Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die discussion

BBC Radio 3's program Landmark program discussed Anthony Trollope's book The Way We Live Now yesterday.

It is available for streaming here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05pr72k

The 200th anniversary of Anthony Trollope's birth is April 24, 2015. If you haven't already read all by him on the list, think about celebrating this great author this month. (I have read them all, but I'll be reading a non-list book.)

I've been reading The Last Chronicle of Barset at an extremely leisurely pace. Because so many of the Victorian door-stoppers were initially serialized, I find I'm less likely to forget what's going on over time. At his best he can be funny and pretty unsentimental about how money and power works in the world.

My first Trollope was The Eustace Diamonds, non-list, but still very good.

BBC Radio 4 Extra is presenting a serial drama this week of Trollope's novel Orley Farm. It stars Samantha Bond and Dan Stevens of Downton Abbey fame, as well as Tim Piggot-Smith from the classic drama Jewel in the Crown and Ronald Pickup from The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

From the site:

Martyn Wade's dramatisation of the novel by Anthony Trollope.

Dockwrath, attorney by profession and a tenant of Orley Farm, is convinced that there are suspicious circumstances regarding the inheritance of the estate, and he is determined to prove it.

It can be found for streaming here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00g44sl

I was just pointed to an article in the most recent New Yorker. It is a terrific article. It does contain a few spoilers, but if you're not going to be reading any of the Palliser novels any time soon, you should be fine.

Trollope is a joy to read. A master of English prose. I was dubious at first but he convinced me quickly. Won me over.

Feliks wrote: "Trollope is a joy to read. A master of English prose. I was dubious at first but he convinced me quickly. Won me over." Glad to hear that - I'm a Trollope fan!

A question from someone who has not read Trollope and wants to – the only book from the Barsetshire Chronicles that is on the list is the sixth and last book, The Last Chronicle of Barset. Should I read it as a standalone or should I read the series from the start?

Maggie wrote: "A question from someone who has not read Trollope..."

You can read that as a standalone, but you'll lose a lot. Either read them in sequence, or read a different Trollope, for instance Orley Farm, which is totally standalone.

Cecily wrote: "Maggie wrote: "A question from someone who has not read Trollope..."

You can read that as a standalone, but you'll lose a lot. Either read them in sequence, or read a different Trollope, for insta..."

Thank you. I will try to read all the books in the series, though it may take me a while!