The Way We Live Now (1875)

Such a treat to read. Many characters. Many predicaments. But all brought together so deftly. And I never once got that compensatory urge to pitch the book against a wall in lieu of smacking the whiny little mouths within. This book also explained the recent financial crisis to me as Trollope deftly mapped out the workings of invisible money in many invisible hands. ( )

Back in grad school, I watched the BBC version, which is also excellent (David Suchet, you amazing, amazing man!). I decided to read this chunkster (1024 pages!) and I’m so glad I did. It is so rich with complex characters and wonderfully intricate-yet-gloomy plot that weaves itself into this gorgeous satirical tapestry. There are few characters that are truly likable, but each has their good and bad points, making them all very realistic, even if you don’t necessarily want any of them as friends.

Many people find books from the 19th century hard to get through, but I think Trollope is one of the most accessible. Even though the book is long, it’s not that difficult to read, and the complex plot is surprisingly easy to follow. I find Dickens’ characters to be more Good and Bad, whereas Trollope’s characters are multifaceted and intricate. One of the things I like about Trollope’s writing is how he moves from character to character — it keeps the book from being bogged down by one point of view.

The best part about this book is that the title and themes apply to 2012 as much as they did to 1875 — we live in such a similar world, full of people trying to make a fast buck at the expense of other people. Everyone looks out for themselves, makes decisions based on their immediate desires, and many pay the consequences (though…not enough to be 100% satisfying.)

Also, Paul Montague: MAN THE HELL UP.

Read my full review here: http://letseatgrandpa.com/2012/07/14/book-review-38-the-way-we-live-now-by-antho... ( )

Not one of Trollope's most funny books, and lacking in particularly lovable characters, this is still a wonderful big satire of society, and unfortunately timeless. ( )

Bought June 2012 ( )

This is without doubt the most readable book by Anthony Trollope that I have yet come across and I found it really enjoyable. I had read the Barchester Chronicles and some of the Pallisers series, but the difference here was that I was not constantly being tripped up by my lack of knowledge of Anglican Church affairs or the inner workings of the Houses of Parliament. Politics do feature in the book but not in any dominant way.
The Way We Live Now is very much a character driven book and Trollope has created some very strong individuals including some splendidly well drawn women. I loved the bold American, Mrs Hurtle, who is inexplicably attached to the rather weak Paul Montague and then there is Marie Melmotte, helpless pawn of her father's matchmaking plans, but with a mind of her own. We meet Mrs Carbury, forced to scratch a living by her pen and desperate to establish her children in the world. The men are less vivid with the exception of Mr Melmotte whose dilemmas have elements of almost Shakespearean tragedy .
Trollopes themes of corporate greed and corruption in high places speak very strongly to the modern reader and the ambition and range of the book mark it out as one of his best, and well deserving of it's high reputation. On the plot level, characters' financial affairs and various romances keep the reader on tenterhooks about the outcomes until the very end of the novel. Something of a sour note is struck by a level of anti-semitism expressed by some people , perhaps reflecting the time at which the book was written, but unpleasant to read. However it must be said that Trollope deals fairly with Ezekiel Brehgert, a Jewish banker who is by far the most honourable character in the book (with the exception of the old-fashioned Roger Carbury) and who deals with people in a dignified and level headed way.
Of those books by Trollope that I have read, this is the one that I would recommend to someone coming fresh to his work, quite definitely a good read. ( )