Dodger, by Terry Pratchett
Audio book
narrated by Stephen Briggs
Dodger is
a seventeen year old lad living in London in the early years of Queen
Victoria’s reign. He makes his living as a “tosher” (one who scavenges in the
sewers for anything of value that may be found there – usually coins and
jewelry) and occasionally as a thief.
Dodger’s
generally satisfactory life is given an unexpected jolt when he impulsively
rescues a young woman who is being beaten in an alley by two men. The young
lady who calls herself Simplicity ironically turns Dodger’s life to unexpected
complications.
Dodger’s
adventures take him from the underbelly of Victorian England and to the highest
levels of society as he tries to keep Simplicity safe from those who would harm
her.
Along the
way, he makes friends with Charles Dickens, apprehends the notoriously mad
Sweeney Todd, dines at the home of Angela Burdett-Coutts, the richest woman in
the world, and negotiates with Benjamin Disraeli, Prime Minister of England.
Author
Terry Pratchett is an expert at creating eccentric characters, delightfully
flawed heroes and heroines, and wildly entertaining plots. For Dodger, he has delved into the history
of London and presents a picture of life there in the mid 1830s.
This book
is listed as appropriate for readers 13 and up, but adults should not overlook
this charming novel. If you have a ‘tweener who has not yet discovered the joy
of reading books for pleasure, consider downloading the audio version of this
book on your MP3 player. Narrator
Stephen Briggs artfully brings the book to life.
This book
is especially good for boys. Although girls will enjoy it, you might consider The Wee Free Men or A Hatful of Sky also by Terry Pratchett, also narrated by Stephen
Briggs, and featuring a young witch named Tiffany Aiken.
