Scan barcode
adambwriter's review against another edition
3.0
Read my summary and review at http://classiclit.about.com/od/victorianliteratu/fl/The-Warden-1855-by-Anthony-Trollope.htm
leevoncarbon's review against another edition
4.0
A fine tale that endorses Jesus statement that the meek shall inherit the earth. Questions about the propriety of the use of certain church funds leads to a highly publicized lawsuit. As we get to know the key players there is a growing sense that the pursuit of justice is really more about greed, pride and power. The end result is that a ministry of mercy that once flourished like a garden is turned to dust. Meanwhile the warden, who purposes in his heart to do what is right morally rather than what is permitted legally ends up more impoverished materially but yet not without happiness or contentment. The writing bogs down in places with long analogies but the device of the author putting himself in the story as an invisible observer is well played. Looking forward to others in this Barchester Chronicles series which other reviewers seem to think are better than this first one.
pattydsf's review against another edition
3.0
This book was fascinating. Anthony Trollope has been on my "to read" list for years. He is a classic literary author and so I always thought I should read at least one of his books.
Well besides the fact that I enjoyed the story, liked the characters and was happy to be back in the 19th century, this story was very relevant. I guess that is why it is considered a classic.
The Reverend Harding has had a living from the year for many years. He has lived comfortably, without really thinking about how his position might look to someone else. When a young gentleman takes issue with how such livings are administered, everyone starts to look at these church offices work with new eyes.
What is amazing to me is the involvement of The Press and how familiar it all sounded. Everything old is new again. I plan to read another book by Trollope soon.
Well besides the fact that I enjoyed the story, liked the characters and was happy to be back in the 19th century, this story was very relevant. I guess that is why it is considered a classic.
The Reverend Harding has had a living from the year for many years. He has lived comfortably, without really thinking about how his position might look to someone else. When a young gentleman takes issue with how such livings are administered, everyone starts to look at these church offices work with new eyes.
What is amazing to me is the involvement of The Press and how familiar it all sounded. Everything old is new again. I plan to read another book by Trollope soon.
kdavisreich's review against another edition
3.0
The more Trollope I read, the more I'm taken aback by how funny he was. This story is pretty slight, but the prose is so sly and sometimes just hilarious.
megfindlay's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
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
jeet_the_maiden's review against another edition
4.0
Best part about the story was the magnificent diatribe by Anthony Trollope against newspapers (The Jupiter). He writes with pure sarcasm that surely governments, dignitaries and people in charge should take guidance from the media - the written word in this case - before making any decision for the people. Who themselves should be guided in principles by what a journalist/editor tells them, and a country can only be blessed if they have newspapers telling them what to do.
It's sadly unexpected but not less amusing that media even ninety years ago was as voluble and biased as it is now.
Also, the narration by Timothy West is simply brilliant. He does voices perfectly and his cadence and enunciation is excellent. Partly why I'm tempted to listen to Trollope is largely thanks to his reading of the novels.
It's sadly unexpected but not less amusing that media even ninety years ago was as voluble and biased as it is now.
Also, the narration by Timothy West is simply brilliant. He does voices perfectly and his cadence and enunciation is excellent. Partly why I'm tempted to listen to Trollope is largely thanks to his reading of the novels.
oldenglishrose's review against another edition
4.0
The eponymous Warden is Mr Septimus Harding, who presides over the twelve bedesmen of Hiram’s Hospital, a local almshouse. Everyone lives a comfortable, happy life until John Bold, a zealous young reformer who comes courting Mr Harding’s younger daughter, launches a campaign to redistribute the way that the income from the Hospital is apportioned between the bedesmen and the Warden as Bold believes the Warden receives an unfairly large amount. Soon the press are involved, Mr Harding’s good reputation is tarnished, the bedesmen become increasingly eager for more money and Mr Harding’s son in law Archdeacon Grantley is interfering. But the biggest problem of all turns out to be Mr Harding himself.
Ever since reading Elizabeth Goudge’s cathedral city books at the prompting of a wonderful English teacher I have been a fan of gentle stories of the clergy in which very little happens, so I was sold on the concept of The Warden before I even began to read it, and I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest. The story is sweet, charming and amusing, absorbing because of its characters and the way in which it is told rather than for what happens.
By far the most appealing aspect of the book is Trollope himself. His narratorial style is both distinctive and enjoyable. I love the way in which he alternates between protesting that he has no control over what happens to the characters as they act entirely of their own volition and assuring the reader not to worry about the characters because he knows exactly what will happen to them and it is nothing bad. His persona as the narrator come as being genial, jocular and slightly bumbling, like an elderly uncle in a Dickens novel (an impression not helped by his bearded and bespectacled physical appearance), but at the same time it is impossible to forget that as an author he is sharp and intelligent, capable of making keen observations and challenging accepted ideas even though the story itself is very mild. I enjoyed this so much that I think I’d gladly read him talking about almost anything if this is the style in which he does it.
Ever since reading Elizabeth Goudge’s cathedral city books at the prompting of a wonderful English teacher I have been a fan of gentle stories of the clergy in which very little happens, so I was sold on the concept of The Warden before I even began to read it, and I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest. The story is sweet, charming and amusing, absorbing because of its characters and the way in which it is told rather than for what happens.
By far the most appealing aspect of the book is Trollope himself. His narratorial style is both distinctive and enjoyable. I love the way in which he alternates between protesting that he has no control over what happens to the characters as they act entirely of their own volition and assuring the reader not to worry about the characters because he knows exactly what will happen to them and it is nothing bad. His persona as the narrator come as being genial, jocular and slightly bumbling, like an elderly uncle in a Dickens novel (an impression not helped by his bearded and bespectacled physical appearance), but at the same time it is impossible to forget that as an author he is sharp and intelligent, capable of making keen observations and challenging accepted ideas even though the story itself is very mild. I enjoyed this so much that I think I’d gladly read him talking about almost anything if this is the style in which he does it.
laurene99's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
jenmcmaynes's review against another edition
2.0
A sure sign of boredom with a book is when I have to force myself to read it, and then only make it through a chapter at a time. Both of those happened with The Warden, which is why it took nearly a month to read a 150 page book.
Having finished it, though, I do realize that there is much to commend in it. The moral ambiguity that surrounds the warden, the hospital, and all players in this little drama was extremely well done and left me with a lot to think about. However, I found the chapter-long digressions into the nature of the Press, secondary characters, and thinly veiled jibes at Dickens (I think?) to be tiresome and irritating.
So, though I can recognize The Warden's merits, it just wasn't my cup of tea.
Having finished it, though, I do realize that there is much to commend in it. The moral ambiguity that surrounds the warden, the hospital, and all players in this little drama was extremely well done and left me with a lot to think about. However, I found the chapter-long digressions into the nature of the Press, secondary characters, and thinly veiled jibes at Dickens (I think?) to be tiresome and irritating.
So, though I can recognize The Warden's merits, it just wasn't my cup of tea.