《霧都孤兒》是狄更斯于1838年出版的寫實小說，是他的第一部重要的社會問題小說。這部小說以霧都倫敦為背景，講述一個孤兒悲慘的身世及遭遇：主人公奧利佛是個孤兒，從小在濟貧院長大，不知父母是誰。他在濟貧院中受了九年的折磨后被送到一個承辦喪事的店里當學徒，在那里受到虐待。他忍無可忍，獨自逃往倫敦，不幸剛到便被騙誤入賊窟，這是一個專事盜竊搶劫的團伙，為首的是老猶太人費金，除了少數頭目外，都是些被引入邪路的少年兒童。費金一伙用威脅、利誘、灌輸等手段，要把奧利佛變成他們的作案工具。奧利佛歷盡無數辛酸，幾經波折，最終被他父親生前的朋友從賊窟中救出，找到了親人，得到了遺產，過上了幸福的生活。

奧利佛是上流社會一個有錢人家的私生子。他年輕的母親在教區(qū)濟貧院里生下他后就辭世了。他在濟貧院里過著地獄般的生活。九歲時，他被賣到棺材店做學徒。在遭受了一次毒打后，奧利佛逃往倫敦，在去倫敦的途中又誤入賊窩。經歷了一系列磨難之后，他身世大白，終于回到了親人的懷抱。

Chapter 1　Treats of the place where Oliver Twistwas born;and of the circumstances attending his birthChapter 2　Treats of Oliver Twists growth， education， and boardChapter 3　Relates how Oliver Twist was very near gettinga place， which would not have been a sinecureChapter 4　Oliver， being offered another place， makes hisfirst entry into public lifeChapter 5　Oliver mingles with new associates. Going toa funeral for the first time， he forms anunfavourable notion of his masters businessChapter 6　Oliver， being goaded by the taunts of Noah，rouses into action and rather astonishes himChapter 7　Oliver continues refractoryChapter 8　Oliver walks to London. He encounters on theroad， a strange sort of young gentlemanChapter 9　Containing further particulars concerning thepleasant old gentleman and his hopeful pupilsChapter l0　Oliver becomes better acquainted with thecharacters of his new associates; and purchasesexperience at a high price. Being a short butvery important chapter in this historyChapter 11　Treats of Mr. Fang， the police magistrate; andfurnishes a slight specimen of his mode ofadministering justiceChapter 12　In which Oliver is taken better care of thanhe ever was before. And in which the narrativereverts to the merry old gentleman and hisyouthful friendsChapter 13　Some new acquaintances are introduced to theintelligent reader; connected with whomvarious pleasant matters are related appertainingto this historyChapter 14　Comprising further particulars of Olivers stay atMr. Brownlows， with the remarkable predictionwhich one Mr. Grimwig uttered concerning himwhen he went out on an errandChapter 15　Showing how very fond of Oliver Twist themerry old Jew and Miss Nancy wereChapter 16　Relates what became of Oliver Twist， after hehad been claimed by NancyChapter 17　Olivers destiny， continuing unpropitious，brings a great man to London to injure his reputationChapter 18　How Oliver passed his time in the improvingsociety of his reputable friendsChapter 19　In which a notable plan is discussed anddetermined onChapter 20　Wherein Oliver is delivered over to Mr. William SikesChapter 21　The expeditionChapter 22　The burglaryChapter 23　Which contains the substance of a pleasantconversation between Mr. Bumble and a lady;and shows that even a beadle may be susceptibleon some pointsChapter 24　Treats of a very poor subject. But is a short one;and may be found of some importance in thishistoryChapter 25　Wherein this history refers to Mr. Fagin andcompanyChapter 26　In which a mysterious character appears uponthe scene; and many things， inseparable fromthis history， are done and performedChapter 27　Atones for the unpoliteness of a former chapter;which deserted a lady most unceremoniouslyChapter 28　Looks after Oliver， and proceeds with his adventuresChapter 29　Has an introductory account of the inmates ofthe house to which Oliver resortedChapter 30　Relates what Olivers new visitors thought of himChapter 31　Involves a critical positionChapter 32　Of the happy life Oliver began to lead withhis kind friendsChapter 33　Wherein the happiness of Oliver and his friendsexperiences a sudden checkChapter 34　Contains some introductory particulars relative toa young gentleman who now arrives upon thescene; and a new adventure which happened to OliverChapter 35　Containing the unsatisfactory result of Oliversadventure; and a conversation of someimportance between Harry Maylie and RoseChapter 36　Is a very short one， and may appear of no greatimportance in its place. But it should be read，notwithstanding， as a sequel to the last， and akey to one that will follow when its time arrivesChapter 37　In which the reader may perceive a contrast，not uncommon in matrimonial casesChapter 38　Containing an account of what passed betweenMr. and Mrs. Bumble， and Monks， at theirnocturnal interviewChapter 39　Introduces some respectable characters withwhom the reader is already acquainted， andshows how Monks and the Jew laid theirworthy heads togetherChapter 40　A strange interview， which is a sequel to thelast chapterChapter 41　Containing fresh discoveries， and showing thatsurprises， like misfortunes， seldom come aloneChapter 42　An old acquaintance of Olivers， exhibitingdecided marks of genius， becomes a publiccharacter in the metropolisChapter 43　Wherein is shown how the Artful Dodgergot into troubleChapter 44　The time arrives for Nancy to redeem herpledge to Rose Maylie. She failsChapter 45　Noah Claypole is employed by Fagin on asecret missionChapter 46　The appointment keptChapter 47　Fatal consequencesChapter 48　The flight of SikesChapter 49　Monks and Mr. Browniow at length meet. Theirconversation， and the intelligence that interrupt，itChapter 50　The pursuit and escapeChapter 51　Affording an explanation of more mysteriesthan one， and comprehending a proposal ofmarriage， with no word of settlement or pin-moneyChapter 52　The Jews last night aliveChapter 53　And last