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northerly_heart_reads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
bibliobethreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
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
flamingo_and_owl_books's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
4.25
fannri's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
sally_ann_t's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
plan2read's review against another edition
3.0
Got to love Trollope's brand of forlorn wit -
"'But the question, I suppose is, whether Lord Lufton likes her.'
'I think he does,--in a sort of way. He did not talk to her so much as he did to you.'
'Ah! that was all Lady Lufton's fault, because she didn't have him properly labelled.'
'There does not seem to have been much harm done?'
'Oh! by God's mercy, very little. As for me, I shall get over it in three or four years I don't doubt'"
"'But the question, I suppose is, whether Lord Lufton likes her.'
'I think he does,--in a sort of way. He did not talk to her so much as he did to you.'
'Ah! that was all Lady Lufton's fault, because she didn't have him properly labelled.'
'There does not seem to have been much harm done?'
'Oh! by God's mercy, very little. As for me, I shall get over it in three or four years I don't doubt'"
nanvdand's review against another edition
4.0
A few decades ago, when I was in my 20s I decided to try reading a classic novel for pleasure (as opposed for a school assignment). My first go at this was A Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. I loved it and from that point forward I have tried to read a few classic (mostly British) novels every year. One of the things I especially loved about A Women in White was its portrayal of strong and intelligent women despite it being written in 1859 by a man. It made me realize that feminism was alive and well even back then and that (some) men recognized that women had more value than simply as housekeepers and baby makers. Framley Parsonage falls into that same category. While the plot is not nearly as riveting as Mr. Collins' book, it does, nonetheless have several smart, powerful, and independent women in it. In fact, I might say that this book is about how women are really the ones that get things done - and not just housework.
My favorite character, by far, is Miss Dunstable. She is not beautiful or young but she's funny, smart and wealthy and its very fun to listen in on her snarky conversations with people.
The book is about the folly of young men, the independence of women, the danger of debt, and the politics of Britain. And for you romantics, there's a few romances thrown in the mix. The first chapter or two are a bit hard to digest and I worried I wouldn't be able to get into the book. But you can more or less skim these chapters and not miss anything too important. They are mostly about introducing the various players and locales so you can always go back to them if needed.
A note about the narrator: Simon Vance. I have listened to several of his narratives (mostly Dickens) and he never fails to disappoint. He makes the wordy 19th century English so much more understandable and enjoyable. If you're hesitant to start reading any of these British classics, start by listening and pick one narrated by the talented Mr. Vance.
My favorite character, by far, is Miss Dunstable. She is not beautiful or young but she's funny, smart and wealthy and its very fun to listen in on her snarky conversations with people.
The book is about the folly of young men, the independence of women, the danger of debt, and the politics of Britain. And for you romantics, there's a few romances thrown in the mix. The first chapter or two are a bit hard to digest and I worried I wouldn't be able to get into the book. But you can more or less skim these chapters and not miss anything too important. They are mostly about introducing the various players and locales so you can always go back to them if needed.
A note about the narrator: Simon Vance. I have listened to several of his narratives (mostly Dickens) and he never fails to disappoint. He makes the wordy 19th century English so much more understandable and enjoyable. If you're hesitant to start reading any of these British classics, start by listening and pick one narrated by the talented Mr. Vance.
duffypratt's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
4.5
Perhaps not as delightful as Barchester Towers. And it doesn't deal with some of the angst that's in Dr. Thorne. But it's a joy to read nevertheless.
This book spends quite a bit of time in London, and becomes much more deeply involved in politics. It basically circles around the theme of integrity. The characters are all torn between doing what they think is right, and doing what will make them look best to others.
Thus we get our main plots. First, we have Mark Roberts, an ambitious young vicar. He wants to rise in the church, but to do so he needs to get involved with a set of people of whom his chief patroness does not approve. Thus he gets involved in the sins of fox-hunting, associating with disreputable social climbers, and worst of all, allowing his name to be used on a promissory note for the benefit of one of his new, disreputable friends (who also happens to be a member of Parliament.)
Then there is the main love story. This is between Mark's sister, and Lord Lufton, who is the son of Mark's patroness, Lady Lufton. The match is inappropriate, because she is too low for the Lord, though they are of a class to socialize together, and her brother is high enough to have been specially invited to a function by the Duke of Omnium (love Trollope's names). Anyway, Lucy refuses to marry Mark unless Lady Lufton approves of the match, which she decidedly does not, mostly because Lucy does not fit her image of a future Lady Lufton.
Then there are smaller side plots. Griselda Grantly had been intended by their mothers for Lord Lufton. She is all appearance, and perhaps little substance, and she keeps herself aloof from the Lord, perhaps casting her net for bigger fish.
And there is Miss Dunstable, the homely but lovable heiress from Dr. Thorne, who is still getting proposals from suitors after her money, but is only interested in finding someone who would love her for herself and not her money, but that seems impossible -- if not in truth, then at least impossible to ascertain. Dr. Thorne might be interested in her, but he's afraid that she will think he is after her money.
And finally worth noting, is Rev. Crawley, who is so aware of his poverty that he can't bear to be with his older friends who are now more wealthy than them, because of the appearance of it. His pride can't take his own seeming inferiority, even though his friends would be delighted to have him.
In all of these plots, the characters are contending, for better or worse, between the pressure of their appearance in society, and what they think is right. Even better, most of the characters are defined by certain weaknesses in their character. And these are portrayed realistically, and with a remarkable deftness.
On this reread, I'm enjoying these books even more than I did the first time. They are simply fantastic.
This book spends quite a bit of time in London, and becomes much more deeply involved in politics. It basically circles around the theme of integrity. The characters are all torn between doing what they think is right, and doing what will make them look best to others.
Thus we get our main plots. First, we have Mark Roberts, an ambitious young vicar. He wants to rise in the church, but to do so he needs to get involved with a set of people of whom his chief patroness does not approve. Thus he gets involved in the sins of fox-hunting, associating with disreputable social climbers, and worst of all, allowing his name to be used on a promissory note for the benefit of one of his new, disreputable friends (who also happens to be a member of Parliament.)
Then there is the main love story. This is between Mark's sister, and Lord Lufton, who is the son of Mark's patroness, Lady Lufton. The match is inappropriate, because she is too low for the Lord, though they are of a class to socialize together, and her brother is high enough to have been specially invited to a function by the Duke of Omnium (love Trollope's names). Anyway, Lucy refuses to marry Mark unless Lady Lufton approves of the match, which she decidedly does not, mostly because Lucy does not fit her image of a future Lady Lufton.
Then there are smaller side plots. Griselda Grantly had been intended by their mothers for Lord Lufton. She is all appearance, and perhaps little substance, and she keeps herself aloof from the Lord, perhaps casting her net for bigger fish.
And there is Miss Dunstable, the homely but lovable heiress from Dr. Thorne, who is still getting proposals from suitors after her money, but is only interested in finding someone who would love her for herself and not her money, but that seems impossible -- if not in truth, then at least impossible to ascertain. Dr. Thorne might be interested in her, but he's afraid that she will think he is after her money.
And finally worth noting, is Rev. Crawley, who is so aware of his poverty that he can't bear to be with his older friends who are now more wealthy than them, because of the appearance of it. His pride can't take his own seeming inferiority, even though his friends would be delighted to have him.
In all of these plots, the characters are contending, for better or worse, between the pressure of their appearance in society, and what they think is right. Even better, most of the characters are defined by certain weaknesses in their character. And these are portrayed realistically, and with a remarkable deftness.
On this reread, I'm enjoying these books even more than I did the first time. They are simply fantastic.
ligia_alexandra's review against another edition
3.0
I feel like I’ve just read a less fun version of Doctor Thorne. We have the kind, a bit foolish, immature and rich young gentleman who, despite his family’s wishes, falls in love with the strong, vertical, moral, proper and self sacrificing relative of the main/title character. Then there’s the stern mother who opposes the marriage but ends up proposing to the young lady. The loss of property due to reckless spending. The good character who gets into financial trouble. It’s all there, minus the fun and quircky tone and characters in Doctor Thorne. It was nice, though, to see the Greshams and the Thornes again, and also bits of the Arabins.
melindamoor's review against another edition
3.0
After a re-read I think this book has been confirmed as one of my least favourite Trollope's besides [b:The Small House at Allington|144463|The Small House at Allington|Anthony Trollope|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1336453356l/144463._SY75_.jpg|35664724].
I can't even be bothered to write a proper review about it.
Maybe later.... maybe...
I can't even be bothered to write a proper review about it.
Maybe later.... maybe...