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Barnaby Rudge (version 2)

by Charles DICKENS (1812 - 1870)

Chapter 57

One of the two Historical novels Charles Dickens wrote, Barnaby Rudge is set around the ‘Gordon’ riots in London in 1780. The story begins in 1775 with Barnaby, his Mother, and his talking Raven Grip, fleeing their home from a blackmailer, and going into hiding. Joe Willet similarly finds he must leave his home to escape his Father’s ire, leaving behind the woman he loves. Five years later these characters, and many others whose lives we have followed, find themselves caught up in the horrific Protestant rioting led by Sir George Gordon. The mob which reaches 100,000 strong, gets out of hand, and there is danger to all in the path of their destruction. Charles Dickens skillfully weaves the lives of his many loving and many wicked characters through the rioting, and shows how this uprising changes so many lives. As a side note, Edgar Allan Poe is said to have been inspired by Barnaby’s raven Grip when he wrote his famous poem,”The Raven”.(Summary by Mil Nicholson)

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Listen next episodes of Barnaby Rudge (version 2):
Chapter 58 , Chapter 59 , Chapter 60 , Chapter 61 , Chapter 62 , Chapter 63 , Chapter 64 , Chapter 65 , Chapter 66 , Chapter 67 , Chapter 68 , Chapter 69 , Chapter 70 , Chapter 71 , Chapter 72 , Chapter 73 , Chapter 74 , Chapter 75 , Chapter 76 , Chapter 77 , Chapter 78 , Chapter 79 , Chapter 80 , Chapter 81 , Chapter 82