How long is barnaby rudge

It is still exuberant and comic in places, but the posturing and sarcasm which sometimes seem almost overwhelming in early novels such as "Oliver Twist" are far less in evidence. It is altogether more controlled, better planned and consequently a more powerful piece. And it is well worth reading! View all 29 comments. Is this the least-read Dickens novel? According to Goodreads, yes. Only reviews on this one, with Martin Chuzzlewit a close second at The reason?

A silent adaptation was made in Crikey! Our Is this the least-read Dickens novel? Our prison is burning down! But I digress. It is what I do well. I am not here to write fluent, entertaining reviews with educational content. Or to take paragraph breaks. So what we have here is an awkward mash-up of the romantic Scott plots, detailed historical re-enactments, and the usual irrepressible Dickens comic mischief.

So this would seem to be for the most patient Dickens devotees. When it works it soars: the riot scenes esp. No popery no popery! View all 44 comments. Dickens's 'other' Historical novel centred round the 'no Popery' riots in the 18th century, including a romance and an unsolved murder from the past.

I found this nowhere near remotely close to the genius of A Tale of Two Cities ; my current lack of general knowledge around the 'no Popery' issues of the past didn't help. Oct 08, Manray9 rated it really liked it Shelves: brit-lit. I designated as a Year of Dickens with a challenge to read six works by the master of the 19th century English novel.

I chose Barnaby Rudge as the fifth book of the year for two reasons — one, as many Goodreads reviewers have pointed out, it is considered the least read of Dickens' novels; and two, it is one of only two historical novels in his body of work along with A Tale of Two Cities. The plot revolves around an unsolved murder involving the people of the small hamlet of Chigwell and I designated as a Year of Dickens with a challenge to read six works by the master of the 19th century English novel.

The story then moves forward to The same characters then become players -- some willing, others unwilling -- in the drama of London's Gordon Riots. The Papists Act of eased Catholic liabilities, but unscrupulous Protestant politicians used the act to arouse credulous elements of the population in order to advance their own political ambitions.

The riots were destructive and bloody. Dickens' portrayal of the Protestant Association leaders and their supporters reveals plainly his disdain for them. His appealing characters in Barnaby Rudge are straightforward and honorable Catholics and Protestants alike. Barnaby Rudge grew on me. One of Dickens' strengths as a novelist is his skill in quickly capturing the reader with his characters. He didn't do so with Barnaby Rudge. The plot builds over the first hundred pages before the reader becomes pleasantly entwined with Emma, Joe Willet, the widow, the stalwart Gabriel Varden, steadfast Geoffrey Haredale, the adorable Dolly Varden, Barnaby himself and his roguish raven Grip.

Likewise the villainous characters — John Chester, Hugh, the unknown robber, and Simon Tappertit -- take a while to show their true colors. The comic figures -- the cowardly Solomon Daisy, the witless Miss Miggs, and the foolish but manipulative Mrs. Varden -- are not in a comic class with those of Dickens' other works. While it is often amusing, it's rarely funny. Instead, Dickens created a cocktail of history mixed with drama, a love story, a dash of the supernatural, and a splash of Gothic horror.

Thinking I had made a startling discovery, two elements of Dickens' novel jumped out as portents of the works of Edgar Allan Poe. A little research disclosed, that while a revelation to me, critics and literary scholars have long noted Poe's debt to Dickens. He wrote a twelve column review of Dickens' novel in February of heaping praise upon the characterizations.

Poe's own talking raven discloses a gift of prophecy in his most famous poem written three years after Barnaby Rudge. There seems to be little doubt Poe borrowed his raven from Barnaby's Grip. Another presentiment is the description of the criminal Rudge's reaction to the alarm bell pealing after the riot at the Maypole Inn. My book was an older Penguin Classics edition with a fine introduction and descriptive notes by Dickens scholar John Bowen.

This edition contains a glossary of terms, a map of London, and six appendices -- including a brief history of the Gordon Riots. Most interesting, however, are copies of the original illustrations which appear throughout the book.

They were drawn by Dickens' colleague, Hablot Browne better known as Phiz , and augment the text perfectly. If you want a novel of Dickens' earlier period, I recommend it. View all 8 comments. Apr 25, Tristram Shandy rated it really liked it Shelves: classic-english-literature , historical-novel. Turgenev can count himself very lucky that Dickens, especially the younger Dickens, had a tendency to name his novels after characters that played major parts in them or were supposed to be doing so — Fielding and Smollett, and others, who exercised a certain influence on Dickens were not very creative when it came to finding titles for the novels — because otherwise the Russian writer would have had to recycle this title for one of his most celebrated novels.

Instead the novel is a lot about the relationships between fathers and their sons. We have four to five father-and-son-relationships in this novel, and in most cases they are, and remain, dysfunctional. The paradigm of an egoistic and mean father is John Chester, who has two sons.

His legitimate son, Edmund Chester, is regarded by his father as a kind of pawn he can marry off to a rich heiress in order to guarantee his own genteel living standard. In one of his conversations, Mr. Chester makes his attitude towards the bonds between fathers and sons rather clear: 'These family topics are so extremely dry […] It is for that reason, and because they have an appearance of business, that I dislike them so very much.

You know the rest. A son, Ned, unless he is old enough to be a companion—that is to say, unless he is some two or three and twenty—is not the kind of thing to have about one. He is a restraint upon his father, his father is a restraint upon him, and they make each other mutually uncomfortable. Therefore, until within the last four years or so—I have a poor memory for dates, and if I mistake, you will correct me in your own mind—you pursued your studies at a distance, and picked up a great variety of accomplishments.

Occasionally we passed a week or two together here, and disconcerted each other as only such near relations can. At last you came home. I candidly tell you, my dear boy, that if you had been awkward and overgrown, I should have exported you to some distant part of the world.

Therefore it will hardly come as a surprise that he has no feelings of responsibility either for his second, illegitimate, son, the ruffian Hugh, who works as an ostler at the Maypole. Still, I gave him very good advice. I told him he would certainly be hanged. I could have done no more if I had known of our relationship; and there are a great many fathers who have never done as much for their natural children.

Rudge, who is a murderer and a highway-man, and who has no disinterested feelings for his own son, the mentally retarded Barnaby. You cannot doubt it. Our son, our innocent boy, on whom His anger fell before his birth, is in this place in peril of his life—brought here by your guilt; yes, by that alone, as Heaven sees and knows, for he has been led astray in the darkness of his intellect, and that is the terrible consequence of your crime.

So rebelling against your elders requires some form of atonement after all, even in the case of Joe. In a way there is still a third example of filial rebellion, namely that of Hugh against society as a whole, which makes him a prominent leader in the Gordon Riots, whose religious direction of impact soon gave way to the rage of the poor and desperate against those who regarded themselves as their social betters.

I never knew, nor saw, nor thought about a father; and I was a boy of six—that's not very old—when they hung my mother up at Tyburn for a couple of thousand men to stare at. They might have let her live. She was poor enough. If he'd have been a man, he'd have been glad to be quit of her, for she had been forced to keep him lean and half-starved; but being a dog, and not having a man's sense, he was sorry.

One of the grievances Dickens recurs to is the exaggerated use of the death penalty, which was even executed on children who stole for want of food. In the character of Ned Dennis, the hangman — who was partly modelled on a real life person — Dickens concentrates his most acerb criticism of this gruesome and inhumane punishment. No wonder he rounds off his ill-deeds by betraying his former companions! Dickens may have had a certain amount of understanding for the deprivation and the horrors that drove people to rebel against an unfair government — just remember the two sons participating in the destruction of Newgate in order to save their father, who is waiting for his execution — but in the end his Victorian mindset embraced a paternalistic view of politics.

In other words, just as Barnaby was pardoned — through the untiring mediation of the benevolent father figure — by the Crown, he held it that social ills should be ameliorated by reform and through the organs of the state rather than by revolution and through grassroots movements. After all, it is the same apparently — as far as his own domestic circle is concerned — helpless Gabriel Varden who helped to forge the big Newgate lock and who did not give in an inch to the threatening crowd that wanted him to pick it.

By the way, the outcome of the Riots also helps to put Mrs. Varden back into her place and to restore the Varden family peace as if by magic. So even if Lord Gordon himself, who was responsible for the outbreak of the riots, is not portrayed as a downright evil and malevolent person by Dickens, the author yet makes it clear that Gordon was not really in his senses — and he also makes him partly the victim of a sly and egoistic secretary, who uses his own influence over the labile and gullible master.

Barnaby Rudge does have its flaws as a novel — it being meandering at times and often clumsy in joining the public and the private levels — but it follows its major ideas with a vengeance and shows that the author knew what he was doing, which cannot be said for every single one of his previous novels — I am especially thinking of The Old Curiosity Shop here.

Apart from that, with a character like Hugh, Dickens shows his skill at creating more complex characters; and neither should we forget truly Dickensian characters such as the grotesque Mr. Dennis, the overbearing Sim, the hypocritical servant Miggs and the likeable and genial Gabriel Varden.

View all 4 comments. Nov 12, Bettie rated it it was amazing Shelves: classic , dickensphenalia , published Have fair roared with laughter at some of the character descriptions notably Miggs and her mistress.

George Gordon is perfect Punch cartoon and star of it all is the Raven. Don't be put off by 'them' telling you that a story is 'lesser' when the 'lesser' of Charles Dickens is far superior than anything written by 'them'.

View all 3 comments. May 04, Jessica rated it it was amazing Shelves: historical-fiction , own , theclassics , audiobooks , educational-challenge Barnaby Rudge, a book report by Jessica G.

Barnaby Rudge is a book by Charles Dickens, who is very famous for his many books. Even though Charles Dickens is very famous, and I have read a lot of his books, I had never heard of Barnaby Rudge until two months ago. Barnaby Rudge is about the Gordon Riots, which I had also never heard of. In short: Barnaby Rudge is a good book, and I am once again questioning my education.

I can see why people in America don't learn about the Gordon Riots, which happened during the War of Independence for us. But, for those of you who don't know, they arose after Lord George Gordon represented here as the most Punchable Lord in Literature tried to make it illegal to be Catholic in England, to strip Catholic citizens of property, and to tear down their "false idols and false altars. Homes and churches were looted and burn, people died, it sounds absolutely horrifying.

And Dickens does a stellar job of bringing it all to life. With his signature flair for character and description, he brings us a cast of heroes and villains, star-crossed lovers, criminals, and saints, and sets them against this backdrop. The style of the book reminded me very much, not of Dickens' other works, but of Sir Walter Scott's, Waverly in particular.

Definitely above The Old Curiosity Shop. View 1 comment. This was Dickens first historical novel - so it came before Tale of Two Cities - and is a cracking good read. Dickens, of course, is a consumate story-teller, but this piece is very finely crafted, with many layers and plots tightly woven together.

It starts slow, but when you look back you realise that is by fore of necessity: the groundwork is needed for the plot to come, he needs to introduce the characters, set them in their place, and lay the foundations for their interactions with each oth This was Dickens first historical novel - so it came before Tale of Two Cities - and is a cracking good read. It starts slow, but when you look back you realise that is by fore of necessity: the groundwork is needed for the plot to come, he needs to introduce the characters, set them in their place, and lay the foundations for their interactions with each other as well as the historical events he will portray: the 'Gordon Riots' of London, Dickens sense of character, of being able to clearly define a character in terms of attitude and even speech patterns, is legendary and it does not fail us here.

Even though 'Barnaby Rudge' gives his name to the book he is not the lead, but merely one of several characters who are equally as important to the story, and all are fully drawn except, perhaps, Elizabeth Haredale , though some more than others. The story falls into two 'halves' or parts, that are interconnected, but at some times seperate: that of the star-crossed loves and their families, and that of the underclass of London, both genteel and common, who will all have their hands in fomenting the riots.

Of those, Hugh and Sir Chester stand out as fantastically drawn characters - the detail, the clear vision he draws of them both is outstanding.

So too with 'Dennis the Hangman' and Gashford - all distinct characters with their own vices and voices. The riots in particular are fantastically well described, near horrifically so. For all he was writing for a nineteenth century audience, he does not pull his punches, and some of the details of the horrors the mob inflicted usually on themselves in their frenzy, it has to be said are really appalling, and do much to summon up the scene of horror he is trying to portray.

To say we have two 'would-be rapists' clearly presented as such would tell you much, and there is a genuine fear on more than one occasion that he is going to come dangerously close to describing such a thing - certainly the threat is very real.

The heroes are heroic and dashing, the villains are drawn so well as to be believable, not caricature in the least not like Fagin of 'Oliver Twist', for example, who is close to caricature - Hugh is a truly terrible, charismatic beast.

A very good read that I can highly recommend. Oh, and Grip, the raven, is just fantastic. Interesting that he was very possibly the inspiration for Poe's poem. May 29, Laurel Hicks rated it it was amazing Shelves: books-read-in , dickens-novels , books-read-in , books-read-in , audible , 0-kindle , , When a witless young man and his witty pet raven get swept into the furor of the Gordon "no-Popery" riots in the London of , you can be sure you're reading Dickens.

View all 10 comments. Shelves: books-you-must-read-before-you , historical-fiction , classics , read , e-books , victorians , history , mtbr-challenge , buddy-read. This is Dickens fifth novel and it was his first attempt to write an historical novel and was inspired by the Walter Scott's novels.

In the first chapters, Dickens describes the Maypole and introduces the main characters: Gabriel Varden with his wife and his daughter, Simon Tappertit, John and Joe Willet, Solomon Daisy, the Haredales, the Rudges and a mysterious stranger.

Maypole Inn in the village of Chigwell: A hint of mystery is also inserted in these initial chapters through the Haredale murde This is Dickens fifth novel and it was his first attempt to write an historical novel and was inspired by the Walter Scott's novels. Maypole Inn in the village of Chigwell: A hint of mystery is also inserted in these initial chapters through the Haredale murder.

And a black raven gives a gothic touch into the narrative. Just to remind that a black raven has a special meaning in literature. In some editions, the original tittle of this book was "Gabriel Vardon, the Locksmith of London. Page The despisers of mankind--apart from the mere fools and mimics, of that creed--are of two sorts. They who believe their merit neglected and unappreciated, make up one class; they who receive adulation and flattery, knowing their own worthlessness, compose the other.

Be sure that the coldest-hearted misanthropes are ever of this last order. Page So do the shadows of our own desires stand between us and our better angels, and thus their brightness is eclipsed. Page In the exhaustless catalogue of Heaven's mercies to mankind, the power we have of finding some germs of comfort in the hardest trials must ever occupy the foremost place Page 'All good friends to our cause, I hope will be particular, and do no injury to the property of any true Protestant.

I am well assured that the proprietor of this house is a staunch and worthy friend to the cause. View all 19 comments. Dec 23, Stephen Robert Collins rated it it was amazing. I am one few people who think this book is one of Charlie's best books It is not popular but My next book my other top one is Pickwick Papers his first book I am one few people who think this book is one of Charlie's best books It is not popular but My next book my other top one is Pickwick Papers his first book I had a tough time getting into this one at the beginning but it grew on me.

A typical Charles Dickens novel is generally pretty long and this one was long enough that it was bound to get a grip on the road sooner or later and I think it did.

We have all the eccentric, over-the-top characters with fanciful names that are often sly references to some characteristic or other.

This book is definitely not what you would call tightly plotted. I always figured the main character was the person who made the critical decisions and carried out the actions that decided the outcome of the story. Oxford Reference. Publications Pages Publications Pages. Recently viewed 0 Save Search. Your current browser may not support copying via this button. Subscriber sign in You could not be signed in, please check and try again.

Username Please enter your Username. Password Please enter your Password. Forgot password? Haredale as Mr. Bernard Brown Mr. Edward Chester as Mr. Edward Chester. Isabel Dean Mrs. Rudge as Mrs.

Raymond Huntley Mr. John Chester as Mr. John Chester. Richard Wordsworth Mr. Gashford as Mr. Esmond Knight Dennis as Dennis …. Angela Crow Betsy as Betsy.

More like this. Watch options. Storyline Edit. Hugh, finding a handbill left at the Maypole, joins the protestant throng Dickens describes as "sprinkled doubtless here and there with honest zealots, but composed for the most part of the very scum and refuse of London, whose growth was fostered by bad criminal laws, bad prison regulations, and the worst conceivable police.

Barnaby and his mother have been living quietly in a country village, their whereabouts unknown despite Geoffrey Haredale's attempts to find them. The mysterious stranger finds them and sends Stagg , the blind man, to attempt to get money from them. Barnaby and his mother then flee to London hoping to again lose their pursuer. Barnaby meets Lord Gordon-by Phiz When Barnaby and his mother arrive at Westminster Bridge they see a crowd of rioters heading for a meeting on the Surrey side of the river.

Barnaby is duped by the rioters into joining them, despite his mother's pleas. The rioters then march on Parliament, burn several Catholic churches and the homes of Catholic families.

A detachment lead by Hugh and Dennis head for Chigwell, leaving Barnaby to guard The Boot, the tavern they use as their headquarters, intent on exacting revenge on Geoffrey Haredale. The mob loots the Maypole on their way to the Warren, Haredale's home, which they burn to the ground. Emma Haredale and Dolly Varden are taken captive by the rioters. Barnaby is taken prisoner by soldiers and held in Newgate , which the mob plans to burn. The mysterious stranger haunting Mrs Rudge is captured by Haredale at the smoldering ruins of the Warren where he had gone to join the mob.

He was the steward of Reuben Haredale, assumed murdered by the gardener with whom he had switched clothes. The Riot-by Phiz The rioters capture Gabriel Varden, with the help of his wife's maid Miggs , and attempt to have the locksmith help them break into Newgate to release prisoners. He refuses and is rescued by two men, one of them has only one arm. The rioters then burn Newgate where Barnaby and his father are being held. All of the prisoners escape but Barnaby, his father, and Hugh are captured by soldiers assisted by Dennis, the hangman, who has turned to the other side seeing a bounty of clients now needing his special talents.

With the military patrolling the streets the rioters soon scatter, many are killed. Emma and Dolly are restored-by Phiz Joe Willet has returned from fighting in the American Revolution and has lost an arm. Joe, along with Edward Chester, turn out to be the rescuers of Gabriel Varden. The pair then rescue Dolly and Emma. Dennis is arrested and sentenced to die with Hugh and Barnaby. Hugh and Dennis are hanged, Barnaby, through the efforts of Gabriel Varden, is pardoned.

Joe and Dolly are married and become proprietors of the rebuilt Maypole. Edward Chester and Emma are married and go to the West Indies. Miggs tries to get her position back at the Varden household, is rejected, and becomes a jailer at a women's prison.