Two by Anthony Trollope

Trollope

Anthony Trollope (1815-1882) was a prolific, successful, and as far as I'm concerned, excellent Victorian author.  I have intended to read him since I first began reading Victorian novels, but never did until this month.  I regret waiting so long!

Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope (1865)  5/5 stars
It's hard to explain this lengthy (847 pages) Victorian novel, as it follows many characters and several plot lines.  Politics, various aspects of marriage,  mistakes both innocent and guilty, and the examination of contemporary morals and mores link together to form a deliciously meaty, completely entertaining, excellently penned experience.  I was smitten from the beginning, laughed out loud often, and enjoyed every minute of the 28 hour audio book.  It's not for everyone, of course, but those loving Victorian novels as I do should find it delightful.  

Phineas Finn by Anthony Trollope (1869)  5/5 stars

Irishman Phineas Finn, a twenty-five year old law student in London, finds himself as a Member of Parliament, nearly by accident.  This novel follows him for five years as he rises in his new profession, falls in and out of love, and finds his moral mettle tested and proven true.  

Trollope is an excellent writer, creating believable characters and engrossing plots, while subtly examining burning issues of his times such as marriage, the role of women, and the working of politics.   While not as humorous as Can You Forgive Her? (the first in this series), and full to bursting with politics that I didn't always understand, Phineas Finn is a fantastic novel.  I thought about the book often when not reading it, and was completely involved all the way through the entire 23 hour audio book. 

(On a side note: Timothy West is an amazing audio book narrator, and gives such life to the characters in these two books.)