Which Trollope should I read next?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ส.ค. 2024
- After completing the Barsetshire Chronicles and the Palliser novels, two loosely connect sextets from Trollope, I am look for advice about where to go next.
The three main candidates are:
An Autobiography
The Way we Live Now
He Knew He Was Right
but I am also willing to listen to any further suggestions about how to continue reading Trollope over the next few years.
Thanks for your help!
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Hi,Chris here. I'm 73 now but discovered Trollope in my forties. Loved the Oxford World Classics with their intros and notes so set about buying them all second-hand and read them as I bought them. If you want a short one then Dr Wortle's School is very good, mid-length then Orley Farm or Miss Mackenzie and the biggies are the two you mentioned. The Way We Live Now is very well thought of, probably because it's about how business is run but I have a soft spot for He Knew He Was Right which is totally bonkers. Men! The things they do. So great to hear someone loving Trollope. If you ever relax with an audiobook and don't mind rereading Timothy West is Anthony Trollope.
Excellent advice on all counts. Thanks so much!
Really liked Barchester Chronicles and have now started Palister series. I’ve also read and liked Rachel Ray, Dr. Wortle’s School, Mr. Scarborough’s Family and the Vicar of Bullhampton. Can’t wait to read all his novels!
PS. Also read and liked The Way We Live Now -one of my favorites
I might have enjoyed the Palliser books even more than the Barsetshire chronicles.
1) The reason the Chapter numberings start all over is because the longer ones were originally published in two volumes, and the older Penguins retain that.
FYI: the reason the Duke's Children is shorter is because Trollope had to cut 25% of his original manuscript by his publisher! In 2016 scholars RESTORED that 25% to the Duke's Children from his original manuscript, so if you can get an Oxford Classics edition or Everyman's Library published *after* 2016, you'll have the full book (it should say something like "Complete Text" or "restored"). And it does make a difference, particularly expanding on Palliser's relationships with his children. It is even more powerful than the cut version you read, if you can imagine that. (I read the cut version before the restored edition was published and then read the full restored edition--magnificent).
2) I'd recommend you read *He Knew He Was Right* next--a magnificent portrait of a man obsessed and his gradual decline, a la Robert Kennedy (Lady Laura's husband), but even more gripping. I've never forgotten it, and it was written between a couple of the Pallisers. I think there's a character or 2 from the Pallisers mentioned in passing, too (and a BBC miniseries for it, too). If you can find it, pick up the BBC Palliser TV series (more complete than the Barchester TV series, as it includes material from all 6 books), with Philip Latham and Susan Hampshire.
This is my favourite kind of comment, generously sharing loads of things I never knew. Thank you for taking the time. I'm super curious now about the extras restored to The Duke's Children.
I had seen that there was a Palliser series. I may have to track it down and watch while the memories are still fresh. Cheers!
You are welcome. My own Trollope journey has been Barsetshires, then Pallisers, then He Knew He Was Right and then I went back and started reading all the stand alones chronologically. I am now up to 1874 and just started The Way We Live Now, with 13 novels left to read. Some of my favorites:
--La Vendee (1850)--historical fiction set during the French Revolution--hard to find
--The Three Clerks (1857)--a sentimental favorite, with a young hero somewhat modeled after young Trollope
--Castle Richmond (1860)--one of the few contemporary novels set in Ireland during the Great Famine
--Orley Farm (1861)--a fantastic legal case of inheritance and suspected forgery
--Rachel Ray (1863)--a sweet love story, with bad beer
--Miss Mackenzie (1865)--light-hearted story of a middle-aged spinster suddenly set to inherit a fortune, who then finds herself with 3 very unsuitable suitors.
--The Claverings (1866), The Belton Estate (1866) and Ralph the Heir (1871)--all concerning families and inheritance
--Nina Balatka (1867)--set in Prague, an attempt at a sympathetic portrayal of Jews (only partially successful IMHO)
--Linda Tressel (1868)--set in Nuremburg
--Harry Heathcote of Gangoil (1874)--set in the Australian bush
So much to enjoy...so little time 😀
Between the two novels you mentioned, I greatly prefer The Way We Live Now. Both of those books are huge, and a bit heavy, almost uncharacteristically so for Trollope.
The American Senator includes brief cameos by Lady Glen and Lady Chiltern. Its titular character also made a brief appearance in The Duke's Children. It's strongest point, however, is in the character of Arabella Trefoil, who is one of the best female characters Trollope ever created.
Other favorites of mine (I've read all of Trollope's fiction) are John Caldigate, Rachel Ray and The Claverings. I tend to prefer Trollopes long, multi-threaded books to the shorter, single issue books. But, as long as you like the narrator's voice, its hard to go wrong with him (notable exceptions for me being The Struggles of Brown, Jones and Robinson; La Vendee; and The Fixed Period).
Thank you. Some excellent prompts for lesser-known (to me) titles. I really appreciate that.
Yes, for Trollope the Oxford World Classics are Terrific. The notes in the back are so helpful in explaining the British history and relevant politics of the time in which the novel is set.
I read the Autobiography and enjoyed it. There is a moving description of his unhappy childhood, his love of riding is there, his time in Ireland and his job with the Post Office are well described and there is a candid account of his life as a professional writer.
That's a solid recommendation, thanks!
I'm just getting to the last chronicle of barset now so I'm well behind you, but I have read The Way We Live Now and Doctor Wortle's School as standalones and really enjoyed both. TWWLN is much more cynical and less romantic than his other books I've read, but funny and grand. Wortle's is short and sweet.
Excellent. Thanks!
I’m a huge Trollope fan! I really enjoyed The Claverings and The Way We Live Now.
Thank you so much for letting me know.
I love both those series too and would definitely say - The Way We live now will appeal to you - I am not reading Trollope in order either and I don’t think you have to ( except for the two big series of course)
That's how I feel. After reading the two series, I can freestyle my way through the rest of his oeuvre.
I loved The Claverings. And TWWLN is so great. I have The American Senator next and then Lady Anna. Love Trollope.
The Claverings and The American Senator seem to be coming up a lot. I will bump them both up on my priority list. Thanks.
Wonderful discussion. Trollope is often sadly neglected. Re: next read, how about “An Eye for an Eye”?
I don't know anything about that one. Thanks for the tip!
Of the three, I’d recommend ‘The Way We Live Now’ as it’s really entertaining. I’d also suggest ‘The American Senator’.
Thanks for the suggestions.
I loved both of those series immensely. I have also dipped into various stand-alone novels, such as 'The Way We Live Now' and 'Dr Wortle's School' and am currently in the final 100 pages of 'The Claverings' and am thoroughly enjoying it. Might this be a contender?
It definitely might. Thanks so much for sharing.
Given my increasing resistance to long novels, I’d probably suggest a shortish one (if such a thing exists). I have almost completed The Barcester Chronicles and have enjoyed them, but have not read any other Trollope.
I like the fact that I have lots to choose from. Reading one per year means there are probably more Trollopes than I have time left.
Not read any Trollope. Currently reading the Count of Monte Cristo so I might be some time. Ladders look fun!
The ladder is plenty of fun. Everyone is invited to take it for a spin whenever you're in the neighbourhood.
Of your choices I have only read TWWLN which I really enjoyed, and is a must read of Trollope's. Of course it is antisemitic, but that goes with reading Trollope. I read a few of his standalones a long time ago, but have little recollection. The last one I read was Lady Anna which I found a bit dull with frustrating, unbendable characters. I think his biography (which I have not read) would be an interesting book to read next as he travelled/worked in different countries - Ireland, US and Australia and it may give you better insight into the books he set in these places.
That's exactly my thinking about the autobiography. It should make me more excited to read the other novels I haven't yet encountered.