Erik Provensen
liked a trivia question:
What two famous Young Adult authors were born in London? see if you know the answer »
What two famous Young Adult authors were born in London? see if you know the answer »
Erik Provensen
read and liked
Patrick Brandel's
review of Fledgling: Jason Steed:
"I don't write reviews much, but this novel, brought me to tears as some points, had me on the edge of my seat at others and laughing at other parts.
Truely amazing.The author knows to write with emotion, the story is so original I don't think I ...more "
"I don't write reviews much, but this novel, brought me to tears as some points, had me on the edge of my seat at others and laughing at other parts.
Truely amazing.The author knows to write with emotion, the story is so original I don't think I ...more "
What is yoru favorite film version of the Christmas Carol?
I like the version with Alastir Sims as Scrooge. ]]>
Along with "Great Expectations," "Oliver Twist" was one of my father's favorites. This book starts with the birth of Oliver Twist. his mother sadly dies, and Oliver is at the mercy of the brutal orphanage headed by Mr. Bumble. When Oliver asks for more food (his famous line), the orphanage decides that this is intolerable. They offer 5 pounds to anyone who will take Oliver off their hands. (Though in defense of the orphanage they do refrain from giving to someone who is obviously unfit.)
Oliver ends up in the employ of the undertaker Mr. Sowerberry. He is 1/2 way decent to Oliver, but that is more than can be said for Mrs. Sowerberry, Charlotte, or Noah. Oliver runs away, and it is not long before her runs into the Artful Dodger. The Dodger convinces Oliver to join him in Fagin's employ. Fagin is the head of a group of thieves. But is he really such a bad person? He takes better care of the boys than the so called legitimate firms. He's a little crafty of course, but he is trying to survive in difficult times.
Well, Oliver ends up with the law on his tail. In this 2nd novel, we can see Dicken's brilliant techniques. The scene of a mob chasing Oliver is of course disturbing. But Dickens gives us a chance to laugh when he explains it: "'Stop thief, Stop thief!' There is a magic in the sound. The tradesmen leaves his counter and the cart man his wagon..." Well, Oliver is found innocent, but not before Charles gives us a fierce (but still comical) literary attack on the courts. Dickens is best known for his sympathy to the poor in these times. But we should not neglect his fierce and comical side.
Well, the tension is released as Oliver is taken in by the kind Mr. Brownlow. But all can not be quiet for long. Fagin is concerned over Oliver's sudden disappearance. Why not? Oliver knows where he and his boys reside. Tensions tighten further when we see Bill Sikes (who unlike Fagin really has no redeeming traits) goes after Oliver. Oliver is captured, and in a redeeming moment, Fagin warns Oliver to be careful around Bill Sikes. Sikes then takes Oliver on a job that ends with Oliver getting shot (though not fatally).
But all is not lost. Oliver befriends the kind Rose Maylie and she helps Oliver back to health. We later learn that Rose is Oliver's aunt. But there is more bad news. Oliver's 1/2 brother Monks wants to get a hold of Oliver. Monks runs across Mr. and Mrs. Bumble. (In an attempt to give Bumble a redeeming trait, Dickens has him marry the down on her luck Widow Corney.) Through the destruction of a certain locket, Monks is able to secure an inheritance for himself. But there is more to come.
Nancy pities Oliver and wants to return him to Mr. Brownlow. But Sikes fears that Nancy will turn him over to the authorities. Tensions get worse when the sociopathic Sikes clashes with the notably more human Fagin. Nancy gets Oliver to safety, but is soon BRUTALLY killed by Sikes. It is not long before Sikes is persued by the mob. It would seem that Dickens has contempt for mobs even when they are chasing a killer.
Oliver is of course saved, and part of the story ends happily. But poor Fagin is arrested, and the courts are not so merciful. Some of his acts were criminal, but he was just trying to survive. Fagin certainly treated the boys better than the orphanage did. Fagin is sentenced to death, and Dickens makes sure we feel sympathy for him: "What right have they to butcher me?"
While this is only Charles Dickens's 2nd novel, it does show his ability to skillfully combine disturbing events, and cynical comedy, as well as bringing several plots together.
The important thing is that Dickens was the greatest storyteller of the 19th century.
I think the author of the novel Fledgling Jason Steed, who ever it is Anthony Horowitz or Mark A Cooper is the greatest storyteller of the 21st century. ]]>
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