Probably not Charles Dickens' most famous work(what with the existence of A Christmas Carol) but it's certainly still up there. Much of the narrative draws parralels from Charles Dickens' own life/childhood as a member of the English working class during the time technically just preceeding the Victorian era though it seems Oliver's story takes place mid-nineteenth century rather than early in it like Dickens' own childhood and young adult life(though in fairness, it isn't as if the twenty six he was at publication is approaching middle age at all). Like a number of his other works, Oliver Twist discusses class and the plight of the poor in a way that seems more directed at the upperclass who could more easily pay for things like newspapers and were far more likely to be literate due to more educational avenues being open to them. While parts had been written before, and the story ran in serial parts, 1838 marks the first time in was published as a proper volume.
“Oliver Twist.” The British Library, The British Library, 15 Jan. 2014, www.bl.uk/works/oliver-twist#.
“Charles Dickens.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 4 Mar. 2020, www.biography.com/writer/charles-dickens.