I would like to say a big thank you to Publishers Push and the author of this book Terry Ward for supplying me with a review copy of this book.

This excellent book by author Terry Ward follows the story of Jack Dawkins better known as the Artful Dodger in the Charles Dickens classic novel Oliver Twist

The story continues where Jack’s fate was hinted at in Oliver Twist presumably being sent to an Australian penal colony after being caught stealing a silver snuff box.

In this continuation of the Dodgers story, Jack Dawkins is given one last chance to change his ways narrowly escaping the punishment he was lined up for.

Jack is sent to live with a man called Mr Godden who gives Jack work to do on his farm, his beautiful daughter Lysette catches Jack’s eye and she soon becomes the new focus of the Dodgers life.

Jack Dawkins by Terry Ward is a splendid book that shows the Artful Dodger in a new light, the book shows the past criminal as a caring and brave individual who shows several acts of heroism throughout the story in order to gain the heart of the person he loves.

In another side plot in relation to the Dodgers parents we see an emotional side to Jack that makes you feel for the character and root for his success.

My favourite part of the book was the love that Jack felt for Lysette Godden, I love a good romance so this soon got me hooked on the story, I also really enjoyed the references to Jacks criminal past as well as some character appearances from the Charles Dickens book Oliver Twist.

Jack Dawkins by Terry Ward may be one of the best books I have read in a long time, it is an excellent take on the Artful Dodger that gives the character more humanity and in my opinion makes him more likeable, the author was very brave to write a story based on such a timeless character but he did a wonderful job and I will be look out for Terry Wards books in the future.

5 STAR REVIEWS FOR JACK DAWKINS’!!
Jack Dawkins, AKA as the Artful Dodger, wants to set the record straight about what happened to him after he was obliged to take up lodgings in Newgate Prison. Thanks to the genius of Lionel Bart, we all have a lasting image of him skipping away into the sunset, arm in arm with Fagin. Well, the young jackanapes is here to tell you that the truth is very different.
You don’t have to know your way round archaic words, history or the works of Mr. Dickens, because Jack has very kindly provided a Glossary that you can refer to as he relates in his own inimitable fashion, his encounters with an unusually erudite Bow Street Runner, murderous villains, turnkeys, philanthropists, Innkeepers, Owlers, passing strangers-and Miss Lysette Godden, the first human being he has ever loved. Strangely enough, Jack also reveals that, as he conducts what proves to be a highly dangerous search for his mother and father, he finds his true self.

I thought you might like to take a look at Jack Dawkins’ ghost-writer.
You can see more of both of us on the You Tube video ‘the spirit of the Artful Dodger’,
in which Jack does the decent thing by returning from ‘Mutton Pie and Porter heaven’ to give me a helping hand.

Thank you for reading this review of Jack Dawkins by Terry Ward

JACK DAWKINS- being the further adventures of the Artful Dodger’

 by

Terry Ward.

In which the Artful Dodger expresses his opinions on:

Fagin:  He reminded me of one of those ravens you see strutting about, frightening the pigeons.

Poverty:  ‘Youi ought to try living on the streets of London, summer and winter; it’s an education.’

Judges; ‘I can’t stand their type.  They’ll condemn an out of work man for stealing enough to keep his family alive, then go home to a mansion and a two-hour dinner.’

Army generals:  ‘Kill one man and they’ll hang you for it.  Kill a hundred thousand and they’ll put up a statue with your name on it.’

Romance:  Well, there’s kissing and there’s kissing, isn’t there?

Sex: ‘You don’t spend your life living in overcrowded warrens without noticing things you ought not. I’ve seen just about everything from life being made and born, to death having the last laugh, so you’d better think again about what I can and can’t do.’

Down on the farm: ‘Farming is a disgusting business. Horse dung, pig dung and

cow dung keep piling up in pens and all over the yard. It makes

me grateful that the two hundred sheep Mr Godden told me he

owns are doing it in the fields, otherwise we’d be up to our necks

in the stuff in no time.’

Fantastic reviews for

‘Jack Dawkins-being the further adventures of the Artful Dodger’

By

Terry Ward

ISBN  9784-1-911546-30-6

Widely available from online book shops

Foyles, Blackwells, the Telegraph, Amazon etc.