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Dr. Thorne: Part 1
Doctor Thorne carries the Barchester Chronicles sequence of novels away from the Church, where the earlier volumes had been set, and towards social commentary and even comedy of manners.
- GenresClassics
366 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1858
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About the author
Anthony Trollope
2,407 books1,784 followersAnthony 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_...
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_...
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 17, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this book on my second reading. However, it may be because I used to be a lawyer that I found some plot problems - although, I hasten to say that they did not detract from my overall enjoyment.
For Dr Thorne, who is a very good man, found himself in a considerable tangle of personal conflicts, which should surely have created serious problems for him? But somehow they did not. He was confidante and business adviser to Mr Gresham and at the same time medical adviser and confidante to Mr Gresham's main creditor, Sir Roger Scatcherd. At a late stage, Dr Thorne disclosed to Sir Roger that his niece and ward, Mary Thorne, was also Sir Roger's niece. The niece herself, Mary Thorne, was unaware of her relationship with Sir Roger. Dr Thorne appears to have kept it a secret from her (although he did tell others). Dr Thorne was aware that her inheritance was conditional on the premature death of Sir Roger's sickly son Louis, to whom he was also providing medical attention.
All of this conflic could have so easily led to a collapse in confidence in Dr Thorne, even if undeserved. For me, it certainly created considerable suspense.
There are further legal problems. A fascinating note in the Penguin edition discusses the legality of Mary's inheritance. As an illegitimate child, the law at that time presumed against it, unless there was a clear direction otherwise by the testator. In this case, Mary Thorne was not named, but Sir Roger's will did have a codicil stating that Dr Thorne was the only person who knew who the oldest child of his sister was. But Dr Thorne, of course, had a close interest in Mary's inheritance.
Trollope's way of dealing with all these difficulties is a sleight of hand. He addresses the reader, saying that in the event all the lawyers agreed that Mary was the rightful inheritor, and if that could not have been so, then he must have described the will wrongly. The notes in the Penguin edition inform the reader that this device attracted criticism at the time of the novel's publication.
I think , on reflection, it is a weakness in the plot - we are not told if Mary's half siblings in America were ever contacted and advised of their potential rights. That would have created a lot of undesirable delay. And we are told nothing of Mary's reaction to learning of her true parentage. In all the overwhelming joy of the final chapters, Trollope makes no reference to any curiosity on her part about her still living mother and half siblings. Given her character, is it not likely that she would have wanted to share her good fortune with them?
So, Trollope created a fascinating situation but then did not follow through, choosing instead to concentrate on the broader social themes of love, class and money.
Maybe there is an opportunity here for a modern spin off?
For Dr Thorne, who is a very good man, found himself in a considerable tangle of personal conflicts, which should surely have created serious problems for him? But somehow they did not. He was confidante and business adviser to Mr Gresham and at the same time medical adviser and confidante to Mr Gresham's main creditor, Sir Roger Scatcherd. At a late stage, Dr Thorne disclosed to Sir Roger that his niece and ward, Mary Thorne, was also Sir Roger's niece. The niece herself, Mary Thorne, was unaware of her relationship with Sir Roger. Dr Thorne appears to have kept it a secret from her (although he did tell others). Dr Thorne was aware that her inheritance was conditional on the premature death of Sir Roger's sickly son Louis, to whom he was also providing medical attention.
All of this conflic could have so easily led to a collapse in confidence in Dr Thorne, even if undeserved. For me, it certainly created considerable suspense.
There are further legal problems. A fascinating note in the Penguin edition discusses the legality of Mary's inheritance. As an illegitimate child, the law at that time presumed against it, unless there was a clear direction otherwise by the testator. In this case, Mary Thorne was not named, but Sir Roger's will did have a codicil stating that Dr Thorne was the only person who knew who the oldest child of his sister was. But Dr Thorne, of course, had a close interest in Mary's inheritance.
Trollope's way of dealing with all these difficulties is a sleight of hand. He addresses the reader, saying that in the event all the lawyers agreed that Mary was the rightful inheritor, and if that could not have been so, then he must have described the will wrongly. The notes in the Penguin edition inform the reader that this device attracted criticism at the time of the novel's publication.
I think , on reflection, it is a weakness in the plot - we are not told if Mary's half siblings in America were ever contacted and advised of their potential rights. That would have created a lot of undesirable delay. And we are told nothing of Mary's reaction to learning of her true parentage. In all the overwhelming joy of the final chapters, Trollope makes no reference to any curiosity on her part about her still living mother and half siblings. Given her character, is it not likely that she would have wanted to share her good fortune with them?
So, Trollope created a fascinating situation but then did not follow through, choosing instead to concentrate on the broader social themes of love, class and money.
Maybe there is an opportunity here for a modern spin off?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2018
I've always wanted to read Trollope, as I've heard so much written. Well written, interesting style. Loves to show off unusual vocabulary. Like so many of the novels of the time, it goes in to great detail about thinking of the day--trying to be prim and proper, the awkward courting rituals of that period. Reminded me a lot of Pride and Prejudice. Not exactly my cup of tea, but an enjoyable read.
October 31, 2023
I enjoyed the first two novels in the series, but this one is in a different class. The richness of the characters, the intricacies of how he unwinds the storyline, the narrator’s conversational tone and occasional breaking of the fourth wall. Love it all. And so funny!
May 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews