Reviews

Trollope's knowledge and articulation of human nature - complex and contextual - is absolutely masterful. I have of often seen myself and many other people I've met in his descriptions of his characters; this has aided me in understanding motives and backdrops that go into our actions and what makes us who we are, as well as give grace to those to whom we desire to withhold it. I have learned more about human nature from Trollope than most books on psychology.

ozielbispo's review against another edition

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4.0

"Orley Farm" de Anthony Trollope é uma história envolvente sobre famílias complicadas, brigas legais e dilemas pessoais na Inglaterra do século XIX. A trama se passa em torno de uma herança,fala sobre amor e traição, mostrando várias emoções humanas.

No centro da história, há uma disputa legal pela propriedade de Orley Farm, que fica perto de Londres. Tudo começa depois que Joseph Mason de Groby Park, Yorkshire, morre e deixa sua propriedade para a família. Mas há um documento legal que deixa a propriedade para sua segunda esposa e filho pequeno. Esse documento foi escrito pela esposa, e embora uma das testemunhas tenha falecido, uma batalha legal confirma sua validade.

Vinte anos depois, Lady Mason vive em Orley Farm com seu filho adulto, Lucius. Um inquilino chamado Samuel Dockwrath é pedido para sair por Lucius, que quer experimentar novas formas de agricultura. Dockwrath, se sentindo injustiçado e sabendo do caso legal, encontra um segundo documento assinado pelas mesmas testemunhas na mesma data, embora elas só se lembrem de ter assinado um. Dockwrath vai até Yorkshire, onde Joseph Mason, o filho mais velho do primeiro casamento, vive. Ele convence Mason a processar Lady Mason por perjúrio, mas a acusação falha. No entanto, Lady Mason confessa mais tarde em particular que cometeu a falsificação e renuncia à propriedade movida pela culpa.

O livro também fala de outras histórias, como o relacionamento em desenvolvimento entre Felix Graham, um advogado jovem e relativamente pobre, e Madeline Staveley, filha de um juiz. Entre os personagens principais estão Sir Peregrine Orme, que se apaixona por Lady Mason, e Mr. Furnival, outro advogado, que se torna amigo dela e desperta ciúmes de sua esposa.

O detalhamento da escrita de Trollope e o desenvolvimento minucioso dos personagens fazem com que os leitores entendam a sociedade vitoriana e seus valores. O autor também traz observações perspicazes e toques de humor sutil, enriquecendo a história, mesmo quando lida com assuntos sérios.

Apesar de algumas críticas à precisão das partes legais da história, "Orley Farm" se destaca ao representar as complexidades emocionais e os relacionamentos humanos. Resumindo, é uma história fascinante que equilibra bem os aspectos legais com as lutas pessoais, sendo uma obra envolvente dentro da coleção de criações literárias de Anthony Trollope.

jillions_of_stories's review

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3.5

What a fascinating story. I didn't feel overly attached to any of the characters, but I enjoyed the story just the same. I was so curious how Trollope was going to bring it to a close!

siguirimama's review against another edition

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emotional reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

novellenovels's review against another edition

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sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

ruthiella's review against another edition

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emotional 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

4.5

“For many years this prosperous gentleman had lived at a small country house, some five-and-twenty miles from London, called Orley Farm. This had been his first purchase of land, and he had never given up his residence there, although his wealth would have entitled him to the enjoyment of a larger establishment. On the birth of his youngest son, at which time his eldest was nearly forty years old, he made certain moderate provision for the infant, as he had already made moderate provision for his young wife; but it was then clearly understood by the eldest son that Orley Farm was to go with the Groby Park estate to him as the heir. When, however, Sir Joseph died, a codicil to his will, executed with due legal formalities, bequeathed Orley Farm to his youngest son, little Lucius Mason.”

The above paragraph is the third one on page one, where Trollope sets up the major plot of the novel. That codicil to the will is contested but ultimately upheld and the mother of the infant Lucius Mason is able to keep Orley Farm for her child and away from the grasping hands of her angry stepson Joseph Mason Jr. However, some 20 years later, the case is re-opened and the still beautiful Lady Mason isn’t so sure she has the strength to endure yet another lawsuit and trial. Her son, Lucius has reached his majority and wishes to be his mother’s defender in this matter and yet she refuses his assistance and instead relies on that of the family solicitor Mr. Furnival as well as that of their neighbor, Sir Peregrine Orme.

Ultimately, the question is less is Lady Mason guilty of forgery or perjury and more will she be found guilty of such at the trial. One of the larger questions Trollope is looking at in this novel is the amorality of the law and whether a lawyer is supposed to care more about the truth and justice than they are about their client’s innocence or lack thereof.

Also, of course, there are also multiple romantic subplots and much gentle humor among the drama. This is a Trollope novel, after all. I found it interesting that Trollope also introduces some lower class characters with the commercial travelers, Mr. Mr. Kantwise and Mr. Moulder as well as the “moulded bride”, young Mary Snow, the fiancée of Felix Grant. It isn’t unheard of in his novels, but usually he sticks quite closely to the middle and upper classes in his books. I really enjoyed reading Orley Farm. It is a very long novel, but those are my favorite from Trollope…where in introduces many subplots and characters which whom I can get acquainted.

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