![]() ![]() The setting is clearly 18th-century London, but the narrative shows it without over-description. To keep the story exciting, the murderers discover Smith has the document, and Smith must use his wits and swift feet to stay alive.įirst published in 1967, Garfield’s story feels like a classic Dickens novel rather than a piece of historical fiction mirroring Dickens. He is rejected by a priest, a jailor, several inmates, and is finally taken in by a blind magistrate (because justice is blind) and taught by the magistrate’s adult daughter. Deciding he must learn to read, he hunts for a teacher. Smith realizes that he has stolen a document of great value, but he cannot read it and cannot trust anyone who can read. The murderers search the dead man’s pockets only to discover that what they sought is not there. ![]() The story begins with Smith following a country gentleman, robbing him, and then watching that man get killed. Smith adds to their income by picking pockets. Twelve-year-old Smith lives in 18th-century London with his two older sisters, who earn a living by altering and selling the clothes of the recently hanged. ![]()
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