Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens is our final quarter husky read. It is the first of the two historical novels Dickens wrote (the other being A Tale of Two Cities), and is largely set during the Gordon Riots of 1780. The novel is Dickens's 5th published work and appeared in episodes in his short-lived weekly serial Master Humphrey's Clock from February to November 1841.
Source: Wikipedia

Charles John Huffam Dickens (7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English novelist, journalist, short story writer and social critic. He wrote 15 novels (one incomplete), many short stories including Christmas and ghost stories, several plays, nonfiction books, individual essays and articles.

Dickens is considered by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works were immensely popular during his lifetime as well as posthumously. Centuries later, his novels and short stories are sought after which is proof of their unparalleled popularity. Dickens was an influential writer who forced social reforms through his writing. Today he is recognised as one of the literary geniuses who enriched the repertoire of classical literature.
Source: Wikipedia

I'll be reading this. Who will joine me? :)

Another group I belong to will be reading this as well, so I'll be reading it for two groups!
It will the last novel by Dickens that I haven't read.

I'll be reading this one. Like Rosemarie, I think this is the only Dickens novel that I haven't read.

I'm going to try this one. I have the book on audio.

Is the group Victorians, Rosemarie?

This will be my 10th Dickens novel. I haven't read him for a while, so pretty excited.

I forgot to welcome you all. :) My mind is all over the place these days. :) So here we go. Welcome abode, Rosemarie, John, and Kathy! Here's to the hope that we'll enjoy the book!

Yes, that's the one, Piyangie.

Rosemarie wrote: "Yes, that's the one, Piyangie."

Great! See you there as well. :)

I'm reading Barnaby Rudge with audio AND Kindle book. I love to follow Dickens's words and listen to the character's voices.
Note: Orwell mentions in his essay "Charles Dickens" that the writer "had grown up near enough to poverty to be terrified of it...". I will be curious to read how Dickens shows us how terrified he was...through the characters in this book.

I'm doing the same, Nancy.

I started reading. I've quite forgotten how verbose Dickens could be, having not read him for while. Will have to get used to his style. :)

Piyangie wrote: "I started reading. I've quite forgotten how verbose Dickens could be, having not read him for while. Will have to get used to his style. :)"
Long descriptions (the Maypole + regular customers) - irritating kid Barnaby with his cheeky pet raven (Grip) and love triangles developing....standard Dickens's playbook. Good news...it is moving along quickly. :) Read/listened ch 1-6 today

Put my reading of this novel on hold...and will follow the read on "Victorians" staring on Oct 13th and enter my comments about the book on this thread as well.

Rosemarie wrote: "Another group I belong to will be reading this as well, so I'll be reading it for two groups!
It will the last novel by Dickens that I haven't read."

The same for me! I will be reading it following the Victorians! schedule but I will read the comments here as well.

I just finished chapter 32. The story moves fast and I'm hooked. How about you?

Ch 1-8: Long descriptions of Maypole Inn where the gossipers gather! We hear of murders committed in the area years ago. A stranger who visits Inn causes a commotion and unrest among the barflys. . Love triangles are developing: Emma-Ed and Dolly-Joe. Good to know who loves who! Enter Barnaby with his cheeky pet raven (Grip). Standard Dickens's playbook: Cozy village inn, gossipers, young lovers, stranger with face concealed and a quirky kid with a bird. Good news...it is moving along quickly
Keeping to the reading schedule on group "Victorians".

We are awfully quiet here. 😀

I plan to start listening Nov. 1st.

I've read about 20%. We've met a variety of characters. Edward Chester's father is the nastiest character. He's doing everything he can to keep Edward and Emma apart.
Gabriel Varden is a good character, married to a very shrewish wife. They have a daughter, Dolly, who is admired by Joe Willet, the landlord of the Maypole Inn's son.

There is often a "Good Rich Man" (...and its opposite) in positon of authority and who does behave decently. In BR it has to be Geoffrey Haredale Emma's uncle. He is kind-hearted man, he is especially solicitous for the welfare of Barnaby Rudge and his mother. His opposite is Sir John Chester. Selfish, lacking in compassion and concerned only with his own advancement and finances.

Nancy wrote: "There is often a "Good Rich Man" (...and its opposite) in positon of authority and who does behave decently. In BR it has to be Geoffrey Haredale Emma's uncle. He is kind-hearted man, he is especia..."

Very true, Nancy. I agree with you on George Haredale. He most certainly is the "Good Rich Man". And the opposite is the obvious Sir John Chester.

Piyangie wrote: "Nancy wrote: "There is often a "Good Rich Man" (...and its opposite) in positon of authority and who does behave decently. In BR it has to be Geoffrey Haredale Emma's uncle. He is kind-hearted man,..."

My TOP favortie "rich good man" is in Nicholas Nickelby: Charles and Ned Cheeryble: Identical twin brothers, wealthy "German-merchants" who are as magnanimous as they are jovial. - opposite: Wackford Squeers: cruel, one-eyed, Yorkshire "schoolmaster".

I just love those Dickens character names - Wackford Squeers!

I don't think I've ever disliked a character as much as I dislike Mr. Chester! He's such a slimeball!

I've just finished Chapter 32. There's a five year gap until the next chapter, which begins in 1780.
I'm reading two chapters a day, so I'll find out about the changes in everyone's lives tomorrow.
But I highly doubt that Mr. Chester will have changed much!

I just finished Chapter 25. I agree, Mr. Chester is such a villain. He's a manipulator.

There are quite a number of villains in Barnaby Rudge, but Mr. Chester is THE villain, the greatest of them all!

I'm going to pause on Barnaby Rudge for a bit. I need a comfort read - Barbara Pym's Less Than Angels.

Kathy wrote: "I'm going to pause on Barnaby Rudge for a bit. I need a comfort read - Barbara Pym's Less Than Angels."

Enjoy!

I'm already back to listening to Barnaby Rudge. I've finished chapter 38 which ends with Hugh and Dennis dancing the No-Popery dance.

I'm in the midst of Gordon Riots!

I just got to that part, Piyangie.

I finished Barnaby Rudge on audio, following along with the book at times to get character's names and read up on something I didn't understand. I liked the book, especially the "good" characters of which there are quite a few. The mean, lying, "no-good" characters - got what they deserved!

I appreciated the historical aspects of the novel which caused me to read a bit about the Gordon Riots.

Glad you liked the book, Kathy. I'm 10 chapters short of finishing the book. When the story changed pace with the introduction of Lord Gordon, my reading speed slowed but with riots it picked up. Dickens writes his stories well.

I've just finished the book. The last 200+ pages of the book were really good, but the first 400+ were slow moving and it took me a long time to get into the book.
Not his best book, but the ending made up for the parts that seemed to drag on...and on!

I finished the book as well. It was okay but not one of the best Dickens novels IMO.

Is anyone still reading this?

My reviews of the novel: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...