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The Prime Minister (Palliser #5)

by Anthony Trollope

bookshelves: anthony-trollope, fiction, currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

read in May 2024

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Ellen said:

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" This is a very well constructed and satisfactory novel. As usual Trollope gives us insights into the hearts and moral quandaries of his characters, who seem all too real.
Although I am not particularly interested in the machinations of the English Pa This is a very well constructed and satisfactory novel. As usual Trollope gives us insights into the hearts and moral quandaries of his characters, who seem all too real.
Although I am not particularly interested in the machinations of the English Parliament, after reading this work and the two novels about Phineas Finn, I now feel I have a clear understanding of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords and also some of the political and social dilemmas of the British upper classes in 1860s to 1870s.
Who was it said the public likes a tragedy with a happy ending?? The character of Ferdinand Lopez is as despicable as any I can imagine. I found my stomach churning as he acted upon the other characters, and had to remind myself more than once that this was a novel (not real) written more than 150 years ago, and that there would be some end to his crimes within the book.
My only objection to the writing is the references to Lopez being Jewish. It felt like a reflection of the unfounded prejudices which have hounded Jews for hundreds of years without any justification in reality. Why include that? It is like someone screaming obscenities for no discernible reason.
The ending of the book entirely supports all the moral arguments put forth by various characters throughout the novel. Our old friend Plantagenet Palliser is a clear illustration of the bad effects of too much self censorship, holding himself to moral standards which are too idealistic for either his own good or the comfort of the other people with whom he lives (notably his wife Lady Glencora).
Planty Pal is above all a man of tremendous strength of character who will not compromise his integrity even in the face of his strong patriotism. And he considers his sacred honor as a gentleman to be a vital part of his love of country. But this inability to compromise gets in the way of his being a great or even a very effective politician.
In sum I am still as fervent a fan of Trollope as I have been of any writer. I can’t wait to start The Duke’s Children, the last of this Palliser series. ...more "

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— Jan 08, 2026 07:41PM

Jan 16, 2026 05:42AM · see review