logo

48 pages 1 hour read

Riddley Walker

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1980

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Russell Hoban

Riddley Walker

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1980
Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Inland • Future

Publication Year

1980

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban is set in post-apocalyptic South England, 2000 years after a nuclear war, where society has reverted to primitive ways and speaks a phonetic, fragmented English. The novel follows a 12-year-old boy named Riddley Walker who becomes his village’s connexion man, interpreting state-sponsored puppet shows about a historical figure named Eusa, encounters a forbidden town, and embarks on a journey that intertwines with mysterious figures and ancient technologies. The narrative involves violence, loss, and the actions of a marginalized group known as the Eusa folk.

Mysterious

Dark

Challenging

Gritty

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.1

8,985 ratings

73%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Russell Hoban's Riddley Walker is lauded for its inventive use of language and deep philosophical themes, creating a post-apocalyptic world that's both immersive and thought-provoking. However, its challenging prose can be divisive, potentially frustrating readers. The novel's originality and depth make it a compelling but demanding read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Riddley Walker?

Readers who enjoy post-apocalyptic, linguistically inventive narratives will savor Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban. Fans of works like A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess and The Road by Cormac McCarthy will appreciate its rich, dystopian world and unique use of language. Ideal for those who relish deep, thought-provoking fiction.

4.1

8,985 ratings

73%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Inland • Future

Publication Year

1980

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.