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amythereader's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jmenasche's review against another edition
3.0
It was left in a will a long time ago that the hospital should be for 12 men in need of charity and they would receive x amount of money, the rest going to the warden. Many years later, the 12 men get the same amount of money but the amount going toward the warden has increased to 800 a year. The warden's future son-in-law brings the case to a lawyer, the warden is slandered in a newspaper, the warden's daughter asks her soon-to-be betrothed to discontinue his lawsuit, he does, the warden leaves the wardenship position anyway because he isn't sure the situation is just—end of story.
I like Victorian novels, I like the way they are written and the glimpse they give into living life then. This was a fine book if not a tad dull, but I wanted to read it because the other books in this series seem more interesting.
I like Victorian novels, I like the way they are written and the glimpse they give into living life then. This was a fine book if not a tad dull, but I wanted to read it because the other books in this series seem more interesting.
showell's review against another edition
4.0
Gentle, peaceful, read with a sly humor worth watching out for. I particularly enjoyed what I assume were jokes at Charles Dickens' expense.
Bit frustrated that the warden never even tried to read the will over which he was having such moral angst to see if he could have fixed the situation in some less dramatic (and ultimately more useful) fashion, but nonetheless, I'm looking forward to reading the next.
Bit frustrated that the warden never even tried to read the will over which he was having such moral angst to see if he could have fixed the situation in some less dramatic (and ultimately more useful) fashion, but nonetheless, I'm looking forward to reading the next.
perjacxis's review against another edition
2.0
I have to admit that I only read The Warden because I heard good things about the other novels in the Chronicles of Barsetshire series. It is a well written book and the moral dilemma Mr Harding faces is interesting but it didn't capture my full attention at any point. Trollope's writing style is a joy to read but I thought that the plot was relatively weak and the characters flat. All in all, a forgettable read but I will definitely continue with the series.
jameskeates's review against another edition
4.0
A short novel about potential abuses of charitable funding in a church-run Victorian almshouse doesn’t sound that exciting but I enjoyed this! The ironic tone as Trollope lampoons the press, church and reformers actually had me chuckling, and humour doesn’t always translate well over time.
Some bits remind me of a lighter Dickens (who Trollope caricatures in the book so probably wouldn’t appreciate the comparison) with silly names like Sir Abraham Haphazard and the timid warden bullied into acting in his own interest could pop up as light relief to a depressing Dickensian lead (nothing wrong with a depressing book but this wasn’t it). But surprisingly enjoyable in its own right and I look forward to trying the rest of the series.
Some bits remind me of a lighter Dickens (who Trollope caricatures in the book so probably wouldn’t appreciate the comparison) with silly names like Sir Abraham Haphazard and the timid warden bullied into acting in his own interest could pop up as light relief to a depressing Dickensian lead (nothing wrong with a depressing book but this wasn’t it). But surprisingly enjoyable in its own right and I look forward to trying the rest of the series.
hiccyup's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
krobart's review against another edition
4.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/06/24/day-725-the-warden/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/06/24/day-725-the-warden/
ageorge1877's review against another edition
4.0
This lowkey fucks.
For the opening few chapters I was like 'hmmm is this even too quaint for ME?' A story about a scandal around a sweet old man who gets paid a bit too much to run an almshouse? In a fictional cathedral town? I love gentle realism but could I be arsed? Yes! So glad I stuck with it!!!
Mr Harding is a gem of a character and deserves the world. Once I got used to his mannerisms and Trollope's writing style I found so much warmth and wisdom in this little booko. Plus once I got stuck in there's actually a LOT of very interesting, topical discourse about the power of the press and the dangers of a reactionary culture.
Trollope clearly knows that context matters, and as such all the characters are very intelligently written, all containing good n bad multitudes that really ignite what should be a doddery ol tale into High Drama with some very touching moments along the way.
For the opening few chapters I was like 'hmmm is this even too quaint for ME?' A story about a scandal around a sweet old man who gets paid a bit too much to run an almshouse? In a fictional cathedral town? I love gentle realism but could I be arsed? Yes! So glad I stuck with it!!!
Mr Harding is a gem of a character and deserves the world. Once I got used to his mannerisms and Trollope's writing style I found so much warmth and wisdom in this little booko. Plus once I got stuck in there's actually a LOT of very interesting, topical discourse about the power of the press and the dangers of a reactionary culture.
Trollope clearly knows that context matters, and as such all the characters are very intelligently written, all containing good n bad multitudes that really ignite what should be a doddery ol tale into High Drama with some very touching moments along the way.
bluestarfish's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a while to get into this, but once I got to the bit about bishops losing their ability to whistle when they get consecrated I was hooked. It was gently funny and the opposition of two powers as represented by archdeacon Grantly (church) and Tom Towers (press) was very interesting. Poor Mr Harding though. I'm glad he had a bounce in his step at the end... I've long thought I ought to read some Trollope and I'm glad I finally did.