Rookwood

by William Harrison AINSWORTH (1805 - 1882)

Bk. 5, Chapter 01 - The Hut on Thorne Waste

Rookwood

A rich and complex Gothic-Romance centring on the murky deeds of an ancient family. It is a wonderfully atmospheric piece that combines narrative, poetry, song, and descriptive writing to great effect. The character of Dick Turpin that we know today - the dashing highwaymen and unmatched horseman - can be said to stem directly from this novel, as the most famous part of the book (often published on its own in the past), Turpin's Ride To York, is devoted to him. Although seemingly little known to a modern audience, Ainsworth's 'Rookwood' gave the world the image of the highwayman with which we are all so familiar. (Summary by paulc)


Listen next episodes of Rookwood:
Bk. 5, Chapter 02 - Major Mowbray , Bk. 5, Chapter 03 - Handassah , Bk. 5, Chapter 04 - The Dower of Sybil , Bk. 5, Chapter 05 - The Sarcophagus , L'envoy