Thursday, September 4, 2014

Dodger Review

Dodger

Book talk: Dodger earned his nickname for his ability to dodge out of danger and he's stayed true to his name.  He makes a living by finding coins, jewels, and other debris in the sewers of London.  One night as he's coming out of a drain he sees a lady in distress and rushes to her aid.  This sets off a chain of events that leads him to meeting Charles Dickens, getting a close shave from Sweeny Todd, and even attending a posh dinner party.  But when an international assassin is hired to kill him, will he be able to dodge him too?

Rocks my socks:  This book is chock full of interesting facts about Victorian London from Dickens and Disraeli to toshers and cockney rhyming slang.  Dodger somehow finds himself rubbing elbows with a variety of famous and infamous people from the era as he woos a damsel in distress and finds his way out of the gutter.

Rocks in my socks:  The characters are all caricatures rather than fully fleshed out individuals.  I'm sure it was a conscious decision on Pratchett's part, but it just didn't work for me.  I didn't really connect with any of the characters--which is surprising considering how much I like tricksters and kind-hearted thieves.  It was a pleasant and at times entertaining read but it wasn't a particularly moving or memorable one for me.

Every book its reader:  I'd give this to fans of Pratchett or anyone looking for a fast-paced romp through Victorian London.

Extras:

There's a well-produced book trailer for the book:




Source: Bookshelf store in Truckee, CA

Dodger by Terry Pratchett: buy it or check it out today!

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