The prolific, and occasionally exasperating, Anthony Trollope
The startling discovery that I’ve read almost half of Trollope’s 47 novels has inspired a challenge to read the rest during 2011. Trollope has a tendency to delight and frustrate me in equal measure, so I suspect it might be a bumpy ride. In true geek fashion, I’m keeping a list of those I’ve read and will update it with my progress over the year. I’d be interested to hear from anyone with particular favourites I haven’t yet read. I’m actually a Barsetshire virgin, following an abortive experience with The Warden at a formative age. This time, however, I shall persevere.
My other resolution is to read more non-Victorian novels. I hardly read any at all last year, and am almost convinced that worthwhile fiction was published after 1901. I’d be grateful for any suggestions that won’t send me scurrying back to the nineteenth century.
Wishing everyone a happy and Trollope-filled 2011.
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A question. Are you likely to enjoy more recent fiction that is set in the Victorian period or do you think that would infuriate you? I ask because I know how highly a lot of my friends think of Sarah Waters Victorian novels. I’m not a fan, as it happens, but I think that says more about me than the books.
Hello Annie. I am a fan of Sarah Waters, but am fairly sniffy when it comes to other neo-Victorian fiction. Beyond the 19th century, I tend to like books that are fairly timeless in terms of setting. For example, I did go through a Magnus Mills phase a while ago, attracted by his ability to comment on contemporary society without portraying it directly. Any suggestions as to similar writers welcomed!
Hi, love reading your blog.
I think The Warden is rotten, but the rest of the Chronicles are pretty good. The only other one I didn’t really like was Dr Thorne, because it seems like a sub par Jane Austen knock off.
As far as his other stuff goes, I really liked Marion Fay. It’s quite an interesting novel because he started out wanting to write a sensation novel, but changed his mind half way through.
As far as modern novels go, The Salterton Trilogy by Robertson Davies is quite Trollopian so you might enjoy that.
Hello David. Many thanks for your comment and suggestions. I shall hold my nose through The Warden and look forward to most of the others, in that case. I’ve just downloaded a Kindle edition of Marian Fay on your recommendation, so will be reading it very soon. I hadn’t heard of The Salterton Trilogy, but am off to have a look for it….
Out of the non-Victorian novels I read in 2010 (which was most of them, in post-MA 19th century denial) I really recommend David Vann’s Caribou Island. It actually publishes this month – I won a proof from the blessed Twitter. Engaging (if not always likeable) characters, well paced, and the Alaskan landscape is wonderfully done. Worth a punt, I’d say.
Caribou Island looks really interesting, Kirsty – thanks for the suggestion.
Rather than reading books which are of a similar genre to the Victorian novels you love, I wonder if it might be worth looking at something completely different, but with depth. Personal favourites include William Horwood – I would suggest the Stonor Eagles rather than the Duncton trilogies – and Jean Auel – still waiting for the final volume of her Earth’s children series. (Speak to me nicely and I can lend you those.)
I am very much a 20th Century reader having been put off anything written before 1900 through school experiences – maybe I should risk going further back in time.
Many thanks for the suggestions, Liz. How about we choose a book for each other? I’ll dig out something you might like from the 19th century, and you suggest something from the 20th.
OK – you’re on! This could be interesting. Must have coffee and do a book swap.
What about something before the nineteenth century? From my period, Late Antiquity, I recommend the second-century The Golden Ass/The Metamorphoses of Lucius by Apuleius.
Many thanks for the suggestion, July. I’ve just downloaded a Kindle version of The Golden Ass/Metamorphoses, so will give it a try.
At least a half dozen of my friends urged me to read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, Dial Press, 2009. I finally found time for a nice uninterrupted reading of this book which I enjoyed at least as much as my friends thought I would. I knew nothing of the German occupation of the Channel Islands during World War II. Kindle location 145 “That’s what I love about reading: one tiny thing will interest you in a book, and that tiny thing will lead you into another book, and another bit there will lead you to a third book. It’s geometrically progressive–all with no end in sight, and for no other reason than sheer enjoyment.”
Many thanks for the suggestion, K. The book sounds intriguing, and I love the quote.
I think you would like:
Sylvia Townsend Warner – any or all of The True Heart, The Flint Anchor and Summer Will Show
Sybille Bedford – A Favourite of the Gods
Elizabeth Bowen – The Death of the Heart
Tove Jansson – Fair Play
F M Mayor – The Rector’s Daughter
Isobel English – Every Eye
Emma Smith – The Far Cry
among others …
Thank you, Catalpa. I’m fairly sure I know someone who owns all of those books, so I shall have to be very nice to them.
I’m just discovering Trollope and working my way through Barsetshire at the moment. Looking forward to following your progress and seeing what I’ve got to come.
I can second the Robertson Davies recommendation, he’s well worth a look.
Many thanks for your comment, Desperate Reader. I’ve been enjoying your Trollope reviews, and am one book behind you on the Barset Chronicles. I finished ‘Barchester Towers’ today and can’t wait to start on the next one.
I’ve read 23 Trollope novels, and my favorite is “The Macdermots of Ballycloran”. This is a great novel with fornication and an unplanned pregnancy, illegal whiskey trading, murder, a courtroom scene, and Catholic-Protestant tension (always a great source of drama). Most Trollope lovers only concentrate on the Palliser or Barsetshire books and forget about his Irish novels.
Goodness, ‘The Macdermots of Ballycloran” sounds like a corker, Martin! I’ve just downloaded a Kindle version, so will be reading it forthwith. Many thanks for the recommendation.
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