Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
I was made happy by the charm of this entertaining and cute suspenseful plot of Victorian young adults in love but struggling against overwhelming class disapproval of their relationships, despite the obvious irritations to me about the treatment of women and the assumed virtues in maintaining the English class system by the characters in 'Doctor Thorne', third novel in the Barsetshire series by Anthony Trollope. Since the story takes place (and was written) in 1858 England about characters in a conservative farming village built around a couple of aristocratic great houses during a time social class structures were cemented into law as solid as granite, author Anthony Trollope could not do much else except write a book which reflected his time; but I think he was more than aware of some stirrings here and there of lower-class rebellion. Trollope, though, was not a rebel or an activist - he was simply a first-class novelist who wrote entertaining books about a community of various middle-class gentry struggling to climb up a few rungs through marriage and money; and various aristocrat families who felt the growing threat from the middle-classes - and some of their own - overthrowing the established structures of society and themselves.
In all of these books so far, Trollope is sneaky in how he subtly criticizes the class system and the unearned crooked accumulation of wealth by the rich through the time-honored device of developing plots around young, and sometimes old, adult characters of unequal class falling in love (recall that some of Shakespeare's plays written in the 1600's used this literary device). Trials, tribulations and lost time beset all of the book's characters in genteel cliffhanger after cliffhanger! Some lose their moral direction and money, while others succeed through amazing coincidences and good luck. Although I enjoyed 'Doctor Thorne', third in the Chronicles of Barsetshire series, I did not think it quite as hilarious as number two, [b:Barchester Towers|125321|Barchester Towers|Anthony Trollope|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387980968l/125321._SY75_.jpg|3299857], but the usual complete spectrum of personalities we are all familiar with today and which were obviously familiar to Trollope in his day are skewered - very gently and most with affection. In the end, Trollope makes things come out right, as authors do.
In all of these books so far, Trollope is sneaky in how he subtly criticizes the class system and the unearned crooked accumulation of wealth by the rich through the time-honored device of developing plots around young, and sometimes old, adult characters of unequal class falling in love (recall that some of Shakespeare's plays written in the 1600's used this literary device). Trials, tribulations and lost time beset all of the book's characters in genteel cliffhanger after cliffhanger! Some lose their moral direction and money, while others succeed through amazing coincidences and good luck. Although I enjoyed 'Doctor Thorne', third in the Chronicles of Barsetshire series, I did not think it quite as hilarious as number two, [b:Barchester Towers|125321|Barchester Towers|Anthony Trollope|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387980968l/125321._SY75_.jpg|3299857], but the usual complete spectrum of personalities we are all familiar with today and which were obviously familiar to Trollope in his day are skewered - very gently and most with affection. In the end, Trollope makes things come out right, as authors do.
I thought this book was a complete mess from beginning to end. The characters behave almost randomly. Why is Frank praised for horsewhipping Moffat for calling off a marriage to Augustus that neither one wanted? She wasn't hurt or her reputation damaged or in any way even particularly inconvenienced but everyone talks about what a great thing it was that Frank brutally beat him. I know -- different times and it is an interesting historical/sociological note, but I didn't get it. And keeping the annoyingly and unbearable pure and perfect Mary away from her uncle -- why? And then sending her to live with the same unclean family after she dies (who aren't particularly unclean after all) and then leaving her there when the infinitely worse cousin comes home so as not to insult them? When the doctor was perfectly happy to repeatedly insult her uncle to his face? And why is Frank our hero such an idiot? I'll never forget Mary at least until I meet another girl like Patience or Miss Dunstable or some country girl or anybody at all. Is he simply unable to keep a thought in his pretty stupid head for any length of time at all?
I am reading Trollope because so many people recommended him to me and I liked the Warden pretty well, with some reservations. I liked Barchester Towers less and I really don't like this book at all. So I am wondering why they are so popular, but I guess I will withhold judgment until the Paliser series, in the hopes that it is better than Barchester.
I am reading Trollope because so many people recommended him to me and I liked the Warden pretty well, with some reservations. I liked Barchester Towers less and I really don't like this book at all. So I am wondering why they are so popular, but I guess I will withhold judgment until the Paliser series, in the hopes that it is better than Barchester.
Excellent novel focusing on the Victorian caste system of birth and wealth. Sappiness which is very enjoyable.
I have decided to read the Barchester Chronicles. Doing do is turning out to be both wonderful escapism and insightfully relevant. This is a great story, on one level concerned with the manners and mores of a time. And then about people, the constructions within which we live, how we chose to respond to them, and so providing much upon which to reflect on today. Yes there are elements of Victorian moralising, some which are mocked and some accepted by all, author included. But nothing can distract from a great story, with some superb characters, beautifully written.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
If I had to sum up this book in one sentence, it would be this: For God’s sake, Frank must marry money!
At least we are told so over and over again throughout the entirety of this novel. Poor Frank! Is he not to be allowed to marry his one true love, a poor orphan whose parentage is the subject of much controversy throughout the village of Greshambury? Not if Frank’s mother, Mrs. Gresham, and her aristocratic family, The de Courcy’s have anything to say about it.
Doctor Thorne is the third novel in the Chronicles of Barsetshire series, and it veers away from the village of Barchester to Greshambury, and the focus shifts from church politics and intrigue to landed gentry, doctors and lawyers, with some scandal thrown in for good measure, of course. The story centers around three families in Greshambury: the Thornes, the Greshams, and the Scatcherds.
The plot proceeds predictably and Trollope, true to his writing style, uses a lot of words to make his point, meaning the book is long and wordy. But I enjoyed it very much! This one seemed to me more along the lines of a Jane Austen novel, with its focus on marriage arrangements and it’s catty members of the female sex.
I’m looking forward to the next installment in this series!
At least we are told so over and over again throughout the entirety of this novel. Poor Frank! Is he not to be allowed to marry his one true love, a poor orphan whose parentage is the subject of much controversy throughout the village of Greshambury? Not if Frank’s mother, Mrs. Gresham, and her aristocratic family, The de Courcy’s have anything to say about it.
Doctor Thorne is the third novel in the Chronicles of Barsetshire series, and it veers away from the village of Barchester to Greshambury, and the focus shifts from church politics and intrigue to landed gentry, doctors and lawyers, with some scandal thrown in for good measure, of course. The story centers around three families in Greshambury: the Thornes, the Greshams, and the Scatcherds.
The plot proceeds predictably and Trollope, true to his writing style, uses a lot of words to make his point, meaning the book is long and wordy. But I enjoyed it very much! This one seemed to me more along the lines of a Jane Austen novel, with its focus on marriage arrangements and it’s catty members of the female sex.
I’m looking forward to the next installment in this series!
4 1/2 stars
Trollope's commentary on the issue of legitimacy vs. illegitimacy in Victorian England is worth your time! This was my first introduction to the writing of Anthony Trollope, and I've quickly become a huge fan. I enjoyed everything about it, but especially the wit. I found myself laughing out loud at many points throughout the book. What a treat! I look forward to exploring his other works.
Trollope's commentary on the issue of legitimacy vs. illegitimacy in Victorian England is worth your time! This was my first introduction to the writing of Anthony Trollope, and I've quickly become a huge fan. I enjoyed everything about it, but especially the wit. I found myself laughing out loud at many points throughout the book. What a treat! I look forward to exploring his other works.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
3.5 stars
I really thought I would love this. It hurts me to say this as I usually love long Victorian novels but I think it could have been 150-200 pages shorter. (And maybe cut some repetitions of "Frank must marry money.") Nevertheless it's still an enjoyable book and I really like Trollope's writing style.
I really thought I would love this. It hurts me to say this as I usually love long Victorian novels but I think it could have been 150-200 pages shorter. (And maybe cut some repetitions of "Frank must marry money.") Nevertheless it's still an enjoyable book and I really like Trollope's writing style.
The third of the Chronicles of Barsetshire, and my favourite thus far. I could hardly put it down, and the narration of Timothy West was perfect.