Customer Reviews

Old Saint Paul's A Tale of the Plague and the Fire

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One thing I learned long ago is that just because a book is old and written in a style modern readers may no longer appreciate, doesn't mean it should be ignored, and this book is a fine example of it. Ainsworth proves he is an outstanding writer as he tells his tale of romance and horror as he describes the way the plague ravaged London in the 1660s, and ends the book with an incredible description of the great fire of London.

Ainsworth tells us upfront that the book is based on a small volume called "preparations against the plague" that is attributed to Defoe. I have not read that particular work, so I can't comment on on how much of it was copied from that work. I can only talk about "Old St. Paul's" itself.

Like a lot of works from this time period (1841) you need to have a bit of patience while the plot develops, although it develops more quickly than many works from this era. The author focuses on a single family of London, a successful grocer, Stephen Bloundel and his family, and especially on his daughter, Amabel (that is not a typo, that is the correct spelling) and his apprentice, Leonard Holt.

Leonard is infatuated with Amabel. But, unfortunately, so is just about every other male in London, including a notorious libertine well known for seducing and ruining the lives of attractive young women.

Meanwhile the plague is approaching London, and beginning to attack the outskirts of the city. The grocer develops a plan for locking himself and his household into his large home, isolating the entire family from the rest of the city, and hoping to avoid the plague.

I thought the book was going to turn out to be a mere romance novel, but it is far, far more than that. The descriptions of the way the plague ravages London are incredible. It's hard to imagine the horror of it, the way the sick were teated, and the 'plague pits', the mass graves where bodies of the victims were unceremoniously dumped. And as is the case during every tragedy, there are people who are willing to take advantage of the situation to make a profit. The town abounds with quacks selling every manner of fake remedies, taking advantage of the desperate and the sick.

The book is long and convoluted and detailed, and I was fascinated with it right up until the very end. It concludes with an incredible description of the great fire of London.

I just don't have the space to delve into everything that goes on in the book, and I don't want to spoil anything for potential readers. So take a look at the book. After all, the price is right.

I was totally thrilled to find this book available for Kindle, scanned or no!
In the 60's I was 13 maybe 14 years old when my English Professor suggested it as great reading for we history students! The history teacher agreed but qualified the recommendation with an "if you can find it!"
It was a challenge. Thanks to the digital age - here it is in all it's glory.
A great story, an engaging historial tale of intrigue, romance, and villany enough to attract us all, with enough historical reference to the accepted facts to make it tangible. (Teacher recommended)
These old books are precious and should not be lost.