Never have I enjoyed an audio presentation more than that of Focus on the Family’s rendition of Oliver Twist. In the struggle between good and evil, “little orphan Oliver” is caught in the crossfire, all the while remaining good and noble to his very core. Even the thought of hurting another human being pains him as he always seeks to do what is right, though he may not always know exactly what that is. Oliver’s story is set in a time when orphaned children were nothing more than a nuisance and a burden to society. So many of the people that Oliver comes into contact with throughout his journey see him as nothing more than a bug to be squashed, and many who do choose to keep him around only do so for their own self-serving reasons. The few good and kind-hearted people that he does happen upon are there to remind the reader that, even in a world covered in darkness, light always finds its place, shining ever brighter where love and compassion make a home.
I am an avid audio book listener. As a busy mom, winding down at the end of my day to a good audiobook relaxes me. I had never listened to one of Focus on the Family’saudio theater presentations, and I was excited to see what was in store. I was not disappointed.
The characters were perfectly cast and every detail, from the ringing of a bell to the shuffling of feet over a brick path, was executed at exactly the right moment. It was clear from the first minute of listening that a lot of time and effort was put into the presentation. I especially enjoyed the behind the scenes footage that came with the DVD that accompanied the book. It gave me an even better understanding and appreciation for those involved in making the story of Oliver Twist come to life.
The DVD also includes a brief documentary entitled “Modern Day Oliver”, in which several modern day orphans share their stories, the heartache they faced, and the famlies they found. The truth behind the story of Oliver Twist is still so real today, and the stories shared on the DVD only deepened my appreciation of Charles Dickens for having the courage to put this message on paper.
I would recommend this book for families with older children (12 and over) who enjoy great storytelling, peculiar characters, and lessons that promote further discussion and conversation. This is the perfect gift and is a treasure that I look forward to sharing with my girls when they are old enough to enjoy it with me.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Tyndale House Publishers book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are wholly and completely my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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