The Scent of Oranges By Kathy George

Published: 25/09/2025

Genres: Historical Fiction - Fiction - Historical - Retellings

A retelling of one of literature's great novels, Oliver Twist, from the point of view of Nancy, one of the most sympathetic, most maligned and most tragic of Dicken's characters. For readers of The Good Wife of Bath by Karen Brooks.


Nancy has spent her whole life on the dark and gritty streets of Victorian London, first as one of Fagin's child pickpockets and now on the arm of violent and mercurial Bill Sikes. Nancy does what she must to get by. She's attuned to the harsh realities of life, but also knows how to find moments of beauty amid the grime.

When she embarks on a relationship with enigmatic gentleman Mr Rufus, it awakens emotions she's never felt before, and makes a better life feel possible for the first time. But when she takes cherubic orphan Oliver Twist under her wing, something even more elusive and appealing seems to be within redemption.

This captivating tale of love, sacrifice, and the battle between good and evil showcases the power of compassion in a world tainted by darkness.

Publisher information

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd
ISBN: 9781038959232
Number of pages: 384
Language: English