Dodger by Sir Terry Pratchett

Dodger, Sir Terry Pratchett.  New York: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., 2012.  e-book, 263 pps.

The author may be found at Twitter: @terryandrob


The beloved creator of Discworld has turned his hand to historical fantasy, a genre at which he also excels.  Dodger is an alternate fantasy about Charles Dickens' character the artful dodger.  Also set in London, several real people who are dead can also be found in the pages of Dodger.  Charles Dickens himself, as Charlie Dickens the journalist, is there.  The Mayhews put in an appearance.  So does Sir Robert Peeler.  And very briefly, the Queen.  Because historical dates are adjusted a bit and Dodger himself is a fantasy, this book falls under the category of historical fantasy rather than historical fiction.

Dodger is a tosher.  He makes his living in the sewers of London, hunting up treasures that people have dropped through the gratings. There are rats down in the tunnels, sinister creatures, and a Lady.  Above ground, the River Thames sticks.  Her cargo includes more than a few dead bodies.  London itself is a mixture of the haves and the have-nots.  Dodger makes his way through all of it with a confident yet watchful swagger that comes from living on the streets.

sapphoq reviews says: Fans of Discworld, Terry Pratchett, and Dickens Oliver Twist are bound to enjoy Dodger.  Heartily recommended.