Dominic is joined by the brilliant Dr. Emily Bell who digs deep into Dickens’ second novel: Oliver Twist; or, the Parish Boy’s Progress …

Emily is a Lecturer in Digital Humanities & Digital Skills at  the University of Leeds; and is an alumna of both the University of Warwick (where she read English) and York where she completed her MA and Phd. She is also Editor of The Dickensian and is a researcher and consultant on programmes such the BBC’s Horrible Histories and Homeschool History …

In this episode Dominic reads excerpts from not only Oliver Twist but there are also clips from his performance of Sikes and Nancy which was filmed during lockdown at the Charles Dickens Museum - the very building where Dickens’ actually wrote this astonishing book.

N.B. This conversation touches on some of the more disturbing themes in the novel - such as Nancy’s murder, Sikes’ hanging, and antisemitism - so just be aware if that’s something you might find difficult to listen to. 

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Host: Dominic Gerrard
Series Artwork: Léna Gibert
Original Music: Dominic Gerrard

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