50 books to read before you die discussion

Dickens' Oliver Twist Won the poll for February 2018 from our '100 books'' section.

Found my copy, going to get started over the weekend.

Anybody else out there?

I hope to read Oliver Twist this month, but there are a couple ahead of it.

I realize I haven't read Oliver Twist before. The story is so familiar that reading it is like taking a walk down a fabled street. You know the landmarks, but it's different walking there yourself.

33% in...Oliver is back in Fagin's grasp...

80% in.

The reason for all of Oliver's problems has been explained; now on to the finale.

Anyone else reading this one this month?

I have just started.

My initial impression is that this is a satire on the British treatment of orphans and paupers.

Just finished.

All's well, with the exception of tragic death of the companion who reminds us that the perils of the workhouse are real.

Oliver Twist starts as a satire twined around the pompous and uncaring parish beadle Mr Bumble and his cohorts. Much of it is tongue-in-cheek. As the story progresses though, and as the role Mr. Bumble diminishes and we are introduced to Mr. Brownlow and the Maylies, the story becomes more and more serious and gripping. It has a convoluted plot with the revelation of intricate character relationships. It comes to an exciting climax with murder and pursuit where all is revealed and justice is done. Though I generally don't care for the prose of that era, I thoroughly enjoyed Mr Dickens' telling of Oliver Twist.

Buck wrote: "Oliver Twist starts as a satire twined around the pompous and uncaring parish beadle Mr Bumble and his cohorts. Much of it is tongue-in-cheek. As the story progresses though, and as the role Mr. Bu..."

Well put.