Barchester Towers Volume 1

by Anthony Trollope

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 edition. ... CHAPTER V. A MORNING VISIT. It was known that Dr. Proudie would immediately have to reappoint to the wardenship of the hospital under the act of Parliament to which allusion has been made; but no one imagined that any choice was left to him,--no one for a moment thought that he could appoint any other than Mr. Harding. Mr. Harding himself, when he heard how the matter had been settled, without troubling himself much on the subject, considered it as certain that he would go back to his pleasant house and garden. And though there would be much that was melancholy, nay, almost heartrending, in such a return, he still was glad that it was to be so. His daughter might probably be persuaded to return there with him. She had, indeed, all but promised to do so, though she still entertained an idea that that greatest of mortals, that important atom of humanity, that little god upon earth, Johnny Bold her baby, ought to have a house of his own over his head. Such being the state of Mr. Harding's mind in the matter, he did not feel any peculiar personal interest in the appointment of Dr. Proudie to the bishopric. He, as well as others at Barchester, regretted that a man should be sent among them who, they were aware, was not of their way of thinking; but Mr. Harding himself was not a bigoted man on points of church doctrine, and he was quite prepared to welcome Dr. Proudie to Barchester in a graceful and becoming manner. He had nothing to seek and nothing to fear; he felt that it behoved him to be on good terms with his bishop, and he did not anticipate any obstacle that would prevent it. In such a frame of mind he proceeded to pay his respects at the palace the second day after the arrival of the bishop and his chaplain. But he did not go alone....

Genres: Classics, Fiction

94 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1857

About the author

Anthony Trollope became one of the most successful, prolific and respected English novelists of the Victorian era. Some of Trollope's best-loved works, known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire, revolve around the imaginary county of Barsetshire; he also wrote penetrating novels on political, social, and gender issues and conflicts of his day.

Trollope has always been a popular novelist. Noted fans have included Sir Alec Guinness (who never travelled without a Trollope novel), former British Prime Ministers Harold Macmillan and Sir John Major, economist John Kenneth Galbraith, American novelists Sue Grafton and Dominick Dunne and soap opera writer Harding Lemay. Trollope's literary reputation dipped somewhat during the last years of his life, but he regained the esteem of critics by the mid-twentieth century.
See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_...

Reviews

[Sarah Tittle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, Audible, you wonderful invention. I started listening to Trollope's lengthy (28-hour) book about a week after the election, when I was going crazy for something to listen to while I knitted. All the podcasts I subscribe to were ensconsed in Trump news and I couldn't bear them. Enter Tim West, the narrator with the soothing, syrupy voice. He swept me off to 19th-century (or "18-blank") Barchester, England, and into the lives of wonderfully drawn, complex characters. No one is starving, no one is murdered, abused, or even beat up--except for one brilliantly executed slap in the face. Trollope is such a wise and loving author--even while he pokes fun at the most ridiculous characters (including a mysteriously lame "signora" who needs to be carted around on a sofa). The humor runs the gamut from sly to outright slapstick. And the bow, while neatly tied at the end, is satisfyingly somewhat bedraggled. If you love Dickens or Austen--or even if you don't but love novels that touch on the political and social mores of their day--I can't recommend Barchester Towers highly enough.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Am listening to an audio version with Timothy West reading.

[G.J. Griffiths]

This is the second of Trollope's Barchester series of novels and it was a most enjoyable read. The opening chapter asking the question, “Who will be the new Bishop?” is a great start and had my immediate interest since it had been a long time ago when I read “The Warden,” the first book. The easily intimidated Dr Proudie turns out to be the Bishop’s successor, and so the scene is set for this amusing and often comedic novel. What follows is a parade of excellently drawn characters, not all are either heroes or villains, but the lesser characters are each intriguing and essential to the overall story. The overbearing Mrs Proudie and the disingenuous Mr Slope attracted my anger and dislike, while the contrariness of Eleanor Bold, and the diffidence of her father, Mr Harding, caused a few sighs along the way. Trollope does not spend too much time describing the minutiae of the church’s ecclesiastical matters. It is the jostling and squabbling between the clerical hierarchy over who will manage and direct such affairs that commands the centre stage of the tale. The sub-plot about who will succeed to win the hand of the widow, Eleanor, runs alongside this and is equally engaging.

The ‘Signora Neroni’, aka Madeline Stanhope, was easily the most intriguing and delightful character in the book, with her effortless winding around her little finger of any male within hearing or sight. Her beauty and smooth charm, as she lies upon her sofa requesting attention, initially indicate an evil influence, but we are surprised when ‘La Signora’ becomes a heroine later in the book. One of her victims is Mr Arabin, an uninspiring and painfully modest vicar, who has to be urged to declare himself a serious suitor to widow Bold. I found the endless string of archbishops, bishops, deans, masters and vicars very confusing at times, causing me to question the necessity for such a complex hierarchy within the Anglican Church. Trollope’s satirical mirror of the religious establishment during the Victorian era is full of humour together with an occasional side-swipe of cruelty. Although I am a fan of Dickens, Trollope’s novels are just as graphical in their revelations about human nature, but they are less wordy. I am eager to read Dr Thorne, his next novel in the series.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Politics, politics.

This novel reads like many "light" 19th Century stories; it has solid characters and an easy to follow story line. I think what makes this book special is Trollope's understanding the politics of Barchester, the fictitcious cathedral town. Trollope also masters the psyche of his characters and what motivates their actions. One of the writing techniques that I enjoyed was the author's use of a narrator's voice. It's like Trollope is saying to the reader - "Psst - let me tell you a secret. This is what's really going on here." It worked and added a depth of humor to the texture of the story.

Note - I found the first part of this book rather mundane - but grew to appreciate Trollope's style and capabilities. ((The author's political astuteness holds the test of time)). Looking forward to reading the other books in the Barchester series.

Note 2 - This was the first Trollope book that I read even though it is the second in the series. Now I will backtrack and read "The Warden" - the first in the series.

[Khris Sellin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was deathly boring in the beginning but I'm now finally able to pull the humor out of the Victorian language.

****

OMG, this is only Part 1 - I've still got to read Part 2! No, it got better after getting through the initial introduction to all the characters, although I'm still having a hard time w/all the religious titles. Keep forgetting who the archdeacon is as opposed to the bishop or archbishop, etc., etc. But now I've got to find a copy of Part/Volume 2 so I can see how it all ends, then I'll watch the TV version with Alan Rickman!

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I finished the book today only moments ago I wanted to leap to my feet and give Mr. Trollope a standing ovation. Those like Trollope, Wharton, Dickens, etc., glorious story tellers all!