Although not a great novel, this book is almost as entertaining today as it must have been in 1828. Like its narrator, Henry Pelham, the novel is clever, snobbish, and deliberately impudent. It's the story of an aristocratic dandy whose perfect poise and unabashed vanity set him up for a political career. Full of topical references to controversial figures such as Beau Brummell (who is portrayed in the novel as the exiled dandy Russelton) and Lord Byron, this was one of the most popular novels of the 19th century. According to several literary historians, "Pelham" was single-handedly responsible for inducing men to abandon the colorful costumes of the 18th century and switch to simple black suits (Pelham's own favorite outfit). Whether or not this novel really did change the face of fashion forever, it certainly became the bible of dandyism in England and France for the next several decades -- thus leading the way for the later (and more lasting) triumph of Oscar Wilde. Today, Bulwer-Lytton is mainly remembered for his ponderous historical fiction and his melodramatic writing-style -- immortalized in the infamous line, "It was a dark and stormy night." But "Pelham" is something completely different -- a brisk, chatty, insider's account of high society in the years just after the Napoleonic Wars. It will be especially interesting to fans of Thackeray's "Vanity Fair," which depicts the same period in a more satirical way -- in fact, Thackeray wrote "Vanity Fair" partly in order to attack Bulwer-Lytton's glossy, worshipful portrait of high society.

If you ever wondered where that phrase came from, this is the book. Other than that, there just isn't much here.

Lytton got a bad rep because of the opening sentence of this novel. However, this novel is an unexpected delight: it is rather ironic, witty and the plot, with the highwayman as the hero, is very complicated and involving. I especially like the satirizing of polite society through the twisted reflection of its meaningless conventions in the criminal circles.

Not as good as Last Days of Pompeii or Pelham, but certainly worth a read.