Oliver Twist or The Parish Boy’s Progress, Dickens’ second novel, was first published between 1837 and 1839 in serial form. Dickens exposed the cruel living conditions of orphans in workhouses and the wretched lives of those who belonged to London’s dark underbelly, both consequences of the Industrial Revolution. There have been several adaptations of the novel, the most famous being the multiple Academy Award-winning 1968 British musical, Oliver!, directed by Carol Reed. The film was inspired by the equally successful 1960 stage musical, Oliver!, with music and lyrics by Lionel Bart.
