The British Barbarians

by Grant Allen

"The British Barbarians" by Grant Allen is a novel written during the late 19th century. The story is set against the backdrop of Victorian England and follows the intriguing figure of Philip Christy, a gentlemanly clerk in Her Majesty's Civil Service, who encounters a mysterious stranger named Bertram Ingledew, described as an "Alien." The book explores themes of societal norms, taboos, and the contrast between decadent urban life and the purer ideals associated with nature and the countryside. At the start of the novel, the introduction explains the concept of a "Hill-top Novel," which seeks to raise a protest in favor of purity amid a literary landscape dominated by stories with "evil tendencies." The opening portion features Philip Christy admiring his suburban town of Brackenhurst when he is intrigued by the sudden appearance of Ingledew. Their conversation reveals Ingledew's unfamiliarity with English customs, particularly regarding money and social conventions, sparking curiosity and a bit of bewilderment in Christy. This interaction sets the stage for an exploration of the interactions between an outsider and the conventions of British society, suggesting a deeper examination of morality, respectability, and the limitations of social norms.