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smcleish's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published on my blog here in August 1998.
The final novel of the popular Barset series contains one of Trollope's strongest characters, as well as affectionate farewells to many of those readers have come to know in earlier novels. The major character is Mr Crawley, who is a minor character in [b:Framley Parsonage|267102|Framley Parsonage|Anthony Trollope|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173281649s/267102.jpg|3305467]; he is the extremely poor and inflexible curate who points Mr Robarts on the right way.
In The Last Chronicle, Mr Crawley is accused of stealing when a cheque belonging to the Duke of Omnium, dropped by the Duke's steward during or after a visit to Mr Crawley, is cashed by a tradesman to whom Mr Crawley owes money at his bank.
Mr Crawley is unable to account for the money, and so is brought before the magistrates and committed for trial. The scandal this creates brings down upon him the redoubtable anger of Mrs Proudie, the bishop's wife.
The important thing about Mr Crawley, which makes him by far the most interesting character in the novel sequence, is that he has a tendency toward madness, which starts small - his absent-mindedness about money which makes it impossible to remember where the cheque came from - and grows, tormenting him and his family and friends. In the opinion of the introduction to this edition, he grows almost to the stature of a Lear under the strain; that is perhaps a little exaggerated, but he is such a centre of interest that the chapters dealing with the continuing resolution of the "love story" at the centre of [b:The Small House at Allington|144463|The Small House at Allington|Anthony Trollope|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172163443s/144463.jpg|3282131] are read with impatience to get back to the main interest.
The final novel of the popular Barset series contains one of Trollope's strongest characters, as well as affectionate farewells to many of those readers have come to know in earlier novels. The major character is Mr Crawley, who is a minor character in [b:Framley Parsonage|267102|Framley Parsonage|Anthony Trollope|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173281649s/267102.jpg|3305467]; he is the extremely poor and inflexible curate who points Mr Robarts on the right way.
In The Last Chronicle, Mr Crawley is accused of stealing when a cheque belonging to the Duke of Omnium, dropped by the Duke's steward during or after a visit to Mr Crawley, is cashed by a tradesman to whom Mr Crawley owes money at his bank.
Mr Crawley is unable to account for the money, and so is brought before the magistrates and committed for trial. The scandal this creates brings down upon him the redoubtable anger of Mrs Proudie, the bishop's wife.
The important thing about Mr Crawley, which makes him by far the most interesting character in the novel sequence, is that he has a tendency toward madness, which starts small - his absent-mindedness about money which makes it impossible to remember where the cheque came from - and grows, tormenting him and his family and friends. In the opinion of the introduction to this edition, he grows almost to the stature of a Lear under the strain; that is perhaps a little exaggerated, but he is such a centre of interest that the chapters dealing with the continuing resolution of the "love story" at the centre of [b:The Small House at Allington|144463|The Small House at Allington|Anthony Trollope|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172163443s/144463.jpg|3282131] are read with impatience to get back to the main interest.
guiltyfeat's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this would be a great book to have with me on the plane for a couple of trips, but I ended up reading it only in spurts for two weeks and then racing through the last 600 pages in one day. It's a pretty wonderful end to the Chronicles closing with the last days of the Warden, Septimus Harding. The proto-mystery wraps itself up pretty instantaneously after being dragged out for 700-odd pages, but I didn't mind. I am sure there will be some people who believe Lily Dale to be perfectly marvelous, but I found her mostly unbearable, not because she should have taken up with the young man who wooed her, but because she is so pleased with herself and her abnegation. In fact, when they make the Broadway musical of this book it will just be called "Abnegation!".
I have loved the entire series, although I did prefer them when they were under 400 pages. Next up the Palliser novels.
I have loved the entire series, although I did prefer them when they were under 400 pages. Next up the Palliser novels.
pgchuis's review against another edition
4.0
This book is really really long! Based around the question of whether Mr Crawley (whom we have met before in these chronicles as the clergyman who persuaded Mr Arabin not to convert etc) stole a cheque or not, it reintroduces all the characters from the previous episodes and ties up their stories. I very much enjoyed meeting characters from previous books, but, unless my memory fails me, Trollope makes lots of them cousins to one another rather unexpectedly. The middle dragged a bit for me, but the set up was entertaining and the ending positively exciting. The whole Grace and Major Grantly set up was (as Trollope acknowledged) a bit of a repeat of Lucy and Lord Lufton. All the scenes featuring the archdeacon and his wife were, as ever, very amusing. For the record, I don't think John Eames did deserve Lily Dale. The scene with Dr Tempest and Mr and Mrs Proudie was excellent, as indeed was the one where Mr Crawley goes to see them. I am sad this series is over.
lnatal's review against another edition
4.0
From BBC Radio 4:
This is the final book in Anthony Trollope's Barchester Chronicles and many of the characters from both "The Small House at Allington" and "Framley Parsonage" return to finish his story of Barsetshire life set between 1855 and 1867. These 4 episodes focus in part on the story of the proud but impoverished vicar of Hogglestock, Josiah Crawley and the accusation that he has stolen and cashed a cheque. The whole of Barset has an opinion about Crawley's guilt or innocence, but no-one is more affected by it than Archdeacon Grantly's son, Henry, who has fallen in love with Crawley's daughter, Grace. Meanwhile, Johnny Eames has returned to try for the hand of Lily Dale, who is still devastated by the betrayal of her amoral fiance, Adolphus Crosbie. Happily, Mrs Baxter returns to tell the tale and give her inimitable opinion on events.
Part One: The Way Things Are
In the sleepy village of Silverbridge, Henry Grantly has fallen in love again and Mr Crawley is to find that a butcher with a vengeance is someone to be reckoned with.
Part 2: Propose Propose
Lily's past returns to haunt her, Grace has a difficult letter to write, Johnny makes a new friend and Mr Toogood begins to live up to his name.
Part 3: Dogged
Johnny traverses Europe trying to save Mr Crawley, who has a revelation in the rain. Meanwhile, Archdeacon Grantly is having trouble with his temper.
Part 4: All the Work of His Life
Johnny's travel abroad brings him an unexpected new friend and an answer to Mr Crawley's dilemma, but what repercussions will it have in Barsetshire?
Music composed by David Tobin, Jeff Meegan and Julian Gallant.
Produced & directed by Marion Nancarrow
Maggie Steed stars as Mrs Baxter and is joined by Adam Kotz, Tim Pigott-Smith, Samuel Barnett and Scarlett Alice Johnson.
The Barchester Chronicles is Anthony Trollope's much-loved series of witty, gently satirical stories of provincial life set within the fictional cathedral town of Barchester and the surrounding county of Barsetshire. With a focus on the lives, loves and tribulations of the local clergy and rural gentry, the canvas is broad and colourful, with a wonderful set of iconic characters whose lives we become intimately involved in as they grow up, grow old and fall in or out of love and friendship across the years.
This is the final book in Anthony Trollope's Barchester Chronicles and many of the characters from both "The Small House at Allington" and "Framley Parsonage" return to finish his story of Barsetshire life set between 1855 and 1867. These 4 episodes focus in part on the story of the proud but impoverished vicar of Hogglestock, Josiah Crawley and the accusation that he has stolen and cashed a cheque. The whole of Barset has an opinion about Crawley's guilt or innocence, but no-one is more affected by it than Archdeacon Grantly's son, Henry, who has fallen in love with Crawley's daughter, Grace. Meanwhile, Johnny Eames has returned to try for the hand of Lily Dale, who is still devastated by the betrayal of her amoral fiance, Adolphus Crosbie. Happily, Mrs Baxter returns to tell the tale and give her inimitable opinion on events.
Part One: The Way Things Are
In the sleepy village of Silverbridge, Henry Grantly has fallen in love again and Mr Crawley is to find that a butcher with a vengeance is someone to be reckoned with.
Part 2: Propose Propose
Lily's past returns to haunt her, Grace has a difficult letter to write, Johnny makes a new friend and Mr Toogood begins to live up to his name.
Part 3: Dogged
Johnny traverses Europe trying to save Mr Crawley, who has a revelation in the rain. Meanwhile, Archdeacon Grantly is having trouble with his temper.
Part 4: All the Work of His Life
Johnny's travel abroad brings him an unexpected new friend and an answer to Mr Crawley's dilemma, but what repercussions will it have in Barsetshire?
Music composed by David Tobin, Jeff Meegan and Julian Gallant.
Produced & directed by Marion Nancarrow
Maggie Steed stars as Mrs Baxter and is joined by Adam Kotz, Tim Pigott-Smith, Samuel Barnett and Scarlett Alice Johnson.
The Barchester Chronicles is Anthony Trollope's much-loved series of witty, gently satirical stories of provincial life set within the fictional cathedral town of Barchester and the surrounding county of Barsetshire. With a focus on the lives, loves and tribulations of the local clergy and rural gentry, the canvas is broad and colourful, with a wonderful set of iconic characters whose lives we become intimately involved in as they grow up, grow old and fall in or out of love and friendship across the years.
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