Barnaby Rudge (Penguin Classics) - Softcover

Dickens, Charles

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0140437282 ISBN 13: 9780140437287

Publisher: Penguin Classics, 2003

Synopsis

'One of Dickens' most neglected, but most rewarding, novels' Peter Ackroyd

Charles Dickens's Barnaby Rudge is a vivid portrait of London's descent into anarchy, where 'King Mob' rules the streets, and innocent lives are swept up in the chaos. Set against the backdrop of the Gordon Riots of 1780, Barnaby Rudge is a story of mystery and suspense which begins with an unsolved double murder and goes on to involve conspiracy, blackmail, abduction and retribution. Through the course of the novel fathers and sons become opposed, apprentices plot against their masters and Protestants clash with Catholics on the streets. And, as London erupts into riot, Barnaby Rudge himself struggles to escape the curse of his own past. With its dramatic descriptions of public violence and private horror, its strange secrets and ghostly doublings, Barnaby Rudge is a powerful, disturbing blend of historical realism and Gothic melodrama. This edition is based on the one-volume publication of Barnaby Rudge, reproducing all the original illustrations by 'Phiz' and George Cattermole. Appendices include a map of London at the time of the Gordon Riots and the preface to the 1868 edition.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

About this title

From the Publisher:

Founded in 1906 by J.M. Dent, the Everyman Library has always tried to make the best books ever written available to the greatest number of people at the lowest possible price. Unique editorial features that help Everyman Paperback Classics stand out from the crowd include: a leading scholar or literary critic's introduction to the text, a biography of the author, a chronology of her or his life and times, a historical selection of criticism, and a concise plot summary. All books published since 1993 have also been completely restyled: all type has been reset, to offer a clarity and ease of reading unique among editions of the classics; a vibrant, full-color cover design now complements these great texts with beautiful contemporary works of art. But the best feature must be Everyman's uniquely low price. Each Everyman title offers these extensive materials at a price that competes with the most inexpensive editions on the market-but Everyman Paperbacks have durable binding, quality paper, and the highest editorial and scholarly standards.

From the Inside Flap:

Dickens' magnificent tale of private lives and public events takes place in the seething unrest of 1780's London.  With a cast of characters as richly diverse and comically grotesque as ever, he expertly weaves the complex themes of public authority and rebellion with the private conflicts of fathers and sons in a spellbinding fictional recreation of the historical facts of the Gordon riots.
Despite their implacable enmity, the upright and honest Geoffrey Haredale forges a strange alliance with the duplicitous John Chester to thwart the marriage between his niece and Chester's honorable son Edward.  But family concerns are eclipsed when brooding tensions erupt into the Gordon riots.  As the simple-minded Barnaby is thrust to the forefront of violent dissent, Edward is driven to an act of desperate heroism in order to save his lover and her uncle.  And in the aftermath of chaos, the shadowy figure behind the private tragedies of murder, blackmail and terrible neglect finally comes to light.

Originally produced for BBC broadcast by the world's most talented creators of radio entertainment, this audio presentation of Dickens' classic is brought magically to life.  Complete with stirring music and sound effects, Barnaby Rudge contains all the charm of a radio broadcast, and all the excitement of a theater performance.  Listeners of all ages will be delighted by this extraordinary production and will treasure it for years to come.

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0140437282
• ISBN 13: 9780140437287
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 768
• Editor: Spence Gordon W.