63 pages • 2 hours read
Charles DickensBarnaby Rudge: A Tale of the Riots of Eighty
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1841A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens is set during the anti-Catholic Gordon Riots of 1780 and follows the life of Barnaby Rudge, a young man with an intellectual disability, his mother Mary Rudge, and various residents of London and Chigwell as they navigate complex social, moral, and religious issues amid rising intolerance and unrest. This text features discussions of ableism, religious intolerance, alcohol addiction, sexual assault, enslavement, sexism, suicide, and emotional abuse.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens receives mixed reviews. Readers appreciate its historical setting and rich character development, particularly the titular character. However, some criticize the novel for its uneven pacing and less engaging plot compared to Dickens’ other works. Overall, it offers a unique glimpse into 18th-century England but may not captivate all audiences.
Who Should Read Barnaby Rudge?
Readers who enjoy historical novels with rich character development and social commentary would appreciate Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens. Fans of Dickens's other works like A Tale of Two Cities or Victor Hugo's Les Misérables will find similar themes of justice, revolution, and intricate narratives engaging.