Can you believe it?

Time again for December Dickens! As the years keep passing, things keep changing, but one thing remains constant: the cozy experience of snuggling up with a Dickens novel in December.

Let the adventure begin...

Somehow, I have to admit that by breaking a tradition, finishing this particular Dickens did not immediately make it my favorite. It contains all the elements of a classic Dickens work, and I liked it well enough. Some characters appealed to me more than others, but for me, the emotional spark was lacking. It was a fine novel, but I missed the superlatives that usually come to mind when summarizing all the twists and turns of a Dickensian narrative. I longed for the outrageously awful villains and the hilariously funny sidekicks.

When I have read my last Dickens (Erwin Drood, scheduled for December 2023), this one most definitely won't be my first choice for a reread.

But I am still glad I read it anyway, as it filled me with the joy that only Dickens' sentences can provide!

Barnaby Rudge is a captivating historical novel that is firmly set in the eighteenth century. It delves deep into the events of the anti-Catholic Gordon Riots of 1780. Chesterton's insights into Dickens' choice of this particular historical period are truly fascinating. He remarks that Dickens' two historical novels, namely A Tale of Two Cities and Barnaby Rudge, both center around the theme of revolutions in the eighteenth century. While A Tale of Two Cities focuses on the French Revolution, Barnaby Rudge zeroes in on the Gordon Riots. Perhaps Dickens was drawn to these two historical periods because they were times when a mob could easily rise, whether it was in the name of the republic or for what Chesterton describes as "ignorant and obscurantist Protestantism".

The initial part of the novel beautifully unfolds the stories of various characters, some of which are masterfully crafted by Dickens. These characters come to life on the pages, each with their own unique traits and personalities. The second part then shifts the focus to the Gordon Riots themselves, vividly描绘 what happens to the characters during this tumultuous time. Barnaby, in particular, is a charming and picturesque character who has a raven as his pet. The son of a "complicated" family, he resides in London and somehow gets swept up in the Gordon Riots, almost like a Georgian Forrest Gump, a helpless leaf being tossed about in the wind of history.

However, I must admit that the novel didn't completely absorb me. There are indeed some powerful and engaging pages that draw the reader in, but on the whole, I had the impression that Dickens didn't fully develop the characters and the story to their full potential. One possible reason for this could be that Dickens was extremely busy at the time when he was writing Barnaby Rudge. Nevertheless, as Chesterton astutely points out, "it is a curious tribute to the quite curious greatness of Dickens that in this period of youthful strain we do not feel the strain but feel only the Youth". This shows that despite any shortcomings, Dickens' talent and the essence of his work still shine through.

Barnaby Rudge remains an important and interesting piece of literature that offers a unique perspective on a significant historical event.

Barnaby Rudge: A Tale of the Riots of Eighty was published from February to November 1841 in Master Humphrey’s Clock, simultaneously with the chapters of The Old Curiosity Shop.

At the beginning, everything is kept mysterious and very nocturnal, with a sum of secrets and unspoken things. The satirical and caricaturalelement is always very active, with a series of typical flat characters that are exaggerated. For example, John Willet, “the sturdy landlord” with “a large pair of dull fish-like eyes”, the fat, slow landlord who is almost catatonic, conservative, focused on profit and despotic towards his son. Or Mrs Varden, the bigoted Protestant moralist, despotic towards her husband in a passive-aggressive version, with continuous capricious changes.

And the taste for elaborate description from a point of view that allows the reader to see the characters for the first time is always renewed, renewing every time the small (sometimes not so small) surprise of knowing only afterwards who it is about, of learning the name of the person at the right moment.

For the entire first part, until the second beginning after an ellipsis of five years (to be precise, until chapter 35 out of 82), it seems that the story has nothing to do with the Riots announced in the title (those of 1780, unleashed against a less punitive legislation towards Catholics in England), which then instead become central. Much remains caricatural even when the political part arrives: not realistic characters but a great insistence on tics, defects, oddities; grotesque characters like Dennis (perhaps the most memorable: a professional executioner, a virtuoso of the trade, who continuously speaks with technicalities, aesthetics and values of his art, incomprehensible to the “profane” of that noble field; among the protagonists of the revolt against the papists because “My work is sound, Protestant, constitutional, English work”; a constant opportunity to display Dickens’ irony in its darkest and most accusatory version).

When the moment of the Riots finally arrives, the narration deplores them very clearly. But probably the best pages are precisely those, sometimes shining, where the crowd is the protagonist. Dickens the absurdist, who loves to paint picturesque characters for his readers who were waiting for the installments, manages to make one feel all the force, the cruelty, the irrationality, the attractive power and the unrestraint of the uprising.

And many other things should still be remembered. Let's mention two: 1) the chirping presence, sometimes a bit disturbing and sometimes just comical, of that “knowing imp” and “dreadful fellow” the raven Grip, the best friend of the “idiot” Barnaby (apparently the inspiration for Poe's Raven). 2) the brief preface of a chapter, perfect in describing the privileges of the “chronicler” as an omniscient narrator: “Chroniclers are privileged to enter where they list, to come and go through keyholes, to ride upon the wind, to overcome, in their soarings up and down all obstacle of distance, time, and place.”

I greatly enjoyed this novel.

It was distinct from Dickens' other works as it didn't utilize much humor. Instead of elaborately describing the characters (even though there was excellent character development), it focused on detailing the events.

This is one of Dickens' lesser-known novels and a historical one that depicted the anti-catholic riots in England. There were numerous moving scenes.

Some of these described the tragic life of "mad" Barnaby Rudge and his mother, and how Barnaby's insanity was exploited to coerce him into participating in the riots.

Throughout the novel, there were also love stories, descriptions of the terrible riots, and the lack of morality that can exist in the world, as well as many examples of various relationships - husband and wife, lovers, fathers and their children, to name just a few.

This novel provides an insight into human nature and the depravity that exists, as well as the goodness that God has bestowed upon us. If you are a fan of Dickens, I highly recommend this novel.

One of the last Dickens novels that I still had yet to read, this one is easily superior to The Old Curiosity Shop and, in my personal taste, Hard Times. It has that remarkable mid-period Dickensian essence. Even though the narrative seems freewheeling, you can sense him plotting with greater care. He hasn't quite delved into the territory where characters are made grotesque merely for metaphorical purposes.

Barnaby, too, is an unlikely hero. Despite the Victorian tendency to sentimentalize, he is often quite unlikeable. The scenes where the prison is stormed possess a cinematic grandeur and are truly unforgettable, building up to a nail-biting climax.

Dickens fans who have overlooked this work should waste no time and get to reading it! It offers a unique and engaging experience that showcases Dickens' storytelling prowess at its mid-period best.

The first of Dickens' two historical novels, with the other being A Tale of Two Cities, this work is not an easy one for me to read.

My main criticism lies in the large number of villains in this book. There are countless chapters dedicated to bad people engaged in scheming, lying, plotting, and hurting others. The good people seem to be overshadowed, not given enough space for me to fully enjoy this book.

Granted, the Gordon Riots of 1780 were a violent and dark episode. However, in some way, Dickens managed to handle a similar theme better in A Tale of Two Cities, which is set during the French Revolution. Both books contain impressively written mob scenes that vividly bring the chaos, horror, and violence to life.

Overall, this was a good and informative read, despite its flaws. It offers a glimpse into a historical period and showcases Dickens' remarkable writing skills.

Oliver Twist is not one of my favorite Dickens novels.

However, the detailed and vivid depiction of the anti-Catholic sentiment that was whipped up in 1780 England makes it a worthwhile read.

The author's ability to bring to life the social and political tensions of that era through his storytelling is truly remarkable.

Moreover, this novel also had a significant influence on Edgar Allan Poe, inspiring his famous poem "The Raven".

The connection between these two works of literature adds another layer of interest to Oliver Twist.

Despite not being my top choice among Dickens' novels, it still offers valuable insights into a particular period of history and has had a lasting impact on the world of literature.

Originally published on my blog here in November 1999.

Barnaby Rudge was initially intended to be Dickens' first novel. However, the triumph of The Pickwick Papers and his innovation of serializing novels in his magazines, contrary to the contemporary practice of publishing in two or three volumes, led to a delay of several years in writing a novel about the Gordon riots. Nevertheless, Barnaby Rudge still gives the impression of being a very early work.

The influence of Scott, as seen in novels like The Heart of Mid-Lothian, is rather evident. This is one aspect that distinguishes the novel as the work of a young writer. In his later works, Dickens has a unique style that is like no other.

The character of Barnaby is a good concept but not fully realized. A simpleton with a kind and trusting attitude towards the world, he becomes an easy target for those who wish to involve him in the riots as a sort of figurehead to conceal their own extent of involvement. The parallel with Lord George Gordon, whose naïve and extreme anti-Catholicism ignited the riots, is a nice touch. The Gordon family at that time was notorious for having less than ordinary sense, even bordering on madness. However, Barnaby is not entirely convincing; he is rather sentimentalized (which, to a modern reader, is Dickens' greatest flaw), and the attempts to create humor through his character do not quite succeed.

Barnaby Rudge is interesting as it allows us to see where Dickens began, and because the riots themselves are a dramatic subject.

A Dickens novel that is read relatively infrequently in comparison to some of his other, more widely beloved works. Nevertheless, his characteristic gift for wit, humour, and droll characterisation is present here, as is his unfailing talent for creating villains. When I initially read this many years ago, I was astounded by the Gordon Riots, having never heard of them before. On this reread, I found it even more thrillingly horrifying. I am certain that I will reread this again in the future and become completely engrossed in it all over again.

It is a pity that this particular Dickens work doesn't receive as much attention as some of his more famous ones. The story is filled with vivid descriptions and engaging characters that draw the reader in and keep them hooked until the very end. The Gordon Riots, which serve as a backdrop to the story, add an element of historical significance and excitement. Despite its lack of popularity, this novel is a true gem that deserves to be rediscovered and enjoyed by a new generation of readers.

Barnaby Rudge is clearly one of Dickens's less favored novels.

It suffers from being overly long and having a convoluted plot. The structure is rather awkward, neatly dividing into two halves.

The first half revolves around the frustrated loves of Joe Willet and Dolly Varden, as well as Edward Chester and Emma Haredale, along with the murder of Emma's father.

The second half focuses on the anti-Catholic Gordon riots of 1780. These two parts are connected by the impact of the riots on the various characters.

However, the characters, especially Joe, Edward, and Emma, are weak and conventional, making it difficult to become emotionally invested in their fates.

Even the so-called "Dickensian" grotesques like Sim Tappertit and Miggs are only intermittently amusing and quickly lose their charm.

The one somewhat successful character is Hugh, the mysterious thug who descends into villainy during the riots but attains a tragic awareness at the end.

Dolly Varden, the novel's most popular character, benefits from being contrasted with her flighty mother and jealous Miggs, giving her some substance.

The treatment of the riots showcases Dickens's talent for the sensational, but the vividness of these scenes clashes with the dullness of the novel's lovers.

The chief flaw, though, is Barnaby himself, who is an unconvincing portrayal of a mentally challenged person.

Despite its flaws, the novel is marked by Dickens's passion for justice and contempt for hypocrisy.

For American readers, the novel's time frame is rather odd, as it coincides with the American War for Independence, yet there is only a passing reference to this conflict.

Was Dickens, who was preparing for a trip to America while the novel was being published, worried about alienating American readers by highlighting this conflict?

This book is truly very powerful. It offers a fantastic reading experience that is both engaging and captivating.

I had forgotten a significant amount of what I had read previously, and as a result, it felt as if I was reading it for the very first time again.

The story is filled with rich details and complex characters that draw the reader in and keep them hooked from beginning to end.

The author's writing style is masterful, creating a vivid and immersive world that the reader can easily lose themselves in.

Overall, this is a must-read book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great read. It has the power to transport you to another world and leave you with a lasting impression.

I just composed a truly brilliant and extremely well thought out review. However, some glitch within the GR system deleted it. It's really frustrating. And now, I'm simply too exhausted to recall all the incredibly insightful things that I had said in that original review. So, unfortunately, a new review will have to be postponed for the time being. In a nutshell, the overall assessment was that it was good. But it's a pity that the detailed and thoughtful review that I initially wrote is now gone. I hope that in the future, such glitches can be avoided to prevent the loss of valuable reviews and feedback.