The story of the orphan Oliver, who runs away from the workhouse only to be taken in by a den of thieves, shocked many readers when it was first published. Dickens's tale of childhood innocence beset by evil, depicts the dark criminal underworld of a London peopled by vivid and memorable characters - the arch-villain Fagin, the artful Dodger, the menacing Bill Sikes, and Nancy, the prostitute with a heart of gold. "Oliver Twist"remains one of Dickens' best-loved stories, and is an ongoing source and inspiration for various musical and film productions. The latest film interpretation directed by Roman Polanski, stars Ben Kingsley as Fagin and newcomer Barney Clarke as Oliver. Martin Jarvis is one of Britain's leading actors, well-known for his many award-winning productions in the theatre as well as numerous television, film, radio, and audiobook appearances. "Oliver Twist" is one of his favourite novels and he narrates with great enjoyment and characterisation.
