Oliver TwistOliver Twist
Score Classic
What it's about
Orphaned Oliver runs away from the workhouse and pompous beadle Mr Bumble, only to be lured into a den of thieves: the Artful Dodger, the vicious burglar Bill Sikes, Nancy, and the cunning master thief Fagin.
Why it's worth reading
It's on the BBC's Big Read and the Guardian's list of 1,000 novels everyone must read. It's a scathing indictment of a cruel society, full of unforgettable characters.
You'll love it if you liked
Great Expectations
David Copperfield
A Tale of Two CitiesGood to know
It's a classic with a real sense of menace.
By the numbers
- Readers12 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics30 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller46 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Thought-provoking
More by Charles Dickens
David Copperfield
A Christmas Carol
Bleak House
Little DorritIf you like this, read next
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Lord of the Rings
The Color Purple
1984
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A Brief History of TimeExplore the best-of lists
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Quick answers
Is Oliver Twist worth reading?
Yes. It's on the BBC's Big Read and the Guardian's list of 1,000 novels everyone must read. It ranks #2,580 of the 3,056 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 59.5 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Oliver Twist about?
Orphaned Oliver runs away from the workhouse and pompous beadle Mr Bumble, only to be lured into a den of thieves: the Artful Dodger, the vicious burglar Bill Sikes, Nancy, and the cunning master thief Fagin.
How long does it take to read Oliver Twist?
About 15 hours (608 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Oliver Twist?
If you liked it, try Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, David Copperfield by Charles Dickens or A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.