#anthony trollope

[fictionadventurer]

The Barsetshire Chronicles so far is Trollope spending all of Book 1 making us think the archdeacon is one of the most insufferable people on the planet.

And then Book 2 is all, "You think he was bad? Wait 'til you get a load of this guy."

And it's great.

[werewolfetone]

Obviously this is just because of how alphabetisation works but I'm kind of obsessed with the progression of the first 3 works on this particular wikipedia list. if you liked: 'thriller film as gaeilige' and 'wish fulfilment revenge film' you should try: 'out of print seven billion page long extremely convoluted victorian ""romance"" novel centring around a ye olde nepo baby being tormented by a rich milf written by a man who would have spontaneously combusted had any of his work ever seen a proper editor'

[hypergraphiacreads]

[howifeltabouthim]

When I saw him the other night he was just as handsome as ever;—the same look, half wild and half tame, like an animal you cannot catch, but which you think would love you so if you could catch him.

Anthony Trollope, from Can You Forgive Her?

[bethanydelleman]

In one of my most popular posts, I pointed out that Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë's writing styles don't have a ton in common, despite being constantly recommended to Austen fans looking for further reading.

Anthony Trollope is another name I hear frequently as similar to Austen. And let me say now.

No. Stop it.

I read his most famous and popular novel, Barchester Towers. The whole time I had this vibe, though I couldn't exactly find a quote to support it, that this author did not really respect women. The main hero is explicitly said to treat women like children. A main plot is about a bishop being hen-pecked (controlled by his wife). Another main plot is a woman who is a heartless, magical siren.

Well then the vibe stopped being a vibe (woman is ivy, man is tower):

When the ivy has found its tower, when the delicate creeper has found its strong wall, we know how the parasite plants grow and prosper. They were not created to stretch forth their branches alone, and endure without protection the summer's sun and the winter's storm. Alone they but spread themselves on the ground and cower unseen in the dingy shade. But when they have found their firm supporters, how wonderful is their beauty; how all-pervading and victorious! What is the turret without its ivy, or the high garden wall without the jasmine which gives it its beauty and fragrance? The hedge without the honeysuckle is but a hedge.

Yeah, I want to vomit. Women are a parasitic vine that cannot grow properly without a man? Fuck you, Anthony Trollop.

And why in the world would anyone compare this author to Austen?

Before someone fights me:

Yes, I realize that an author from 1857 might have unfortunate views about women. I'm not an idiot. I choose to read those who don't.

Yes, I know I only read one novel. I'm not going further because that was enough for me. I also wasn't very fond of his writing style besides the misogyny.

The main problem here is the comparison to Jane Austen, not Anthony Trollope himself. I didn't find them comparable at all besides being British and the presence of clergymen. If you love Trollope, this is not an attack on you personally.

[ijustkindalikebooks]

currently reading.

[antowilly]

El libro que me estoy leyendo tiene en la portada la catedral que estoy visitando.

[biboocat]

The Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope (1866)

The Last Chronicle of Barset, 1866

I loved Trollope’s flowing prose and his remarkable ability to sustain interest from start to finish of this nearly 900 page book. The story is generally serious, but there are hilarious parts such as the rapacious socialite Miss Demolines and Archdeacon Grantly’s fixation with foxes. 😁 On a personal note, I admired the elegant forms of social decorum and manners extant among gentle Victorian society, and as someone who still enjoys sending and receiving handwritten letters, I loved the importance of letters and calling cards throughout the novel. I was also glad to discover that Trollope’s depiction of his numerous ecclesiastical characters was purely sociological rather than transcendental, so the story is designed to be appreciated on a purely secular basis without regard to religious belief. The story centers around a legal scandal involving a rural clergyman, Mr. Josiah Crawley, the perpetual curate of Hogglestock. The scandal has far reaching implications, not only for the indicted clergyman and his parish, but also for the diocese’s politics, his family, and family allies. We see how differently members of society react to the scandal and how divisions of class, wealth, and religious sectarianism affect perceptions and actions towards Mr. Crawley. On the positive side, the novel shows us examples of great personal integrity, courage, and generosity in the face of crisis and uncertainty. These acts of quiet heroism and goodness soar above our quotidian acts of compromise, cowardice, and self interest and inspire us all. It’s a wonderfully humane novel that I highly recommend.

Memorable excerpts:

Mr. Crawley belonged to the other party, and Mrs. Proudie was a thorough going partisan. I know a man, – an excellent fellow, who, being himself a strong politician, constantly expresses a belief that all politicians opposed to him are thieves, child murderers, parricides, lovers of incest, demons upon the Earth. He is a strong partisan, but not, I think, so strong as Mrs. Proudie.

I always button up my pocket when I hear of scruples, the Archdeacon said.

[em-sars]

As an admirer of 19th century English literature, I am loving the increased usage of Intentional Capitalization that I have been seeing in more and more fanfics. I love both writing and reading a strong 3rd person narrator. There is something so pleasing about a non player who relays the events accurately but with a clear Tone that teeters on Opinion.

Some of my favorite examples of Strong and Intentional omniscient (or nearly-omniscient?) narration:

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket is perhaps the series of books that shaped my love of interesting narration first and best, and is to this day my favorite series of all time. In terms of narration, the style is so distinct that it is maintained even after we remove the character of Lemony Snicket from within the book. His style still reeks of Very Frequent Detours and Vaugely Flexible Definitions that taught me so much so young.

Antony Trollope is a classic example of a strong 3rd person narrator. He excels in the arena of Intentional Capitalization. I am of the opinion (and here I pause to call upon the review by Julian Fellows in the opening of his tv adaptation of the novel which backs me up) that Doctor Thorne has some of the best moments.

Of Austen's books, I find P&P to be the one most riddled with moments of Tone. Probably because she liked to tortue poor Darcy more than the other Heroines. (Yes, Heroine, not Hero. I have decided the distinction is not based on Gender, but on Role.) Like Trollope and Snicket, Austen seamlessly merges humor into her (sometimes long) narrator monologues.

[jocrude]

OK hot take: When you talk about "national literary canons" or whatever, Britain's is BY FAR the most overrated out of any nation except maybe Germany. Dickens, Trollope, the Bronte sisters, could never fucking stand any of them. I'd say my list of best literary canons by nation would be something like:

America

Russia

Persia

And then Britain is somewhere between Antarctica and Hell.

[existentialcowboy]

[fictionadventurer]

It turns out the most fun way to engage with Barchester Towers is to map the characters on to other characters/people from the future that Trollope couldn't have known about.

Dr. Grantley = Squidward (ambitious, a bit pretentious/likes the finer things in life, tries for dignity but is easily angered)

Mr. Harding = Winnie the Pooh (sweet and small and simple and friendly and likes his little songs)

Mrs. Proudie = Mrs. Oleson (very opinionated domineering wife)

Mr. Slope = Rasputin (oily guy who uses spirituality to prey upon women and gain power)

[werewolfetone]

I love it when words shift meaning over time

[veronicaleighauthor]

[howifeltabouthim]

Come to me . . . and comfort me. Come to me, for I want you sorely.

Anthony Trollope, from Can You Forgive Her?

[bethanydelleman]

The baby was really delightful; he took his food with a will, struck out his toes merrily whenever his legs were uncovered, and did not have fits. These are supposed to be the strongest points of baby perfection, and in all these our baby excelled.

Barchester Towers, Anthony Trollope

This does sound like a most excellent baby. 10/10