I was a little bit skeptical about the Book "Jack Dawkins" by Terry Ward. As the blurb says what happened to "Jack Dawkins" after Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. And frankly speaking, I haven't read that classic. Terry Ward has taken the character of Jack and created a completely new world for us. I felt a strong attraction towards book cover while selecting this book, it was giving me feeling of Sherlock Holmes. So I thought of giving benefits of doubt to the book.
Book Blurb
After Oliver Twist intervenes to save Jack Dawkins - the legendary Artful Dodger - from transportation to Botany Bay, Jack embarks on what proves to be a perilous quest to discover his roots. Before he can say 'Fagin!' he's battling to survive a devastating flood and rescue beautiful black-haired, green-eyed Lysette Godden, the girl of his dreams, from the hands of murderous villains. Jack and Lysette, searching for Jack's parents, head to France and have an adventure there which tests their mettle and mutual love to the utmost and changes their lives for ever.Brilliantly and evocatively written, Jack Dawkins is a worthy sequel to Charles Dickens's immortal masterpiece Oliver Twist.Hampered by her tendency always to want what she hasn't got and an apparent inability to let go of the past, will Lucy ever find her elusive happy-ever-after? This witty, amusing, highly entertaining and fast-paced novel is sure to make you feel Lucy's dilemma, and warm your heart.
The story is written in Era when Britain was waging war or I would say defending against Napoleon Bonaparte of France. Fagni (a notorious gang leader) was sentenced to death. One of his helping hand was Jack, our protagonist. Jack was ordered to be transported to a remote place and not to come back for the next 10 years. Jack was waiting for his turn to be transported when one of his good deeds came to his help. He got a second chance due to Oliver's help and he was sent to the countryside to join a good man called Goddard. Goddard daughter had attracted Jack during his stay with them. Being free from clutches, Jack wanted to trace his mother and father. But things didn't go smooth, a dark past of Jack had attracted dark people in his current. Read the book to know more.
It is not easy to write a book in the historical timeline when you write something in your timeline, you are actually living it. You know language usages, slags, the price of stuff, culture and much more. But writing it in timeline more than 200 years, you need to recreate them with proper research otherwise it will come out as flawed. Thankfully Terry has done wonderful work in all such aspects. You can imagine yourself in the 1800s' when you will read the chapters.
Coming to language, it is a simple first-person (Jack) narration style in the present tense. 250+ pages book is tightly coupled to the to-the-point story. You won't find a single paragraph out of the context. Language usage is also straight and simple. Even middle grader can easily read the book.
This book has everything that a person wants - humor, satire, action, love story and mystery. A medium paced book, one can take during travel. I finished it in 3-4 sittings. Those who love to read classic or historical era book that this could definitely entertain them.
Ratings
- Cover - 4/5
- Concept - 4/5
- Characters - 4.5/5
- Overall - 4.5/5
The book can be found at Amazon USA and Amazon India
Reviews from other readers can be found at GoodReads
