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A review by jenmcmaynes
Dr. Thorne by Anthony Trollope
3.0
Third of The Barsetshire series, Doctor Thorne certainly takes its time in reaching its point! The length (nearly 600 pages), and the fact that for the middle two-thirds of the book not much happens, was my chief complaint with this installment of the series. The set-up and conclusion were very satisfying, but oy! The middle dig drag!
As for the story, the only way to describe it is Dickensian in its construction. The improbable set of events that lead to the main conflict and resolution (namely Mary's birth, the fortune, the inter-connectness of the Scratcherds and Greshems, and the fact that a small country village managed to forget the details of such huge scandals) stretch the bounds of belief. However, they aren't really the point. The point is, over and over, how do people act in these circumstances? And this is where Trollope shines, as he really is a master of characterization. We see good blood behaving badly, the poor being gracious, men sticking to their principles... or not, as the case may be.
Did I enjoy it though? Despite Trollope's deft hand with characterization, I do feel that he would have benefited from an editor. And some of the points concerning breeding versus money have become very dated. So... yes, with caveats. Not nearly as funny as Barchester Towers, but less political, so probably a draw.
As for the story, the only way to describe it is Dickensian in its construction. The improbable set of events that lead to the main conflict and resolution (namely Mary's birth, the fortune, the inter-connectness of the Scratcherds and Greshems, and the fact that a small country village managed to forget the details of such huge scandals) stretch the bounds of belief. However, they aren't really the point. The point is, over and over, how do people act in these circumstances? And this is where Trollope shines, as he really is a master of characterization. We see good blood behaving badly, the poor being gracious, men sticking to their principles... or not, as the case may be.
Did I enjoy it though? Despite Trollope's deft hand with characterization, I do feel that he would have benefited from an editor. And some of the points concerning breeding versus money have become very dated. So... yes, with caveats. Not nearly as funny as Barchester Towers, but less political, so probably a draw.