Fagin the Thief

A Novel

By: Allison Epstein

Narrated by: Will Watt

A thrilling reimagining of the world of Charles Dickens, as seen through the eyes of the infamous Jacob Fagin, London’s most gifted pickpocket, liar, and rogue.

"Fagin the Thief takes one of literature's greatest rogues and gives him a soul, a backstory, and a spotlight. Layered and clever, Epstein's story is as ambitious as it is deeply satisfying."—Rebecca Makkai, New York Times bestselling author of I Have Some Questions for You

Long before Oliver Twist stumbled onto the scene, Jacob Fagin was scratching out a life for himself in the dark alleys of nineteenth-century London. Born in the Jewish enclave of Stepney shortly after his father was executed as a thief, Jacob's whole world is his open-minded mother, Leah. But Jacob’s prospects are forever altered when a light-fingered pickpocket takes Jacob under his wing and teaches him a trade that pays far better than the neighborhood boys could possibly dream.

Striking out on his own, Jacob familiarizes himself with London's highest value neighborhoods while forging his own path in the shadows. But everything changes when he adopts an aspiring teenage thief named Bill Sikes, whose mercurial temper poses a danger to himself and anyone foolish enough to cross him. Along the way, Jacob’s found family expands to include his closest friend, Nancy, and his greatest protégé, the Artful Dodger. But as Bill’s ambition soars and a major robbery goes awry, Jacob is forced to decide what he really stands for—and what a life is worth.

Colorfully written and wickedly funny, Allison Epstein breathes fresh life into the teeming streets of Dickensian London—reclaiming one of Victorian literature’s most notorious villains in an unforgettable new adventure.

©2025 Allison Epstein (P)2025 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Fagin the Thief takes one of literature's greatest rogues and gives him a soul, a backstory, and a spotlight. Layered and clever, Epstein's story is as ambitious as it is deeply satisfying."—Rebecca Makkai, New York Times bestselling author of I Have Some Questions for You

"Magnificent . . . Epstein’s Fagin, rarely admirable but surprisingly sympathetic, is an unforgettable creation, and her vibrant secondary characters and depictions of Victorian London add to the novel’s power. Dickens’s fans and critics alike will love this."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Epstein captures the bravado and vulnerabilities of Jacob’s motley crew of orphans, and the gritty ambience of the alleys, cellars, and seedy pubs they inhabit. She brings to her portrait of Fagin—and even Sikes—a tenderness and empathy that renders them as palpable: men, haunted by loss, longing to be loved. . . a riveting narrative."—Kirkus, starred review

Outstanding

This story and its narrative performance had me in an absolute chokehold. I love the old story of Oliver Twist and in the way that “James” made Jim from Huck Finn a three-dimensional and unforgettable character that now seems completely organic to the original tale, so does Epstein succeed in making Fagin his own man and the character of Fagin will never again, for me, be anyone else but THIS Fagin. Never again will Bill Sykes and Nan Reed be anyone else but THIS Bill and Nan. Whew! I found this incredibly rich and moving and it will stay with me for a long time. Watt’s narration was spectacular. How do so many voices, accents, and intonations come out of one man’s mouth? He created a deeply immersive experience and I am one who normally has a hard time finishing audiobooks because there always seems to be something wrong in the voice for the story. Not here. Pitch. Perfect.

Therefore, send not to know for whom the bell tolls

Jacob Fagin, the six-year-old son of his good, smart, kind mother. Fagin, the fifty-one-year-old Jew, friend and father figure to unwanted children and adults alike. Fagin the friend, Fagin the son, Fagin the coward. Jacob Fagin the deeply flawed, haunted, staggeringly real human being. Fagin the thief.

It's a story you know, sort of, if you know Oliver Twist, but it's also a story of who Fagin was before Oliver arrived on the scene, and who he becomes after Oliver departs. It takes the villainous barbarism of Bill Sikes and gives him, against all odds, a beating human heart. Nobody in this story is pure sinner or pure saint, and Allison Epstein renders all of them into fully three-dimensional people, just trying to make their various ways in the world.

That life is perhaps Fagin's defining characteristic in his vow to stay alive at any cost. We expect our literary heroes to be selfless, self-sacrificing, but here is a man who is neither. Fagin is honest when it matters, ready to face death when he absolutely must, but not one moment before that. It's a trait any reader might recognize as their own feelings on the subject, and Fagin is no less heroic for it. He does what we all must, born into lives we didn't ask for: Fagin survives.

While Fagin the Thief would be engrossing in any format, Will Watt’s audio performance here is superb. He gives every character a distinct voice and brings the whole cast to life.

not Oliver!

I love the story and the voice. I would highly recommend listening to this book. I probably should read however twist now but I doubt that I will

A masterpiece — written and vocalized

Wow. Blown away. Also not surprised. The author is brilliant (follow her Substack for genius rifts on bad historical actors and just so many opinions).

Our local theatre produced Oliver not tooong ago, with a brilliant portrayal of Favin—made him come alive. And that’s what this book, and performance, does for a full picture of Fagin. What an imagination. What wording! And what a reading. The narrator and production are pitch perfect. I better see this book and audio nominated for awards. Not to miss.

The backstory to Fagin

Imaginative and atmospheric writing. Outstanding performance. Highly recommend. Truly enjoyed this book. Audible or book.

Superb story telling and performance

Seamless integration of Fagrin’s backstory into Dickens’ overall plot, enriching the depth of characters and the setting.

Absolutely Loved it.

I loved this back story of Jacob Fagin. It brings to life one of the main Dickens characters in Oliver Twist. Never having read Oliver Twist (but seeing the movie) I’m not sure how closely it parallels that book. The death of Nancy being one area this book differed from at least the 1968 movie. It was nice filling in the back story of Bill Sykes, Nancy, Bullseye, the Artful Dodger and getting a glimpse into the complex main character of Fagin. Expertly narrated by Will Watt this book was a pleasure listening to. All in all it so worth it. Five great big stars on this one! 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 (For Bullseye)

Brilliant story

If you enjoyed James, well, this is even better. The characters are very well developed while sticking to the outline and mood given by Dickens. Loved the storytelling.

Nothing to see here

Weak writing, predictable plot, not much one could call insight or surprise. These are the flaws of many a middling novel. “Fagin” gives us all of them, unselfconsciously displayed against the backdrop of Dickens. Alas.