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Title: Jack Dawkins
Author: Charlton Daines
Narrator: Tony Cleary
Format: Unabridged
Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
Language: English
Release date: 09-19-17
Publisher: Golbin Publishing
Genres: Fiction, Historical
Publisher's Summary:
Jack Dawkins, once known as the Artful Dodger in the streets of London, was sent to Australia on a prison ship when he was little more than a boy. Now he has returned to find that London has changed while the boy has turned into a man.
With few prospects provided by his criminal past and having developed mannerisms that allow him to move amongst a higher strata of society, Jack turns his back on the streets that would have primed him as a successor to the murderer, Bill Sikes, and quickly remodels himself as a gentleman thief.
New acquaintances and a series of chance encounters, including one with his old friend Oliver, create complications as remnants of his past come back to plague him. Jack is forced to struggle for a balance between his new life and memories that haunt him with visions of the derelict tavern where Nancy used to sing.
Members Reviews:
dodger
Great book
Say it again Jack
What a brilliant idea for a novel. Jack Dawkins aka The Artful Dodger, created by Charles Dickens, is brought out of enforced retirement and brought to life again by Charlton Daines.
Not many authors would dare to attempt this, effectively walking in the steps of the legendary Dickens. Well, Daines does and he succeeds admirably, continuing the story of Oliver by releasing Dawkins to roam the streets of London afresh.
Apparently he has not wasted his time in the Australian nick, and learned a set of toff skills that enable him to move effortlessly within the higher echelons of society. Combine these skills with his existing penchant for thieving, and Dawkins no longer needs to eke out a dismal living in the backstreets of London.
Oh no. Heâs now fully equipped to succeed as a gentleman thief.
But he canât fully turn his back on the past and nostalgic tugs enable the reader to occasionally visit the memory of his old haunts and old friends such as Nancy. Indeed, Oliver is also re-introduced in the flesh.
The Artful Dodger may still possess villainous tendencies, but he still has a heart and uses this to help street urchins, that continue to struggle in his old environment, to survive.
I can think of no greater praise than to state that I have always loved Dickens, and I love this novel.
If you like Dickens...
An attempt at expanding the work of a world class
author, such as Dickens, might label a writer:
a) Insane
b) Egotistical
c) Foolish
d) Delusional
I am happy to report that Charlton Danes proves that, as a writer, he is none of the above. His choice of main character is one most of us know by nickname yet know little about the character. Who doesn't know the name, `Artful Dodger.'
I am not qualified to speak as a Dickens scholar or fan but I have read most of his major novels and feel comfortable in stating that Danes has written his tale in a style that will make any reader of Dickens comfortable.
The book was well paced. It contained enough twist and turns to keep my interest peaked and my anticipation high and it has a true Dickensian ending.
I will not waste your time or mine with a synopsis. It is every thing you expect from a Dickens tale. If you like Dickens you will surely enjoy this novel.
Revisiting Old London
I must say--I am a Dickens fan--totally and completely. What I love most about Dickens is not the stories themselves--it is his characters and descriptions.
