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A Passionate Man
The Logans were an enchanting and admirable couple. Archie had snatched Liza from her own engagement party to someone else, wooed her, swept her off to his father in Scotland, and finally married her. Now bedded firmly into country life-three children, Archie the village doctor, Liza a teacher, everything comfortable, funny, affectionate,—they awaited the arrival of Archie's father, the brilliant Sir Andrew Logan, a widower for over thirty years.
When his city-clean Rover stopped in the drive, Sir Andrew was not alone. Beside him was a golden lady in caramel suede, a warm, witty, desirable widow whom everyone—except Archie—adored at once. Archie saw his father's mistress as the worm in the bud of his perfect life—a life that was to be wrenched apart before he and Liza could re-create their world.
When his city-clean Rover stopped in the drive, Sir Andrew was not alone. Beside him was a golden lady in caramel suede, a warm, witty, desirable widow whom everyone—except Archie—adored at once. Archie saw his father's mistress as the worm in the bud of his perfect life—a life that was to be wrenched apart before he and Liza could re-create their world.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
About the author
Joanna Trollope
135 books624 followersJoanna Trollope Potter Curteis (aka Caroline Harvey)
Joanna Trollope was born on 9 December 1943 in her grandfather's rectory in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, England, daughter of Rosemary Hodson and Arthur George Cecil Trollope. She is the eldest of three siblings. She is a fifth-generation niece of the Victorian novelist Anthony Trollope and is a cousin of the writer and broadcaster James Trollope. She was educated at Reigate County School for Girls followed by St Hugh's College, Oxford. On 14 May 1966, she married the banker David Roger William Potter, they had two daughters, Antonia and Louise, and on 1983 they divorced. In 1985, she remarried to the television dramatist Ian Curteis, and became the stepmother of two stepsons; they divorced in 2001.
From 1965 to 1967, she worked at the Foreign Office. From 1967 to 1979, she was employed in a number of teaching posts before she became a writer full-time in 1980. Her novel Parson Harding's Daughter won in 1980 the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association.
Joanna Trollope was born on 9 December 1943 in her grandfather's rectory in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, England, daughter of Rosemary Hodson and Arthur George Cecil Trollope. She is the eldest of three siblings. She is a fifth-generation niece of the Victorian novelist Anthony Trollope and is a cousin of the writer and broadcaster James Trollope. She was educated at Reigate County School for Girls followed by St Hugh's College, Oxford. On 14 May 1966, she married the banker David Roger William Potter, they had two daughters, Antonia and Louise, and on 1983 they divorced. In 1985, she remarried to the television dramatist Ian Curteis, and became the stepmother of two stepsons; they divorced in 2001.
From 1965 to 1967, she worked at the Foreign Office. From 1967 to 1979, she was employed in a number of teaching posts before she became a writer full-time in 1980. Her novel Parson Harding's Daughter won in 1980 the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
September 25, 2022
Two observations. 1.I haven’t read Joanna Trollope for years, and now I will search out another novel because she is a fine writer. 2. Although fascinating in a voyeuristic sort of way, the complex and incomprehensible emotions of the couple, especially the husband, in this unhappy marriage made me feel impatient rather than sympathetic. In short, great writing but an unsatisfying plot.
June 3, 2016
The writing was good, but the story was not one that I enjoyed.
There is this nice suburban family; father is a doctor, mother is a part-time school teacher and home maker, there are three young children. They suffer from 'living in a village neurotic syndrome' meaning they are bored and worried about the "littleness" of their lives. On the advice of and following the example of the Scottish grandfather who sent his son Archie away to school, they also send their nine year old son away to boarding school which gives young Thomas more problems than just the village malaise that effects the adults.
Then the same very proper Scottish grandfather, who is very close to his son Archie, falls in love. Archie doesn't like this, he feels left out. When the new woman, Marina, comes to the house to meet everyone; they all fall in love with her. Then the grandfather dies and the whole shebang goes all Prince of Tides. We are supposed to buy the premise that Archie having an affair with this woman was just what the family needed to wake it up and send it out of its complacency. My opinion of that premise? Utter and complete rubbish. And the way that the wife Liza is portrayed takes her from competent and happy wife to making her a ghost of her former self, a woman who no longer believes her skills and love are worth much, her husband views her as a pitiful person. We are supposed to believe that the marriage will be better after the upheaval. After all, they are chucking the village and moving to Scotland. ..........and this fixes things because moving to Scotland does what??
I pretty much hated it, as I expected I would. Bumped up to a 2 star rating because the writing, especially scenes with the children, was good.
There is this nice suburban family; father is a doctor, mother is a part-time school teacher and home maker, there are three young children. They suffer from 'living in a village neurotic syndrome' meaning they are bored and worried about the "littleness" of their lives. On the advice of and following the example of the Scottish grandfather who sent his son Archie away to school, they also send their nine year old son away to boarding school which gives young Thomas more problems than just the village malaise that effects the adults.
Then the same very proper Scottish grandfather, who is very close to his son Archie, falls in love. Archie doesn't like this, he feels left out. When the new woman, Marina, comes to the house to meet everyone; they all fall in love with her. Then the grandfather dies and the whole shebang goes all Prince of Tides. We are supposed to buy the premise that Archie having an affair with this woman was just what the family needed to wake it up and send it out of its complacency. My opinion of that premise? Utter and complete rubbish. And the way that the wife Liza is portrayed takes her from competent and happy wife to making her a ghost of her former self, a woman who no longer believes her skills and love are worth much, her husband views her as a pitiful person. We are supposed to believe that the marriage will be better after the upheaval. After all, they are chucking the village and moving to Scotland. ..........and this fixes things because moving to Scotland does what??
I pretty much hated it, as I expected I would. Bumped up to a 2 star rating because the writing, especially scenes with the children, was good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2011
I've read Joanna Trollope's novels for years and generally think I liked the earlier ones more than the later books. When I was adding all my reading & book records to Goodreads & LibraryThing recently I was surprised to find this book popping up as unread as I thought I had read all of the earlier books at least. I expected to suddenly remember the story part of the way through and realise that I had read it before but I'm pretty certain this one was new to me. Or completely forgotten which is just as good!
Despite reading all of them I always start off these books thinking they are going to be rubbish... they are full of characters who appear at first glance to be rather stereotyped examples of the upper middle classes, people with big houses, good jobs, stable relationships, long family histories verging on the aristocratic, perfect children effortlessly kept in private schools etc. But what I enjoy is that things are never quite as they seem and that Trollope plays with the stereotypes and rather makes fun of her characters along the way. She nearly always writes about women and despite the title this book is mostly about the women surrounding the men. I never did figure out which man was supposed to be the passionate one, there are two obvious possibilities as far as I can see; and Liza Logan, wife of one of them, and daughter-in-law of the other was a far more interesting character than either.
Published in 1990 this feels rather like a period piece now.
Despite reading all of them I always start off these books thinking they are going to be rubbish... they are full of characters who appear at first glance to be rather stereotyped examples of the upper middle classes, people with big houses, good jobs, stable relationships, long family histories verging on the aristocratic, perfect children effortlessly kept in private schools etc. But what I enjoy is that things are never quite as they seem and that Trollope plays with the stereotypes and rather makes fun of her characters along the way. She nearly always writes about women and despite the title this book is mostly about the women surrounding the men. I never did figure out which man was supposed to be the passionate one, there are two obvious possibilities as far as I can see; and Liza Logan, wife of one of them, and daughter-in-law of the other was a far more interesting character than either.
Published in 1990 this feels rather like a period piece now.
February 8, 2014
1990
As with other novels of hers I have read, this one is light reading, but kept my attention. There is enough 'meat' on the characters to make it interesting to ponder, now and then. So I see her novels as a cut above romance novels.
Trollope seems to want to show Liza as a young mother being rather suddenly overtaken by Second Wave Feminism, feeling, seemingly out of nowhere, that her husband has too little respect for her as a thinking individual. Trollope gives us so little context for this that it rather confirms the impression of Liza as someone who doesn't think through things properly. This is only a small part of the story, but leaves me with the impression that Trollope [at least when she wrote this novel] had not come to terms with feminism's many meanings.
STrangely, when I read Hilary Mantel's "A Change of Climate" right after this Trollope book, I kept getting confused about which story I was in!
Both books have extramarital affairs as a major theme, and both husbands are kind gentle men yet with 'something missing', an emotional shortchanging due to their childhood.
One nice facet of this book is the contrast shoved in our face between how Liza raises her children and how her teenage poor-family babysitter/housekeeper deals with them. The latter is much stricter, presumably much more consistent, whereas Liza is said to be unable to cope with the young child's demands. Actually I don't think Liza's character hangs together, because she is very successful as a schoolteacher. Well OK, could be...
As with other novels of hers I have read, this one is light reading, but kept my attention. There is enough 'meat' on the characters to make it interesting to ponder, now and then. So I see her novels as a cut above romance novels.
Trollope seems to want to show Liza as a young mother being rather suddenly overtaken by Second Wave Feminism, feeling, seemingly out of nowhere, that her husband has too little respect for her as a thinking individual. Trollope gives us so little context for this that it rather confirms the impression of Liza as someone who doesn't think through things properly. This is only a small part of the story, but leaves me with the impression that Trollope [at least when she wrote this novel] had not come to terms with feminism's many meanings.
STrangely, when I read Hilary Mantel's "A Change of Climate" right after this Trollope book, I kept getting confused about which story I was in!
Both books have extramarital affairs as a major theme, and both husbands are kind gentle men yet with 'something missing', an emotional shortchanging due to their childhood.
One nice facet of this book is the contrast shoved in our face between how Liza raises her children and how her teenage poor-family babysitter/housekeeper deals with them. The latter is much stricter, presumably much more consistent, whereas Liza is said to be unable to cope with the young child's demands. Actually I don't think Liza's character hangs together, because she is very successful as a schoolteacher. Well OK, could be...
July 13, 2017
I guess I am just not deep enough to appreciate Joanna Trollope. She does not develop her characters fully, Archie going from dominating to pitiful? When was he domineering? I didn't get that at all. Laid back and lazy, maybe, but domineering? And Liza is just a very unlikeable character who is very selfish. Too much introspection and deep thinking on these pages.....not like anyone I know in real life....especially men. Not wasting my time on Joanna Trollope anymore. I have read three of her books now and they were all sad and depressing.
September 20, 2007
Trollope's specialty seems to be close readings of intricately tangled relationships. Her characters are vivid, their POVs nuanced, and their interactions telling. Unfortunately, I thought Liza got rather cheated in the infidelity department (her husband Archie gets to have an affair, she doesn't), the change of Archie from golden boy to screwup is too sudden to be convincing, and the whole resolution is unsatisfying.
November 15, 2021
A quiet little read, perhaps a tad too quiet. It never drew me in, although a few of the characters were interesting. I found it muddles. Not Joanna Trollope's best, 2 1/2 stars.
September 1, 2023
Toshi’s Oma gave me this book when she found out I was getting into reading, she says Joanna Trollope is one of her favourite authors ❤️
June 17, 2026
The characters in this book were so dislikeable. I put the book down and said out loud “what awful people”.
September 20, 2018
DNF @page 40. I wanted to stop sooner, but I try to read at least 10% of a book before I ditch it.
I didn't like the writing style. I couldn't connect with any of the characters. And two things revealed in the story early on bothered the *#$@ out of me.
First: the "happy couple" origin story is a major red flag. Archie meets Liza at her own engagement party, and over the next ten days he woos her away from her fiance. Then they go on a two-week vacation together, presumably to bang like bunnies, then they get married. I'm guessing this whirlwind romance is supposed to impress upon me how "passionate" Archie is? But really, stealing someone's betrothed is terrible, and Liza's pretty terrible for going along with it, and I'm thoroughly impressed alright--WITH HOW WRONG THIS IS.
If there were some sort of mitigating circumstances around her original fiance, like he's abusive and she's trapped in that relationship, or it's a sham marriage for money or ANYTHING like that, that would be one thing, but for all we the readers know at that point, he and Liza were perfectly happy together before Archie showed up.
Second: if that near-miss adultery wasn't enough, one of Liza's (much younger but still adult) coworkers is depicted as fawning over her constantly. She acknowledges in POV narrative that he's got a crush on her, and tries to tell herself it's harmless flirting, and she even flirts back--but whatever we're supposed to believe she thinks, the whole scene just screams incipient adultery to me.
ADULTERY IS NOT INHERENTLY INTERESTING. I WILL KEEP SHOUTING THIS IN REVIEWS WHENEVER I SEE IT UNTIL THE WORLD PAYS ATTENTION. I DO NOT WANT TO READ ABOUT IT.
So I'm not.
Maybe I'm wrong and Liza doesn't cheat, but even so, I don't feel like I'm missing out on a good book if I stop now, because I already didn't like it.
I didn't like the writing style. I couldn't connect with any of the characters. And two things revealed in the story early on bothered the *#$@ out of me.
First: the "happy couple" origin story is a major red flag. Archie meets Liza at her own engagement party, and over the next ten days he woos her away from her fiance. Then they go on a two-week vacation together, presumably to bang like bunnies, then they get married. I'm guessing this whirlwind romance is supposed to impress upon me how "passionate" Archie is? But really, stealing someone's betrothed is terrible, and Liza's pretty terrible for going along with it, and I'm thoroughly impressed alright--WITH HOW WRONG THIS IS.
If there were some sort of mitigating circumstances around her original fiance, like he's abusive and she's trapped in that relationship, or it's a sham marriage for money or ANYTHING like that, that would be one thing, but for all we the readers know at that point, he and Liza were perfectly happy together before Archie showed up.
Second: if that near-miss adultery wasn't enough, one of Liza's (much younger but still adult) coworkers is depicted as fawning over her constantly. She acknowledges in POV narrative that he's got a crush on her, and tries to tell herself it's harmless flirting, and she even flirts back--but whatever we're supposed to believe she thinks, the whole scene just screams incipient adultery to me.
ADULTERY IS NOT INHERENTLY INTERESTING. I WILL KEEP SHOUTING THIS IN REVIEWS WHENEVER I SEE IT UNTIL THE WORLD PAYS ATTENTION. I DO NOT WANT TO READ ABOUT IT.
So I'm not.
Maybe I'm wrong and Liza doesn't cheat, but even so, I don't feel like I'm missing out on a good book if I stop now, because I already didn't like it.
December 29, 2014
Archie Logan, who has had a very close relationship with father, goes into a depression when his father remarries after almost 40 years. At the same time, his wife Liza throws off the shackles of dominance to become a quite independent woman. The relationship has changed forever. The plot flows very well and the characters are very interesting. A good read
July 13, 2018
Not for me
It is readable at three in the morning when sleep evades, but rather a pot boiler. Unbelievable characters with middle class angst.
It is readable at three in the morning when sleep evades, but rather a pot boiler. Unbelievable characters with middle class angst.
December 6, 2023
I started ‘A Passionate Man’ by Joanna Trollope wondering about the identity of the man in the title, and finished it not being entirely sure. There are three men in the story who could fit the label and although I enjoyed the book I finished it feeling incomplete.
Joanna Trollope is so good at exploring the experiences faced by couples and families, relationship challenges are emotionally similar despite differences in the ages of the people involved, class, geography, decade or century. In ‘A Passionate Man,’ published in 1990, she deals with a seemingly happy couple whose lives are rent apart by the death of a parent and the unexpected interest of an amorous colleague. Trollope’s characters are middle class, doctor Archie and teacher Liza Logan live a comfortable life in a covetable house in a Hampshire village. But all is not beautiful in this beautiful setting. A plan to build house on a field causes ruptures between friends and neighbours, locally-born workers struggle to live where they grew up while the elderly die quietly in loneliness. The cosy life of the Logans begins to fracture.
As husband and wife become focussed on their own emotions and needs, the divisions grow to the degree that their three children notice the undercurrents. Grief of a parent is an unexpectedly intense, disorientating experience which makes one question one’s own life, achievements, mistakes, dreams and longings. Trouble can often follow. I found myself becoming irritated by both Archie and Liza, rather than sympathetic, as each struggles with the consequences of their own actions and the other’s. As the family’s fractures deepen to chasms, Trollope’s portrayal of the children however is excellent.
I was left feeling that the ending is rather rushed and convenient and that ‘passionate’ is not the most appropriate adjective. Not my favourite Trollope novel.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-revie...
Joanna Trollope is so good at exploring the experiences faced by couples and families, relationship challenges are emotionally similar despite differences in the ages of the people involved, class, geography, decade or century. In ‘A Passionate Man,’ published in 1990, she deals with a seemingly happy couple whose lives are rent apart by the death of a parent and the unexpected interest of an amorous colleague. Trollope’s characters are middle class, doctor Archie and teacher Liza Logan live a comfortable life in a covetable house in a Hampshire village. But all is not beautiful in this beautiful setting. A plan to build house on a field causes ruptures between friends and neighbours, locally-born workers struggle to live where they grew up while the elderly die quietly in loneliness. The cosy life of the Logans begins to fracture.
As husband and wife become focussed on their own emotions and needs, the divisions grow to the degree that their three children notice the undercurrents. Grief of a parent is an unexpectedly intense, disorientating experience which makes one question one’s own life, achievements, mistakes, dreams and longings. Trouble can often follow. I found myself becoming irritated by both Archie and Liza, rather than sympathetic, as each struggles with the consequences of their own actions and the other’s. As the family’s fractures deepen to chasms, Trollope’s portrayal of the children however is excellent.
I was left feeling that the ending is rather rushed and convenient and that ‘passionate’ is not the most appropriate adjective. Not my favourite Trollope novel.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-revie...
January 2, 2025
I enjoyed this book one for the old English writing style. In today’s contemporary book I just get the feeling that a book has been over edited and authors are trying hard to sound like the next big author.
Joanna Trollope writing style reminded me why I loved reading. The use of words now termed “passive writing,” felt refreshing as these were the books I grew up reading.
Now for the story. I love the twists in it and how family themed it is. I liked Liza. I got a feel of what small town feels like. I also saw that relationships are not black and white. Sometimes people travel miles on a train to seek closure that ends up being sex. *intense eye-roll here*
I would have liked it if both parties cheated to the fullest and returned from there.
I didn’t fancy Archie much from the beginning I found him a weird husband who didn’t sow his oats early and now just has an attachment for things his father likes or liked.
I don’t know much for the other characters but Liza’s self discovery stood out for me. I was rooting for her in a grand way.
Joanna Trollope writing style reminded me why I loved reading. The use of words now termed “passive writing,” felt refreshing as these were the books I grew up reading.
Now for the story. I love the twists in it and how family themed it is. I liked Liza. I got a feel of what small town feels like. I also saw that relationships are not black and white. Sometimes people travel miles on a train to seek closure that ends up being sex. *intense eye-roll here*
I would have liked it if both parties cheated to the fullest and returned from there.
I didn’t fancy Archie much from the beginning I found him a weird husband who didn’t sow his oats early and now just has an attachment for things his father likes or liked.
I don’t know much for the other characters but Liza’s self discovery stood out for me. I was rooting for her in a grand way.
June 15, 2023
As always with Joanne Trollope a very readable book with engaging characters but I just got so exasperated with Archie. Being sick with grief about your fathers death will never justify betraying your wife and sleeping with your stepmother. It appears that the person everyone saw as the genial handsome family man really was a sham. All made up and that he was really the shallow selfish childish person Hitting out because he was hurting. Poor Liza has been a fool to let him dominate her as he has and it’s not surprising that she has her head turned by the younger persistent Blaise. The men in this book are not very attractive. I would not want them in my life
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2020
This was a quick read. Kind of a goofy story of a co-worker fantasizing/ stalking the village doctor's wife. This village doctor very angry because his father decided to marry then dies 3 weeks later. He romantically begins to go after his stepmother. I guess the point of the story is to show how delicate relationships can be and how following your own desires can destroy families and hurt the children.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2021
This was a unique one of Trollope's. I felt more depth and nuance, which was enjoyable. The village setting was claustrophobic and interesting, reflecting the family dramas. I found the ending a bit wanting but I'm not sure exactly why. I think Archie's affair with Marina was just really implausible to me. Liza's affair with Blaise made way more sense and I felt like it wasn't explored enough. Blaise was just a flat character and almost dismissed by Trollope for his youth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2022
As my vision makes driving difficult for me, I cannot get to the library as often as I like, so I picked up a this paperback that I had bought years ago used for fifty cents. I had forgotten how much I enjoy Joanna Trollope, a true descendent of Anthony Trollope not only genetically but in terms of wonderful “comedy of manners” novels. At times I laughed out loud, at others I felt fury or frustration right along with the very real, very human characters. Must read more of her again.
January 8, 2020
Nice writing about a family with an enviable life at the beginning. Their discontentments really annoyed me though. And their motivations were a bit unfathomable. Archie’s affair with his father’s widow? Why on earth?? And his wife’s seemingly quick recovery and their mutual ‘moving out and moving on’ seemed implausible to me. Wouldn’t recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2020
Very readable, focussing on Archie, a doctor, Lisa his wife who is a teacher and their 3 children. Although quite light-hearted at times, the book has a serious side to it as we see the couple plough through the problems of a family death, unhappiness at school and a major marital crisis. I loved the characters and thought they were very well portrayed and very real.
June 11, 2023
I am a fan of Joanna Trollope, but in the early stages, I was not too sure about this book because I found the minor characters tended a little towards caricatures, but as the story began to unfold I was gripped. Once again, Joanna Trollope has excelled in her handling of a complex plot, a large cast of characters, including three small children and multiple points of view with exquisite skill.
January 3, 2020
Unpredictable
Excellent description of English village life. Humurous portrayal of young children and their udiosincrosies . Trollope is a star at descritive writing and never dusapointsts.
Excellent description of English village life. Humurous portrayal of young children and their udiosincrosies . Trollope is a star at descritive writing and never dusapointsts.
April 5, 2021
I enjoyed the first half of this book a lot . I love Joanna Trollope’s sense of humour. The plot got too unbelievable, and the story just became too much . I did laugh out loud at times - and that’s a big bonus , and some lovely observations in the book . Overall an enjoyable pleasant read.
June 25, 2017
J. Trollope at her usual quality. Fun, poignant characters and believable situations.
October 6, 2017
A nice easy read although some of Trollope's characters are a bit too nice and stereotypical (even though they are trying not to be). Not one of her best.
May 24, 2018
Not a fantastic book in my opinion. Dragged a bit at times. Hated the ending. Will not be recommending to anyone.
June 7, 2018
A good story which did make me think about relationships. And it packed a few surprises!
June 28, 2018
Enjoyed this book but not my favourite by this author. Found the betrayal very surprising and quite hard to believe.
July 24, 2018
Great Book
I liked the characters which kept me very interested.
Such a nice book. Couldn't stop reading it housework has been ignored.
I liked the characters which kept me very interested.
Such a nice book. Couldn't stop reading it housework has been ignored.
August 23, 2018
It's really a 3 1/2 star book. Trollope's most recent books just don't seen to have the crispness of her earlier works.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews