As Dickens goes, this was about the worst that I've read.

I ended up caring about none of the "heroes." In fact, towards the end, I found myself rooting for a couple of the villains. Why? Because they were the only ones who were even remotely interesting.

Lots of the main action, especially at the end, occurred offstage. We then heard about it in a second-hand fashion and not in much detail.

Lots of people say that even the worst Dickens is great. However, I feel pretty much the opposite. Except for Great Expectations, I tend to think that even the very best in Dickens has terrible and overwrought moments. Here, the balance tipped fairly strongly in that direction.

There were things in this book that I thought were really great, and I'm not sorry that I read it. But if it were the only thing he wrote, I don't think anyone would even know who he was.

It seems that this particular work of Dickens didn't quite live up to the high standards that many people associate with him. The lack of engaging heroes and the offstage action made it a less than satisfying read for me. While there were some亮点, they weren't enough to outweigh the flaws.

Perhaps this is just one of those rare missteps in Dickens' otherwise impressive body of work. Or maybe it's a sign that even the greatest authors have their off days. Either way, it's a reminder that not every book is a masterpiece, no matter who the author is.

The 5th book in my Dickens challenge

I think this book may be my favourite Dickens so far (although Mr Pickwick still holds a special place in my heart!).

It’s hard to summarise everything this story covers but it was varied and insightful and suspenseful and wonderful!

The full title is: “Barnaby Rudge: A Tale of the Riots of 'eighty” and it deals with the Gordon (anti-Catholic) Riots in London in 1780 whilst also following the fortunes of young Barnaby Rudge and other acquaintances of his. The tale contains mystery, supernatural elements, a thwarted love story and of course the chaos and violence of the riots. It’s a book that deals with almost every aspect of life and humanity.

I’m struggling to articulate my thoughts but I’ll try and break them down into something coherent.

SPOILERS ahead:

MYSTERY/SUPERNATURAL

The story opens with a tale of a double murder related round the fire in a cosy pub to a mysterious stranger - the perfect Gothic-esque setting! This tale becomes pivotal to the plot. We learn that young Barnaby Rudge’s father was one of the murder victims. Throughout the book this murder and its repercussions seem to haunt certain characters. Real or imagined ghostly figures appear throughout and play on the conscience and secrecy of those involved. The idea of guilt and conscience is thus examined and the experience of men labouring under suspicion whether real or imagined, deserved or not, is cleverly contrasted..

NATURE/NURTURE/FAMILY

There are wonderful characters throughout, and their morality and behaviour is often affected by their surroundings and upbringing. However, there are also instances when certain characters react in opposition to their familial background. The question of personal conscience or morality in contrast with inherited values and expectations is an interesting one.

Barnaby, described as “a natural” with impaired mental faculties due to his mother’s shock during pregnancy at the time of the murder, is raised in kindness and is one of the more honest and honourable characters, despite what we later discover about his father. Hugh, a wild ruffian with no known family, is violent and chaotic. Descended from gypsies and abandoned by his aristocratic father, his violent nature may be due to his mother’s fate and lack of a loving upbringing. Edward Chester’s father is perhaps the most insidiously evil character, yet Edward himself is honest and honourable, resisting his father’s influence. Dolly Varden is inconstant, vain and fickle in many ways, yet a faithful friend to Emma. Her father’s integrity makes her fickleness unexpected, although her mother’s moods oscillate wildly. Ultimately, Dolly’s good nature prevails.

There are many other interesting and well-developed characters but these offer the main contrasts.

GRIP/NATURAL WORLD

As in many other Dickens novels, rural or country life is portrayed as an aspirational, wholesome idyll, in contrast with the chaos of a city such as London. Barnaby and his mother seek refuge and anonymity in quiet country life. Animal companions are also interesting. Barnaby has his cantankerous and characterful Raven, Grip, at his side throughout and Grip is often portrayed as keenly insightful. Hugh has his faithful dog and even when faced with a violent fate, his last thoughts are of his canine companion.

RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY/MORALITY/MOB MENTALITY

Perhaps some of the most powerful aspects of this book are those that deal with people’s motivations for “good” or “bad” behaviour. Dickens does well to highlight the prejudice behind the riots and questions any “true” religious motivations. The discussion of the motivations for and the behaviour of the rioters is unfortunately still relevant to much of what is happening in the world today when ignorance and intolerance mix.

GOODNESS

Personal responsibility for moral behaviour is a prevalent theme. Gabriel Varden embodies this perfectly. He claims no strong religious motivation but behaves according to his own moral compass and conscience, thereby contrasting the hypocrisy and falseness of many of the other characters such as Sir John Chester, Sim Tappertit and Miss Miggs. Also Mr Haredale, although less likeable than Gabriel, faces his own personal dilemmas in how to act for the best. He realises that some measures are unacceptable, despite his belief he’s acting for the greater good.

FINAL THOUGHTS

There’s a lot more I’d like to say about this book but I can’t corral my thoughts very well. It was a wonderful read - very atmospheric, with superlative characters. Gabriel Varden may be my favourite Dickens character yet and Sir John Chester my least. Barnaby and Grip were a delightful duo. The portrayal of the riots was all immersing and got my heart racing as well as making me feel disgust for such horrific behaviour. In true Dickens style it all works out in the end but there’s perhaps a more sober ending for some than others. This was a worthwhile and thought-provoking read and sadly still relevant in today's world.

I haven't delved into a new (at least new to me) Dickens novel for a considerable number of years. The only reason I selected this particular one was because my dad, who is now in his nineties and has long since given up reading novels, constantly remarks on how much he relished reading it during his youth and how it's rather overlooked these days. I made up my mind to give it a try, yet I kept postponing the start as it's such a lengthy work.

Thankfully, I finally managed to get around to it!

The novel truly surpassed my anticipations, and I thoroughly savored every moment of it. As one would anticipate from Dickens, it features an array of vivid and colorful characters, along with some truly tremendous comic villains. Miggs and Simon Tappertit stand out as among the very best of them.

It's a wonderful old-fashioned story in which most of the characters receive their just rewards. Moreover, it also enlightened me about a specific period of English history that I had been completely ignorant of beforehand.

This reading experience has not only rekindled my love for Dickens but has also broadened my knowledge and understanding. I'm looking forward to exploring more of his works in the future.

Barnaby Rudge, the second serial from Master Humphrey’s Clock, was Dickens's first novel idea but published as his fifth. He conceived it along with The Pickwick Papers, yet was obsessed with the Gordon riots of 1780. Despite securing a publisher, Pickwick's popularity and contract renegotiations delayed Barnaby. He wrote three other novels first and finally, in late 1840, he made a deal with the Clock. In February 1841, the first instalment appeared.

The title is misleading as Barnaby is a small player who disappears for over three hundred pages. An earlier title was 'Gabriel Vardon, the Locksmith of London', which would have focused on a more major character. Although absent, Barnaby's treatment and actions form the moral and critical centre.

The Gordon Riots were an anti-catholic uprising led by Lord George Gordon. He created a Protestant Association to oppose a law absolving Catholics from taking a religious oath when joining the armed forces. He feared it would allow Catholics to form a coalition with those in Europe and attack or destabilise the British government. On June 2, 1780, a large crowd marched on Parliament and demanded a repeal. They attacked Newgate Prison, taking the locksmith hostage. After a week of rioting, 285 people were shot dead, 30 arrested and hung, and Lord Gordon was arrested and tried for High Treason but acquitted.

Barnaby Rudge shows the interaction of the real and the imagined, giving the work a frisson not found in Dickens's earlier works. Lord Gordon and other key figures appear, but most of the cast is imagined, centred around The Maypole near Epping Forest. A large cast of characters is introduced, and the first half is highly Dickensian with family secrets, murder, romance, criminals, wanderers, and a talking raven named Grip (influencing Poe's poem). By exploring village life, Dickens allows us to know the characters before the riots begin.

I was underwhelmed in the first half as it seemed to meander. But when the riots start, the novel takes on a new level. The prose is electrifying, and the action tense and rapid. The finest writing is in the final quarter after the riots, with powerful descriptions of Newgate Prison. I read late into the night, finishing at three in the morning as snow flurried outside.

Poe criticised the novel, stating the raven should have been more symbolic. Dickens seemed to set it up but then focused on the rioters, forgetting the nuances. This creates a problem similar to some of his earlier novels: they end poorly with a simple summary. I think Grip's symbolic purpose should have been realised.

In the end, Barnaby Rudge is an entertaining and exciting read, but it meanders too much in the middle and doesn't quite fulfil its promise. It is uneven, and perhaps we needed to know less about the people involved.

Up until this book, I have been an ardent admirer of everything I've ever had the pleasure of reading by Dickens. His works have always had a magical charm that could transport me to another world.

However, for some inexplicable reason, I gradually grew to develop a strong dislike for this particular book. It still contains the usual fascinating Dickensian character sketches that are so characteristic of his writing. The characters are vividly drawn and full of life.

But unfortunately, the story itself seemed to plod along in a dreary and uninteresting manner for me. It lacked the excitement and momentum that I have come to expect from a Dickens novel. The plot felt slow and拖沓, and it failed to hold my attention as firmly as his other works.

Despite this disappointment, I still have a great deal of respect for Dickens as a writer. His body of work is truly remarkable, and this one book does not overshadow the many masterpieces that he has created.

DNFing this for the second time…I may have overestimated myself.

Once again, the magic of Dickens has been accomplished.

His works have always had a unique charm that can transport readers to different eras and worlds.

The vivid characters he creates seem to come alive on the pages, making us laugh, cry, and feel a whole range of emotions.

Whether it's the poor and oppressed Oliver Twist, the kind-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol," or the complex and tragic characters in "Great Expectations," Dickens has a way of making us care deeply about them.

His stories not only entertain but also offer profound insights into human nature and society.

They make us think about the importance of kindness, compassion, and social justice.

Even today, long after his death, Dickens' works continue to be widely read and loved, proving that his magic will never fade.

Barnaby Rudge, a book report by Jessica G.

Barnaby Rudge is a remarkable work by the renowned Charles Dickens. Despite Dickens' extensive literary reputation and my own familiarity with many of his books, I remained ignorant of Barnaby Rudge until two months ago. This novel delves into the Gordon Riots, an event I had also never encountered before. In essence, Barnaby Rudge is a captivating read that has once again made me question the comprehensiveness of my education.

Anyway, I can understand why Americans might not learn about the Gordon Riots, as they occurred during our War of Independence. However, for those unfamiliar, the riots erupted after Lord George Gordon (depicted here as the most punchable lord in literature) attempted to make Catholicism illegal in England, strip Catholic citizens of their property, and demolish their "false idols and false altars." When his bill failed to pass, his numerous followers (inflamed by propaganda about the wealthy and crafty Catholics - does this sound familiar?) took to the streets of London. Homes and churches were looted and burned, people lost their lives, and the situation was truly horrifying. Dickens masterfully brings this entire event to life. With his signature talent for character development and vivid description, he presents a diverse cast of heroes, villains, star-crossed lovers, criminals, and saints, all set against this backdrop of chaos and turmoil. The style of the book reminded me more of Sir Walter Scott's works, particularly Waverly, rather than Dickens' other novels. From initially having no knowledge of this book to now firmly placing it in my Top Five Dickens Novels That I've Read So Far, above The Old Curiosity Shop and perhaps even - gasp - The Pickwick Papers!

As an avid reader of Dickens' novels, I had high expectations for this particular one. However, it turned out to be far from an enjoyable read.

It was extremely difficult to follow the narrative, and understanding the entire plot was an even greater challenge. The underlined plot, which was the Gordon Riots in Newgate in 1780, added an interesting historical element. These riots, also known as the 'No Popery' riots, were essentially anti-Catholic in nature.

Barnaby Rudge, one of the main protagonists, remained a mystery to me throughout the story. I never quite grasped his role or significance.

According to one critic, the novel attained a "Hogarthian" spirit. But for this reader, I was left disappointed. The story failed to engage me on a deeper level, and I found myself struggling to get through it.

Perhaps with a more in-depth analysis or a second reading, I might be able to appreciate the novel's merits. But as it stands, it did not meet my expectations.

1 star

With each Dickens book I read, I find myself questioning more and more whether I should continue reading him. It's possible that it's simply his older works that don't suit my tastes - and I truly hope this is the case - but my experience thus far has not been positive.

One of the main reasons for my dislike of his writing is the way he portrays women. Especially in this novel, most of the female characters conform to a demeaning stereotype. The wives are either shown as embittered by marriage, resentful, manipulative, and vindictive, or young, naive, and obliging. The latter, as exemplified by Dolly and Emma, is also accompanied by a constant emphasis on physical attractiveness. It was quite frustrating to read.

The novel was also far too long for my liking. I was really bored and felt that the premise of the plot (the anti-Catholic riots) wasn't written as powerfully as it could have been. Perhaps this is due to my expectations, but I didn't think the characters' motivations were developed enough or the build-up to the events was effective. Despite Dickens providing some insight into the pervasiveness of violence, which can affect any individual, the plot mostly seemed like a convenient way for him to demonize some characters. I would have preferred the motivations behind their participation in the riots to have been more explicitly explored.

Unfortunately, I really didn't enjoy this book. Perhaps I'm learning not to have too much hope for Dickens' older works.

This is truly a marmite book - you will either have an intense love for it or an equal amount of hatred. Regrettably, I found myself firmly in the hate it category. It took me a whopping four attempts to even get into this book, and as I continued reading, my irritation only grew.

I initially approached it with a glimmer of excitement because the premise seemed absolutely fantastic: a murder intertwined with the Gordon Riots. However, to my great disappointment, the riots themselves were dreadfully boring, and all the convoluted plotting was simply exhausting. The villains seemed to hog most of the page time, leaving me with no one to cheer for.

One of the aspects I truly adore about Dickens's writing is his remarkable character development. Sadly, in this book, it was severely lacking. We would briefly meet the characters, only to be whisked back to the villains. Then the good guys would make a brief appearance and be unceremoniously tossed aside yet again. Despite the significant amount of page time the villains received, they were also not developed properly. There was no character growth to speak of, and for someone like me who loves to engage with well-developed characters, it was incredibly frustrating. I reached the point where I simply gave up caring around the halfway mark. After enduring over 700 pages, I was beyond relieved to finally be done with this book. Barnaby Rudge was truly a major slog.

TL;DR: Who really cares? I just want these hours of my life back.

This is an unjustly neglected part of the Dickens canon.

It takes as its background the Gordon ant Catholic riots of the late 1700s, yet its concern is not truly religion. Dickens, in the broadest sense a Christian, was critical of both Catholicism and evangelical Protestants across his books. Here, there are some of his gloomy Calvinist cliches - which, while not entirely unjustified in Victorian terms, are still an irritating stereotype. If his Catholic characters seem to have more gravitas, they are not without fault - the hounding of an innocent man for murder, killing in a duel, and some joining the riots for the sake of anarchy and criminality.

Dickens' concern lies with intolerance, violence, and families. As someone who had a troubled relationship with his feckless father and, to an extent, became a troubled father in return, he presents us with two such scenarios here. His familiar criticism of the criminal justice system is much in evidence.

The title character is a mentally handicapped teenager who holds the key to a murder mystery, becomes embroiled in the riots, and nearly loses his life as a result. Whereas in David Copperfield Mr. Dicks' condition is deeply depressive, Barnaby's is a prelapserian childlike innocence that is tested and abused.

The climax, with half of London destroyed and Newgate stormed - one senses that Dickens, whose childhood was marred by debtors' prison, is seeking vengeance here - is thrilling. The book has only been filmed once, in 1960. If the BBC can do an excellent job with a patchy book like Martin Chuzzlewit, then it's time this one had an airing. Some good character journeys complete this underexposed classic.