from Cecrow

Dickens introduces this novel with several chapters of pure fiction set in 1775, laying out two romance plots and a murder mystery. Then the story jumps ahead five years to the Gordon Riots of 1780 when historical events take over the plot, catching up his characters in the turmoil. There's good ...

from stephengoldenberg

Not the very best of Dickens but still very good. It has all of his strengths and weaknesses, especially an over sentimentalised ending. It starts to have some longueurs towards the middle but then the Gordon Riots kick in and the narrative becomes all action.

from fourbears

I've read this one twice before and always like it more than it deserves. It's one of two historical novels by Dickens, a distinction many readers don't make because all his novels have historical settings for us now. But A Tale of Two Cities (1859) and Barnaby Rudge were both set before Dickens'...

from Greatrakes

Dicken's other historical novel and much underrated in my view. Containing some stock comedy characters around the village inn, great wrongs to be avenged and all set against the Gordon Riots, with a fine evocation of how rabble rousing can damage society and destroy lives. Memorable characters i...

from roblong

Slow and simply boring for its first quarter, this suddenly comes to life when it moves forward five years to the time of the no-popery riots that are its principal concern. When it does this the novel is hugely enjoyable, and the scenes depicting the storming of Newgate prison are superb (Dicken...