My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This classic novel from Anthony Trollope read like a Romantic Historic fiction with shades of a coming of age tale for me. The sub plots were many and just as entertaining as the main story of how Mary Thorne, Dr Thorne’s ward and niece, and Frank Gresham get together. The elements against their relationship are typical of the times, when aristocrats and the landed gentry could never consider marrying someone that was not of the same class and social position. Despite Mary’s childhood friendships with Frank’s family and sisters, when she shared their nursery and much of their education, Lady Gresham is totally set against any thought of such a romance. Meanwhile, Dr Thorne, a medic, has various legal battles and problems to contend with that involve his good friends the squire and Sir Roger Scatcherd. The squire happens to be Frank’s father who considers Mary to be a wonderful girl, and almost as close as one of his daughters, but her low birth and pressure from Lady Gresham about the impossibility of this romantic attachment, add to his troubles. Trollope also includes the dangers of the demon drink and the dubious behaviour that occurs around the electoral system of the times. The author acts as the narrator for most of the novel and does not hold back with his opinions about such things.
Intriguing, amusing and very revealing throughout the whole book, I really enjoyed book 3 in the series known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire. Highly recommended.
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