Barnaby Rudge: A Tale of the Riots of Eighty by Charles Dickens

Set during the Gordon Riots of 1780, the story follows the simple-minded but kind Barnaby and his pet raven as they are swept up in a violent wave of anti-Catholic mob unrest. Meanwhile, a murder mystery, a missing man, and romantic entanglements unfold across a divided London. Political fanaticism and personal tragedy collide as order crumbles and the innocent suffer. The plot explores how social unrest can corrupt even the most peaceful of lives. It’s a historical novel rich in suspense, atmosphere, and social commentary.