What a read! Exquisite. ( )

Barchester Towers follows on a few years later from The Warden, with the same major characters but a much larger cast. It is longer and more complicated in its plot, which allows for some masterful character development and some very funny moments. Trollope's asides to his reader and comments on his own characters are often hilarious. There are a few diversions on topics of the day which may seem irrelevant to a modern reader, but these are relatively short and do not veer too far away from the main interests. There is a wonderful contrast between the 'normal' characters, principally Mr Harding and his daughter Eleanor, and the 'grotesques', such as Mrs Proudie and especially Mr Slope. Although this is the more famous and popular of the two novels, I preferred The Warden, and if possible this should be read before Barchester Towers. ( )

915 Barchester Towers, by Anthony Trollope (read 2 Sep 1967) This is a very enjoyable novel, with enjoyable and funny episodes. Mrs. Proudie is the wife of the Bishop. The "hero" of the book is Septimus Harding, ex-warden. The "heroine" is Eleanor Bold nee Harding, now Arabin. Some of the characters are sheerly fantastic: Signove Nerouise, the crippled charmer daughter of Dr. Stanhope, and her brother Bertie, e.g. Such a pleasant story. ( )

The reviews already posted say it all. Great stuff. I suggest you start with "The Warden" (The first book in the series) and then read the other volumes in order. You really get to know these characters. Also you can annoy your friends when you try to talk to them about the novels! ( )

This novel tells the tale of a variety of colourful characters in the fictional cathedral town of Barchester, surrounding in particular the arrival of the new bishop, the hen-pecked Dr Prodie. This book follows the intrigues of ambition and power struggles within the Church.First off, this book is very stereotypically English and old-fashioned. Its sense of irony, its very descriptive depiction of corruption and hypocrisy, the well-drawn out characters - I thought it was wonderful, as I can relate to people and situations like this. Although the novel centers around intrigues within the cathedral, the situations could equally well be translated to other areas of life because it is really about normal everyday occurrences.As I've said already, the characters help to bring this book to life, and you find yourself learning to love them, despite their faults. The bumbling bishop is loveable in his own way. The Signora Madeline Vesey Neroni, who seems to be able to ensnare all men and arouse the hatred and jealously of all women by holding court on a large sofa, does have a heart and helps a blossoming love affair to flourish. Even the "baddie", Mr Slope, is so well portrayed that you can feel some sympathy for him when things don't go his way.This book is part of a series known as the Barchester Chronicles, and I think this one has certainly whetted my appetite to find out more about these wonderful characters... ( )