Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope
Barchester Towers manages to be entertaining, incisive and provocative, and is representative of Trollope’s talents and range. It lacks a strong narrative arc, but with such superb characters and scenes, it is hardly necessary. In his Autobiography, Trollope wrote: “In the writing of Barchester Towers I took great delight.” His delight is evident on every page.
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Annie:
January 22nd, 2011 at 5:58 pm
Mrs Proudie and Obidiah Slope are, without any doubt, two of the most magnificent characters in all of English Literature. Just reading about them here has brought a smile to my lips and a desire to go and find my copy of the book and spend the rest of the weekend – I was going to say renewing my acquaintance with them, but I think I’d rather keep them at a little greater distance than that.
Desperate Reader:
January 22nd, 2011 at 6:45 pm
I’ve just started ‘Framley Parsonage’ and am delighted to meet Mrs Proudie again. As a Trollope novice I’m wondering how typical the lack of narrative arc is, my limited reading suggests very typical and it’s something I’m increasingly curious about?
Carolyn:
January 23rd, 2011 at 12:20 am
I read several of the Palliser books last year, but this sounds quite fun too, so I’ll have to get to the Barchester books eventually. I just started reading The Beth Book by Sarah Grand, which I think you recommended somewhere and I’m really enjoying it, so thank you for bringing it to my attention, I was quite excited to see it in a secondhand bookstore!
Ali B:
January 23rd, 2011 at 12:42 pm
I must re-read Barchester Towers. I’d forgotten about Madeline. Her character and situation has made me think of Count and Countess Fosco, domestic violence and control.
catherine:
January 24th, 2011 at 4:32 pm
Yes, the grotesqueness of Madeline is certainly worthy of Wilkie Collins.
catherine:
January 24th, 2011 at 4:34 pm
I’m glad you managed to track down The Beth Book, Carolyn, and am relieved that you’re enjoying it!
catherine:
January 24th, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Hmm, good point, Desperate Reader. I think Trollope is generally more interested in characterisation than plot. He is almost Brechtian in his tendency to signal what’s about to happen so that the reader can instead concentrate on how the character deals with the situation in which they find themselves. An Old Man’s Love and Miss Mackenzie keep the reader in suspense, but that’s related to the outcome of a dilemma, rather than an impending denouement.
I, too, have just started Framley Parsonage and am rejoicing in the return of Mrs Proudie. I’m looking forward to seeing your review.
catherine:
January 24th, 2011 at 4:39 pm
Indeed, one would want to visit Barchester for afternoon tea, rather than actually live there.
July book group meeting: ‘Barchester Towers’ by Anthony Trollope « Athene:
July 3rd, 2011 at 8:22 am
[...] from Catherine Pope – Victorian Geek blog. Published [...]
Kathy:
December 28th, 2011 at 12:08 am
Hi: Great review of Barchester Towers and I must say, I did NOT notice the double entendres. Trollope did have a modern sensibility and I’m pleased you pointed out his portrayal of an abused (but unredeemedly obnoxious) woman.
Funny that people struggle with The Warden – I didn’t know. I read both books recently (see my reviews at: http://yearofreadingmybooks.wordpress.com/tag/anthony-trollope/) and I felt that The Warden was a better book, much more streamlined, and funnier. Barchester Towers just goes on and on – don’t get me wrong, I loved it, but man did Trollope give himself license to blather at long length in places.
Happy Reading! “Ruby”
catherine:
December 28th, 2011 at 10:36 am
Hello Ruby. Many thanks for your comment. I very much enjoyed your reviews, too, and what a lovely illustrated edition of Barchester Towers! I am also intrigued by the Quiverful Movement in the US – extraordinary.
Yes, you’re right, Trollope certainly did blather in places. I think part of the problem is that he was often writing for serialisation and therefore he needed to fill dozens of issues. The stories weren’t always edited before publication in volume form. Some of his short novels are among the best, due to the tight structure.
Anyway, I shall keep an eye on your blog to find out about your other Trollopian encounters.