Our September Naija Book Club meeting brought us together to dissect Charles Dickens’ classic, Oliver Twist. It was an engaging session filled with diverse perspectives, and we had the special privilege of welcoming a guest, Immaculate, who joined the discussion all the way from Rwanda.
Trauma and the Cry for Help
A significant portion of our review centered on the environment the children in the novel endured. We noted that the characters suffered from a severe lack of love and care, constantly surrounded by bullies. This environment created a cycle of trauma where the children, desperate for help, often ended up inflicting the same pain they felt onto others.
Separating the Art from the Artist
We did not shy away from the novel’s problematic elements, specifically the anti-semitic tropes used in the portrayal of Fagin. We discussed how modern readers must balance this historical context. From my perspective as an African reader, I found that I could focus on the book’s core message and simply enjoy the story without dwelling heavily on the historical European prejudices it contained.
Mercy introduced another compelling angle regarding Dickens himself, pointing out that he was not exactly known for his strong personal morals, particularly noting his mistreatment of his wife, Catherine. This led to an insightful consensus: our literary idols often have “feet of clay,” but it is still possible to separate the creator’s personal failings from the creative genius of their work.
The Passive Protagonist
When analyzing the characters, Shadrach offered a sharp critique of Oliver. He found the character too pitiable and passive to serve as an effective protagonist. Rather than driving the narrative forward, Oliver often felt like a helpless child simply reacting to the active cast of characters around him.
Final Ratings and Literary Encounters
Despite the critiques, the club rated the book highly overall. Mercy, Chioma, and Immaculate all gave Oliver Twist an impressive 9/10. Shadrach rated it an 8/10. I settled on a 7/10—maintaining the famously strict grading standards of a Nigerian lecturer.
During our lighter moments, Mercy shared an exciting personal story about meeting Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. She had the opportunity to attend three separate book-signing events in Lagos last year to see her, highlighting how warm and welcoming the author was in person.
For our next session, we are shifting gears from classic Victorian fiction to foundational self-development. Our book of the month will be The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
