In Framley Parsonage, the fourth book in the Chronicles of
Barsetshire, Trollope gives us a lively romp through the lives of the inhabitants of
East Barsetshire, introducing us not only to their whims and follies, but
through their actions, the culture and society of a 19th century
English town.
Mark Robarts, a parson of the village of Framley, and a beneficiary of Lady
Lufton whose son was his schoolmate, is married to Fanny, a genteel lady of
respectable birth. Yet his
patroness is at times difficult to please, and Robarts must navigate the storms
of friendship, duty, and financial matters, often muddying the waters
that he is trying desperately to clear. When
his father dies and his sister, Lucy, comes to live at the parsonage, an unexpected
complication develops that was unforeseen by all and upsets the carefully
calibrated balance of societal acceptance. Robarts encounters further obstacles when he embroils himself with a member of parliament, Nathaniel Sowerby, and his financial dealings. His trusting, artless, clerical nature is in sharp contrast to the Machiavellian intrigue of men of enterprise, and it appears nothing good will come of the connection.
In Mark Roberts financial dealings with Sowerby, one wonders if Trollope was offering a subtle indictment as to the interactions and associations of church and state. The innocent perceptions of one is unable to account for the devious machinations of the other and, because of Robarts' influence on those around him, they are affected by the imprudent alliance as well. Add to that Lady Lufton's displeasure at the Duke of Omnium's vulgar societal group and a possible marriage between a peer and a commoner, and you have class conflict at its finest, a subject of which Trollope is most adept at exploring with a light-heartedness that often belies the deeper implications.
Trollope reintroduces characters from the previous Barsetshire books: The Warden, Barchester Towers and Dr. Thorne. Miss Dunstable displays her wily financial prowess, Dr. Thorne his ability to be influenced, the Grantley's are in top form with not one, but two suitors in their daughter's wake, and even gentle old Septimus Harding makes a brief appearance.
Two years it took me to complete this novel. Isn't that ridiculous? For some reason, the first part of it just dragged, but as soon as I hit the half-way point, I was completely hooked and drawn in to the characters and their stories. Next in line is A Small House at Allington, which I've heard is excellent. It won't take me two years to read through this one, I promise!
 |
| The Parsonage Farm, Rickmansworth (c. 1840) John White source ArtUK |
In Mark Roberts financial dealings with Sowerby, one wonders if Trollope was offering a subtle indictment as to the interactions and associations of church and state. The innocent perceptions of one is unable to account for the devious machinations of the other and, because of Robarts' influence on those around him, they are affected by the imprudent alliance as well. Add to that Lady Lufton's displeasure at the Duke of Omnium's vulgar societal group and a possible marriage between a peer and a commoner, and you have class conflict at its finest, a subject of which Trollope is most adept at exploring with a light-heartedness that often belies the deeper implications.
Trollope reintroduces characters from the previous Barsetshire books: The Warden, Barchester Towers and Dr. Thorne. Miss Dunstable displays her wily financial prowess, Dr. Thorne his ability to be influenced, the Grantley's are in top form with not one, but two suitors in their daughter's wake, and even gentle old Septimus Harding makes a brief appearance.
 |
| The Houses of Parliament (c. 1844?) George Chambers II source ArtUK |
Two years it took me to complete this novel. Isn't that ridiculous? For some reason, the first part of it just dragged, but as soon as I hit the half-way point, I was completely hooked and drawn in to the characters and their stories. Next in line is A Small House at Allington, which I've heard is excellent. It won't take me two years to read through this one, I promise!
I so loved this book and in Lucy I found a wonderful rational and lovable heroine! I am glad you finished the book...especially because I know some parts of it does drag, but it is still one of my all time favorites! When do you read The Small House at Allington? I will....that's the only one in this series I am yet to read!
ReplyDeleteAfter I finished this wonderful book I was surprised that it took me so long to become engaged with it. I'm trying to start Small House right now but I have so many other reads going it's going to be a long process. Sigh!
DeleteBelieve me when I say, I KNOW!!Sigh!!
Delete"Small House" starts off rather slowly, also, but becomes becomingly complicated after about 100 pages... i just finished a review of Trollope by David Cecil (early victorian novels); he emphasized T's humor and societal manipulations but down played the plots and character descriptions... i can't say i really agree with him except for the humor part, which i found a lot of... but i found the characters well founded and interesting; the only caveat i might address is that he dwells overlong on pathetic scenes occasionally... anyway, i had a fine time with the barchester series and i'm sure you'll like this final entry...
ReplyDeleteHmmm ..... it sounds like I might not agree with Cecil either. I think his characters and plots are used to greatly enhance his societal commentary. So far, I think Trollope has shown a nice balance of everything. I'm intrigued as to his Palliser series though because I've heard that it's quite different.
Deletei'm curious re Palliser's as well... i'm hesitant because it seems a major commitment in time as well as energy... then i think of all the other books i should read... then i get lost in a mystery or sci fi... then i think of O's reviews and do i really want to do this...??? then i remember Vonnegut, "and so it goes"... i'm an unplumbed well of indecision, i guess: so i guess i'll have a cup of tea and grab another book...
Delete