Barnaby Rudge

Description

One of the two historical novels Charles Dickens ever wrote in his career, Barnaby Rudge is considered to be one of the finest novels written in that era. Its descriptions, the way in which it sets the stage for the violent events of 1780, and the remarkable way in which Charles Dickens sets up the atmosphere at the Maypole Inn are all considered by critics and readers alike – even today – to be the imprint of literary genius.

Published in 1841, the novel focuses on the lives of people such as the John and Joe Willet, Solomon Daisy and Barnaby Rudge himself – the retarded son of a known murderer – and the way in which the Gordon Riots and anti-Christian protests have affected them.

In a disturbing and unexpected twist, Barnaby is arrested during the riots, considered to be the leader of a violent anti-Catholic group.

This exciting novel can be quite interesting and entertaining due to the detailed manner in which it describes the struggles of the individuals involved and the way in which the events change them, causing betrayal in some cases, while revealing strength of character in orders.

The negative characters are also presented to have quite impressive and complex personalities, and Dickens seems to leave nothing to chance while he describes the changing atmosphere both years before the events of the riots and the actual time when the protests begin.

Barnaby himself is quite an impressive character, despite all of his shortcomings, and the author is able to blend him in perfectly, both through more humorous passages and serious events such as the time when Barnaby and his father are betrayed and captured by soldiers.

Since the atmosphere and descriptions are the main strong point of this novel, you will certainly enjoy reading it again and again. It will quickly take you back through time to events of historic importance, whose effects on the life of common people are nowhere better described than in Barnaby Rudge
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