Elizabeth (Alaska)’s Comments (group member since Dec 16, 2013)

Elizabeth (Alaska)’s comments from the Exploring Anthony Trollope group.

Thanks for chiming in here Jan and Theresa. I'm very glad there are other resources for Trollope readers.

Hi Paul! Thanks for checking in. I hope you enjoy your Trollope journey. You'll find it mighty quiet around here. Crickets.

Enjoy your Trollope journey, Nidhi!

Hi Myra! I hope you enjoy the journey with Trollope. He has so much to give!

It’s been awhile since I read it, and I’m sure I’m not going to be much help. I just think books/series have endings. Although not the same characters, of course, I think you will have the same reaction to finishing even Trollope’s stand alone novels. At the same time, I want to observe that Trollope rarely gives you unhappy endings.

And, of course, there is the Palliser series. You have already met Plantagenet Palliser, although only briefly. There is much to look forward to.

Thanks, Jan. Yes, this group isn't especially active anymore. We didn't have a group read. When I started the group I had already read 20 or so of the novels and wasn't really up for re-reads.

Tom, enjoy the journey. Hope you like this series well enough to make a lifetime of him.

Brian wrote: "Nice to see you still moderating here, Elizabeth, after the thread had a 5 year lull. "

Thank you. Trollope still makes my heart beat strong, although I've been less diligent about finishing up my reading of all of the novels.

I saw there was a "restored" edition of The Duke's Children. I loved that book, and really cannot imagine that lengthening it would improve it.

I've never watched the TV series. I suppose it's been on US TV, but I rarely watch that type of TV. Somehow, I'd rather do my own interpretation of a book than watch someone else's. But I'm glad there have been films of Trollope, for people who might not have heard of him, nor spend time reading. He has such wonderful characters and plots.

In his autobiography he says:

A novel should give a picture of common life enlivened by humour and sweetened by pathos. To make that picture worthy of attention, the canvas should be crowded with real portraits, not of individuals known to the world or to the author, but of created personages impregnated with traits of character which are known. To my thinking, the plot is but the vehicle for all this; and when you have the vehicle without the passengers, a story of mystery in which the agents never spring to life, you have but a wooden show. There must, however, be a story. You must provide a vehicle of some sort.

Good for you for recognizing you needed to persevere! The series gets more enjoyable as you read more of it. Trollope is so good with characterization and he doesn't ignore those you have already come to know.

Jan wrote: "Elizabeth. you might enjoy reading Trollope with our group. We would love to have you!

https://trollope.groups.io/g/main"

I'm glad there are others out there reading Trollope. However, I can't imagine my reading him in weekly segments. I pick him up and read straight through.

I just started Trollope's debut, The Macdermots of Ballycloran. It didn't sell well, and I'm not expecting much. Still, from the first pages, his enjoyable prose is in evidence.

Excellent, Sophie! I had not thought of this aspect, but yes, his characterizations are very real.

I have not read it. I understand this is one where Trollope tried too hard to be funny and so failed. But I'll get to it eventually.

Marius wrote: "They're not all what some may call "deep," but they have a timeless aura that dares you to criticize. "

Good thing you don't require deep - Trollope isn't likely to provide it. There is a human quality across all of his novels that is worth reading, though. After a few Trollope novels, I realized that my shoulders relax within the first few paragraphs of any one of them I've picked up. He is an old friend worth visiting regularly.

Marius wrote: "I'm planning on reading the Chronicles of Barsetshire series straight through, taking breaks between books no longer than two weeks.

I first got interested in Trollope's stories after I watched t..."

I love your enthusiasm Marius. I'm sure you'll enjoy the entire series and want to read more Trollope when you've finished. There are a number of supporting characters that overlap in the 6 novels. I also enjoy his writing.

LindaH wrote: "Next up for me when I’ve finished the Palliser s is The McDermotts of Ballycloran. I think that’s his first."

Yep, you're right - Kelly's was the next year.

LindaH wrote: "That’s probably true. I should have added, I’m married to an Irishman. Thus my interest in Trollope’s Irish books."

I definitely want to read those, too. I can't say why I haven't gotten to them.

I haven't gotten to the Kelly's yet. His first would not have made him famous, I understand.