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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
So much of what forms the basis for this book is still so relevant, it almost feels like a Crucible-esque historical fiction allegory. Melmotte could easily be Bernie Madoff, Kenneth Lay or Jeff Skilling, and the Mexican Railway, Enron or the U.S. housing bubble (and his run for Parliament bears scary resemblance to Donald Trump's current candidacy).
I really enjoyed the slow unfolding of Melmotte's arrival in London, his seduction of the aristocracy, his rise, and his fall. The mirroring of his imaginary wealth and the endless IOUs at the Beargarden as false economic systems was very well done, and the commentary on class here was interesting.
But because it is a satire, the narrative was chosen mostly to give Trollope a chance to share his thoughts on society, rather than for its own strengths, and that shows. The subplots are full of really memorable characters (I especially enjoyed Mrs. Hurtle), but it isn't enough to stop them from dragging down the pace of the novel or to justify the long exposition passages that Trollope indulges in. Some aren't even fully developed; Hetta and Paul share just three conversations, and yet their romance is one of the key narratives in the book.
I also have to say I was really disappointed in the resolution of some of these plotlines. I recognize that a lot of them were ironic, but I was infuriated the Ruby Ruggles ended up sinking back to a life she had grown out of with her marriage to John Crumb, who despite being the human equivalent of a golden retriever, is hailed as a great man for characteristics like "not a rapist" and "determined to marry that pretty girl who cooks well."
I think Paul also got too much credit, and that Trollope was too severe on Hetta for being upset that he was engaged to another woman, romancing her at the seaside and then proposing to a new one within a couple of weeks.
Marie was also a disappointment, unfortunately. After emerging as one of the smartest and most interesting characters in the book, she still ended up with a man who wanted her for her money. Even if it was on her own terms, it was a little hard to swallow.
Really, I think I just have no patience for the men in this novel. Even if it didn't meet Trollope's end game, I couldn't help rooting for Mrs. Hurtle to just round up Marie, Georgiana, Hetta, and Ruby, and taking off for a fun-filled life in America. It may not have quite stuck the landing, but it would certainly have been more satisfying!
I think what this experience has taught me is that brevity is your friend when you're writing satire. If you're going to create a sprawling tome like this one, you need a little more of Dickens' empathetic feeling to propel readers through it and create any sense of closure - though keep the much more interesting female characters, please!
I really enjoyed the slow unfolding of Melmotte's arrival in London, his seduction of the aristocracy, his rise, and his fall. The mirroring of his imaginary wealth and the endless IOUs at the Beargarden as false economic systems was very well done, and the commentary on class here was interesting.
But because it is a satire, the narrative was chosen mostly to give Trollope a chance to share his thoughts on society, rather than for its own strengths, and that shows. The subplots are full of really memorable characters (I especially enjoyed Mrs. Hurtle), but it isn't enough to stop them from dragging down the pace of the novel or to justify the long exposition passages that Trollope indulges in. Some aren't even fully developed; Hetta and Paul share just three conversations, and yet their romance is one of the key narratives in the book.
I also have to say I was really disappointed in the resolution of some of these plotlines. I recognize that a lot of them were ironic, but I was infuriated the Ruby Ruggles ended up sinking back to a life she had grown out of with her marriage to John Crumb, who despite being the human equivalent of a golden retriever, is hailed as a great man for characteristics like "not a rapist" and "determined to marry that pretty girl who cooks well."
I think Paul also got too much credit, and that Trollope was too severe on Hetta for being upset that he was engaged to another woman, romancing her at the seaside and then proposing to a new one within a couple of weeks.
Marie was also a disappointment, unfortunately. After emerging as one of the smartest and most interesting characters in the book, she still ended up with a man who wanted her for her money. Even if it was on her own terms, it was a little hard to swallow.
Really, I think I just have no patience for the men in this novel. Even if it didn't meet Trollope's end game, I couldn't help rooting for Mrs. Hurtle to just round up Marie, Georgiana, Hetta, and Ruby, and taking off for a fun-filled life in America. It may not have quite stuck the landing, but it would certainly have been more satisfying!
I think what this experience has taught me is that brevity is your friend when you're writing satire. If you're going to create a sprawling tome like this one, you need a little more of Dickens' empathetic feeling to propel readers through it and create any sense of closure - though keep the much more interesting female characters, please!
Brilliant and oh-so-relevant. I also think Trollope had a lot of sympathy for his transgressive women and did a better job depicting the constraints of their lives than a lot of contemporary female writers looking back do (see especially the unhappy Georgianna Longestaffe).
3.5|5
Started reading this books sometimes last year as a paperback, coming back to it two months ago as an ebook and finishing it as an audiobook.It was a hell of a ride and the ending was such a disappointment. I know it’s all about the journey but really, I’ve read 800+ pages just to get a Disney style ending? What’s that about, Trollope?
Started reading this books sometimes last year as a paperback, coming back to it two months ago as an ebook and finishing it as an audiobook.It was a hell of a ride and the ending was such a disappointment. I know it’s all about the journey but really, I’ve read 800+ pages just to get a Disney style ending? What’s that about, Trollope?
Very long. I wanted to like this book more than I did. I guess I became invested in the characters, because I kept plowing through the book, just to find out what happened to everyone in the end.
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
funny
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
The learning curve for this book was really high but once I became familiarized with the writing and the setting I greatly enjoyed this book. It was so gripping and immersive. It also seemed so probable and the commentary it brought on money, marriage, politics, morality, relationships and happiness was so good!! One of my favorite Victorian novels I have read so far and I definitely want to read more from this author. It is kind of hard to recommend though because it is so dense and so greatly set in this era that you already need to have a good foundational knowledge on the late Victorian era and the mechanics of the society to maneuver through this book.
love this book could read it again and again and again. if you like Austen and Dickens you will love this!
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found that this book is as relevant today as it was when Trollope wrote it. The major difference is that, today, highly placed swindlers don't often seem to have any kind of downfall, or being held accountable. Trollope describes a time at which society was in transition, and illustrates the conflicting necessities of maintaining a certain lifestyle and having the wherewithal to sustain that lifestyle. With the transition towards "new money" people have more social cache, there also seems to be a certain shift in morality and social mores.