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booksafterten's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
ph1lb's review against another edition
5.0
Anthony Trollope is such a good writer. I found it difficult to put this book down once the story got going. The firsy two chapters of description were a little dull but then Trollope apologises to his readers for this and goes on to explain that he could not think of any other way of doing it.
Although this is book 3 in the Barsetshire series, I would describe it as a stand alone book.
Although this is book 3 in the Barsetshire series, I would describe it as a stand alone book.
mariagape's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
sofabell's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
3genres's review against another edition
4.0
Why did it take me so long to discover Trollope? Granted, the guy is not a quick read. But I love the humor, the characterization, the insight into human motives. No one is totally evil, no one is totally good - just like real life!
I did find this one a bit heavy and the whole concept of marrying beneath oneself is a bit dated, but the characters were so well-drawn you got drawn into it anyway.
On to Framley Parsonage!
I did find this one a bit heavy and the whole concept of marrying beneath oneself is a bit dated, but the characters were so well-drawn you got drawn into it anyway.
On to Framley Parsonage!
susie_reads's review against another edition
Had to return audiobook to hoopla. Will check it out again.
xanadu_'s review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
david_r_grigg's review against another edition
3.0
My wife and I watched the three-episode dramatisation of Doctor Thorne on ABC television recently, and we found it very unsatisfying, with a too-obvious plot-line, too easily resolved.
But as it’s the third book in Anthony Trollope’s Barchester Chronicles, and having enjoyed the first two volumes so much, I was curious to read the book and see how well or how poorly the television series had handled the story. I’m glad I did so, because the answer is “very badly”. The novel is far more nuanced and interesting and much less schmaltzy-romantic than the dramatisation.
The basic story, though, is the same: Thomas Thorne is an honest, hard-working doctor who has been entrusted with acting as a financial agent by the local squire and his once-wealthy family the Greshams, who have fallen on hard times —well, hard times for those used to living on the fat of the land. They are deeply in debt, primarily to Sir Richard Scatcherd, a self-made millionaire who started life as a humble stone mason.
The main interest in the story arises from Mary, Doctor Thorne’s niece—the illegitimate child of his elder brother. Mary is a quiet, decent young woman whom the doctor has raised as though she were his own daughter. She has been allowed to make friends and spend a good deal of time with the Gresham children as she grows up.
The squire’s heir, Francis (Frank) needs to marry a wealthy wife to save his family from the humiliation of losing all of their property and influence as their debts spiral out of control. But of course, Frank has fallen in love with
2 Mary Thorne, who is both penniless and illegitimate. A mighty battle thus ensues as the family strives to prevent Frank from making an injudicious liaison with Mary. They make every attempt to get him to ‘marry money’, and Mary is pressured from every side to reject Frank’s advances, which she has not encouraged.
The plot thickens as we discover more of Mary’s origins and her relationship to Sir Richard Scatcherd, who is dying of self-induced alcoholic poisoning. Ignorant of this relationship, he makes a will which will bequeath all of his enormous wealth to ‘my sister’s eldest child’ if his own son dies young.
Well, you can see where the story is going. It is told in far too facile a manner in the television series, reducing the plot to a caricature of ‘rich boy falls for poor girl, can’t marry her, poor girl becomes rich, everyone lives happily ever after’. But the book, as I say, is far more nuanced, and depicts the long struggles of conscience which both Mary and her uncle Doctor Thorne have to deal with.
There’s quite a bit of Trollope’s sly satirical humour in the novel, too, as he picks apart the pretensions of his era. Forget the television series, read the book.
But as it’s the third book in Anthony Trollope’s Barchester Chronicles, and having enjoyed the first two volumes so much, I was curious to read the book and see how well or how poorly the television series had handled the story. I’m glad I did so, because the answer is “very badly”. The novel is far more nuanced and interesting and much less schmaltzy-romantic than the dramatisation.
The basic story, though, is the same: Thomas Thorne is an honest, hard-working doctor who has been entrusted with acting as a financial agent by the local squire and his once-wealthy family the Greshams, who have fallen on hard times —well, hard times for those used to living on the fat of the land. They are deeply in debt, primarily to Sir Richard Scatcherd, a self-made millionaire who started life as a humble stone mason.
The main interest in the story arises from Mary, Doctor Thorne’s niece—the illegitimate child of his elder brother. Mary is a quiet, decent young woman whom the doctor has raised as though she were his own daughter. She has been allowed to make friends and spend a good deal of time with the Gresham children as she grows up.
The squire’s heir, Francis (Frank) needs to marry a wealthy wife to save his family from the humiliation of losing all of their property and influence as their debts spiral out of control. But of course, Frank has fallen in love with
2 Mary Thorne, who is both penniless and illegitimate. A mighty battle thus ensues as the family strives to prevent Frank from making an injudicious liaison with Mary. They make every attempt to get him to ‘marry money’, and Mary is pressured from every side to reject Frank’s advances, which she has not encouraged.
The plot thickens as we discover more of Mary’s origins and her relationship to Sir Richard Scatcherd, who is dying of self-induced alcoholic poisoning. Ignorant of this relationship, he makes a will which will bequeath all of his enormous wealth to ‘my sister’s eldest child’ if his own son dies young.
Well, you can see where the story is going. It is told in far too facile a manner in the television series, reducing the plot to a caricature of ‘rich boy falls for poor girl, can’t marry her, poor girl becomes rich, everyone lives happily ever after’. But the book, as I say, is far more nuanced, and depicts the long struggles of conscience which both Mary and her uncle Doctor Thorne have to deal with.
There’s quite a bit of Trollope’s sly satirical humour in the novel, too, as he picks apart the pretensions of his era. Forget the television series, read the book.
readingisadoingword's review against another edition
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Another Trollope and another installation of the Barsetshire Chronicles that I loved!
It felt like there was a lot, but yet very little going on in the book all at once.
The Gresham family finances are in a state and young Frank Gresham MUST MARRY MONEY! However, he loves Dr Thorne's niece, Mary, who is illegitimate and poor......or is she?!
This sums up the plot. However, in following the trials of Frank and Mary's love, Trollope deals with many other societal questions of the day.
WEALTH/WORTH
Wealth underlies almost every aspect of this book. It determines people's fates and how they are treated, and despite exhibiting the highest moral characteristics, lack of wealth somehow determines people's worth. Mary Thorne is honest, kind and principled, yet her lack of money sees her being ostracised and maligned by the Greshams and De Courcys. She has neither birth nor wealth to recommend her to them and they refuse to give merit to her other qualities.
Other characters such as Sir Roger Scatcherd and his son Louis have huge wealth but are plagues by alcoholism and questionable morals, Mr Moffat has money but is unfaithful and fickle.
When then does wealth actually = worth, or does it ever?
CLASS/BLOOD
Mary's illegitimate birth is another barrier in her life, despite her being raised genteelly and behaving like a perfect lady. However, those of similar "low" birth such as the Scatcherds, Mr Moffat and Miss Dunstable are partially accepted by the upper echelons of society due to their money. Poor Beatrice suffers at the hands of her cousin's dictates about the quality of "blood" and misses out on a potentially happy match.
So class of birth and heredity of blood are all......until enough money is involved?
PARENTAL DUTIES
There are various familial models in this novel. Despite her origins, Mary is adopted by her doting uncle Dr Thorne and they are the epitome of a devoted and happy family. He taking on the role of a father and standing by Mary as best he can at all times.
The Greshams are predominantly contented. The father, despite having squandered his family's fortune, is affectionate and doting and Lady Arabella, although somewhat mercenary, at least believes she has her children's best interests as heart.
Sir Roger Scatcherd fails his own son, who inherits none of his father's work ethic or admirable qualities but only his alcoholism.
LOVE
There is familial love as exemplified by the Dr and Mary, romantic love as seen between Frank and Mary and platonic love between Miss Dunstable and Frank and indeed the Dr and the Squire.
GENERAL
There is commentary on politics, lawyers, the aristocracy etc. layered throughout Dr Thorne, however for me it was the central characters that engaged me and I felt for them all, in what often seemed like an impossible situation.
THOUGHTS
One thing I love about Trollope is that he puts your mind at rest. He doesn't keep readers in suspense or allow misunderstandings. He reassures you throughout that all will be well, although there may be some bumps in the road. This is the kind of relaxing reading experience I enjoy.
Two characters that have stayed with me in an unexpected fashion have been Miss Martha Dunstable and Lady Arabella. Miss Dunstable is a gem! She's smart, self-aware, generous, and kind and doesn't take herself too seriously and I think would be great fun and a great friend.
I had a much more mixed reaction to Lady Arabella. I really hated her to begin with! How could she disregard Frank's feelings in preference to money? How could she be such a hypocrite regarding status of birth when it came to Mr Moffat or Miss Dunstable? How could she treat Mary so unfairly? However, I almost changed my mind about her when I thought of the contrast in how the two parents were portrayed. Mr Gresham (the Squire) was favourably portrayed as indulgent and kind and not wishing to distress or upset his children. Whilst being aware they he was the cause of their downfall, he didn't really want to undergo any unpleasantness to rectify it. He also often insinuated to Frank that he regretted marrying Lady Arabella - hardly fair! Whilst Lady A had many faults, she was willing to take difficult and unpopular action to try and "save" her children. Not that I agreed with her actions or opinions, but I thought the contrast of favourably portrayed, indulgent father and unfavourably portrayed, dictatorial/disciplinarian mother was an interesting, gendered view.
So...I really enjoyed this novel. There was so much more to it that the experience of the eponymous Doctor and I look forward to meeting some of these characters again in future Barsetshire instalments!
It felt like there was a lot, but yet very little going on in the book all at once.
The Gresham family finances are in a state and young Frank Gresham MUST MARRY MONEY! However, he loves Dr Thorne's niece, Mary, who is illegitimate and poor......or is she?!
This sums up the plot. However, in following the trials of Frank and Mary's love, Trollope deals with many other societal questions of the day.
WEALTH/WORTH
Wealth underlies almost every aspect of this book. It determines people's fates and how they are treated, and despite exhibiting the highest moral characteristics, lack of wealth somehow determines people's worth. Mary Thorne is honest, kind and principled, yet her lack of money sees her being ostracised and maligned by the Greshams and De Courcys. She has neither birth nor wealth to recommend her to them and they refuse to give merit to her other qualities.
Other characters such as Sir Roger Scatcherd and his son Louis have huge wealth but are plagues by alcoholism and questionable morals, Mr Moffat has money but is unfaithful and fickle.
When then does wealth actually = worth, or does it ever?
CLASS/BLOOD
Mary's illegitimate birth is another barrier in her life, despite her being raised genteelly and behaving like a perfect lady. However, those of similar "low" birth such as the Scatcherds, Mr Moffat and Miss Dunstable are partially accepted by the upper echelons of society due to their money. Poor Beatrice suffers at the hands of her cousin's dictates about the quality of "blood" and misses out on a potentially happy match.
So class of birth and heredity of blood are all......until enough money is involved?
PARENTAL DUTIES
There are various familial models in this novel. Despite her origins, Mary is adopted by her doting uncle Dr Thorne and they are the epitome of a devoted and happy family. He taking on the role of a father and standing by Mary as best he can at all times.
The Greshams are predominantly contented. The father, despite having squandered his family's fortune, is affectionate and doting and Lady Arabella, although somewhat mercenary, at least believes she has her children's best interests as heart.
Sir Roger Scatcherd fails his own son, who inherits none of his father's work ethic or admirable qualities but only his alcoholism.
LOVE
There is familial love as exemplified by the Dr and Mary, romantic love as seen between Frank and Mary and platonic love between Miss Dunstable and Frank and indeed the Dr and the Squire.
GENERAL
There is commentary on politics, lawyers, the aristocracy etc. layered throughout Dr Thorne, however for me it was the central characters that engaged me and I felt for them all, in what often seemed like an impossible situation.
THOUGHTS
One thing I love about Trollope is that he puts your mind at rest. He doesn't keep readers in suspense or allow misunderstandings. He reassures you throughout that all will be well, although there may be some bumps in the road. This is the kind of relaxing reading experience I enjoy.
Two characters that have stayed with me in an unexpected fashion have been Miss Martha Dunstable and Lady Arabella. Miss Dunstable is a gem! She's smart, self-aware, generous, and kind and doesn't take herself too seriously and I think would be great fun and a great friend.
I had a much more mixed reaction to Lady Arabella. I really hated her to begin with! How could she disregard Frank's feelings in preference to money? How could she be such a hypocrite regarding status of birth when it came to Mr Moffat or Miss Dunstable? How could she treat Mary so unfairly? However, I almost changed my mind about her when I thought of the contrast in how the two parents were portrayed. Mr Gresham (the Squire) was favourably portrayed as indulgent and kind and not wishing to distress or upset his children. Whilst being aware they he was the cause of their downfall, he didn't really want to undergo any unpleasantness to rectify it. He also often insinuated to Frank that he regretted marrying Lady Arabella - hardly fair! Whilst Lady A had many faults, she was willing to take difficult and unpopular action to try and "save" her children. Not that I agreed with her actions or opinions, but I thought the contrast of favourably portrayed, indulgent father and unfavourably portrayed, dictatorial/disciplinarian mother was an interesting, gendered view.
So...I really enjoyed this novel. There was so much more to it that the experience of the eponymous Doctor and I look forward to meeting some of these characters again in future Barsetshire instalments!