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A review by crankylibrarian
Phineas Finn by Anthony Trollope
4.0
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.