‘”Oliver Twist” novelist’ NYT Mini Crossword clue answer and hints

Have you ever read the works of English novelists who advocated for social reform? Today’s NYT Mini Crossword clue, ‘”Oliver Twist” novelist,’ asks you to uncover one of these novelists who is still well-known for their characters that have become cultural icons among people.

If today’s NYT Mini Crossword has you puzzled, here are a few helpful hints and solutions for the Sept. 21 edition to solve the word game. 

‘”Oliver Twist” novelist’ NYT Sept. 21 Mini Crossword hints and answer

• Hint 1: The answer is the last name of one of the famous 19th-century English novelists.
• Hint 2: The seven-letter solution is the last name of the novelist who wrote about social issues, poverty, and child labor in England.
• Hint 3: It starts with the letter “D.”
• Hint 4: The solution is who wrote other popular novels such as “A Tale of Two Cities,” which sold over 200 million copies.

Let’s jump in and reveal the answer. 

Did you see it coming? The answer to eight across in the Sept. 21 New York Times Mini Crossword is “DICKENS.” Charles Dickens is a popular name in English literature and he has written multiple well-known novels.

Oliver Twist is one of his works where the story explores themes like poverty, child labor, the criminal underworld, and the social injustices faced by the poor in Victorian England through the eyes of a boy named Oliver.

‘”Oliver Twist” novelist’ NYT Mini Crossword difficulty rating

I’m a big Charles Dickens fan and I’ve been reading up on his work since I was in high school, so this was a very easy solution for me. However, despite its popularity, Oliver Twist might be overlooked as Dickens’ most popular work with many likely remembering David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, or A Christmas Carol ahead of it. I’d give it a three out of five for difficulty.

NYT Mini Crossword (Sept. 21) answers

Across

• 1A Cover, as a birthday present—WRAP
• 5A Laid-back—CHILL
• 6A “Hawaii and Tennessee are the only two U.S. states whose names end in doubled letters,” e.g.—TRIVIA
• 7A Quit one’s job—RESIGN
• 8A “Oliver Twist” novelist—DICKENS
• 9A “Do unto ___ …” (start of the Golden Rule)—OTHERS
• 10A “Bye-bye!”—SEEYA

Down

• 1D What Maker’s Mark made its mark in—WHISKEY
• 2D Coastal region of southeast France and northwest Italy—RIVIERA
• 3D Puts in a row—ALIGNS
• 4D Social engagements—PLANS
• 5D Nativity scene—CRECHE
• 6D Lacking originality—TRITE
• 8D Two, in Tijuana—DOS

How to play other word games like the NYT Mini Crossword

Enjoy the NYT Mini word games? You might find the LA Times and Washington Post crosswords which are equally engaging. However, if you’re looking to think outside the box then Strands and Spelling Bee are perfect for boosting your vocabulary.