An Old Man's Love
by Anthony Trollope
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Fifty-year-old William Whittlestaff becomes guardian to Mary Lawrie, the orphaned and penniless daughter of an old friend, and gradually finds himself falling in love with her. But Mary has already given her heart to the young John Gordon, who has gone to seek his fortune in the Kimberley diamond fields of South Africa. Gordon’s sudden return after a three years’ absence, on the very day of Whittlestaff’s proposal, precipitates the crisis at the center of the story.An Old Man’s Love show more is Trollope’s last completed novel, finished just seven months before his death. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Soppy and unlikely love story of a rich old man (of 50!) and an indigent but nicely brought-up young woman of 25 whose long-lost suitor comes back into her life the day of her engagement to the old man. Shall she choose money over love? Shall she justify her choice because she doesn't want to hurt the feelings of this one or that one? Shall one or other of these men relinquish her to the more-suitable other? These weren't really the sort of existential questions that kept me eagerly turning the page and ignoring Nancy Grace ranting on the tv (silently, I like to watch her, not listen to her pitbull brand of tabloid barking).
There is also a side story of a bossy and garrulous housekeeper who is abused by her drunken husband. Both these show more characters are extremely annoying and you wish they'd carry on their mundane and unpleasant lives in another book, or on a Nancy Grace show. She would have demonised the husband and had the nation braying for justice.
These stories, uninteresting in themselves, are not relieved by Trollope's usually wonderful writing, sly, dry wit or political or business intrigues. Instead, they meander along in the fashion of a pay-per-word serial a la Dickens and come to an end only when nothing further can be wrung out of the shallow plots.
Not recommended for anyone, including die-hard Trollope fans (like me). show less
There is also a side story of a bossy and garrulous housekeeper who is abused by her drunken husband. Both these show more characters are extremely annoying and you wish they'd carry on their mundane and unpleasant lives in another book, or on a Nancy Grace show. She would have demonised the husband and had the nation braying for justice.
These stories, uninteresting in themselves, are not relieved by Trollope's usually wonderful writing, sly, dry wit or political or business intrigues. Instead, they meander along in the fashion of a pay-per-word serial a la Dickens and come to an end only when nothing further can be wrung out of the shallow plots.
Not recommended for anyone, including die-hard Trollope fans (like me). show less
I'm so glad to have found this shorter novel by Anthony Trollope. Filled with all the great characters Trollope is known for. Wonderful story. Tony Britton is a perfect narrator for this story.
I love reading Anthony Trollope, and I never thought I'd read a book of his that I didn't enjoy ... but this one?! Did NOT enjoy.
Touching story of man who loves a young woman enough to care more for her happiness with another man than he does for himself.
By Trollope standards, this is a short story—only 7 hours and 45 minutes read aloud by a professional narrator!
el rico y soltero de 50 años acoje en su residencia a la joven mary para mantener la promesa de cuidar a la hija de un amigo
Apr 17, 2013Spanish
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Author Information
Anthony Trollope was born in London, England on April 24, 1815. In 1834, he became a junior clerk in the General Post Office, London. In 1841, he became a deputy postal surveyor in Banagher, Ireland. He was sent on many postal missions ending up as a surveyor general in the post office outside of London. His first novel, The Macdermots of show more Ballycloran, was published in 1847. His other works included Castle Richmond, The Last Chronicle of Barset, Lady Anna, The Two Heroines of Plumplington, and The Noble Jilt. He died after suffering from a paralytic stroke on December 6, 1882. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- An Old Man's Love
- Original publication date
- 1884
- People/Characters
- William Whittlestaff; John Gordon; Mary Lawrie; Mrs Baggett; Rev. Montagu Blake; Kattie Forrester (show all 10); Fitzwalker Tookie; Squire Hall; Sergeant Baggett; Catherine Bailey
- First words
- Mr William Whittlestaff was strolling very slowly up and down the long walk at his country seat in Hampshire, thinking of the contents of a letter which he held crushed up within his trousers' pocket.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)It resulted, however, in the sending of a money-order every Saturday morning to an old woman in whose custody the Sergeant was left.
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- Members
- 298
- Popularity
- 107,634
- Reviews
- 6
- Rating
- (3.42)
- Languages
- English, Italian, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 52
- ASINs
- 15
