While in the middle of it, I wanted to go back and reread Dickens. This is the kind of book that will engage readers in history and most probably make them want to learn more.

It catapults him on route to a thrilling encounter deep in t he sewers with a gifted assassin. In the process of becoming her 'knight in soaking armor' Dodger finds himself mixing with the high and mighty of the times. Be assured that she is no damsel in distress in any traditional sense. ItĮmerges that she is fleeing from an abusive marriage that has political significance. Simplicity, is taken in and looked after by Henry and his family. Rescues her, two men, Charlie and Henry show up. Dodger emergesįrom the sewers to see a girl being attacked by two thugs. The novel begins on a dark and stormy night in London. He lives with Solomon Cohen, a Jewish clockmaker and jeweler, who attempts to guide him Tosher, someone who scavenges in the sewers of London in search of While many of the characters have lived and breathed, Dodger himself is a charming rascal - a modest superhero in Victorian This novel is what Pratchett calls historical fantasy.

Readers must abandon their belief in what is possible. The novel is full of adventure and suspense. At the same time he leaves us wanting to know more. Pratchett manages to educate the reader as he fills in the details of their existence to provide the backdrop for the novel. “There were two ways of looking at the world, but only one when you are starving.” The dark underbelly of Victorian England, that is, the life of the poor, is revealed in all its gore and glory. I suspect that only Terry Pratchett could do this and pull it off with such dour playfulness. Even the fictional Sweeney Todd makes an appearance. I liked the placing of his character in Victorian England wherein he meets up with many significant actors of the era including, Charles Dickens, Henry Mayhew, Angela Burdett-Coutts, Benjamin Disraeli and Robert Peel. I liked as always Pratchett's wry wit and satirical comments on life. If Nation is a full course meal, Dodger is a delicious satisfying snack. That said, it is still a delightful romp. While an entertaining read, (in my mind it is impossible for Terry Pratchett to write anything that isn't entertaining ) it is not of the mind blowing caliber that Nation is.

However, the problem with having written a book that powerful, is that everything a reader reads afterwards will be compared to it.ĭodger is another Michael Printz honor book. It was an honor book for the Michael Printz award and I find anything that gets close to winning is worth reading. I first came to reading Terry Pratchett through his novel, Nation. If you have never read anything by Terry Pratchett, you are living an impoverished life.

Dodger by Terry Pratchett