Any Anthony Trollope fans?

[Canyouforgiveher]

Just that. I have been reading him for more than 30 years and love nearly all of his novels (see my username :))

Anyone else a reader? I know he isn't George Eliot but I love his language, his plots, the way his authorial voice moves in and out of the story, and I love the way he creates characters who you can believe live even after the page is closed.

The bit in TWWLN that makes me laugh the most is in chapter 75.
Mr. Longstaff, his lawyer and Dolly are in the study talking about the mystery of the letter that Dolly didn't sign. Mr Melmotte walks in unexpectedly and tells Mr L that he should be more careful about locking his drawer in future. Mr L keeps saying, "I make no deductions and draw no conclusions". Then Dolly pipes up that he should make a deduction and draw a conclusion.....
For some reason, that scene makes me howl with laughter every time!
What are your favourite moments in the book??

I haven't read them since I was a teenager, but I was thinking the other day I should read him again. I read all the Palliser novels, (IIRC I particularly liked the Eustace Diamonds), couldn't get into the others so much.

Keepingmum I enjoyed all the bits with Dolly - he thinks he's an ass, everyone thinks he's an ass, but he keeps hitting the nail on the head. The central romance was the least interesting story. I loved Mrs thingy - American lady- brain gone! Such a modern character. I think Paul would have had a much more interesting life with her - his loss!

Would have been interesting if Hetta and Marie had got together, but I'm not aware of any gay relationships in Trollope!

Love love love Trollope. 35 weeks pregnant so no brain to make any deep comments. But am now thinking of getting some on audio for maternity leave/breastfeeding marathons...... ??????

I got into him while BFing my DD 18 years ago! But I'm sure I read the Pallisers and now I'm reading Can You Forgive Her? and don't remember any of it. Not sure if that was post-pregnancy brain then or ageing brain now! Either way I get to enjoy it over again.

Ah yeah, Mrs Hurtle. I really think Paul was horrible to her and I felt so gutted for her. She was a magnanimous woman imo. Genuinely kind. I loved how she helped Ruby and John Crumb, even amidst her own disappointment.

I wish Nidderdale had married Marie. They would have made each other happy.

And Felix....Trollope was a genius in devising his character . He is just awful!

I've ordered the BBC Way We Live Now (DVDs in the post, seems very old tech) and will inflict them on DP to celebrate bicentennial.

My favourites are The Eustace Diamonds and The Prime Minister. The chapter where Lopez kills himself is compelling. I also love the final sentence in The Small House at Allington.

How have I missed this thread till now?

I'm more of a Palliser than a Barchester adherent - I had a crush on Pinneas Finn for years.

TWWLN is one of my all time great reads.

Trollope does rather spoil one for run-of-the-mill, less ambitious 20th /21st century fiction though.

From time to time I try to convince people at work to read some Trollope when they've finished their latest chick-lit. On the grounds that it's fun and not heavy going but a bit more nuanced. They usually look at me like I'm a bit weird.

LOVE LOVE LOVE Trollope. Have just listened to the complete Barchester Chronicles BBC dramatization while pootling around the house. It's on Audible, and it's brilliant. I've already read them, but listening to them is brilliant - MRs Proudie, Slope and arch-deacon Geantly are particularly brilliant. I'd knaw my arm off for the same treatment of the Pallisers.

Can I recommend the American Senator. Absolutely superb....

GRANTLY not sure how Geantly came out there...

I loved the Barchester novels a few years ago and this thread reminds me I should read some more. The comic descriptions are brilliant.

I'm glad so many people have enjoyed the audio books! Timothy West is the voice of Trollope for me.

Pooh, another big fan here, although I'm probably a bit rusty and should re-read them soon.

I always though he was really good on female characters, particularly bearing in mind the times he was writing in. Lily Dale is the one a lot of people mention, but there are some excellent independent female characters like Madame Max in the Pallisers, and there is an equivalent one in the Barchester books too, who is a heiress of some sort.

My absolute favorite is Lizzie Eustace though. A most excellent minx!

• Oooh, not pooh btw.

Is it Miss Dunstable you're thinking of in Barchester Chronicles? She's lovely, funny and irreverent.

I just got my DVD of TWWLN and on the back it describes Melmotte as a 'deceiptful' financier who eschews 'friviolous' activities. Can I rant about that here or should I take myself to Pedants' Corner?

Rant here! Rant here!

AnonymousBird - like you the only one I've read is The Way We Live Now - and I think it's amazing. Straight on my 'favourites' list.

I think I enjoyed it so much I'm scared I won't like the others as much!

I love Trollope. My particular favourites are The Last Chronicle and CYFH but I've enjoyed all the ones that I've read - haven't read them all yet. I was inspired to start reading him again after they repeated The Pallisers last year.

Strangely enough, one of the ones that I haven't read is TWWLN. It's definitely on my to read list for this year.

Love the Trollope-inspired names here - waves at LadyGlen and CanYouForgiveHer. My own inspiration is a less well known author who also has Irish connections!

Just seen there's going to be a TV series made of Dr Thorne by Julian Fellowes

www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32472056

Must say, having seen the picture of Trollope there I am even more inspired to get reading - he looks amazing.

I'm not a big fan of JF, but if he doesn't mess with the story too much it should be good.

(Error correction from earlier - TW doesn't play Mr Birling in Cabin Pressure, he plays Gordon, with an Australian accent. So don't listen for him. But do listen!)

For some reason, Trollope passed me by then the other day I thought, seeing as he is one of those things you Ought To Read, that I should give him a try and started on the Barchester novels.
I loved The Warden. Mr Harding was so believable and human with his shilly-shallying and indecision. I loved that Trollope could spin a whole book out of what could be summarised in a few lines. Perversely, I wasn't so keen on Barchester Towers because it repeated the same trick.
I must get on and read the rest of the series!