Rodney Stone Arthur Conan Doyle 9781171515067 Books
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Rodney Stone Arthur Conan Doyle 9781171515067 Books
“Rodney Stone” is a coming-of-age tale set in the last year of the 18th century and the first few years of the 19th century. George III was still on the British throne. Napoleon Bonaparte, after his navy was defeated by Nelson at the Battle of the Nile, had begun his rule in France and was marching through continental Europe. But a temporary truce between Britain and France had come into being; and England was nominally at peace. In 1851, and from his perspective as a man in his mid-sixties, Rodney Stone looks back on formative events of his life as a juvenile and young man during this peaceful interlude of the pre-Regency Era.The tale begins in Friar’s Oak, a coach stop on the high road between London and Brighton. Friar's Oak includes a wayside inn, a smithy, some small number of houses, and a decaying country manor house, Cliffe Royal, thought to be haunted by many of the locals. But events extend from the recently built Royal Pavilion in Brighton to the dandyish doings in the brightest clubs and pubs and peacock-strutting venues of London.
At the time of the tale, Rodney Stone, the youngest generation in a long line of Royal Navy officers, and his mother live in Friar’s Oak and wait for his father to return from his most recent naval service. The Friar's Oak smithy is owned and operated by “Champion” Harrison, a renown but retired British prize fighter. Harrison’s wife is adamantly opposed to boxing and has extracted from him a promise never again to enter the ropes. Harrison’s household also includes his nephew, Boy Jim, a fine specimen of a young man, three years older than Rodney, but Rodney’s best friend. To quote the older Rodney from the first chapter of the book, “If you would come with me into that forgotten world; if you would know Boy Jim and Champion Harrison, if you would meet my father, one of Nelson’s own men; if you would catch a glimpse of the great seaman himself and of George [IV], afterwards the unworthy King of England; if above all you would see my famous uncle, Sir Charles Tregellis, the King of Bucks, and the great fighting men whose names are still household words amongst you, then … let us start.”
“Rodney Stone” was published as installments in “The Strand” in 1896; so Conan Doyle wrote it during the interval where Sherlock Holmes was "dead," having fallen over the cliff at Reichenbach Falls. It is a pleasant and enjoyable book. But it is not in the same class as Conan Doyle’s great historical novels of the 17th century which I greatly admire, and I do not like it even as well as his more contemporary sporting works such as “The Croxley Master.” But it is an interesting tale that is well worth reading at least once.
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Rodney Stone Arthur Conan Doyle 9781171515067 Books Reviews
A longtime fan of Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, this was a fun departure from that genre that gives a wonderful glimpse into early 19th century England.
As with all Sr Arthur Conan Doyle stories this a very entertaining story. I think I nearly read it cover to cover in one evening.
Reading this author's fine, elegant prose and a brand new story that has nothing to do with Sherlock Holmes is a genuine treat. Thoroughly enjoyed the read.
Never having read this book before, I was unsure of what to expect. I found that this is quite a captivating book that leave the reader not wanting to put it down. Would recommend for someone who has a bit of time to kill...you won't want to put this down!
“Rodney Stone” was published in 1896, when Arthur Conan Doyle was 35.
I used the Edition for my reading; I found my links to Wikipedia very useful for learning more about some of the characters mentioned.
This book has been described as a boxing / Gothic mystery / coming of age story. After reading it, I can agree Add to these a good dose of English naval history.
I can divide my remarks among the major theme elements.
Gothic mystery
There are rumors of a ghost at Cliffe Royal, arising from dramatic events during a big-stake card game between Lord Avon; his brother, Captain Barrington; Avon’s cousin, Sir Lothian Hume; and Rodney’s uncle, Sir Charles Tregellis.
Naval history
Following the tradition in his family, Rodney’s father Anson named his first son after his favorite English Admiral. Anson has made a career in the Royal Navy, and hopes Rodney will also. Doyle mentions several naval battles, actual ships and heroes. Admiral Horation Nelson may change Rodney’s life.
All England is upset about Napoleon’s despotism. In his “Through the Magic Door” (1906), Doyle drew upon his large collection of writings, letters, and memoirs from the Napoleonic Wars.
Coming of age
The book is narrated by Rodney, in 1851 thinking back over the events 1803, when Rodney was 17 and his best friend, Boy Jim, was 19. This is the year Rodney’s uncle comes to introduce the boy to London society. Sir Charles is a dandy, and a friend of Beau Brummell and the Prince of Wales. But Rodney’s father has hopes for his son going into the Royal Navy.
Boy Jim also has a life decision to make. He has been raised by Champion Harrison as a blacksmith, but after befriending an alcoholic ex-actress, he yearns to see more of the world, at least London.
Boxing
This is not the boxing of today, it is bare-knuckle boxing. Doyle was knowledgeable about the sport. In “Through the Magic Door”, he discusses quite a number of books about boxing and biographies of boxers, in particular, “Pugilistica”, an encyclopedic history of boxing and boxers (1863).
Some actual boxers of renown who have key roles in the plot of “Rodney Stone” are Jem Belcher, Dutch Sam, Caleb Ramsbottom (Baldwin), Daniel “Dada” Mendoza, and Berkeley Craven; more about their careers can be found on Wikipedia.
England (and London) of the time
We see two of the gentlemen’s clubs at the time, White’s (which attracts Tories) and Brookes’s (whose members are Whigs. Some of the gentlemen in the book attended these clubs. The Prince of Wales may be seen at Brookes’s; Beau Brummell attends both clubs.
The story takes place during the Regency Era. The King is George III. The Prince of Wales (who is also the Earl of Chester) is the heir apparent.
Even though boxing is not one of my interests, I found this novel very interesting. I liked the characters and plot.
“Rodney Stone” is a coming-of-age tale set in the last year of the 18th century and the first few years of the 19th century. George III was still on the British throne. Napoleon Bonaparte, after his navy was defeated by Nelson at the Battle of the Nile, had begun his rule in France and was marching through continental Europe. But a temporary truce between Britain and France had come into being; and England was nominally at peace. In 1851, and from his perspective as a man in his mid-sixties, Rodney Stone looks back on formative events of his life as a juvenile and young man during this peaceful interlude of the pre-Regency Era.
The tale begins in Friar’s Oak, a coach stop on the high road between London and Brighton. Friar's Oak includes a wayside inn, a smithy, some small number of houses, and a decaying country manor house, Cliffe Royal, thought to be haunted by many of the locals. But events extend from the recently built Royal Pavilion in Brighton to the dandyish doings in the brightest clubs and pubs and peacock-strutting venues of London.
At the time of the tale, Rodney Stone, the youngest generation in a long line of Royal Navy officers, and his mother live in Friar’s Oak and wait for his father to return from his most recent naval service. The Friar's Oak smithy is owned and operated by “Champion” Harrison, a renown but retired British prize fighter. Harrison’s wife is adamantly opposed to boxing and has extracted from him a promise never again to enter the ropes. Harrison’s household also includes his nephew, Boy Jim, a fine specimen of a young man, three years older than Rodney, but Rodney’s best friend. To quote the older Rodney from the first chapter of the book, “If you would come with me into that forgotten world; if you would know Boy Jim and Champion Harrison, if you would meet my father, one of Nelson’s own men; if you would catch a glimpse of the great seaman himself and of George [IV], afterwards the unworthy King of England; if above all you would see my famous uncle, Sir Charles Tregellis, the King of Bucks, and the great fighting men whose names are still household words amongst you, then … let us start.”
“Rodney Stone” was published as installments in “The Strand” in 1896; so Conan Doyle wrote it during the interval where Sherlock Holmes was "dead," having fallen over the cliff at Reichenbach Falls. It is a pleasant and enjoyable book. But it is not in the same class as Conan Doyle’s great historical novels of the 17th century which I greatly admire, and I do not like it even as well as his more contemporary sporting works such as “The Croxley Master.” But it is an interesting tale that is well worth reading at least once.
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