Dodger

Those of us who have read the Discworld novels as well as the novels such as Nation, know that once Pratchett has taken a character into his world anything is possible. For some, it might be disappointing to realize that there was nothing magical in Dodger. That is to say nothing magical as in the Discworld novels. Knowing who Dodger is and knowing the brilliance of Pratchett one can only tremble with anticipation when holding the book in your hands. As is right the story plays out in Victorian England. Dodger is a young man in his early twenties and still very wise in how to move around London so no one sees him, be that in the sewers or in disguise, and a master at looking after things that are 'lost' in the streets. He rescues a girl from an attack and meets very important people, Charles Dickens and Henry Mayhew two men who are well known for their interest in the poor of London and their living conditions. The novel takes us into a world in the sewers built by the Romans and utilized by the toshers to move around London unseen as well as their hunting ground for money and other valuables washed down with the rain. It becomes clear that this novel is more of a Romantic Suspense than a true fantasy. It is true that Pratchett combines facts with fiction to give the novel that fantasy feel. For instance, we meet Solomon who has traveled through the whole of Europe and met Karl Marx and other historical figures. Dodger, meets Sweeney Todd, Disraeli, Charles Babbage, Robert Peel, Dick Turpin and we learn that Dodger's first name is Pip. Throughout the novel, allusions are made with the works of Dickens. One can only smile at the intended humour as you would miss it if you did not possess some knowledge of this era and the people mentioned in the novel. The humour lies in the fact that Dodger, who comes from the sewers moves up in status and start to rub shoulders with the prominent people of the Victorian age. Dodger in my mind is a Victorian Romance upside down. In the traditional Victorian and Regency romances, the characters are from the nobility and the stories follow their drama. However, Dodger focuses on the life and circumstances of the people in areas such as Camden Town and the Seven Dials. I had a good time reading Dodger and would recommend it to any fan of Pratchett's as well as anyone who loves reading about historical London and the people who made it a vibrant city.

It did take a while to get into it but Pratchett's literary genius is evident once the story gets going. Pratchett paints a pessimistic picture of London in the time of Dickens and Sir Robert Peel. The story follows a sharp kosher who will leave his labyrinth of waste to the world of Victorian A listers. A fantastic read with a crafty cunning plot that twists turns and takes you through a host of emotions

Never pick up a Terry Pratchett book, you will never put it down.