This book is so dear to me. I remember reading an abridged version of it as a child, and becoming so invested in little Oliver's misfortunes, that I shed the only tears a book aver made me cry - and I almost did again, when reading the complete novel.

"Oliver Twist" follows the young orphan through countless vicissitudes, from the country workhouse where he was raised, to the dirtiest and most dangerous streets of London, and beyond. I wouldn't describe it as a coming-of-age novel in the strict sense of the term, as Oliver

is probably the character that changes the less during the story, staying good and kind hearted at all times

.

The extreme realism of the characters and places' descriptions made me immerse completely in the story, so that I could image each scene in great detail. It also perfectly compensates the (too?) numerous plot twists, making even the most improbable events feel like they had always been embedded in the very fabric of the locations they take place in. The story completely gripped me, like it was the first time I was hearing of it. And always having to look up a few words per page - English not being my first language - never interfered too much with my enjoyment. Other aspects that should not be overlooked, in Dickens' works, are his beautiful taste for irony, which sometimes almost made me laugh out loud; and the numerous aphorisms and introspective observations - mostly about memories and human sensations.

The only trigger warnings? A few raw descriptions of violence,that may bother some readers, I think. And a rather - using a modern term: - racist depiction of a character who's a Jew; but I believe that, as long as one can think critically, aware of the period the book was written in, it should be of no problem.

I truly recommend this novel to whomever likes intense, emotional stories, and vivid descriptions!