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thaurisil's review against another edition
5.0
Following after The Warden, this second book in the Chronicles of Barsetshire series sees the return of the cathedral town of Barchester, with Mr Harding, Eleanor, Dr Grantly and their clerical brethren.
Church politics are rife as always. The issue is the death of the bishop, Dr Grantly's father, and the appointment of a newcomer, Dr Proudie, as bishop. Though bishop in name, the real contenders for influence over the bishop are his wife Mrs Proudie, who henpecks him, and his unctuous over-confident chaplain, Mr Slope. There is a battle between Mr Slope and Mrs Proudie over who should be warden of Hiram's Hosiptal, and Mrs Proudie eventually emerges the victor, with Mr Quiverful, who has fourteen children, appointed as warden instead of Mr Harding, who nevertheless no longer wants the wardenship after much consideration. At the same time, Dr Grantly, infuriated by Mr Slope's wrestle for power, has his friend Mr Arabin appointed in a clerical position near Barchester in the hopes that he will succeed against Mr Slope.
The Stanhopes have also arrived from Italy. Dr Stanhope is the neglectful dean of Barchester. Of his three children, the second child is the lascivious Madeline who married an Italian who beat and crippled her, and she now titles herself Signora Neroni and lives on a sofa, with her brother and servants carrying her to parties where she seduces men. Her younger brother, Bertie, is a happy-go-lucky ambitionless man who has attempted multiple artistic careers and never had the determination to fully pursue any. The pair scandalise the conservative Barchester people with their shenanigans, with Bertie good-naturedly ignoring social conventions and hierarchies, and Signora Neroni charming even the bishop and Mr Slope.
Eleanor has been widowed with a baby for two years. Unbeknownst to her, Mr Slope pursues her for her money, and so does Bertie, under the influence of his eldest sister Charlotte. Eleanor innocently fails to see their intentions, thinking of Mr Slope only as a friend and defending him to the fury of Mr Grantly, who thinks she is consorting with the enemy. But as the narrator makes clear to us, she and Mr Arabin are, unknown to themselves, falling in love with each other.
Although on the surface this is a book about clergymen and church politics, Trollope actually includes a myriad of issues and imaginative characters. Of the black-suited clergymen, there is the pompous Dr Grantly, the henpecked Dr Proudie, the manipulative Mr Slope, the intelligent but diffident Mr Arabin, and a whole host of others. The other characters range from kind-hearted and down-to-earth Eleanor to Signora Neroni and Bertie Stanhope, two absolutely delightful characters who are incredible yet somehow believable, and who despite being mostly immoral actually do more good than some of the clergymen. There's even the poor of the town, from the six remaining beadsmen of Hiram's Hospital, to the Greenacres, who are predictably farmers, and the Lookalofts, who are also a farming family but have elbowed themselves into the position of social climbers. In fact, there are lots of social climbers here, both amongst the clergy and amongst the rural families. Juxtaposed against each other, the variety of characters creates colour and diversity, yet their storylines remain inter-connected.
Trollope satirises church politics while making it clear that he respects Christianity. His work shows disdain for the hypocrisy and pretentiousness of the clergymen and the manner in which they sully the reputation of the faith. He portrays accurately the manner in which clergymen use the pulpit to further their personal opinions, and the inability of the people to respond or protest for fear of being declaimed as heretics. Most of his clergymen have skeletons in their closets that they have to masquerade with a show of righteousness, and even bishops have very human failings.
While all this misbehaviour is going on in church, the family of Mr Harding, Eleanor and the Grantees is a picture of warmth and love. There is resentment between Eleanor and the Grantlys, but the narrator makes it very clear that this is due to a misunderstanding on the part of the Grantlys. In actual fact Eleanor's attitude towards her suitors is the same as that of the Grantlys, and the violence of feelings is due to a quietly passionate love amongst the family members. It is inevitable that they will make up in the end.
This is my second Trollope, after the Warden. I'll have to read more of his books to decide, but I think Trollope may end up being one of my favourite, if not my favourite writers. His writing is full of humour, warmth, imagination and liveliness. His characters and storylines, as varied as they are, are engaging and believable. He makes it clear that he will wrap up his story in a manner satisfactory and comforting to the reader, and this enables the reader to laugh at the comedy of errors that the characters play out without much fear of undue consequences.
Church politics are rife as always. The issue is the death of the bishop, Dr Grantly's father, and the appointment of a newcomer, Dr Proudie, as bishop. Though bishop in name, the real contenders for influence over the bishop are his wife Mrs Proudie, who henpecks him, and his unctuous over-confident chaplain, Mr Slope. There is a battle between Mr Slope and Mrs Proudie over who should be warden of Hiram's Hosiptal, and Mrs Proudie eventually emerges the victor, with Mr Quiverful, who has fourteen children, appointed as warden instead of Mr Harding, who nevertheless no longer wants the wardenship after much consideration. At the same time, Dr Grantly, infuriated by Mr Slope's wrestle for power, has his friend Mr Arabin appointed in a clerical position near Barchester in the hopes that he will succeed against Mr Slope.
The Stanhopes have also arrived from Italy. Dr Stanhope is the neglectful dean of Barchester. Of his three children, the second child is the lascivious Madeline who married an Italian who beat and crippled her, and she now titles herself Signora Neroni and lives on a sofa, with her brother and servants carrying her to parties where she seduces men. Her younger brother, Bertie, is a happy-go-lucky ambitionless man who has attempted multiple artistic careers and never had the determination to fully pursue any. The pair scandalise the conservative Barchester people with their shenanigans, with Bertie good-naturedly ignoring social conventions and hierarchies, and Signora Neroni charming even the bishop and Mr Slope.
Eleanor has been widowed with a baby for two years. Unbeknownst to her, Mr Slope pursues her for her money, and so does Bertie, under the influence of his eldest sister Charlotte. Eleanor innocently fails to see their intentions, thinking of Mr Slope only as a friend and defending him to the fury of Mr Grantly, who thinks she is consorting with the enemy. But as the narrator makes clear to us, she and Mr Arabin are, unknown to themselves, falling in love with each other.
Although on the surface this is a book about clergymen and church politics, Trollope actually includes a myriad of issues and imaginative characters. Of the black-suited clergymen, there is the pompous Dr Grantly, the henpecked Dr Proudie, the manipulative Mr Slope, the intelligent but diffident Mr Arabin, and a whole host of others. The other characters range from kind-hearted and down-to-earth Eleanor to Signora Neroni and Bertie Stanhope, two absolutely delightful characters who are incredible yet somehow believable, and who despite being mostly immoral actually do more good than some of the clergymen. There's even the poor of the town, from the six remaining beadsmen of Hiram's Hospital, to the Greenacres, who are predictably farmers, and the Lookalofts, who are also a farming family but have elbowed themselves into the position of social climbers. In fact, there are lots of social climbers here, both amongst the clergy and amongst the rural families. Juxtaposed against each other, the variety of characters creates colour and diversity, yet their storylines remain inter-connected.
Trollope satirises church politics while making it clear that he respects Christianity. His work shows disdain for the hypocrisy and pretentiousness of the clergymen and the manner in which they sully the reputation of the faith. He portrays accurately the manner in which clergymen use the pulpit to further their personal opinions, and the inability of the people to respond or protest for fear of being declaimed as heretics. Most of his clergymen have skeletons in their closets that they have to masquerade with a show of righteousness, and even bishops have very human failings.
While all this misbehaviour is going on in church, the family of Mr Harding, Eleanor and the Grantees is a picture of warmth and love. There is resentment between Eleanor and the Grantlys, but the narrator makes it very clear that this is due to a misunderstanding on the part of the Grantlys. In actual fact Eleanor's attitude towards her suitors is the same as that of the Grantlys, and the violence of feelings is due to a quietly passionate love amongst the family members. It is inevitable that they will make up in the end.
This is my second Trollope, after the Warden. I'll have to read more of his books to decide, but I think Trollope may end up being one of my favourite, if not my favourite writers. His writing is full of humour, warmth, imagination and liveliness. His characters and storylines, as varied as they are, are engaging and believable. He makes it clear that he will wrap up his story in a manner satisfactory and comforting to the reader, and this enables the reader to laugh at the comedy of errors that the characters play out without much fear of undue consequences.
bareruinedchoirs's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
krj's review against another edition
5.0
It took a while for the real genius of this to sink in. I gave it three stars right after I finished it--the Ullathorne acts just moved so slow, and having to binge read that tepid pace for a seminar made it painful and killed the enjoyment of the book for me. But I find now, a couple months later, that I can't stop thinking about it, that it's the novel I keep coming back to when I think of the best thing I've read this semester (sorry Daniel Deronda). Anyway, I need more Trollope. A very Lukacsian novel.
karenholmes's review against another edition
4.0
I had a great time with this classic. I love Trollope's intrusive and very sneaky narrator. It was such a fun read. Love all her women, they have a lot in them for the time they were written.
hadeanstars's review against another edition
4.0
An absolute delight, such a gentle and humorous story, with wonderful, believable, engaging characters, just a pleasure to read.
And so funny! I found myself chuckling so much of the time at the perfect observations, and the idiosyncratic behaviour of the rich cast of characters. As a sequel (to The Warden) it really builds on that altogether simpler story and takes it to a new level.
I am really looking forward to the next instalment.
And so funny! I found myself chuckling so much of the time at the perfect observations, and the idiosyncratic behaviour of the rich cast of characters. As a sequel (to The Warden) it really builds on that altogether simpler story and takes it to a new level.
I am really looking forward to the next instalment.
schmidtellie's review against another edition
5.0
The first book was mediocre. I’m glad I stuck with it thought because this was sort of like a male Jane Austen and it was quite amusing :)
rosekk's review against another edition
4.0
I appreciate the sympathy with which Mr/ Trollope treats all his characters. Combined with the way he addresses readers about the narrative and characters within, I found the book very enjoyable. The only fault is that the gender politics of the age shine through, which I found a little trying in places.
nigellicus's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
5.0
A bishop dies, a new bishop is appointed, along with his wife and his curate and things in Barchester go absolutely hog wild, or as hog wild as it gets for Barchester. The new bishop's unpopular, the wife is domineering, the curate is scheming. This leaves our beloved gang from The Warden in doubt and confusion, the issue of the hospital warden returns, as does a family from Italy with ideas of their own, and lots of people become interested in or unjustly angry at the good widow Bold. It's like Hobbiton, if Hobbiton was real, and Anglican.
samhsiung's review against another edition
4.0
I hated the men in this book. I would highly recommend this book if you want an excuse to hate on men. At some point, one of the characters (Mr Arabin) proposes to a girl (Eleanor Bold) merely by calling her “his wife.” Not even a “can you be my wife” or a “will you marry me.” Just a “you are my wife now.” I really wonder if that’s how men proposed to women in the 1800s. It’s important to note that this novel is an anachronistic text, so the narrator (which I feel like is probably just Trollope channeling his inner thoughts on his own characters/writing, though you can never be too sure) does sound very misogynistic in many parts—but was probably actually revolutionarily feminist for the time period. It’s like that whole argument with Twain being satirical and quite anti-racist for his time period even though contemporary standards would deem him a racist. This novel was incredibly character-driven, rather than plot-driven, which I loved so much. Every character had so much depth, even the ones that were pretty irrelevant—and honestly, the most interesting traits about some of these characters were how boring they were, but even that is a sort of depth. I would love to be able to write a boring character that well. I really think this novel would’ve been a much more worthwhile read if it were less dense, but apparently Trollope was paid for every word he wrote, and I guess I would've done the same thing if I was in his position. Also, I did not know there could be so much church drama and so many parts that make up a church (high church, low church, archbishop, warden, diocese). I still don't know what the difference between a bishop and archbishop is and kind of still don't understand what the difference between a diocese and parish is, but my new realization is that maybe I am into novels about petty church drama. Props to my prof for choosing this book to teach.