From Booklist
*Starred Review* On a stormy night in early Victorian London, an able young man named Dodger rises from the sewers in response to a scream, fights off two thugs, and rescues a damsel in distress. Dodger continues to rise throughout the novel, as his love for the mysterious lady motivates this tosher (scavenger for lost coins and other treasures in London’s sewers) to elevate himself and leads him to a closer acquaintance with a string of historical figures, including Dickens, Disraeli, and ultimately, the queen and her consort. While most writers would be well advised not to include such characters in their books, Pratchett manages to humanize them without diminishing them or throwing the story off-kilter. However lowly Dodger’s origins, he remains the most memorable character in the book. Living by his wits and unencumbered by conventional morality, this trickster hero expertly navigates the underbelly of his city as he carries out a bizarre scheme resulting in justice and mercy. The temptation to quote sentences, whole paragraphs, and possibly entire chapters is almost irresistible, because the pleasure of reading the novel is in the language as much as in the characters and well-researched period setting. Often amusing, this Victorian romp of a novel is lovingly crafted and completely enjoyable. Grades 8-12. --Carolyn Phelan
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Review
“Superb.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review))
“Compulsively readable.” (Washington Post)
“Lovingly crafted and completely enjoyable. The temptation to quote sentences, whole paragraphs, and possibly entire chapters is almost irresistible.” (Booklist (starred review))
“It’s a glittering conjuring act, but there’s real heart here, too.” (Horn Book (starred review))
“Pratchett does a bang-up job of re-creating Old London, complete with pathos, humor, and danger, all narrated in Dodger’s unique voice.” (School Library Journal (starred review))
“Masterful. Unexpected, drily funny and full of the pathos and wonder of life: Don’t miss it.” (Kirkus Reviews)
“Pratchett weaves fact and fiction seamlessly....Genius.” (Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review))
“A masterwork from a treasure and hero of a writer, and it will delight you.” (Cory Doctorow, New York Times Bestselling author)
“Ebullient, funny and delightful.” (The Guardian)
“Wonderful.” (Daily Mail (London))
“Fresh, vibrant and full of energy, a triumph.” (SFX (UK))
“Masterly and entertaining.” (Children’s Book of the Week) (Sunday Times (London))
PRAISE FOR THE NOVELS OF TERRY PRATCHETT:“Exuberant and irresistible.” (Washington Post)
“Fun and fantastic and thoughtful.” (Chicago Tribune)
“Passionately wise, spectacularly hilarious, and surpassingly humane.” (Kirkus Reviews (starred review))
“Moving and highly satisfactory.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review))
“Pratchett combines gut-busting humor and genuine poignancy.” (School Library Journal (starred review))
“Thrilling, humorous, moving, and most wise.” (Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (Starred Review))
See all Editorial Reviews