Classic Book Review: Phineas Finn

Phineas Finn (Palliser, #2)
byAnthony Trollope

5 out of 5 stars

Phineas Finn is delighted when a political fluke gets him elected to represent his little Irish county in Parliament. Everyone says that he is making a mistake, and he’ll never succeed in politics, but Phineas is young and optimistic and full of energy. He quickly learns the ins and outs of political life in London, especially when it comes to befriending influential people… and their daughters. Lady Laura takes Phineas under her wing, and uses her influence with her father to introduce Phineas to all the right people. Madame Goesler is a wealthy widow with the social clout to bring politicians together at her exclusive dinners, and she also advises Phineas on his political affairs. Violet Effingham is a fabulous heiress and Lady Laura’s dearest friend. She is rumored to be engaged to Lady Laura’s brother, Lord Chiltern, but will Phineas win her heart before the engagement can be finalized? And back home in Ireland, poor little Mary Flood-Jones is a simple country girl who has been in love with Phineas since childhood. Between all these romances, Phineas must decide the future of his political life, or break his heart and his career on the rocks of ignominy.

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Book Review: Can You Forgive Her?

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Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope

Can You Forgive Her? (Palliser #1)
by Anthony Trollope

5 out of 5 stars

Alice breaks off her engagement with John Grey and considers the proposal of her cousin George Vavasor instead. She vacillates between these two men as she vacillates with her own character. She considers what her life would be like with each of them, and has to decide what kind of person she wants to be. She worries that she will be stuck in a boring country life with John Grey, and longs for more political excitement as her cousin George is up for election and hopes to gain a seat in Parliament. Alice is confused and can’t sort through her true feelings and she has no one to guide her in making these decisions.

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Classic Book Review: The Way We Live Now

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The Way We Live Now
by Anthony Trollope

5 of 5 stars

Corruption and vice are rampant among the upper classes in 1870s London, and the lower classes aren’t much better. Lady Carbury schemes to get her son married to the wealthiest heiress in London, Miss Melmotte. It doesn’t seem to matter that her son, Sir Felix, is a selfish rascal with no heart. Mr. Melmotte flaunts his wealth and uses it to manipulate his way into politics, throwing lavish parties and befriending dukes. The only two who have some higher morals are Roger Carbury (Lady Carbury’s cousin) and Hetta Carbury (Lady Carbury’s daughter). They two believe in honesty and chivalry while the rest of society has degenerated into power-hungry, money-mad libertines.

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Victorian Classic Reviews

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Classic Book Review: Dr. Wortle’s School

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Dr. Wortle’s School
by Anthony Trollope
5 out of 5 stars

Dr. Wortle has hired Mr. Peacocke as a teacher in the boys prep school, but learns that Mr. Peacocke and his wife are hiding a terrible secret. The Peacocke’s are not to blame, but circumstances are against them. Dr. Wortle must decide whether to throw them out, or assist them in finding a solution to their difficulties. The ensuing scandal might be enough to close down the school unless Dr. Wortle can act quickly to silence the wild rumors.

I loved this book so much! What an exciting story! One of the characters travels to America and has some dangerous encounters there, while Dr. Wortle is at home having milder adventures of his own trying to keep vicious rumors out of the press. The plot is really interesting and full of surprises.

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