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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
Had to return audiobook to hoopla. Will check it out again.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My wife and I watched the three-episode dramatisation of Doctor Thorne on ABC television recently, and we found it very unsatisfying, with a too-obvious plot-line, too easily resolved.
But as it’s the third book in Anthony Trollope’s Barchester Chronicles, and having enjoyed the first two volumes so much, I was curious to read the book and see how well or how poorly the television series had handled the story. I’m glad I did so, because the answer is “very badly”. The novel is far more nuanced and interesting and much less schmaltzy-romantic than the dramatisation.
The basic story, though, is the same: Thomas Thorne is an honest, hard-working doctor who has been entrusted with acting as a financial agent by the local squire and his once-wealthy family the Greshams, who have fallen on hard times —well, hard times for those used to living on the fat of the land. They are deeply in debt, primarily to Sir Richard Scatcherd, a self-made millionaire who started life as a humble stone mason.
The main interest in the story arises from Mary, Doctor Thorne’s niece—the illegitimate child of his elder brother. Mary is a quiet, decent young woman whom the doctor has raised as though she were his own daughter. She has been allowed to make friends and spend a good deal of time with the Gresham children as she grows up.
The squire’s heir, Francis (Frank) needs to marry a wealthy wife to save his family from the humiliation of losing all of their property and influence as their debts spiral out of control. But of course, Frank has fallen in love with
2 Mary Thorne, who is both penniless and illegitimate. A mighty battle thus ensues as the family strives to prevent Frank from making an injudicious liaison with Mary. They make every attempt to get him to ‘marry money’, and Mary is pressured from every side to reject Frank’s advances, which she has not encouraged.
The plot thickens as we discover more of Mary’s origins and her relationship to Sir Richard Scatcherd, who is dying of self-induced alcoholic poisoning. Ignorant of this relationship, he makes a will which will bequeath all of his enormous wealth to ‘my sister’s eldest child’ if his own son dies young.
Well, you can see where the story is going. It is told in far too facile a manner in the television series, reducing the plot to a caricature of ‘rich boy falls for poor girl, can’t marry her, poor girl becomes rich, everyone lives happily ever after’. But the book, as I say, is far more nuanced, and depicts the long struggles of conscience which both Mary and her uncle Doctor Thorne have to deal with.
There’s quite a bit of Trollope’s sly satirical humour in the novel, too, as he picks apart the pretensions of his era. Forget the television series, read the book.
But as it’s the third book in Anthony Trollope’s Barchester Chronicles, and having enjoyed the first two volumes so much, I was curious to read the book and see how well or how poorly the television series had handled the story. I’m glad I did so, because the answer is “very badly”. The novel is far more nuanced and interesting and much less schmaltzy-romantic than the dramatisation.
The basic story, though, is the same: Thomas Thorne is an honest, hard-working doctor who has been entrusted with acting as a financial agent by the local squire and his once-wealthy family the Greshams, who have fallen on hard times —well, hard times for those used to living on the fat of the land. They are deeply in debt, primarily to Sir Richard Scatcherd, a self-made millionaire who started life as a humble stone mason.
The main interest in the story arises from Mary, Doctor Thorne’s niece—the illegitimate child of his elder brother. Mary is a quiet, decent young woman whom the doctor has raised as though she were his own daughter. She has been allowed to make friends and spend a good deal of time with the Gresham children as she grows up.
The squire’s heir, Francis (Frank) needs to marry a wealthy wife to save his family from the humiliation of losing all of their property and influence as their debts spiral out of control. But of course, Frank has fallen in love with
2 Mary Thorne, who is both penniless and illegitimate. A mighty battle thus ensues as the family strives to prevent Frank from making an injudicious liaison with Mary. They make every attempt to get him to ‘marry money’, and Mary is pressured from every side to reject Frank’s advances, which she has not encouraged.
The plot thickens as we discover more of Mary’s origins and her relationship to Sir Richard Scatcherd, who is dying of self-induced alcoholic poisoning. Ignorant of this relationship, he makes a will which will bequeath all of his enormous wealth to ‘my sister’s eldest child’ if his own son dies young.
Well, you can see where the story is going. It is told in far too facile a manner in the television series, reducing the plot to a caricature of ‘rich boy falls for poor girl, can’t marry her, poor girl becomes rich, everyone lives happily ever after’. But the book, as I say, is far more nuanced, and depicts the long struggles of conscience which both Mary and her uncle Doctor Thorne have to deal with.
There’s quite a bit of Trollope’s sly satirical humour in the novel, too, as he picks apart the pretensions of his era. Forget the television series, read the book.
relaxing
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Another Trollope and another installation of the Barsetshire Chronicles that I loved!
It felt like there was a lot, but yet very little going on in the book all at once.
The Gresham family finances are in a state and young Frank Gresham MUST MARRY MONEY! However, he loves Dr Thorne's niece, Mary, who is illegitimate and poor......or is she?!
This sums up the plot. However, in following the trials of Frank and Mary's love, Trollope deals with many other societal questions of the day.
WEALTH/WORTH
Wealth underlies almost every aspect of this book. It determines people's fates and how they are treated, and despite exhibiting the highest moral characteristics, lack of wealth somehow determines people's worth. Mary Thorne is honest, kind and principled, yet her lack of money sees her being ostracised and maligned by the Greshams and De Courcys. She has neither birth nor wealth to recommend her to them and they refuse to give merit to her other qualities.
Other characters such as Sir Roger Scatcherd and his son Louis have huge wealth but are plagues by alcoholism and questionable morals, Mr Moffat has money but is unfaithful and fickle.
When then does wealth actually = worth, or does it ever?
CLASS/BLOOD
Mary's illegitimate birth is another barrier in her life, despite her being raised genteelly and behaving like a perfect lady. However, those of similar "low" birth such as the Scatcherds, Mr Moffat and Miss Dunstable are partially accepted by the upper echelons of society due to their money. Poor Beatrice suffers at the hands of her cousin's dictates about the quality of "blood" and misses out on a potentially happy match.
So class of birth and heredity of blood are all......until enough money is involved?
PARENTAL DUTIES
There are various familial models in this novel. Despite her origins, Mary is adopted by her doting uncle Dr Thorne and they are the epitome of a devoted and happy family. He taking on the role of a father and standing by Mary as best he can at all times.
The Greshams are predominantly contented. The father, despite having squandered his family's fortune, is affectionate and doting and Lady Arabella, although somewhat mercenary, at least believes she has her children's best interests as heart.
Sir Roger Scatcherd fails his own son, who inherits none of his father's work ethic or admirable qualities but only his alcoholism.
LOVE
There is familial love as exemplified by the Dr and Mary, romantic love as seen between Frank and Mary and platonic love between Miss Dunstable and Frank and indeed the Dr and the Squire.
GENERAL
There is commentary on politics, lawyers, the aristocracy etc. layered throughout Dr Thorne, however for me it was the central characters that engaged me and I felt for them all, in what often seemed like an impossible situation.
THOUGHTS
One thing I love about Trollope is that he puts your mind at rest. He doesn't keep readers in suspense or allow misunderstandings. He reassures you throughout that all will be well, although there may be some bumps in the road. This is the kind of relaxing reading experience I enjoy.
Two characters that have stayed with me in an unexpected fashion have been Miss Martha Dunstable and Lady Arabella. Miss Dunstable is a gem! She's smart, self-aware, generous, and kind and doesn't take herself too seriously and I think would be great fun and a great friend.
I had a much more mixed reaction to Lady Arabella. I really hated her to begin with! How could she disregard Frank's feelings in preference to money? How could she be such a hypocrite regarding status of birth when it came to Mr Moffat or Miss Dunstable? How could she treat Mary so unfairly? However, I almost changed my mind about her when I thought of the contrast in how the two parents were portrayed. Mr Gresham (the Squire) was favourably portrayed as indulgent and kind and not wishing to distress or upset his children. Whilst being aware they he was the cause of their downfall, he didn't really want to undergo any unpleasantness to rectify it. He also often insinuated to Frank that he regretted marrying Lady Arabella - hardly fair! Whilst Lady A had many faults, she was willing to take difficult and unpopular action to try and "save" her children. Not that I agreed with her actions or opinions, but I thought the contrast of favourably portrayed, indulgent father and unfavourably portrayed, dictatorial/disciplinarian mother was an interesting, gendered view.
So...I really enjoyed this novel. There was so much more to it that the experience of the eponymous Doctor and I look forward to meeting some of these characters again in future Barsetshire instalments!
It felt like there was a lot, but yet very little going on in the book all at once.
The Gresham family finances are in a state and young Frank Gresham MUST MARRY MONEY! However, he loves Dr Thorne's niece, Mary, who is illegitimate and poor......or is she?!
This sums up the plot. However, in following the trials of Frank and Mary's love, Trollope deals with many other societal questions of the day.
WEALTH/WORTH
Wealth underlies almost every aspect of this book. It determines people's fates and how they are treated, and despite exhibiting the highest moral characteristics, lack of wealth somehow determines people's worth. Mary Thorne is honest, kind and principled, yet her lack of money sees her being ostracised and maligned by the Greshams and De Courcys. She has neither birth nor wealth to recommend her to them and they refuse to give merit to her other qualities.
Other characters such as Sir Roger Scatcherd and his son Louis have huge wealth but are plagues by alcoholism and questionable morals, Mr Moffat has money but is unfaithful and fickle.
When then does wealth actually = worth, or does it ever?
CLASS/BLOOD
Mary's illegitimate birth is another barrier in her life, despite her being raised genteelly and behaving like a perfect lady. However, those of similar "low" birth such as the Scatcherds, Mr Moffat and Miss Dunstable are partially accepted by the upper echelons of society due to their money. Poor Beatrice suffers at the hands of her cousin's dictates about the quality of "blood" and misses out on a potentially happy match.
So class of birth and heredity of blood are all......until enough money is involved?
PARENTAL DUTIES
There are various familial models in this novel. Despite her origins, Mary is adopted by her doting uncle Dr Thorne and they are the epitome of a devoted and happy family. He taking on the role of a father and standing by Mary as best he can at all times.
The Greshams are predominantly contented. The father, despite having squandered his family's fortune, is affectionate and doting and Lady Arabella, although somewhat mercenary, at least believes she has her children's best interests as heart.
Sir Roger Scatcherd fails his own son, who inherits none of his father's work ethic or admirable qualities but only his alcoholism.
LOVE
There is familial love as exemplified by the Dr and Mary, romantic love as seen between Frank and Mary and platonic love between Miss Dunstable and Frank and indeed the Dr and the Squire.
GENERAL
There is commentary on politics, lawyers, the aristocracy etc. layered throughout Dr Thorne, however for me it was the central characters that engaged me and I felt for them all, in what often seemed like an impossible situation.
THOUGHTS
One thing I love about Trollope is that he puts your mind at rest. He doesn't keep readers in suspense or allow misunderstandings. He reassures you throughout that all will be well, although there may be some bumps in the road. This is the kind of relaxing reading experience I enjoy.
Two characters that have stayed with me in an unexpected fashion have been Miss Martha Dunstable and Lady Arabella. Miss Dunstable is a gem! She's smart, self-aware, generous, and kind and doesn't take herself too seriously and I think would be great fun and a great friend.
I had a much more mixed reaction to Lady Arabella. I really hated her to begin with! How could she disregard Frank's feelings in preference to money? How could she be such a hypocrite regarding status of birth when it came to Mr Moffat or Miss Dunstable? How could she treat Mary so unfairly? However, I almost changed my mind about her when I thought of the contrast in how the two parents were portrayed. Mr Gresham (the Squire) was favourably portrayed as indulgent and kind and not wishing to distress or upset his children. Whilst being aware they he was the cause of their downfall, he didn't really want to undergo any unpleasantness to rectify it. He also often insinuated to Frank that he regretted marrying Lady Arabella - hardly fair! Whilst Lady A had many faults, she was willing to take difficult and unpopular action to try and "save" her children. Not that I agreed with her actions or opinions, but I thought the contrast of favourably portrayed, indulgent father and unfavourably portrayed, dictatorial/disciplinarian mother was an interesting, gendered view.
So...I really enjoyed this novel. There was so much more to it that the experience of the eponymous Doctor and I look forward to meeting some of these characters again in future Barsetshire instalments!
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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:
Complicated
**there are spoilers below so be warned!**
I have written as I read along for Instagram posts
And here we are away from the cathedral city of Barchester to Greshamsbury where matrimonial prospects abound.
I have written as I read along for Instagram posts
And here we are away from the cathedral city of Barchester to Greshamsbury where matrimonial prospects abound.
Young Frank Gresham is heir to the impoverished estate and loves with all his heart Mary Thorne, niece of the local and titular doctor.
An unsuitable marriage many feel, including Mary herself at the outset as her mother came from poverty, and of whom no-one except her Uncle knows or mentions.
The De Courcy’s; Frank’s relations; are hilarious, Arabella in particular is much in the vein of Lady Catherine de Bourgh and other well known ‘haaaandbag’ speeches which just makes me smile. They ban Mary from Greshamsbury thinking she wants to get her hands on Frank and the estate.
It transpires that Mary May in fact be heir to a huge fortune and as Frank Gresham is meant to marry for money, what will happen to this lovely couple?
Trollope is on fine form, the writing is lighthearted, witty and is a joy to spend time in this books pages!
——————————-
Further tales from Greshamsbury
Frank is off to Courcy Castle. His aunt is matchmaking, of which he is not keen, as we readers know he holds a candle for Mary Thorne.
Trollope is quite tongue in cheek at times with his writing, he is with us on the outside, laughing with a knowing wink at some of these characters; Mr Nearthewinde a parliamentary agent ( remind you of anyone?!), Mr Closerstil, Doctor Filgrave, Reddypalm the publican; all have raised a chortle from me with my reading! Even the Bishop of Barchester and Mrs Proudie, who as we know is the actual bishop 🤣 make a fleeting appearance.
We also meet Miss Martha Dunstable, who is meant to be the new Mrs Frank Gresham according to Arabella. She has a bit about her which I liked ‘she had a will of her own.’ and also inherited the intriguingly named ‘ointment of Lebanon’ from her father and it’s huge fortune. The pair find each other agreeable companions but not lovers, Frank is startled by her admission of three of four lovers in fact!
‘He would never marry Miss Dunstable, and he felt equally sure that Miss Dunstable would never marry him.’
There is a however a rivalry for Martha’s affections, she picks them off one by one and dumps them royally and wonderfully!
——————-
Meanwhile Mary Thorne has been cast out of Greshamsbury all because Frank loves her and Lady Arabella is not happy about it! She bears it well. I like her she is a strong woman who knows her own mind. I love how we have these characters in Victorian literature, quite a contrast to Hardy’s heroines who always seem to get stomped all over.
Doctor Thorne tends to Sir Roger Scatcherd at his time of dying, who is determined to have Mary marry his son Louis 😱😱 and also will inherit everything if Louis dies young….I think we can all see where this plot is going. Poor Dr Thorne - he does tie himself up in knots with this business!
Lady Arabella is still scheming to have the Thorne’s effectively excommunicated from Greshamsbury, Doctor Thorne becomes a little more kick ass in his dealings with her, I was cheering him from the sidelines
‘ If there is such a love affair, put a stop to it - that is, if you have the power.’ 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Little does she know - and I will enjoy watching the worm turn with this one!
————————
We are nearing the end of our exploits in Greshamsbury. Louis wants to marry Mary much to Dr Thorne’s chagrin. Frank has found a bit of gumption and also still wants to marry Mary, much to Lady Arabella’s chagrin. Poor Mary is in a bit of a state about it, riding about on her donkey (honestly, the donkey is an excellent character!)
Trollope’s writing is so good, I am so involved with these characters, I know it’s a little bit stuffy at times but really human nature doesn’t change at all. This could easily be rewritten for modern times with no problem!
‘He certainly did not get nearly so far as putting his hand even upon her knee before he was made to understand that it ‘was no go,’ as he graphically described it to his mother.’
Louis is told in no uncertain terms that there’s no chance by Mary! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 there is so much gossipmongering for poor Mary stuck in the middle of the Gresham families pomposity.
At long last Frank and Mary declare to each other, but to nobody else. Doctor Thorne is twisted this way and that, playing piggy in the middle with the Greshams and Louis Scatcherd; the poor man! Finally Louis leaves Greshamsbury after a parting salvo of wanting to foreclose on the Greshams debt.
Mary faces down Lady Arabella magnificently over her engagement, Louis dies leaving everything to Mary and alls well that ends well.
—————-
What a joy it has been to spend time with the people of Greshamsbury, I was uncertain before as I had given my heart to The Warden but I am glad that we are discovering the wider Barsetshire now.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes