Exploring Anthony Trollope discussion

Are you reading something by Anthony Trollope now? What was your last read by Mr. Trollope? Do you have another planned soon?

Let's talk Anthony Trollope!

I am surprised to say my most recent Trollope was read this past May. The Belton Estate. At the beginning of the year, my goal was to read 10 novels this year, but I'm not going to make it apparently. No matter - I'll still have them in my future.

My most recent favorite is Miss Mackenzie. It was a favorite not just because I enjoyed the story but because it also showed how well Trollope reveals the economic plight of women in Victorian England.

Thanks for starting this thread, Elizabeth. The Trollope book I am reading now is Barchester Towers. I read Doctor Thorne recently as well as The Warden so I'm looking forward to completing the Barsetshire series this year, if not a few more Trollope titles.

I forgot to add, I'm open to suggestions. I'm going to download Miss MacKensie as a reminder.

I hope you're enjoying that, Linda. I read those early in my Trollope "career" and remember them fondly. I think the series gets better toward the end, too!

That's good to know. BT is already more entertaining than TW, and DT has such a long laugh-out-loud ending, that my hopes are high for the other titles.

I look forward to hearing what you think of the Palliser series.

I'm listening to The Small House in Allington. I'm so cross with silly John Eames, he's just kissed the awful Amelia instead of telling her to go away! I'm thinking he might deserve her. He's disappointing me but I can only hope it all come right. Upon my soul!

Rachel, that is one of my favorites! I recall reading somewhere that John Eames is more like Trollope himself than any of his other characters. I'm not much of a re-reader, but this is one I hope to get back to one day.

I read Nina Balatka a few weeks ago. I enjoyed it up to a point, but I was fed up with Nina and I detested Anton. I know women were subservient to their husbands back then, but he treated her appallingly and she took it.

I've finished a couple of titles since I last posted. Castle Richmond is the only one of his Irish novels I've read and takes place during the potato famine. Trollope was in Ireland during this time. I also finished a short story collection, Lotta Schmidt and Other Stories. The stories are set in several countries. I enjoyed this collection, although there is more romance perhaps than his novels.

I'm still on The Way We Live now. I'm enjoying it but will be glad to see the back of Melmotte, he is mighty annoying. I am hoping I will eventually see the back of him. This story has reinforced the circumstances of women for me yet again. And what a cad, Felix is. He's very much like what everyone is saying about teenagers today. They have no respect, they don't want to work or pay their way, relying on Mum to see them right. I'm not sure what my next Trollope will be but most likely the last book in the Barchester Chronicles.

Funny you should ask, Elizabeth. I just read two titles in succession, Cousin Phillis and Miss MacKenzie. The former, a nouvella, is strange; it is atypical Trollope. The latter is about a woman unfamiliar with romance when she gets her "independence" from invalid parent after 30. I enjoyed an Irish title too, six months ago, The Learys and the O'Learys.

Hi Linda,
I'm looking forward very much to the Irish series. I didn't realise there was one until just now. I've been listening to Trollope via audible.com narrated by the fabulous Tim West and haven't seen this series as available.. I guess it will be printed work for me and I'll miss the atmosphere created by the audio version. There are quite a few dramatised version of Trollope's books available but as they are only about three hours in length I preferred to listen to the full version of the books.

Rachel, I love Audible books too. Right now I've been trying out LibriVox, free audible books. That's how I got to my last two. I read TLATO on the screen, free of course. This book was early for him, and surprisingly good, I thought.

I'm listening to Doctor Thorne read by Timothy West right now. It's quite wonderful.

Rene, I fell in love with Dr Thorne. Timothy West is quite the reader, it's a true art to be able to read like him

I am pleased that you have mentioned Lotta Schmidt and Other Stories, Elizabeth, as I have been wanting to find an edition. I've just got it at Amazon :)

Has anyone read The Claverings? It is the first Trollope I ever read, and one of my favourites.

I haven't yet gotten to The Claverings. I look forward to it!

The "Irish Novels" aren't a series in the way the Palliser or Barsetshire are series novels. Five of his novels are set in Ireland, so collectively called the Irish novels:

Castle Richmond
An Eye For An Eye
The Kellys And The O’kellys
The Landleaguers
The Macdermots Of Ballycloran

And I was wrong above in saying Castle Richmond was my first of these, because I've read An Eye for an Eye. Somehow I didn't remember that it was set in Ireland.

Thanks, Elizabeth. I got my Learys and Kellys mixed. I'll use your list to find another Irish novel.

Linda wrote: "Funny you should ask, Elizabeth. I just read two titles in succession, Cousin Phillis and Miss MacKenzie. The former, a nouvella, is strange; it is atypical Trollope. The latter is about a woman un..."

I don't recognize Cousin Phillis as Trollope, but I do see an Elizabeth Gaskell title by that name.

I enjoyed Miss Mackenzie very much.

Oops. Gaskell it is.

I knew I had just read two by Trollope...the second one was Lady Anna. I didn't like it. It seemed to dwell too long on one topic.

I've just seen the back of Melmotte and I'm a happy listener now!

Linda wrote: "I knew I had just read two by Trollope...the second one was Lady Anna. I didn't like it. It seemed to dwell too long on one topic."

Yes, I think some of Trollope's work doesn't age as well as others. I haven't yet read Lady Anna, but I looked at the description again. He was very interested in the politics of the day, something I know little about.

This year I jumped in on the Goodreads group The Reader Review:Literature form 1800 to 1910 in their Trollope Project. They are on volume 5, The Small House at Allington of the Barsetshires and will be going through the Pallisers series when done with the Last Chronicle.
It is a re-read for me and I find I remember little of the plot of Small House from 20 years ago. Now the Warden and Towers I remembered well, but for those I had the miniseries as a refresher.

I read Orley Farm last year and enjoyed it very much.

Brian wrote: "This year I jumped in on the Goodreads group The Reader Review:Literature form 1800 to 1910 in their Trollope Project. They are on volume 5, The Small House at Allington of the Barsetshires and wil..."

Great, Brian. I didn't know that group had a Trollope project.

I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, Chris. I’m thinking of starting the whole series again myself. If you are into audio books, these are brillliantly narrated on audible.com by the fabulous

Bravo, Chris, I’m sure you’ll love it. A truly wonderful series

Chris wrote: "My personal reading challenge. Starting with The Warden today and working my way through."

Very good.

Maybe when you're finished you will want to tackle The Pallisers.

Brian wrote: "This year I jumped in on the Goodreads group The Reader Review:Literature form 1800 to 1910 in their Trollope Project. They are on volume 5, The Small House at Allington of the Barsetshires and wil..."

That group has now started THE PALLISERS with Can You Forgive Her?finishing on December 15th. They spend 2-3 months per book so its easy to fit it in a schedule. I will re-read the series with them. Re-reading The Chronicles of Barsetshire with them worked well. They divide the discussion topics into 6 chapter sections so you can work at your own pace and not worry about spoilers.

After my Palliser re-read, I'll return to some stand-alones. Based on comments I've read, I plan on eventually reading Miss Mackenzie, The Three Clerks, The Claverings, and Castle Richmond.
I've already read Fixed Period, Orley Farm, He Knew He Was Right, The Way We Live Now, Rachel Ray and Dr. Wortle's School.
I will continue to check in for other recommendations.

I read his little Harry Heathcote of Gangoil earlier this month. I still have a dozen of his novels to read and I want to get to his Tales of All Countries, too.

I might add that the journey has been very enjoyable. My time spent with Mr. Trollope is never wasted.

I am reading Can You Forgive Her with the same group right now. See Brian’s comment. I intend to read the entire Palliser series. I too read the Barsettshire series. I haven’t forgotten your question, Elizabeth, which series do I prefer?

This summer I read Castle Richmond in a Buddy Read.

The top three Trollope books that stand out in my mind are The Way We Live Now, Doctor Thorne, and The Kelly’s and the O’Kellys.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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 the Julian Fellowes' TV adaptation of Dr. Thorne (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4938084/).

After seeing the show twice, I decided to give the book a try. Soon after finishing Dr. Thorne (and finding I was already ready for a reread!), I found out it was part of a series (Book #3). I recently received the entire Barsetshire novel series, so I have no solid excuse for not reading them (except maybe mentioning the time factor)!

The first book is The Warden, and although the plot, as far as I know, is unconnected with that of Dr. Thorne, the setting, the fictional English country of Barsetshire, is the same.

So far I have found Trollope's writing to be colorful, round, and morally refreshing. Dr. Thorne was such a laudable man, despite his obvious human faults. As to the identity of the hero of the story, Trollope said the reader may choose; I'm choosing the good Doctor.

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.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "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 af..."

I'm pleased that there are some more shared aspects than I originally thought.
I always hesitate to think that I prefer "older" books over newer. Then I remember how I feel reading and finishing books with a few more years under their belts and those that have stood the test of time; often that fact that older books are still around is a sign of either infamy, or masterful work.

I never feel as if I have wasted time when turning the last page of a novel such as Dr. Thorne or Les Misérables; even with "lighter" stories such as Eight Cousins, The Book Thief or, for lack of a better example, Emily of New Moon.
They're not all what some may call "deep," but they have a timeless, superior aura that dares you to criticize.

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.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "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. Ther..."

I like how you put that. Near indescribable qualities that such books as Trollope's possess are...well, just that: practically indescribable.

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.

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

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

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 started it so long ago, but the fullness of life and stretches of dulled enthusiasm 'got in the way.' [Interpretation: I should've finished this book long ago, but (gasp) I was hardly ever in the mood.]

I have finally finished The Warden - a short novel containing seemingly 'peaceful' action masking inner turmoil.

I feel terrible that it has taken me so long to finish it (over a year!), but I'm ready to dive into the next in the series (Barchester Towers). (I'm really looking forward to making it to and going through the third book again, but I'm sure I'll like this one well enough.)