April 24 marked Anthony Trollope’s 200th birthday. The 19th century english novelist wrote forty seven novels and is famous for details and descriptions of his characters and the scenic settings described in his books. He often been compared to Charles Dickens for that. But I personally think, Anthony Trollope is Trollope and Charles Dickens is Dickens. They are both, two separate writers who write well. Here are five books you should take a look that are written by Anthony Trollope:
The Warden
The Warden centers on Mr. Harding, a clergyman of great personal integrity who is nevertheless in possession of an income from a charity far in excess of the sum devoted to the purposes of the foundation. On discovering this, young John Bold turns his reforming zeal to exposing what he regards as an abuse of privilege, despite the fact that he is in love with Mr. Harding’s daughter Eleanor. It is an essential novel is you read any books written by Trollope.
The Way We Live Now
It is widely considered Trollope’s best work. The satirical novel is definitely worth a read for those interested in the social commentary on the time period that continues to be relevant today. It is a tale of a great financier’s fraudulent machinations in the railway business, and his daughter’s ill-use at the hands of a grasping lover is a classic in the literature of money.
Can You Forgive Her?
This is the first in the Palliser series of novels by Anthony Trollope. Published in 1865, the novel recounts the story of a young woman who breaks off her engagement with a perfectly fine fiancé and then marries a man more suited to her own temperament. In this book Trollope has created a telling and wide-ranging account of the social world of his day.
Framley Parsonage
Like much fiction of 19th century England, FRAMLEY PARSONAGE concerns property, status, family and the conventions. In it Trollope captures the essence of Victorian England.
Barchester Towers
his most popular Anthony Trollope novel follows the appointment of a new bishop for the cathedral town of Barchester and the effect on the town with its tangled relationships and livelihoods hanging in the balance. Trollope’s observations of the Victorian era are witty and thoughtful.
So Trollope wrote “The Pallisers”? That was turned into a quite popular TV series, decades ago.
Yeah he did. I have the last two books of the series in paperbacks and still finding the rest of the books. A TV Series? How is it?
I have to confess I never saw it; but it ran for several years, so people must have liked it.
There’s a really good article in this week’s The New Yorker about Trollope and why he’s so popular 200 years later. I wrote about it on my blog: http://wp.me/p4DMf0-Dy
I’ll look into it 🙂
I hadn’t heard of Anthony Trollope until now…He sound just my speed…Thanks 🙂
If you read classic fiction, do try Trollope 🙂
I’ve never read Anthony Trollope, but maybe I will now. Thanks!
You’re most welcome 🙂 I hope you enjoy his books.
The only Trollope novel I read was “Cousin Henry” and I absolutely hated it. I don’t know if I’ll ever be brave to pick up another one of his novel. On the other hand, Dickens has always been my favourite author so I find that comparison interesting.
You should give Trollope one more chance. It happens with all of us. Sometimes we a pick and it doesn’t click with us.
[…] Five Anthony Trollope Books You Should Read […]
very useful. I’ve yet to read a Trollope novel but this post is a useful gateway 🙂
I am glad you find this post useful.