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Paul Bryant's Reviews > Oliver Twist

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
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it was ok
bookshelves: novels

Oliver Twist THE BOOK is crap and has NO songs in it, I couldn't believe it. So I googled and get this, it turns out they put those in the movie and Dickens had nothing to do with it! But since they were the best bit of the film, you can understand my horror and bereft sense of disappointment when I finally came to pick up the book.

How could Dickens NOT have thought of having little Oliver sing Where Is Love when chucked into the cellar or Who Will Buy This Loverly Morning when he wakes up in his posh house...I mean yeah he was supposed to be good wasn't he? And please note the edition I read was not a Readers Digest Condensed Edition. When you DON'T have Fagin capering about warbling "In this life one thing counts/ In the bank, large amounts/I'm afraid these don't grow on trees/You got to pick a pocket or two" with that pederastic twinkle in his eyes as he surveys his small boys then alas I'm sorry to say that what you're left with is a bit of an antisemitic caricature lashed to a morality tale whose immoral moral appears to be that rich is good, poor is bad, and you better get yourself a deus ex machina in the form of a very unlikely sugardaddy to magic you out of the poorhouse or the rats will eat your bollocks, your bones will turn to dust and be blown away and no one will ever hire cute kids to pretend to be you on stage or screen and melt our hearts and win Oscars and Tonys. Which I think we all knew.



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Reading Progress

Finished Reading
September 27, 2007 – Shelved
December 16, 2007 – Shelved as: novels

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Comments Showing 1-50 of 347 (347 new)


message 1: by Sandi (new)
Aug 01, 2010 12:15AM

Sandi I loved that movie. Now I've got "Consider yourself one of the family. Consider yourself one of us." running through my head.

"Might I have some more, please?"
"MORE!?"


message 2: by Paul (new) - rated it 2 stars
Aug 01, 2010 12:17AM

Paul Bryant Exactly. Movie = masterpiece. Book = not.


message 3: by Esteban (new)
Aug 01, 2010 05:43AM

Esteban del Mal Does this mean that they're going to take away your Briton card, Paul?


message 4: by Meredith (new) - rated it 4 stars
Aug 01, 2010 09:18AM

Meredith Holley Oh, but there's that one part with the evil orphanage lady and the beadle that makes the whole book worth it.


message 5: by Ollie (new) - rated it 2 stars
Jan 29, 2012 05:11PM

Ollie Too funny! :-)


message 6: by Michael (new) - rated it 4 stars
Mar 09, 2012 11:15PM

Michael It is again brought home to me that our human family is gifted by its diversity. I gave the book 4 stars. Personally, I have never been rich or poor and have lived a comfortable American life. Dickens, with this book and Great Expectations allowed me to have an insight into the lives of those in 19th century London and helped me feel grateful for the comforts I have enjoyed. I can only assUme he wrote some truth...mgc


message 7: by Paul (new) - rated it 2 stars
Mar 09, 2012 11:26PM

Paul Bryant oh yes, he did... as it's Dickens Year here in the UK I'm re-reviewing all these masterpieces.


message 8: by Michael (new) - rated it 4 stars
Mar 09, 2012 11:39PM

Michael I've read a few of his works and I am currently reading David Copperfield. I'm about 70% complete and will post my review in a few days. Bleak House is on my list, but it will wait till later this year. My next book is planned to be the Journals of Lewis and Clark.....mgc


message 9: by Martha (new) - rated it 5 stars
Mar 10, 2012 01:57PM

Martha Well, it's been many years since I read it, and I didn't see the movie. But, my memory of Oliver Twist was very enjoyable. I do have it on my "re-reads" list and maybe I'll pick up the movie too.


message 10: by Hazel (last edited Mar 10, 2012 09:00PM) (new) - rated it 3 stars
Mar 10, 2012 03:54PM

Hazel Ok, so maybe I won't reread this one. Marvellous music- but it's 'Who will buy this wonderful morning?' I used to know it by heart. Couldn't hit the high notes, but loved that song! (Wouldn't it be loverly is My Fair Lady. :-)


message 11: by Paul (last edited Mar 10, 2012 05:20PM) (new) - rated it 2 stars
Mar 10, 2012 05:19PM

Paul Bryant What you do is transpose it to a lower key. Then you can hit the high notes. I think Who Will Buy This Loverly Morning is in Oliver. And if I remember right Nancy has a very poignant number called I'm Getting Murdered in the Morning. But I could be wrong.


message 12: by Hazel (new) - rated it 3 stars
Mar 10, 2012 07:44PM

Hazel :-)


message 13: by Martha (new) - rated it 5 stars
Mar 10, 2012 08:13PM

Martha Michael G. wrote: "It is again brought home to me that our human family is gifted by its diversity. I gave the book 4 stars. Personally, I have never been rich or poor and have lived a comfortable American life. D..."

I wholeheartedly agree with you Michael. That was very well put!


message 14: by Jasmine (new) - rated it 5 stars
Mar 15, 2012 01:19AM

Jasmine You're an IDIOT.


message 15: by Esteban (new)
Mar 15, 2012 04:28AM

Esteban del Mal Wait until you read his thoughts on Flannery O'Connor. It'll reduce you to monosyllabic insults.


message 16: by Paul (new) - rated it 2 stars
Mar 15, 2012 09:02AM

Paul Bryant I haven't been called an idiot on this site before. It's a first.


message 17: by Buck (new)
Mar 15, 2012 11:49AM

Buck I've been called an idiot numerous times on this site, but never by someone who gave both King Lear and Macbeth two stars, without condescending to review either one.

Anyway, welcome to the club. We've got t-shirts.


message 18: by Paul (last edited Mar 15, 2012 12:05PM) (new) - rated it 2 stars
Mar 15, 2012 12:02PM

Paul Bryant Do you think I should explain that this review is satirical? Maybe it's just too subtle. Doesn't seem subtle to me but I could be wrong.


message 19: by [deleted user] (new)
Mar 15, 2012 12:24PM

She's new here. Give her a grace period until she picks up on the generally friendly and satirical mood on the site and she'll feel silly soon enough.


message 20: by [deleted user] (last edited Mar 15, 2012 01:17PM) (new)
Mar 15, 2012 01:10PM

Despite the fact that it's obviously satire, and that Paul's rating is obviously a reflection of his own personal dislike of the novel? Really?


message 21: by Paul (new) - rated it 2 stars
Mar 15, 2012 02:08PM

Paul Bryant I see that my sense of humour is not completely shared by everyone! It has got me into trouble several times in my life, it is true. Here's another not entirely serious Dickens review by me just so you can check where my true feelings lie, should you be so interested - this one I rate 5 stars....

Bleak House!

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...


message 22: by notgettingenough (new)
Mar 17, 2012 10:11AM

notgettingenough I just found out FROM ANOTHER REVIEW that this wasn't serious. I don't get it. There was I was thinking this is SO true. Dickens needs better songs and -


message 23: by Richard (new) - added it
Mar 17, 2012 10:36AM

Richard You should review Pamela: Or, Virtue Rewarded or Clarissa, or the History of a Young Lady using this humorous method. Wouldn't it be loverly!


message 24: by Paul (new) - rated it 2 stars
Mar 17, 2012 11:44AM

Paul Bryant yeah good call Richard but like would that mean I have to read them like wow have you seen how long they are is there a graphic version there should be a porn version of Clarissa and Pamela maybe together in the same movie lol


message 25: by Richard (last edited Mar 17, 2012 03:50PM) (new) - added it
Mar 17, 2012 03:23PM

Richard Yes, I have both. Clarissa (in the unabridged version) is what my friend Shovelmonkey1 would call a kitten-squisher. Presumably that means that if you drop the book accidentally and a small feline is directly in its path, well... instant kitty-pancake.


message 26: by Sean (new)
Mar 17, 2012 03:43PM

Sean Calling someone an idiot is not the culture of goodreads.


message 27: by Paul (new) - rated it 2 stars
Mar 17, 2012 03:52PM

Paul Bryant well, if she took this review seriously then that's a fair point of view!


message 28: by Michael (new) - rated it 4 stars
Mar 17, 2012 06:35PM

Michael Well here I am again. I too, thought the review was serious, but rather than think anyone an idiot, I just thought it was a difference of opinion. You know what THEY say....an opinion is like a nose, most everyone has one.....mgc


message 29: by notgettingenough (new)
Mar 17, 2012 06:42PM

notgettingenough Sean wrote: "Calling someone an idiot is not the culture of goodreads."

Yeah, Paul. And you didn't even say anything bad about HP in this review. Fair crack of the sav, Jasmine.


message 30: by notgettingenough (last edited Mar 17, 2012 06:44PM) (new)
Mar 17, 2012 06:44PM

notgettingenough I've just had an idea Paul. You didn't invent Jasmine, did you? You weren't trying the old every insult gets a bunch of votes were you?


message 31: by Manny (new)
Mar 17, 2012 07:36PM

Manny notgettingenough wrote: "I've just had an idea Paul. You didn't invent Jasmine, did you? You weren't trying the old every insult gets a bunch of votes were you?"

Damn! It worked!

Well Paul, you won't sucker me that easily next time.


message 32: by Traveller (new) - rated it 3 stars
Mar 17, 2012 09:20PM

Traveller Oi, Paul, better stop getting yourself into trouble with serious readers of Dickens...tssk tssk, you naughty man you...


message 33: by notgettingenough (new)
Mar 17, 2012 09:52PM

notgettingenough Well. I don't know. Perhaps we are misunderstanding Jasmine altogether. Perhaps Jasmine's point is that Paul is being rude to the musical and how dare he and he is an idiot. Maybe she thinks Dickens in the original sucks.


message 34: by Traveller (new) - rated it 3 stars
Mar 17, 2012 10:23PM

Traveller notgettingenough wrote: "I've just had an idea Paul. You didn't invent Jasmine, did you? You weren't trying the old every insult gets a bunch of votes were you?"

Ok, I also had that thought, but you were in before me...


message 35: by Paul (last edited Mar 18, 2012 01:00AM) (new) - rated it 2 stars
Mar 18, 2012 12:58AM

Paul Bryant Outed! Paul in the week...Jasmine at the weekends. So now I have a true multiple personality disorder. In addition to the guy who wrote the above review and the Frankenstein and Gullivers travels ones, who I seem to have no control over - what will he review next? - now there's Jasmine. I have no memory of calling myself an idiot, but I'm not saying I've never done that, just rarely in print and in a female tone of voice. But what i can remember is this very charming young man who I met earlier this ---- gzzzrt! Recording ends.


message 36: by Michael (new) - rated it 4 stars
Mar 18, 2012 01:06AM

Michael Okay....let's all just sit back and listen to Pink Floyd on Dark Side of the Moon and relax. Drink whatever...smoke whatever...or swallow whatever makes you happy.....mgc


message 37: by Martha (new) - rated it 5 stars
Mar 18, 2012 02:20AM

Martha Michael G. wrote: "Okay....let's all just sit back and listen to Pink Floyd on Dark Side of the Moon and relax. Drink whatever...smoke whatever...or swallow whatever makes you happy.....mgc"

I'm drinking to that one right now, amen!


message 38: by Michael (new) - rated it 4 stars
Mar 18, 2012 05:27PM

Michael .......any Islay whisky will do, but the ones around Port Ellen are my delights.....mgc


message 39: by Beth A. (new)
Apr 18, 2012 04:31AM

Beth A. I'm brand brand new...and I while I enjoy satire to some degree i don't get dry humor and this seemed a bit dry to me.
i'm glad i read the comments lol! Side note,I definateley don't find satire amusing enough to enjoy Pride and Predjudice. Or maybe i could just care less about them and their fancypants lives.

Your review was much more amusing.


message 40: by Paul (new) - rated it 2 stars
Apr 18, 2012 08:56AM

Paul Bryant you could try Pride & Prejudice with Zombies. Dickens could do with a zombie mashup I think, might boost the sales. A Tale of Two Zombies... Our Mutual Zombie. Something like that.


message 41: by Beth A. (last edited Apr 18, 2012 05:19PM) (new)
Apr 18, 2012 05:18PM

Beth A. Nah...I don't think so...I actually debated about it when a book club was reading it. As a family show kind of person I pondered the gore..then stopped and thought if its basically the same book with zombies I still can't believe it will possibly make me like the characters any more. Plus i just prefer original stories.Thanks though!


message 42: by Bill (new) - rated it 4 stars
Jul 23, 2012 09:29PM

Bill You can't be serious, but this is a hilarious, entertaining review.


message 43: by mia (new) - added it
Jul 30, 2012 05:54AM

mia i can't tell whether you're just being sarcastic or if you're very serious about the no singing...


message 44: by Samia (new) - added it
Aug 09, 2012 06:07PM

Samia why there would be a song?its a sad story


message 45: by Samia (new) - added it
Aug 09, 2012 06:08PM

Samia but this is funtastic without songs also


message 46: by Paul (new) - rated it 2 stars
Aug 09, 2012 08:16PM

Paul Bryant without Got to Pick a Pocket or Two? or Who will Buy this Luvverly Morning?

I don't think so!

Mia, I confess, this is one of my very silly reviews!


message 47: by Scribble (new)
Nov 25, 2012 01:30PM

Scribble Orca I think you should have made the gentle jump first to Fooled, Gloriously Fooled before investing in the book, Paul/Jasmine/evil once-dead twin. This might have ameliorated your sense of inevitable let-down.


message 48: by Samia (new) - added it
Nov 30, 2012 10:44AM

Samia scribble are you mad?


message 49: by Samia (new) - added it
Nov 30, 2012 10:45AM

Samia i really think you are mad.right?


message 50: by Samia (new) - added it
Nov 30, 2012 10:45AM

Samia and paul i think you are also mad.dont you think?


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