BARNABY RUDGE

The title character gets swept up in the anti-Catholic riots of 1780 in Dickens's first historical novel. As in his second and last, A TALE OF TWO CITIES, one finds here the author's wonted assortment of grotesques, eccentrics, impossibly evil villains, and equally impossible heroes, all pursuing personal ambitions while tossed about in a whirlwind of historical imperatives. Unlike TALE, this book doesn't come to life until the second half with the nail-biting description of the riot. Narrator Sean Barrett gives a workmanlike rendition, excelling especially in his interpretation of the male characters. He’s not as good with the women and misses the touches of humor in the narrative. Indeed, one wishes he had contributed more Dickensian flavor and verve. Y.R. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2009]