Charles Dickens
Barnaby Rudge: A Tale of the Riots of Eighty
The "other" of Dickens historical novels set in turbulent times following a range of folk with their turbulent and antagonistic lives intertwined with the turbulent and antagonistic times culminating in a very vivid description of the storming and firing of Newgate Prison. The plots of personal and public life follow each other in a way that is fascinating. Of course Dickens' descriptions of people and place are brilliant and amongst the seriousness of the story's threads there is the usual humour in characterisations pointing out flaws, and strengths, which resonate as much today as they would have when written. How people could wait a week between each installment I'll never know. Maybe that's a reflection of our instant gratification times.
1 comment:
I studied the storming of Newgate Prison and had no idea Dickens wrote about it! Will make sure to look out for this. Love a Dickens.
Tasnim
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