Oliver Twist

Oliver Twist is a seminal novel by Charles Dickens, first serialized between 1837 and 1839. The narrative centers on the eponymous orphan, who endures a brutal upbringing in a workhouse before escaping to London. There, he falls in with a notorious gang of pickpockets led by the sinister Fagin and the menacing Bill Sikes. As Oliver struggles to survive in the city's criminal underworld, he inadvertently uncovers secrets about his true parentage. Dickens masterfully uses Oliver's journey to expose the harsh realities of poverty, child labor, and the systemic exploitation prevalent in Victorian England, crafting a powerful social commentary and a compelling tale of innocence battling corruption.

Reading ease score: 78.7 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.