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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.
ridgewaygirl's review against another edition
4.0
I had been warned that this is not Anthony Trollope's most exciting novel, but as it is the first in the Barsetshire Chronicles and I had a copy at hand, it was the first Trollope that I've read. It hasn't generally aged well, nineteenth century Church of England politics being somewhat out of fashion as a topic of interest, but the writing is strong and reminded me why I enjoy Victorian authors so much.
Reverend Harding is a pleasant, ineffectual man who has a sinecure as the warden of a small retirement home for deserving working class men that includes a house with pleasant gardens and an annual salary of 800 pounds, given to him because one of his two daughters had married the son of the bishop. Here he lives comfortably, enjoying his music, reading books and visiting the old men in the adjoining hospital now and again. His life would have continued in pleasant routine had not a spirit of reform begun to sweep England and a young reformer, the aptly named John Bold, questioned the generosity of the annual allowance.
Trollope is clearly on the side of the status quo, and he breaks from the narrative to complain about the tactics of an author (supposedly Charles Dickens), whom he calls Mr Popular Sentiment, and who he accuses of biasing the public by creating characters and situations that manipulate the reader into sympathy with his poor working class characters. Of course, Trollope is doing exactly the same thing here; Harding is so mild and inoffensive that it is impossible not to hope that he can keep his generous and largely unearned salary.
Outside of the machinations of the lawyers, clergymen and journalists, there is a sub-plot involving Harding's unmarried daughter and John Bold. They had feelings for each other before Bold discovered possible shady dealings on the matter of the wardenship and it's uncertain as to whether their love will survive the conflict. This part of the novel is particularly satisfying, as Eleanor is an interesting character and Bold's conflict as he tries to do what he sees is right without losing her love results in the most satisfying chapters in this brief novel.
I'm looking forward to continuing on with the Barsetshire Chronicles.
Reverend Harding is a pleasant, ineffectual man who has a sinecure as the warden of a small retirement home for deserving working class men that includes a house with pleasant gardens and an annual salary of 800 pounds, given to him because one of his two daughters had married the son of the bishop. Here he lives comfortably, enjoying his music, reading books and visiting the old men in the adjoining hospital now and again. His life would have continued in pleasant routine had not a spirit of reform begun to sweep England and a young reformer, the aptly named John Bold, questioned the generosity of the annual allowance.
Trollope is clearly on the side of the status quo, and he breaks from the narrative to complain about the tactics of an author (supposedly Charles Dickens), whom he calls Mr Popular Sentiment, and who he accuses of biasing the public by creating characters and situations that manipulate the reader into sympathy with his poor working class characters. Of course, Trollope is doing exactly the same thing here; Harding is so mild and inoffensive that it is impossible not to hope that he can keep his generous and largely unearned salary.
Outside of the machinations of the lawyers, clergymen and journalists, there is a sub-plot involving Harding's unmarried daughter and John Bold. They had feelings for each other before Bold discovered possible shady dealings on the matter of the wardenship and it's uncertain as to whether their love will survive the conflict. This part of the novel is particularly satisfying, as Eleanor is an interesting character and Bold's conflict as he tries to do what he sees is right without losing her love results in the most satisfying chapters in this brief novel.
I'm looking forward to continuing on with the Barsetshire Chronicles.
bupdaddy's review
4.0
Three or four chapters in, I thought it was going to be obvious and moralistic.
But then, the titular warden is likeable! And multi-dimensional.
I really liked it. I'm not going to research the book to find out if it was Trollope's intention to teach us all that THE MAN knows what's best for us, and don't try to mess with the system because it's already perfect. I'm just going to assume it was Trollope's intention to tell us about one situation, and certain individuals.
But then, the titular warden is likeable! And multi-dimensional.
I really liked it. I'm not going to research the book to find out if it was Trollope's intention to teach us all that THE MAN knows what's best for us, and don't try to mess with the system because it's already perfect. I'm just going to assume it was Trollope's intention to tell us about one situation, and certain individuals.
ecw199's review against another edition
4.0
A lovely, witty novel. Not a huge amount of plot but then it it is really a short prequel to the The Barchester Towers which I look forward to reading soon.
laura_c_'s review against another edition
4.0
Began this book worried Trollope was just going to be Dickens-lite (way too heavy on adjectives and moralising) but it's a lot more Austen-esque and I loved it! The whole thing is so cosy, and funny - definitely one I'll revisit, currently looking forward to the next in the series
catherinedarcy24's review against another edition
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
freddie's review against another edition
4.0
I like the sarcasm in the narrator's voice. This book has an interesting tone: it is funny, but at the same quite melancholic.
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly I think this is my first Anthony Trollope book I've read. As much as a lover of classics that I am. It was well writien and I did enjoy it for the most part. But didn't quite fall in love with it. Think I need to read more by him to get a bigger picture of I enjoy his writing style or not and maybe come back to this one day. It had something very classic feeling to it and it feelt a tiny tinie boring but overall I liked it
catrink's review against another edition
3.0
I wasn't sure that I would like this book, and it is the first time that I've read anything by Anthony Trollope. I found the story pulled me in, and while it is of a very different time, human nature hasn't changed. Interesting read, and the ending was a bit of a surprise. I will read the next one in the series. In the end, it is about the interaction between established culture and a changing social consciousness. Who comes out the winner? Is there a winner? That is for the reader to decide.