Allison Epstein’s Fagin the Thief is a gripping and deeply human reimagining of one of literature’s most infamous villains. Fagin, best known as the cunning and sinister figure in Oliver Twist, has long been criticized as one of the most egregious antisemitic caricatures in English literature. Epstein’s novel seeks to reclaim his story, granting him a past, a family, and a soul haunted by ghosts—both literal and metaphorical.
The novel explores Fagin’s early years, his desperate struggle to escape the fate of his violent father, and his attempts to carve out a life for himself in London’s unforgiving streets. But can he truly outrun his destiny? Epstein weaves a narrative filled with tension, heartbreak, and a sense of inevitable tragedy. Despite knowing how Fagin’s story must ultimately end, the book is so compelling that it’s impossible to put down. His found family and the specters that haunt him add depth and emotional resonance, making him more than just the villain Dickens painted—he is now a man shaped by fear, survival, and the cruel hand of fate.
With evocative prose and masterful pacing, Fagin the Thief is both a riveting historical novel and a powerful act of literary reclamation. Highly recommended.