The Works of Charles Dickens: Barnaby Rudge (Part One) Vol. XXV.

by Charles Dickens

The Works of Charles Dickens in 30 Volumes

Genres: Classics, Fiction

511 pages, Hardcover

About the author

Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was a writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.

Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.

Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.

On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[GoldGato · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first of the two historical novels written by Dickens, but it is his least known work. The action takes place in 1780, the time of the Gordon Riots where fervent Protestant mobs rampaged across London in anger at the new freedoms awarded to British Catholics. There is the usual onslaught of Dickensian characters, the majority of whom are pure evil.

...all good things perverted to evil purposes, are worse than those which are naturally bad.

I really enjoyed this romp, as there are churchyards with ghosts and cozy pub-inns with blazing fireplaces and Grip the Raven, who is the best buddy of the title character. Dickens prefaces the story with some information about ravens (he owned two of them), and then concludes, "Since then, I have been ravenless".

Yes, there are coincidences where characters meet and their backgrounds only come to light toward the end, but it's all entertaining and very difficult to put down. Whether he is describing tenements as senior citizens or Father Time as a parent, Mr. Dickens delivers the goods.

This edition is a Gilded Age volume (1911), which means it ends in mayhem and requires the reader to pick up the concluding volume. 102-year-old paper never felt so comforting.

"Time does his work honestly, and I don't mind him. A fig for Time, Sir. Use him well, and he's a hearty fellow..."

Book Season = Autumn (brandy & hot water)

[Brenda Conry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in high school (on my own, no guided study) and I didn't really get into it. Now pushing 70 and aware of more about history and politics, I loved it. Not that it was warm and fuzzy, but so real. Set at the time of the Gordon Riots in London, Dickens out did himself in his portrayal of religious zealots, and mob mentality. The scenes of the riots were truly horrifying. As usual in his work, justice prevails, but not without fear, hardship, and loss to get through. His heroes and villains are pretty well delineated, but he gave some of them back stories that make you almost sympathetic with villains.
That's how you know it's fiction. Parts of this paralleled too closely what some of us are experiencing now. I hope for a happy ending and justice prevailing.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could be reading Dickens all my adult life. I think the best one for me is Bleak House. Bleak House was a TV series in 2005 and after viewing those episodes I read the book. I was not disappointed for the book was just as excellent for me as the TV series.

[Geoff Regan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strong start, and holds the attention fairly well, but lacks meaningful characterisation and doesn't seem to explain why anyone is doing anything they're doing.

[Rachel Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impossible not to love this.