The Scent of Oranges by Kathy George

 The Scent of Oranges is a retelling of Oliver Twist from the point of view of Nancy – the most tragic of Dicken’s characters.

Nancy doesn’t remember how she landed up being a street child, but it was easier to pretend to be boy until she couldn’t any longer. Once she started wearing dresses, it attracted a whole new way of life she could earn money from. She didn’t like it but thought beggars couldn’t be choosers.

There is some memory of a woman; she thinks might have been her mother, but she needs to focus on the things that matter – Bill, the Dodger, and Oliver. And now Mr. Rufus, a new character, who dresses her up, tells her to pretend to be mute so the language she uses wouldn’t reveal her status. He presents her to his aunt while becoming very inventive with his lies about Nancy. All this is to serve his purpose, to be betrothed in order to get the inheritance.

With this new character, Nancy awakens to a new experience, exploring new dimensions to her.

It is a sad story, yet the character of Nancy still draws some warmth. She is honest and doesn’t think she could ask for much because of her background. She does what she thinks she is capable of with the circumstances she is in and nothing more, but at the end, she does show the growth. At first, she is very practical, not allowing any emotion to permeate her, but then with different encounters waking something inside her, she starts changing.

This retelling beautifully captures the light trying to get through the darkness. It takes one person or situation to change another human being’s perspective, to see the world in a different light. Even in grim times you can find compassion, and that’s what she displays when she takes Oliver under her wing.

The retelling is interestingly imagined with a new addition and a fresh perspective giving voice to a female character.

Released in January 2026 

Source: 360 Harper.