Reviews

One of my favorite characters in all of literature dies in this book. That would be a spoiler, except it happens in the first sentence.

The last Palliser book revisits themes that are very familiar by now, but does so with Trollope's unrivaled, dapper panache. There is a lovely metafictional sidebar about "putting the cart before the horse" and beginning a story in media res, in which Trollope essentially shows us how the tricks are performed without, somehow, ruining his magic show.

And there is not a surprising third marriage after the point where you would expect the book to end. Or is there? Maybe it's just better that it happened after the story was over.

sarahbringhurstfamilia's review against another edition

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4.0

I have to say I was pretty sad to come to the end of the Palliser Chronicles, although this was in nowise my favorite of series. I mean really! What's with

Spoiler

killing off Lady Glencora

in the first chapter?

The most interesting part of the novel, for me, was watching the evolution of 19th century society. It slowly dawns on the Duke that he is living in a different world from the one he inhabited as a young man. Where his beloved wife was coerced into marrying him by interfering relatives, his own children will have their way in marriage, whether that means his daughter marrying a penniless MP, or even worse, his son and heir marrying a (gasp!) gregarious American.

Plenty of the typical Trollope hilarity, with ridiculous English noblemen and excruciating social situations. I will dearly miss the world of the Pallisers.

ipb1's review against another edition

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5.0

I've (re)read both the Barsetshire and Palliser series this last couple of years and felt slightly bereft at the conclusion of each - these are characters you grow to love. As always the politics is just a backdrop to the playful dissection of social mores, class, love, inter-generational relations, etc. etc.
As this final tome unfolded my affection for Planty Pall grew further; his fundamental decency and post-Glencora vulnerability winning out even over his innate snobbery and social conservatism. A worthy end to fabulous series.

ph1lb's review against another edition

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reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The Duke's children was a good conclusion to the Palliser Series. It kept my interest throughout. It is surprising how the aristocracy were so determined to keep marriages among its own ranks.

sashshearman's review against another edition

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3.0

Trollope wrote a great many books during his lifetime, so it is not surprising some were a little mediocre. Unfortunately The Duke's Children is one of them. There is a shameless re-hashing of plots and characters, with just a little twist of each to keep him from completely plagiarizing himself. Having said that, however, I will persist with the book because even characters that pale in comparison with those in the earlier Palliser novels are interesting enough for me to follow to the end.

larobertson's review against another edition

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informative 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

5.0

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