Oliver Twist; or, the Parish Boy's Progress is a novel by English writer Charles Dickens, first published in book form in 1838. One of Dickens' most famous books, it follows the story of a young orphan, Oliver Twist. Born into a workhouse and then sold into an apprenticeship, Oliver escapes and makes his way to London. There he meets another young boy, Jack Dawkins, known as the Artful Dodger, who becomes friendly with Oliver, but only to entice him into joining the gang of pickpockets led by Fagin. Along with his new 'friends', Oliver gets caught up in the seedy side of Victorian London, meeting characters like the lovely Nancy, and the violent criminal Bill Sikes.