
In the grim world of a 19th‑century workhouse, a tiny infant is born into poverty and neglect. From his first breath, the boy learns the harsh rhythm of institutional life, where even a simple request for more food can spark outrage. As he grows, the workhouse’s cold discipline pushes him toward an apprenticeship that feels more like a sentence than a chance for learning.
Escaping the bleak confines of his early years, the young orphan drifts into the bustling streets of London, where he encounters a charismatic street‑kid who offers a glimpse of freedom and camaraderie. Drawn into a lively, if morally ambiguous, crowd of pickpockets and thieves, he must navigate loyalty, danger, and the ever‑present hope of finding a place where he truly belongs.
Language
fr
Duration
~15 hours (921K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2005-06-07
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1812–1870
One of the great storytellers of the Victorian age, he turned childhood hardship, sharp observation, and a gift for unforgettable characters into novels that still feel lively and human. His books blend humor, suspense, and social criticism in a way that continues to draw in new readers.
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