Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens

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Résumé :
A gripping portrayal of London's dark criminal underbelly. Starved and mistreated, empty bowl in hand, the young hero musters the courage to approach his master, saying, Please, sir, I want some more. Oliver Twist's famous cry of the heart has resounded with readers since the novel's initial appearance in 1837, and the book remains a popular favorite with fans of all ages. Dickens was no stranger to the pain of hunger and the degradation of poverty. He poured his own youthful experience of Victorian London's unspeakable squalor into this realistic depiction of the link between destitution and crime. Oliver escapes his miserable servitude by running away to London, where he unwillingly but inevitably joins a scabrous gang of thieves. Masterminded by the loathsome Fagin, the underworld crew features some of Dickens' most memorable characters, including the juvenile pickpocket known as the Artful Dodger, the vicious Bill Sikes, and gentle Nancy, an angel of self-sacrifice. Combining elements of Gothic Romance, the Newgate Novel and popular melodrama, Dickens created an entirely new kind of fiction, scathing in its indictment of a cruel society, and pervaded by an unforgettable sense of threat and mystery.

Biographie:
Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812 - 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity. Born in Portsmouth, Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education and other social reforms.

Sommaire:
Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812, in Portsmouth, England, into a family that faced financial instability. His early life was marked by hardship, particularly when his father was imprisoned for debt, forcing young Dickens to work in a factory at the age of 12. These formative experiences deeply influenced his later writings, infusing them with themes of social injustice and the struggles of the poor.Dickens began his literary career as a journalist, but he quickly rose to fame with the publication of The Pickwick Papers in 1836. His vivid characters, keen social observations, and serialized storytelling captivated a broad audience. Over the years, Dickens authored numerous classics such as Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, and A Christmas Carol, establishing himself as one of the most influential writers of the Victorian era.Beyond his novels, Dickens was also a tireless social critic, using his platform to advocate for reforms in education, labor conditions, and the treatment of the poor. His works not only entertained but also challenged society to confront its injustices. Dickens continued to write and tour extensively until his death on June 9, 1870, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate with readers around the world....