London-Literary Analysis

Beginning in the year 54 B.C., the book proves itself to be a primarily historical novel. The first few pages are rather boring, as they cover the geological processes that formed England. However, once characters are introduced, the book holds you captive.

Rutherford’s agenda seems to be to educate his audience, without allowing them to realize that they are learning. It is impossible for one to complete this novel without absorbing any number of little facts. How many people know that Britons lived out on the Thames during the Black Plague? Or that the names of our days of the week came from Celtic gods? It is unimaginable the amount of research that must have gone into this work.

Throughout the novel, Rutherford tackles major events in history. The story begins in “Londinos” when the Celts inhabited the land. It continues through history as the name of the city changes from Londinos to Londinium t

The reader is carried along through this ride, bored at first, but increasingly interested. By creating endearing characters, Rutherford found a way to personalize the dry facts of history. The reader does not necessarily remember the date that Charles I was beheaded, but we remember that it touched Sir Julius’ life. By bringing the event into the audience’s hearts, it is etched in their minds forever. The terrible losses of the plague are even more realistic when they are expressed through the words of Richard Meredith and O Be Joyful Carpenter.

The mood of this novel is at times romantic, at times suspenseful, at times adventurous, and at times joyful. Every imaginable emotion of the human race can be found within the pages of this novel. The reader is along for the ride on the roller coaster of the character’s lives. Nothing is kept from the reader; the character’s sexual lives are also part of what keeps this work interesting.

Although a bit long, the length is a necessity. It is impossible to cover London’s history as accurately as London does in fewer pages than Rutherford. However, it is very readable if you can get past the daunting width of the spine. This particular genre- historical fiction –can by nature be

Some topics in this essay:
Carpenter Rutherford, London Rutherford, Edward Rutherford, Industrial Revolution, Black Plague, Sir Julius’, Londinos Londinium, Tower London, class people, black plague, reader carried, historical novel,