The Adventures of Oliver Twist and a Child's History of England

Oh! you really expect him to come back do you? inquired Mr. Grimwig. Dont you? asked Mr. Brownlow smiling. The spirit of contradiction was strong in Mr. Grimwigs breast at the moment; and it was rendered stronger by his friends confident smile. No he said smiting the table with his fist I do not. The boy has a new suit of clothes on his back a set of valuable books under his arm and a five-pound note in his pocket. Hell join his old friends the thieves and laugh at you. If ever that boy returns to this house sir Ill eat my head. -from Chapter XIV In February 1837 the new British magazine Bentleys Miscellany published the first installment in a serial story written by its editor. Its star was a good-hearted orphan boy; its author was Charles Dickens; and by the time it concluded in March 1839 Oliver Twist would become one of the most beloved of Dickens novels. First published in book form in 1838 it has never been out of print and little wonder: it is the classic rags-to-riches story and a foundation of modern popular fiction that is required and highly enjoyable reading for all lovers of literature. Also in this volume: Dickens A Childs History of England a charming survey of the story of the Sceptred Isle from the time of the Romans through the 1830s. Simply written but wide-ranging its a delightful read for Dickens devotees. British author CHARLES DICKENS (1812-1870) remains one of the most popular writers in the world. A spinner of stories of satire and social criticism-including Great Expectations Nicholas Nickleby A Tale of Two Cities A Christmas Carol and the work considered his greatest David Copperfield-his writings have entertained generations of readers and influenced generations of writers.