NPR's Book of the Day
Allison Epstein's 'Fagin the Thief' gives a Charles Dickens character a second chance
Mar 25, 2025
Allison Epstein delves into her novel, which gives Fagin from 'Oliver Twist' a complex backstory. She critiques the antisemitic elements of Dickens' portrayal while exploring Fagin's challenging childhood and survival instincts in London's slums. The discussion also touches on the moral implications of Dickens’ work and the imperfections of his storytelling. Epstein offers a fresh perspective on identity and intent, showcasing how classical narratives can be boldly reimagined.
09:11
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Quick takeaways
- Allison Epstein's novel 'Fagin the Thief' reimagines Dickens' Fagin by exploring his troubled upbringing, transforming him from a stereotype into a complex character shaped by circumstance.
- The podcast discusses the anti-Semitic elements in Dickens' portrayal of Fagin, highlighting the evolution of literary perspectives and the need for more empathetic representations of controversial figures.
Deep dives
Reimagining Fagin's Backstory
The discussion centers on the transformation of Fagin, a character from Charles Dickens' 'Oliver Twist', into a more nuanced figure through the novel 'Fagin the Thief' by Alison Epstein. This reimagining dives into Fagin's early life, exploring his upbringing in the impoverished slums of London, which Dickens glosses over. Epstein reveals how the harsh realities of Fagin's childhood, including witnessing crime and abuse, shaped him into the person he becomes later in life. By shedding light on Fagin's origins, Epstein challenges the one-dimensional portrayal of him as merely a caricature, instead presenting him as a complex character driven by survival and circumstance.
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