Fagin The Thief

 Book: Fagin the Thief

Author: Allison Epstein

Pages: 336

This is my 51st read for the year

What Amazon Says:

Long before Oliver Twist stumbled onto the scene, Jacob Fagin was scratching out a life for himself in the dark alleys of 19th centur London.  Born in the Jewish enclave of Stephney shortly after his father was executed as a thief, Jacob's whole world is his open-minded mother, Leah.  But Jacob's prospects are forever altered when a light-fingered pickpocket takse Jacob under his wing and teaches him a trade that pays far better than the neighborhood boys could possibly dream.  Striking out on his own, Jacob familiarizes himself with London's highest value neighborhoods while forging his own path in the shadows.  But everthing changes when he adopts an aspiring teenage thief named Bill Sikes, whose mercurial temper poses a dnager to himself and anyone foolish enough to cross him.  Along the way, Jacob's found family expands to include his closest friend, Nancy, and his greatest protege, the Artful Dodger.  But as Bill's ambition soars and a major robbery goes awry, Jacob is forced to decide what he really stands for-and what a life is worth.  

This book was just okay.  My husabnd bought it because we both have been enjoying "The Artful Dodger" on Disney for a few seasons.  However, Fagin is my least favorite character on that show, and this book is a replication of that.  Also - the Artful Dodger is only a very small part of this story.  I finished it, but found it dry and boring.

Stars: 2.5