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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Way too much info about some reform bill and British politics in the Victorian era. Snooze. Phineas seemed to be struggling between being a man of character and convictions and a social climbing rat face. Interesting to read that struggle in between way.too.much.politics.
My first Trollope; rough going at first but it grew on me. Phineas is a likable innocent, both politically and romantically; he blunders into Parliament through luck, but leaves after he is forced to examine his convictions. Likewise, though he somewhat callously flirts with local sweetheart Mary before leaving Ireland, it is only when he is tempted by an advantageous marriage to a woman who could advance him politically that he realizes whom he really loves.
For me the true hero of the book is plucky heiress Violet Effingham, whom Phineas ineffectually woos. Independent of fortune, Violet is quite aware of her privileged position and reluctant to give up her freedom, even to a man she has loved since childhood.Her cheeky ripostes to Phineas, to her friend Laura and her starchy aunt had me in stitches. If only Trollope had written a novel completely dedicated to the effervescent Miss Effingham!
This is tough going for those ignorant of 19th century politics, (as I was). I couldn't find a good annotated edition, so struggled with references to tenant right, rotten and pocket boroughs, divisions and the Reform Bill. I'm on the lookout for the Oxford World Classics edition which has appendices explaining the political context, (many of the characters are based on real life British politicians).
An enjoyable political soap opera.
For me the true hero of the book is plucky heiress Violet Effingham, whom Phineas ineffectually woos. Independent of fortune, Violet is quite aware of her privileged position and reluctant to give up her freedom, even to a man she has loved since childhood.Her cheeky ripostes to Phineas, to her friend Laura and her starchy aunt had me in stitches. If only Trollope had written a novel completely dedicated to the effervescent Miss Effingham!
This is tough going for those ignorant of 19th century politics, (as I was). I couldn't find a good annotated edition, so struggled with references to tenant right, rotten and pocket boroughs, divisions and the Reform Bill. I'm on the lookout for the Oxford World Classics edition which has appendices explaining the political context, (many of the characters are based on real life British politicians).
An enjoyable political soap opera.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I didn't like this as much as Can You Forgive Her? It was still a solid read, but I just wasn't as drawn to the characters.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Antisemitism
Minor: Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts
700 pages of gloriously whacko Trollope. As always, a long strange trip, and fun. This one wasn't my fave but still fun.
I just kept picturing James McAvoy as the lead in this epic novel set at the turn of the 19th century, an Irishman who, without a penny, rises to society and is elected to a seat in parliment. There is plenty of romance, and a little scandal. I would be very happy to see this made into a period film with the lovely James McAvoy as Phineas.
I have a long history of attempting to read Anthony Trollope's "Phineas Finn" and this time I've finally done it. (I checked it out of the library three years ago with too many books to even start it before I ran out of renewals. After the mandatory 1 year wait period, I checked it out again with too many other books, only to get about 1/3 of the way through it before I had to return it. I actually purchased the book when I ran out of renewals for the third time and finished it... yay me!)
At any rate, I liked the first portion of the book a lot the first time I read it, but this time around all of the politics really dragged for me. I'm guessing it was more due to mood than the quality of the book. I did enjoy the relationships between the characters and Phineas' up and down fortunes as he wends his way through Parliament and his variety of loves.
Overall, this was a good read though the political discussions sometimes got a bit too heavy for me.
At any rate, I liked the first portion of the book a lot the first time I read it, but this time around all of the politics really dragged for me. I'm guessing it was more due to mood than the quality of the book. I did enjoy the relationships between the characters and Phineas' up and down fortunes as he wends his way through Parliament and his variety of loves.
Overall, this was a good read though the political discussions sometimes got a bit too heavy for me.