Oliver lives with his older sister Charity and a neglectful father, in 1700's England. Charity leaves for London to seek a better life and future, leaving Oliver in the dubious care of his father. One day Oliver's father leaves for London without explanation and severe weather destroys Oliver's home. Oliver is taken to a Dickensian orphanage, from which he escapes, only to fall in with some thieves. Oliver, Charity and their father are swept away by the force of fate and the corruption of London to progressively more dire situations. I read this book because it received several starred reviews. I must say I wasn't thrilled. It had the same problem almost all of Avi's books have. It fumbles on the finish line. Once again Avi didn't manage to create a satisfying ending. (heavy sigh). The book does open one's eyes to the depravity of Victorian England. I think people who liked "A Series of Unfortunate Events" might like it. To me it is nowhere near the quality of writing of some of the others I have read lately, like Clayton Byrde and Beyond the Bright Sea. (304 p. 2017)
(I just realized I haven't blogged "Beyond the Bright Sea yet. I will get to that soon.)
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