The group on the whole thoroughly enjoyed reading Oliver Twist, in spite of initial reservations. The richness of the language and the humour particularly appealed. One comment was about the prevalence of orphan heroes in classics - Pollyanna, Heidi, Anne of Green Gables... There was consensus that not a lot has changed regarding attitudes to perceived 'laziness' of the poor. Beneficiaries are often characterised as unworthy even now.