Mankell’s new introduction to Oliver Twist in The Telegraph

If Henning Mankell had to list the top ten novels of all time, Oliver Twist would surely be one of them.

– It is as if he (Charles Dickens) was sent to this earth with the sole purpose of writing this book, Mankell writes in his new introduction to Oliver Twist published in the The Telegraph.

Mankell highlights the scene where young Oliver takes his empty bowl and asks for more food as one of the most revolutionary acts ever depicted in a novel.

– How many people have found courage and power from this act of defiance? It speaks simply of the resilient spirit of the poor. This scene is one of the primary reasons that Oliver Twist will live on – the world is filled with suffering children, who endure the same deprivations as Oliver, Mankell writes.

To read Mankell’s introduction click here.