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The Macdermots of Ballycloran
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Irish Novels > The Macdermots of Ballycloran

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message 1: by Elizabeth (Alaska) (last edited Dec 17, 2013 01:07PM) (new) - rated it 3 stars

Elizabeth (Alaska) | 214 comments This is Trollope's first novel, which he began in September 1843 and completed by June 1845, though it was not published until 1847. Unfortunately, it was not successful and received little critical attention. Nevertheless, Trollope later wrote in his biography he did "not know that I ever made one so good."

The Macdermots of Ballycloran was inspired by the ruins of an estate in County Leitrim, which Trollope depicts as "Ballycloran." The novel tells the story of Larry Macdermot, an ageing father, and his two children: Thady, a well-meaning but naive son, and Feemy, his daughter, who has yet to attract an offer of marriage from her dashing, but dubious suitor. The narrative concerns the family's financial difficulties, as they face the looming threat of eviction due to their unpaid debts.


message 2: by David (new)

David Postle | 39 comments I enjoyed this more than I thought I would.
Although, Trollope had yet to find his footing with his first 3 novels. This one reads like a Greek tragedy, and that the fate of the MacDermot family seems to be pre-ordained and that and the novel traces the downfall of the family. The 3 members of the family, all seem to be rather foolish to the modern reader. The most human character in the book is the priest who narrates the story, which is interesting in itself, as it shows his affinity with the clergy, right from the very beginning.


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