OLIVER TWIST

Wells reads this classic satire of the orphaned Oliver Twist with marvelous gender changes and Cockney accents. Overtones of artificial compassion color Wells's portrayal of two crooks who appear to befriend Oliver. Their tone turns to fierce cruelty after Oliver joins them. However, his portrayal of Mrs. Man from the workhouse brings tears of laughter as she sounds like she's speaking without her teeth. Already a classic, Dickens's novel is delivered with such realism that listeners will feel like they're experiencing events with Oliver. The audiobook is a wonderful way to revisit the land of classics. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/MAR 01]