an extra hub, not to mention bub") or refers too often to the strong odor of Solomon's dog Onan (who is unnecessary for the plot and exists in the novel for the many jokes about his bad smell and the pay off regarding his name).

As Pratchett says in his afterword, Dodger is a historical fantasy, and hence, I believe, has less of gravitas and believability and more wit and narrative expedition. And as he also says, he does "put a shine on things," for his characters, whether fictional like Solomon and Dodger or real life like Charlie and Angela, are all wittier, luckier, stronger, and kinder, and more interesting, capable, and effective, etc., than their real life avatars could be. Things are a bit too easy for Dodger. This novel is therefore entertaining but not so suspenseful or powerful. And I've found most of Pratchett's straight fantasy Discworld books to be more of all three.
(less)

1 like · like · see review

Mar 08, 2013 Rebecca rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

Ostensibly set in Victorian London, Dodger is a charming little romp through history. Dickens, Disraeli, Sweeney Todd, and more make appearances (some longer than others) as Dodger tries to figure out who is menacing a young woman and rescue her from them.

The endless references are somewhat cutesy (Dickens, for example, keeps sprinkling his dialogue with the titles of his future books) but I found them to be entertaining. The footnotes are an odd thing--some are humorous asides similar to the D...more

like · see review

Mar 04, 2013 Charlou Lunsford rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure, historical-fiction, ya

Dodger, 17, (yes maybe the artful one) a tosher and street urchin saves a young lady when she leaps to escape a horse-drawn carriage. He makes it his duty to make sure she is safe from forces that may have international impact. He makes the acquaintance of Charles Dickens, Benjamin Disralei and others of a historical nature to solve the mystery of her and survive those who want to stop him.

Why I picked it up - Terry Pratchett and not Discworld.

Why I finished it - I enjoyed the writing. The tone...more

like · see review

Mar 04, 2013 Rebecca rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I found it difficult to get my teeth into this book at first - as many people have already said, it's style is drastically different from the Discworld novels, and if you're familiar with them you might have trouble too.

That aside, Dodger is wonderfully entertaining. I found the use of historical characters added a funny edge to the story; I think of Charles Dickens as a toff in a top hat, so it's intriguing to see him played out as a bit of a rogue. The Demon Barber was by far my favourite came...more

like · see review

Mar 02, 2013 Jon rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Terry Pratchett's most recent (I think), and while it deals with a time and place in which I'm very interested, it didn't grab me the way his Discworld novels do. He resists calling it a historical novel--but prefers historical fantasy. It is set in Victorian London and includes real-life characters: Charles Dickens, Robert Peel, the Queen herself and her consort, Benjamin Disraeli, Henry Mayhew, Angela Bourdett-Coutts, and even Sweeney Todd, the demon barber of Fleet Street, some version of who...more

like · see review

Mar 02, 2013 Brian Finnegan rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was thoroughly enjoying this book until one third the way through, when Dodger stopped the murderous activities of Sweeney Todd, the demon barber of Fleet Street. Previously to meeting Sweeney, Dodger has met and made friends of the real-life personages of Charles Dickens and Henry Mayhew, and the ruse was nice, the idea that Dodger was a real person who influenced the creation of the Artful Dodger in Dickens' Oliver Twist. Mayhew, less well knob, also existed and was the co-founder of the sat...more

like · see review

Feb 23, 2013 Lonna Pierce rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A "historical fantasy" according to Pratchett, this is a Victorian mystery/adventure that is peopled by the well-known "scribbler," Charlie Dickens and other famous & infamous folk of the time. Statesman, Benjamin Disraeli, social scientist, Henry Mayhew, murdering barber, Sweeney Todd, police chief, Robert Peel, powerful heiress, Angela Burdett-Coutts; even Queen Victoria & Prince Albert themselves make an appearance. Absolutely a charming tale about an artful Dodger in the survival gam...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 14, 2013 Lesley rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm not physically capable of giving a Terry Pratchett book less than 4 stars, but I was surprised this one didn't warrant the usual 5 stars. I realized what part of the problem was when I went to add a genre tag: even though it's not a fantasy in the same way the Discworld books are, neither is it a realistic book. Pratchett even says in the afterword that he thinks of it as a fantastical take on historical fiction. That helps explain all the magical ways things just work out for Dodger. There'...more

like · see review

Feb 12, 2013 Devin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adolescent-literature

Terry Pratchett's Dodger is an exciting look into the seedy, dirty, and corrupt history of Queen Victoria's London. It is the story of a young tosher who is known on the streets as Dodger, the kid who can get himself out of sticky situations with his speed and street smarts. But the beauty of this story is how history and fiction come together to weave an exciting story for adults and teens alike. Through the narrative, the reader will encounter historical figures such as Charles Dickens, Benjam...more Terry Pratchett's Dodger is an exciting look into the seedy, dirty, and corrupt history of Queen Victoria's London. It is the story of a young tosher who is known on the streets as Dodger, the kid who can get himself out of sticky situations with his speed and street smarts. But the beauty of this story is how history and fiction come together to weave an exciting story for adults and teens alike. Through the narrative, the reader will encounter historical figures such as Charles Dickens, Benjamin Disraeli, and Sweeny Todd, along with several others, which help connect today's readers with the literature and history of the past. Dodger is swept into an international controversy when he rescues a young woman who is being kidnapped by violent men during a torrential downpour. With the help of Dickens and many others, Dodger and the young woman are both shown to possess qualities that go beyond the surface of appearance or the stereotypes of their classes. Dodger is no strict-morals hero, and Simplicity is no ordinary damsel in distress. They help to save each other from the lives they once knew.

This novel is the perfect blend of new and old; British author Pratchett is plenty wordy compared to American authors, giving the English speakers across the pond from him a good dose of modern British wordiness. However, the narrative also draws intriguing lines to the works of Dickens and even Shakespeare, through allusions to both authors' works. This book is a perfect gateway to classic literature, especially preparing adolescents for a dive into classic literature by pulling them into such an engaging story that alludes so heavily to other works. The wordiness is hard to get used to, and the book is a slow start because Pratchett focuses on making certain we know the ins and outs of the London sewage system or that Dodger's four-legged friend is the worst smelling creature in the history of literature, but then you find the sweet spot of the story a few chapters in and it is smooth reading from there.

As any many realistic novel do, Dodger plays with the lines of right and wrong: there are characters who represent truth and solidarity such as Dodger's mentor Solomon, but even Solomon admits that he wrestles with the existence of God (though he is a devout Jew), and he himself does not have a completely white ledger. This book encourages the reader to ask questions and to seek answers for himself/herself. While it does have a pleasant ending, it acknowledges adult themes like failed marriages with abusive husbands, poverty and the oppression of lower classes, and corrupt politics. These are dealt with in a tactful way that does not guild reality but also does not expose younger readers to topics that are too mature for them.

Overall, Dodger is a fantastic novel, one of the best I've read in a long time. It is a beautiful hodgepodge of history, intrigue, real issues, and love, blended together to create a story worth reading and to plant interest in classic literature. For high school teachers and students alike, it creates a perfect segue to other authors and stories. (less)

like · see review

Feb 12, 2013 Kathryn Carlsen added it · review of another edition

Shelves: lit-for-adolescence

I found this book to be both excellent and a little disappointing. I think that the plot line was flawless. Young adults would really enjoy reading this book because it is all about adventure and living up to your full potential with a little bit of love sprinkled in. I think that this would be a really great segway into the great classics like Oliver Twist or Great Expectations. I remember being required to read these in middle and high school and I absolutely hated them. I think if I had read...more

like · see review

Feb 11, 2013 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: literature-for-adolescents

What did I think of this book? I liked it. The English takes a little bit to get used to, but I think it is rich. There are a lot of elements to this book that are woven together through pure literary genius. The involvement of characters from history do lend to the work and are unique in themselves. I was surprised by the vocabulary usage. There were definitely words that I had to look up, not only because they were British slang, but because they were 4 dollar vocab words that I simply wasn't...more What did I think of this book? I liked it. The English takes a little bit to get used to, but I think it is rich. There are a lot of elements to this book that are woven together through pure literary genius. The involvement of characters from history do lend to the work and are unique in themselves. I was surprised by the vocabulary usage. There were definitely words that I had to look up, not only because they were British slang, but because they were 4 dollar vocab words that I simply wasn't familiar with. This surprised me because I'd like to consider my range of vocabulary knowledge to be pretty broad, and considering I had to look up the definitions of some words, I wonder how adolescents would do with this book. Back to the style of writing, there certainly is a great amount of detail to the writing, so much so that my eyes glazed over a time or two and I had to go back and pick up all the description the author gives. I, personally, sometimes like writing that way, but it can be rather tiring to read. As for the content, the plot was definitely interesting. I didn't see most of it coming. I'm not certain how realistic it would have been at the time period, but it's engaging and witty. I really liked Dodger as a main character. He quite a good geezer, that cove. And as toshers go, well I'm sure he's the best of them. Simplicity/Serendipity is an interesting character. I felt like she was a very strong female character for the time this was set in, Victorian England. But I did like that. Pratchett introduces many real life, adult problems through her character. She's beaten and loses her baby. She was duped into a marriage to a man she thought was in love with her and whom she certainly loved. Her marriage and her very life is opposed due to politics between countries. She is a fascinating character. I think my favorite scene is the Sweeney Todd scene, don't ask me why, it's just witty and brilliant. It does a lot for Dodger's character development too. While reading this story on my Kindle, I highlighted some of the lines from the story, here are two of my favorite: "Well, dear Mrs. Mayhew, I can promise you that there will not be any hanky-panky, because I do not know what panky is and I've never had a hanky. Only a handkerchief." (Coming from Dodger, this statement is quite hilarious.) And "Dodger didn't know the word "insinuated," but he knew the thought, and Mister Disraeli insinuated himself, in some way never leaving anywhere until he was entirely somewhere else, whereupon he instantly became everywhere." I love this! For some reason it seems almost poetic to me. Anyway, the writing is really good. The inclusion of soooo many characters from real life or other fiction is brilliant. I almost think you need to be an adult, or at least well read, to appreciate it. Overall I did like this book. I only marked it four stars because I still did think it was a touch too padded and possibly drawn out more than I though necessary. (less)

like · see review

Feb 11, 2013 Courtney added it · review of another edition

Shelves: adolescent-literature

I was excited about reading Dodger for multiple reasons. Not only had it been nominated for the most recent Printz award, but it was also written by an well-established adolescent literature author and was set in the city of London. Having recently visited London after studying its history, I was looking forward to a fictional story set during this time. I was also interested to see historical names included in the plot of the story, for example Charles Dickens and Benjamin Disraeli, and was int...more

like · see review

Feb 11, 2013 David Hebblethwaite rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Terry Pratchett visits Victorian London for his latest book. Dodger, a young sewer scavenger, sees a girl escaping from a coach and saves her from being beaten by the two men she was travelling with. This incident is witnessed by Charles Dickens, ‘Charlie’, who becomes a friend to Dodger, and social reformer Henry Mayhew, who shelters Simplicity, as the girl comes to be known. Several events increase Dodger’s notoriety, including his exposing the truth about Sweeney Todd, and he finds himself mo...more

like · see review

Feb 11, 2013 Abbey Maraugha rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: lit-for-adolesents

Dodger was an interesting read however; I must admit, I didn’t really like the book at first. Dodger was rather slow and didn’t seem to be going anywhere. Once the storyline started and characters came into view the book became a quick read. I loved that the author used such well known and beloved literary characters! I thought it was extremely clever and it kept my interest! Also, being a girl, I loved the whole damsel and distress aspect to the story. It was also neat to see how Dodger was abl...more

like · see review

Feb 10, 2013 Jill rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: literature-for-adolescentss

Terry Pratchett's, "Dodger," is an adventurous adolescent tale to say the least. The story line of the book was interesting; characters such as Charles Dickens and Sweeney Todd captured the adult reader's interest. Although the book's ending was somewhat predictable, the chapter's were filled with unexpected adventures and surprising turns in the plot. Pratchett doesn't spare a single detail in his writing which both paints a great picture of the scene in the reader's mind and can make some part...more

like · see review

Feb 09, 2013 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adolescent-literature

Terry Pratchett's Dodger is a thrill ride for readers of all ages. Set in early Victorian London, a street urchin saves the life of a mysterious girl who jumps out of a carriage during a thunderstorm. The "golden-haired" girl has been severely beaten to the point of losing her unborn child. As the story continues, Dodger protects the girl, who is temporarily called Simplicity, and he even begins to fall for her. While Pratchett's story seems to be the classic, predictable damsel in distress res...more Terry Pratchett's Dodger is a thrill ride for readers of all ages. Set in early Victorian London, a street urchin saves the life of a mysterious girl who jumps out of a carriage during a thunderstorm. The "golden-haired" girl has been severely beaten to the point of losing her unborn child. As the story continues, Dodger protects the girl, who is temporarily called Simplicity, and he even begins to fall for her. While Pratchett's story seems to be the classic, predictable damsel in distress rescue mission, this is not the case. Dodger is filled with action, romance, and mystery, but is also uniquely and cleverly entwined with bits of classic history and literature. Dodger runs into Solomon, Charles Dickens, Benjamin Disraeli, and Sweeney Todd Demon Barber of Fleet Street in his quest to rescue Simplicity and destroy her pursuers.
As previously mentioned, Pratchett's novel is an exceptional read for all ages; however, Dodger shines brilliantly in the genre of Adolescent Literature. Pratchett includes just the right amount of humor, action, and romance that draws the attention of adolescent girls and boys alike. In addition, many questions asked in the novel are directly applicable to the lives of adolescents. Dodger slowly climbs the social ladder throughout the novel, and has to decide what to do with the earnings and rumors that follow his new fame. Amidst many other inner conflicts, Solomon and Charlie (Charles Dickens) act as guides that keep Dodger thinking and on the right track. Notably, Christian themes can be found in the novel through Solomon's character and Dodger's philosophical and spiritual questions. While Pratchett doesn't push Christianity or even suggest his belief in it, his acknowledgement of Dodger's convictions regarding the subject is imperative to relate him to what adolescents think through today. Finally, the novel is educational. Dodger can nearly be classified as adult literature, as it beautifully portrays what life is like, even in early Victorian London. Although the work is non-fiction, many aspects of it are realistic and show young adults what life is like and what decisions have to be made in it.
As a college-age, Christian reader, I appreciated the themes and reality found in Dodger. While the book started slowly for me, it redeemed itself as Pratchett added new, exciting elements in each chapter. I recommend Dodger to any reader who wants to jump into a unique, adventurous story that is humorous and heartwarming.(less)

like · see review

Feb 09, 2013 LJ rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Sir Terry Pratchett’s Dodger takes the character from Dickens’s Oliver Twist out of that work and into a story that’s completely his own. It’s a fascinating look at London society circa 1850’s during the reign of Queen Victoria. This London was rampant with social problems, poverty and filth, all of which gets a good going over here.

Dodger is a Tosher, someone who makes his living hunting through the muck of the sewers searching for coins and other valuables. It’s a dirty job, but Dodger loves i...more Sir Terry Pratchett’s Dodger takes the character from Dickens’s Oliver Twist out of that work and into a story that’s completely his own. It’s a fascinating look at London society circa 1850’s during the reign of Queen Victoria. This London was rampant with social problems, poverty and filth, all of which gets a good going over here.

Dodger is a Tosher, someone who makes his living hunting through the muck of the sewers searching for coins and other valuables. It’s a dirty job, but Dodger loves it. It’s better than his former occupation, that of a thief, and it helps keep food and shelter over his, his friend Solomon, and his dog Onan’s heads. At the beginning of the novel it is too rainy for safety in the sewers, and Dodger witnesses the brutal treatment of a young girl who is tossed out of a carriage. The girl is badly beaten and Dodger, enraged by her treatment, goes after the two thugs responsible, chasing them away from the scene. Several gentleman, including “Charlie Dickens” offer to help by giving the girl temporary housing at one of their homes and she is bundled off.

Dodger’s involvement with the girl who is named “Simplicity” (Not her real name. She is incognito.) does not stop there. He is intent on finding whoever is responsible for her condition, not only because it's the right thing to do, but also because Dodger is quite taken with Simplicity. She is a girl of mystery who wears a golden ring with a royal crest, but will not reveal her origins. Together with Charlie Dickens and some help from other historical figures who become characters in the story, they piece together the answers to Simplicity’s story. She in turn takes Dodger into her confidence and reveals that she is married to a German prince whose father now wishes to get rid of her because she is merely a commoner. He seeks a more politically advantageous match.

In the course of Dodger’s adventure, he encounters and subdues Sweeny Todd, the murderous barber and becomes even more of a “geezer” (someone everyone knows the reputation of) than before. He needs to dress better at one point and Solomon sends him to a “shonky shop” to get a used suit of clothes.

Tosher, geezer, shonky shop—there’s a lot of slang to get through in this novel that might make it difficult reading for some teenagers. It’s worth pursuing though because of the exciting story, the wonderful inserting of historical figures and of course all the putrid descriptions of sewer expeditions. This time period becomes alive in Pratchett’s hands.

There’s a sweet developing romance between Dodger and Simplicity that is well handled and not at all libidinous, unlike so many young adult books on the market. What does make this young adult is the references to murder, mayhem and dark dealing for defenseless young girls in the big city. Dodger is a well-written, absorbing book and a Printz Honor award winner for this year (2013).
(less)

like · see review

Feb 06, 2013 Lexie Robinson Austin rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

First, a disclaimer: I have a love/hate relationship with Terry Pratchett, and this book is no different. I loved his Discworld series, hated Nation. This books falls more on the hated side. You may love everything Terry Pratchett does. If you do, good for you. You'll probably like this book. I just...didn't.

Now the summary: "A storm. Rain-lashed city streets. A flash of lightning. A scruffy lad sees a girl leap desperately from a horse-drawn carriage in a vain attempt to escape her captors. Can...more

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
YA Book Club for ...: April 2013	2	6	Apr 10, 2013 05:13pm
Huntsville-Madiso...: Staff Picks: Dodger by Terry Pratchett	3	12	Feb 07, 2013 06:44am
Discworld: Dodger	15	97	Jan 21, 2013 12:53pm
Israel SciFi and ...: Dodger - Spoiler Free - October 2012	30	22	Nov 15, 2012 11:15pm

combine
Other Editions (21)

More editions...

Videos About This Book

DODGER by Terry Pratchett -- Official Trailer

Add a comment

Genres

Historical Fiction

279 users

Fantasy

252 users

Young Adult

183 users

Humor

67 users

Adventure

49 users

Mystery

35 users

Young Adult > Teen

24 users

Science Fiction > Alternate History

18 users

Humor > Funny

14 users

Humor > Comedy

13 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Terry Pratchett

Sir Terry Pratchett sold his first story when he was thirteen, which earned him enough money to buy a second-hand typewriter. His first novel, a humorous fantasy entitled The Carpet People, appeared in 1971 from the publisher Colin Smythe. Terry worked for many years as a journalist and press officer, writing in his spare time and publishing a number of novels, including his first Discworld novel,...more

More about Terry Pratchett...

Books by Terry Pratchett

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Dodger

1 trivia question

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from Dodger

“Young man, the games we play are lessons we learn. The assumptions we make, things we ignore, and things we change make us what we become.” — 7 people liked it

“. . . had decided what to do, which was to smile like the morning sun with a knife in its teeth.” — 4 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Dodger
avg rating	preview: Dodger Goodreads rating: 3.93 (5468 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15819505-dodger?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1352406834l/15819505.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15819505-dodger?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Dodger by Terry Pratchett[/url]

Dodger

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website