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Who Were The Real Oliver Twists?

Childhood Poverty in Victorian London

Lynn Hamilton author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Published:2nd May '24

Should be back in stock very soon

Who Were The Real Oliver Twists? cover

Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist exposed a brutal but commonplace system of child exploitation to Victorian readers. Conditions in workhouses, factories, and child criminal gangs posed lethal and daily hazards to children born to poverty. Several much-needed reforms took place in the aftermath of Oliver Twist’s publication. But what were the circumstances of childhood poverty in Victorian London and other English cities? And who were the real Oliver Twists? This book explores how nineteenth century laws and social institutions entirely failed to protect children born to poor and unstable families. Despite a horrible labyrinth of ten-hour workdays, illegal indentures, and forced emigration, however, many children overcame terrible prospects and thrived. Some of these remarkable stories of childhood resilience, innovation, and enterprise have been lost to the general reader. This book brings those stories back to light.

ISBN: 9781399054546

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

232 pages