Barchester Towers (1857)

I just could not get into this. Trollope's prose is heavy, and the plot is just not getting here. Also, there is so much telling and so little showing.

Continuing on from The Warden. Trollope seems to have a distinct style unlike other Victorian novels I have read. And rather to my surprise I am enjoying these stories. They are quite remote in identification with the characters and yet I was still interested and wanted to see how it all turned out. ( )

Wonderful characterizations and a sound understanding of human nature and motives. I think it is the equal of an Austen novel. ( )

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. My 3rd Trollope. I had read 'The Warden,' quite some time ago, and was startled as to how i immediately remembered enough of it to know exactly what was going on. Trollope has this lovely tongue-in-cheek style that makes these books delightful, in spite of their sometime wordiness. His choice of character names almost makes me laugh out loud and his understanding of all that makes us so imperfect as people is stellar. It also is surprising as to how long ago this was written, but the ridiculousness of the characters is so believable...to the point that i am pretty sure i know some of these people! Certainly a wee bit predictable, a tad bit sappy, and a trifle too long, but i still very much enjoyed the journey.....and i will likely always remember Slope, Quiverful, Proudie & Puddindale. Perfect names! And politics has not really changed too much from the Church of England of the 1800's to today. This wonderful 1945 hardcover volume is also delightfully illustrated (by Donald McKay & sometimes in color!) throughout, and i enjoyed that very much. I am blessed to have an extensive Trollope layout on my shelves and i look forward to the many, many volumes waiting for my attention! ( )

This may have tied [b:The Way We Live Now|149785|The Way We Live Now|Anthony Trollope|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1453026230s/149785.jpg|2152551] for my favorite Trollope novel. There were so many parts that made me laugh out loud, and the characters seemed so real. Not only that, they seemed to behave for the most part like actual human beings, so the plot didn't feel forced. I'm definitely continuing on in this series.

Favorite quotes:

"There is, perhaps, no greater hardship at present inflicted on mankind in civilized and free countries, than the necessity of listening to sermons." (Page 55). Can confirm after recently visiting a church service that included a very long sermon.

"There is no royal road to learning; no short cut to the acquirement of any valuable art." (Page 177).

"One of two arrangements should certainly be made in these days: either let all speechmaking on festive occasions be utterly tabooed and made as it were impossible; or else let those who are to exercise this privilege be first subjected to a competing examination before the civil service examining commissioners." (Page 392).

"Bertie did not dislike money, but he hated the very thought of earning it." (Page 411).
( )