This edition of "Oliver Twist" is based on the Clarendon edition, which uses Dickens's revised text of 1846.

It includes his preface of 1841 in which he defended himself against hostile criticism, and includes all 24 original illustrations by George Cruikshank.

Stephen Gill's Introduction gives an account of the novel, and he also provides appendices on Dickens and Cruikshank, on Dickens's preface, the Newgate novel controversy, on "Oliver Twist", the New Poor Law and on thieves' slang.