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Fagin’s Boy by Christina E. Pilz & Giveaway (US/Canada)

March 14, 2014 by Darlene

faginLet me start by saying that I have always had a soft spot for Oliver Twist, the young orphan boy who only wanted a better life. I’ve read the book by Charles Dickens and watched the movies so when I heard about Christina E. Pilz’s novel Fagin’s Boy I knew I just had to read it! Fagin’s Boy gives us a glimpse into what Oliver Twist’s life may have been like after he grew up and most surprising is she takes his life in a direction I didn’t expect. Fagin’s Boy, like Oliver Twist before it, will capture your heart!

Oliver is seventeen years old and it’s been five years since his time in Fagin’s gang. Gone is the young orphan boy with no hope for his future other than thieving. Under Mr. Brownlow’s care Oliver is a fine young man of good breeding but when Mr. Brownlow passes on Oliver’s future is suddenly in question. Up until now Oliver has been leading a pretty easy life but now he will have to find a job and make his own way in life. With the help of a few of Mr. Brownlow’s friends Oliver gets a position in a well known haberdashery.

At first his new position and home seems to be really good. After all he’s got a roof over his head, money in his pocket, and good food to eat every day. Soon enough though a big problem arises in the form of Jack, also known as the Artful Dodger to Fagin’s gang. He shows up in Oliver’s life and no matter how many times Oliver tells him to leave him alone he just won’t go away and this is putting Oliver’s position and his dreams of one day owning his own bookshop in serious jeopardy. Yet at the same time Oliver can’t help but feel the pull of Jack and his memories of the past.

It isn’t until Oliver’s employer decides to get an orphan boy to work in the shop that Oliver truly begins to question everything. In this orphan boy Oliver sees everything he once was and it drives him crazy. These workhouse boys are never treated well, not fed well, and really overworked. Oliver knows this is wrong and eventually is own emotions cause him to lash out at the boy furthering Oliver’s downward spiral. Things come to a head when Oliver’s employer does something that Oliver simply can’t look away from and Oliver reacts. His life is never the same after that and he has no choice but to seek out Jack and his old life once again.

I found Fagin’s Boy to be a really interesting take on what may have happened to Oliver Twist after his happy ending. In Fagin’s Boy we see a darker side to his story. He is so haunted by his past especially with the return of Jack when all he really wants to do is avoid it. Can we ever really escape our past though? Doesn’t it always come back to haunt us in one way or another? Fagin’s Boy is a beautifully written tale with vivid descriptions of life on the streets of London making you feel as though you are right there alongside Oliver! Well worth reading especially if you’re a fan of Oliver Twist but also stands on its own quite well!

 

Other tour stops with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours
Christina’s links: Website, Facebook, and Twitter
Buy at: Amazon, Amazon Canada, and B&N

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS  (US/Canada)

I have one paperback copy of Fagin’s Boy by Christina E. Pilz to share with my readers.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry to the giveaway just leave a comment.
  • Tweet, share on Facebook, or blog for 2 extra entries.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on March 29/14.  Good luck!

fagin banner

Source:  Digital review copy provided by the publisher.  No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are my own.

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Filed Under: 2014 - 100+ Books, 2014 ARC's, 2014 Book Reviews, 2014 eBooks, Historical Fiction Virtual Blog Tours

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. wall-to-wall books-wendy says

    March 14, 2014 at 5:26 am

    Heeeeey babe! I need to catch up with a few of your giveaways.
    Got snow? We do!
    Maybe I’ll talk to you later. Hope all is well!
    Loves, muah!

  2. Ann says

    March 14, 2014 at 6:05 am

    Interesting idea. Sounds like one I’d like to read.
    Ann

  3. Melanie Backus says

    March 14, 2014 at 7:21 am

    I am intrigued by this one and would love to read more.

    melback at cebridge dot net

  4. pearl says

    March 14, 2014 at 8:20 am

    Intriguing and fascinating. Many thanks.

  5. Diane says

    March 14, 2014 at 9:07 am

    Thanks for this unique feature.

  6. Margie says

    March 14, 2014 at 11:06 am

    I have read some Dickens, but never Oliver Twist. This book looking very interesting. Thanks for the giveaway.
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

  7. Margaret says

    March 14, 2014 at 11:09 am

    Sounds very interesting, I hang my head in shame when I confess that I have never read Oliver Twist or seen the movie.

    I have also posted on my facebook group page – JustOneChapterplease

  8. ellie says

    March 14, 2014 at 11:14 am

    Wonderful and interesting. Thanks for this giveaway.

  9. Rhonda says

    March 14, 2014 at 11:25 am

    Sounds perfect for me.thanks for givewawy will tweet@ rhondareads.

  10. KATHLEEN BIANCHI says

    March 14, 2014 at 11:37 am

    As other’s have mentioned, I too have never read Oliver Twist but I’m sure this book can be read and enjoyed without O.T..
    Fagin’s Boy by Christina E. Pilz & Giveaway (US/Canada) I tweeted

  11. JJT says

    March 14, 2014 at 11:49 am

    Sounds great. I also tweeted. https://twitter.com/readsalways/status/444530707453710336

  12. anne says

    March 14, 2014 at 1:18 pm

    I have read Oliver Twist but this would be a great pleasure.

  13. Denise Duvall says

    March 14, 2014 at 2:18 pm

    I tweeted 1:10 PM – 14 Mar 2014 @DeniseDuvall2 and shared on Facebook. Along with a Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist is my favourite Dickens’ book. I try to read it every Christmas. I am lucky to have found a very early edition from the 1840’s. It will be interesting to see how the author continued Oliver’s life.
    denannduvall(at)gmail(dot)com

  14. Patricia N says

    March 14, 2014 at 2:40 pm

    I would love to read this follow-up! I enjoyed Oliver Twist in both book and movie format.

  15. Patricia N says

    March 14, 2014 at 2:41 pm

    Tweet
    https://twitter.com/pmernick1/status/444574093866569728

  16. Katherine I. says

    March 14, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    I have read OLIVER TWIST but never seen a film adapation. FAGIN’S BOY should prove interesting, as I’ve always been curious to what might have happened after the point at which Dickens ended the tale.

    • Katherine I. says

      March 14, 2014 at 2:59 pm

      Annnnnd ….. I tweeted (https://twitter.com/kate_ivan/status/444578439803068416)

  17. Sandra Furlotte says

    March 14, 2014 at 3:21 pm

    I love the look of this book.

  18. Suko says

    March 15, 2014 at 11:10 pm

    Darlene, I have loved the story of Oliver Twist since I was a child. Fagin’s Boy sounds like a story that I would enjoy a great deal. Thank you for hosting this giveaway. I will add it to my blog’s sidebar.

  19. bn100 says

    March 16, 2014 at 2:36 am

    Interesting character

  20. bookworm says

    March 16, 2014 at 8:53 am

    Fagin’s Boy sounds like a great Oliver Twist spin off. It sounds fantastically written, glad you enjoyed it Dar!

  21. Laura Fabiani says

    March 16, 2014 at 8:40 pm

    I don’t think I ever read Oliver Twist or seen the movie although I know his story. Your review makes me want to read the original story.

    No need to enter me in the giveaway.

  22. Anita Yancey says

    March 17, 2014 at 12:58 pm

    I have not read Oliver Twist, but this book sounds very interesting and I’d love to read it. Thanks for having the giveaway.
    ayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com

  23. Anita Yancey says

    March 17, 2014 at 12:59 pm

    I shared on Facebook as Anita Yancey.
    ayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com

  24. Kim@Time2Read says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:03 am

    I always loved Oliver Twist! I’m going to have to read this one. Thanks for the chance to win it.

  25. Carolsue says

    March 24, 2014 at 11:41 pm

    I read Oliver Twist years ago and found it very interesting. I’d like to read this also!
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

  26. Carolsue says

    March 24, 2014 at 11:42 pm

    Shared on Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/MsCarolsueA/posts/660510330672798?stream_ref=10
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

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