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heather_freshparchment's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism and Pandemic/Epidemic
rosekk's review against another edition
4.0
I don't think many books would be able to put off the weird arrangement of the plots that this book does. For one thing, I do mean plots, plural - and not just a main plot and a few sub-plots, but two (almost entirely unrelated) main plots, plus some extra sub plots including references to previous books. It works in this book, because it adds to the sense that we're learning about a set of people all living in a county, with separate lives that connect in different ways.
eric_d_peterson's review against another edition
4.0
This is a fun read but the weakest of the Barchester novels so far, but 2 more to go.
booksafterten's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ph1lb's review against another edition
4.0
Another excellent novel in the Barsetshire series. This is possibly not quite as good as Barchester Towers or Dr Thorne but nevertheless it held my interest throughout.
mnasadoo's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
3genres's review against another edition
5.0
I liked this one the best of the Barster chronicles so far. The plot was more complex and there were more characters in the mix.
lucyandherbooks's review against another edition
reflective
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
3.5
travelsalongmybookshelf's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
And so to Barsetshire I return, and what a joy. I already know I am going to love this, it’s a bit like putting on a pair of comfy socks.
This time we are at Framley, seat of Lord Lufton and we meet Mark Robarts, his wife Fanny and the imperious Lady Lufton, mother of the former and who has it in her gift to endow the living of the parsonage to her sons friend Mark. He is her protégée and he does as he’s told; I can already see he has ambition, he wants to socialise with politicians and it’s bound to end badly in some way!
Trollope just writes about people so well, it feels like quite a modern novel in a lot of ways with political duplicity, hypocrisy, greed, ambition and just incompetence rearing their head and in a way that we recognise in our present day.
Characters from the previous books also make an appearance. I did a little inward cheer when Mr Harding was mentioned and a little fist pump when he declines to sit near Mrs Proudie! And Mrs Proudie is back, sticking her oar in and still gossiping and generally being a little bit awful!
There is a lot of people pleasing behaviour; Mark Robarts trying to please his patron Lady Lufton, his new friends in the Chaldicote set, his wife, Fanny and getting himself a little in knots as is Trollope’s way. It makes for great reading.
Robarts makes himself responsible for a loan of £400 to his ‘friend’ Sowerby - almost half a years income, all really to save face and further his own ambition, it’s foolish to say the least!
I then lost my way a bit, and got bogged down in the politicking which frankly bored me. My reading slowed and my interest dulled but then it was saved by Miss Dunstable. She is an absolute Queen, witty, wise and funny. Her conversazione was inspired and I was hooked on once again. The joy of having Doctor Thorne return cannot be understated, bless him. I feel the women of these novels definitely have the measure of the men and that is what I love about them.
The second half of the book is much better than the first for me. I think because it had some of the returning characters in it and the women really come to the fore. Mrs Proudie arguing with Mrs Grantly - snipey and brilliant. Miss Dunstable besting the Duke of Omnium. Lady Lufton, Fanny Robarts and Lucy Robarts conversations were superb- the women get things done and the men think it’s their idea 🤣
I can’t believe there are only 2 books left in this series. I will be sad to leave Barsetshire that’s for sure