A Troublesome Disorder
A book about Francis Barber, manservant to Samuel Johnson
Dave Randle 2001
This is a 46,000 word novel about Francis Barber, and his relationship with Johnson, Hester Thrale and others. The author says that the title comes from the interview in the Gentleman’s Magazine. The interview doesn't specify what the disorder is, but it aptly describes Barber’s sense of being unable to control his life and possessions.
Review by David Thrale
The owner of Thrale.com had this to say about the book:
“The story of Samuel Johnson's black man servant Francis Barber is intriguing. Family man Francis Barber was a loyal and good friend to Johnson. Johnson encouraged and funded Barber’s education and the relationship was confirmed after Johnson's death as Barber was a beneficiary in Johnson’s will.
For me there are some curious parallels - like Barber I have a wife of different colour. I am not the first Thrale to be fascinated by Johnson. Even more strangely my brother is married to a Johnson!
When Dave Randle contacted me - after he read about Francis Barber on Thrale.com - to ask if I would like to review his book, I was both delighted and curious to read his story.
Randle's book is written in the style of the 18th Century. Despite having previously read some original 18th Century works, I found the first two or three chapters hard going. Once I was past the first chapters I found it much easier going and enjoyable. The story explores the friendship and relationship between Johnson and Francis his black manservant. I was especially taken by the moving account of Johnson’s death.
For me Randle’s book didn't quite achieve the heights of the other recent book of Johnsonian faction - According to Queeney by Beryl Bainbridge. However, I found it enjoyable and I admired Randle’s ability to write in the style of 250 years ago. That is quite some feat. I have just one criticism, that Randle - like others before him - made too much of the speculated liaison between Sam and Hester Thrale. However, this didn’t spoil a good read and I’ll certainly buy A Troublesome disorder when it is available in traditional book format.”
Review by G.W. Nicholls
The former curator of Johnson's Birthplace Museum had this to say about the book:
“In this novel, Dave Randle has reconstructed an actual meeting in Lichfield in 1793 between an unnamed reporter and Francis Barber, the Negro manservant of Dr Samuel Johnson. Johnson had died in London nine years earlier and Barber had brought his wife and family to live in his famous master's home town. The novel follows their conversation, principally about Johnson, as they walk around Lichfield or share their meals together on a single day. The reporter comes to understand the range of Barber's intelligence and his confused feelings for Johnson and, in doing so, begins to appreciate something of the nature of slavery and freedom.
" Francis (or Frank) Barber had been born in Jamaica and was brought to England as a little boy by a friend of Johnson's. About the time of his wife's death, Johnson took Barber into his house, where he fulfilled the role of servant, companion and surrogate son to Johnson. He was educated by Johnson and his religious and intellectual development was stimulated by him. In his youth, he fled from Johnson's service on several occasions, most notably when he ran away to sea. He was only discharged from the Navy when Johnson contacted acquaintances in the government. Barber accompanied Johnson on several of his trips around the country. He later married a white woman and had several children and for some time they all lived under Johnson's roof. On Johnson's death in 1784, Barber inherited most of his master's fortune. On removing to Lichfield, he proved unable to manage his finances and he and his wife fell upon hard times. Barber died in Stafford Infirmary in 1801.
"Randle's novel combines close research with imaginative and sensitive speculation. It deals at once with a peripheral life lived out as an appendage of a great man, and also lets us understand what it meant to be in such a situation. It explores the feelings of an intelligent and kindly treated Negro in Georgian England. In doing so, the novel makes a statement about slavery of different kinds and the difficulties of living with freedom.”
