Barnaby Rudge - Charles Dickens

Published by Collins: London and Glasgow, 1953.
Originally published 1841.

Barnaby Rudge is one of the lesser-known Dickens novels - I knew nothing about the plot in advance - but it is still a beautifully worded book (if you like Dickens, that is). Interestingly, despite having picked this book relatively at random as my next read, I was impressed by how many elements of the plot seemed to have parallels to things going on in the world presently.

This book is one of only two novels that Dickens wrote that were set historically (to him) - the other being A Tale of Two Cities - and the period in question is during the time leading up to, and including, the so-called 'Gordon Riots' of 1780, where Protestants in London were stirred up to riot against Catholics. Reading a book in which one group of a nation's population is provoked to riot against another group is something that is sadly already familiar to goings-on in the USA recently, but to then include a scene where the British Parliament is stormed by protestors... I was surprised how much that echoed the storming of the American Capitol building recently.

On a lighter note, on page 378, the character John Willet, being in a disagreement with some friends, refuses to shake hands with them in parting, rather putting in hands in his pockets. Dickens then writes: "The three cronies were therefore reduced to the necessity of shaking his elbows", something that also reminds me of recent times, and how 'shaking elbows' replaced shaking hands during parts of the Covid epidemic.

Aside from surprising connections to modern events, the story in Barnaby Rudge meanders a little, but is still an interesting one. The titular character, Barnaby, is a boy described as a simpleton (or 'idiot' to use the book's less modern-friendly terminology), but is barely a character for much of the book, before rising in prominence as the rioting finally gets underway. Other characters include the love-stricken Joseph Willet (son of the aforementioned John), Dolly Varden (the fickle and proud object of his affections), and various rioters, including the mildly villainous Hugh and far more villainous and sly Dennis, who, as a hangman by trade, is busy stirring others into acts for which he thinks his own trade will prosper.

As in many Dickens works there are numerous subplots and other characters, but most of these connect in the riots and their aftermath, with building tension as various characters face danger from the riots (especially Catholic characters) and others face possible execution for their parts in the riots. Up until the final few chapters it is unclear how many characters will actually hang, and whether in fact any of those facing execution will avoid it. Dickens has a lot of fun playing around with our expectations, and still wraps the book up in a fairly satisfactory manner.

I like all Dickens books to some degree. This was an easier read than some, and one I would revisit.

Completed 20 January 2021.

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