tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post5536770701996294992..comments2024-02-29T02:54:19.767-05:00Comments on Babbling Books: The Duke's Children by Anthony TrollopeBrian Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-16881262636306816012018-03-13T06:04:29.838-04:002018-03-13T06:04:29.838-04:00Hi Caroline- Indeed I really like Trollope. And th...Hi Caroline- Indeed I really like Trollope. And these series are indeed big undertaking. The only thing is, I thought that the first book in the series, Can You Forgive Her?, was the best. It works very well as a stand-alone. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-13877720821142920692018-03-13T05:21:24.163-04:002018-03-13T05:21:24.163-04:00I always enjoy reading your Trollope reviews becau...I always enjoy reading your Trollope reviews because I can sense how much you like the author.<br />That said, it's not likely, I'll be reading this any day soon as I'm pretty sure, the novels should be read chronologically. Reading them all, is such a huge undertaking. <br />But they sound worthwhile. Too bad it didn't tie up the series as well as it could have. Carolinehttp://beautyisasleepingcat.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-44205940119292385092018-02-20T03:42:37.735-05:002018-02-20T03:42:37.735-05:00Hi Hila - Indeed there is much sadness floating ar...Hi Hila - Indeed there is much sadness floating around this series. That is a great quote. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-44640773035073121252018-02-19T23:39:06.755-05:002018-02-19T23:39:06.755-05:00The excerpt you share is heart-breaking in some wa...The excerpt you share is heart-breaking in some ways. And the Duke sounds like a fascinating, complex character.HKatzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17653570160517335758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-54055197903439151242018-02-17T10:23:37.099-05:002018-02-17T10:23:37.099-05:00Hi Jane - I really liked this book. However, I thi...Hi Jane - I really liked this book. However, I think that one would get a lot less out of it if one had not read the previous books in the series. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-35708969668449928822018-02-17T09:05:13.206-05:002018-02-17T09:05:13.206-05:00I read this for a survey course in college and hon...I read this for a survey course in college and honestly can't remember a thing about it--your review is excellent, and makes me want to finally get started on the full Palliser series. I like how the past revisits the family in various ways, and the absence of Lady Glencora seems to underscore that. JaneGShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11094501834387622997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-32925786616622369422018-02-16T04:14:45.969-05:002018-02-16T04:14:45.969-05:00Hi Maria. I think that you are correct. Trollope l...Hi Maria. I think that you are correct. Trollope liked to show that life is complex, sometimes it is OK to oppose a relationship, sometimes it was not OK. <br /><br />It seems astounding to me just how much of an impact that class played in lives of wealthy people back then. It was not just about money. Trollope created upper class characters who were broke and lower class characters who had come into wealth. How these dynamics were portrayed in his books are fascinating. I suppose that it is still important to some people now. I would imagine that it is different now though. Reading these books and others that were written around this time, one gets the impression that thoughts and feelings about class had seeped into people's bones. It is everywhere in these books. <br /><br />Have a great Friday! Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-83365417502339735912018-02-16T00:23:00.201-05:002018-02-16T00:23:00.201-05:00Okay, I'm back! :)
I think it's very inte...Okay, I'm back! :)<br /><br />I think it's very interesting that Trollope compares and contrasts Lady Glencora's own thwarted relationship with that of her daughter. For one thing, as you point out, Burgo was of questionable character, whereas Tregear is not. <br /><br />It's also interesting, as well as a great literary device, for these two romances to "bookend the entire Palliser Series". It seems that Trollope wanted to summarize and encompass all of his major themes in this series by doing this. It also seems that he is urging caution to parents who might want to force their children out of, and into, certain unions. He seems to be saying that, if a prospective partner is of questionable character, then it's perfectly all right to oppose the union, but that, if such a prospective partner is deemed "unworthy" simply because of lack of funds, this is NOT a valid reason for thwarting a possible marriage. <br /><br />Morality and decency -- along with true love -- are, of course, weightier and more important reasons to consider before attempting to prevent two people from marrying. A "lower" position in the social pecking order, and/or less money, are simply not that important, and, indeed, are very shallow reasons for preventing two people from marrying. Not that it's a good thing to marry someone in abject poverty, either. This would not bode well for the future of the children to come later. But WHO CARES if someone is snubbed by the reigning social group just because they don't own a vast estate, with many tenants, and cannot afford to take lengthy European vacations, accompanied by a retinue of servants? Honest and hardworking people are GREAT marriage material! <br /><br />I wonder whether this state of affairs still prevails in some parts of England, as well as in certain areas of our own country. Surely it's not that prevalent anymore, I hope! <br /><br />Happy Friday!! Hope you have a GREAT weekend!! Thanks for all of your highly insightful reviews!!<br />Maria Beharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13635809880830316283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-11298703725234774012018-02-12T16:25:59.606-05:002018-02-12T16:25:59.606-05:00Thanks Maria. I cannot imagine being forced out of...Thanks Maria. I cannot imagine being forced out of a relationship by others. It seems nightmarish. The fact that it is so common in literature does seem to indicate that it was common in real life. Sadly, in some parts of the world, I think that it is still common. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-47898508611434955532018-02-12T13:25:45.320-05:002018-02-12T13:25:45.320-05:00EXCELLENT commentary as always, Brian!
I will wri...EXCELLENT commentary as always, Brian!<br /><br />I will write a couple of things now, and return later, as I'm a bit pressed for time. <br /><br />It's interesting that the theme of arranged marriages, and possible ones that ended up being thwarted, seems to dominate much of 19th-century literary fiction. In some cases, as in that of Lady Glencora, the arranged marriage turned out to be a good one. But, as Trollope points out in this novel, that wasn't always the case. I'm sure that, in the real world of the time, lots of young lives were permanently damaged as a result of young people being forced to give up someone they truly loved to marry someone their family thought "more suitable", merely for the shallow reason of how wealthy they were.<br /><br />That's it for now, but I'll be back! (Just like Arnold, lol.)<br /><br />Have a GREAT day!! <3 :) <br />Maria Beharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13635809880830316283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-90505759494821349822018-02-11T15:26:36.220-05:002018-02-11T15:26:36.220-05:00Hi Rachel - I will be addressing that issue in det...Hi Rachel - I will be addressing that issue in detail in my wrap up post for The Palliser Books. But Can You Forgive Her is a good choice. It is the first of The Palliser Books and in my opinion the best. The Warden, which is the first of The Chronicles of Barsetshire is also a good choice to start. It is also relatively short. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-17310311995574870272018-02-11T15:22:22.562-05:002018-02-11T15:22:22.562-05:00Hi Naida - Trollope does not always write happy en...Hi Naida - Trollope does not always write happy endings, but in this case all ends OK for Mary. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-70534844030392832018-02-11T13:33:01.268-05:002018-02-11T13:33:01.268-05:00Every time I read one of your Trollope reviews I f...Every time I read one of your Trollope reviews I feel like I should read one of his books. Where is the best place to start?<br />Rachelhttp://hibernatorslibrary.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-37996878502766387062018-02-11T11:32:53.926-05:002018-02-11T11:32:53.926-05:00Good for you on finishing and enjoying the Trollop...Good for you on finishing and enjoying the Trollope series. "it is said as well as implied that if Mary were forced to give up Tregear, she would spend all of her future days depressed and despondent"...how depressing!<br />Great post as always, I am sure there is so much to discuss within these books.<br />Enjoy your Sunday :) The Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10217390642323530030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-9279363966156377372018-02-10T16:13:34.484-05:002018-02-10T16:13:34.484-05:00Thanks James. I got the sense that he may have wri...Thanks James. I got the sense that he may have written more books in the series after this but that he did not. I tried to research this a bit but could not find anything. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-52596684062462447832018-02-10T15:29:51.574-05:002018-02-10T15:29:51.574-05:00Enjoyed your fine review. This is another Trollope...Enjoyed your fine review. This is another Trollope novel that I have yet to read. Too bad it did not end the series as well as was done in The Last Chronicle of Barset. Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00561320676355168336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-47764023252563921402018-02-07T15:09:09.970-05:002018-02-07T15:09:09.970-05:00Thanks Whispering Gums. I tend to not mind long wi...Thanks Whispering Gums. I tend to not mind long winded prose so I may be the wrong person to ask if this should have been edited or not. It would be interesting to compare a few chapters between the edited and non edited version. <br /><br />I am thinking of changing to s third party commenting system. I want to be careful as I have heard that folks have had issues when transitioning over. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-10721762258280945552018-02-07T07:42:27.410-05:002018-02-07T07:42:27.410-05:00Enjoyed this review Brian. I was going to ask what...Enjoyed this review Brian. I was going to ask what thecuecard asked re the 200 pages cut. Given, as I understand from what you say, that he cut out sentences rather than whole sections or storylines, did you feel, as you were reading that it needed a good edit? (Unfortunately though, I may not see your answer because I won't receive notification that you've replied).<br /><br />Did I say before that I remember when The Pallisers was must-Sunday-Night viewing for many of us back in the 1970s.Whispering Gumshttp://whisperinggums.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-47574717891606750982018-02-07T05:00:52.386-05:002018-02-07T05:00:52.386-05:00Thanks Kathy - Though you have not read this book ...Thanks Kathy - Though you have not read this book I think that you have correctly surmised what is going on here. The Duke is indeeded haunted by the events that took place around the time of his marriage. I think that you will like The Chronicles of Barsetshire.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-62013915238338480772018-02-07T04:56:36.818-05:002018-02-07T04:56:36.818-05:00Hi Suko - I think that Trollope's understandin...Hi Suko - I think that Trollope's understanding of human nature really is exceptional. I probably would not start reading Trollope' with this book as it is entry number six of the series. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-16600819170654683062018-02-07T00:24:58.023-05:002018-02-07T00:24:58.023-05:00Hi Brian, You have done a wonderful job in this re...Hi Brian, You have done a wonderful job in this review and all the otbers conveying why we are missing out if we have not read Anthony Trollope. This year I am going to start the Chronicles of Barchester Series and I am excited to do so! The Duke's Children sounds very interesting and you are right that the Duke's objection to his daughter's choice for a husband is based on Lady Glencora's past and could it be the Duke is still jealous of Lady Glencora's first love? Lady Glencora came to love the Duke in time but it sounds like the Duke always knew he was the second choice. And so he looks at his daughter's young man and the Duke feels rejected all over again. Kathy's Cornerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03967595794483824444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-16510179599391869662018-02-06T21:57:29.611-05:002018-02-06T21:57:29.611-05:00Brian Joseph,
Now I have one more book to add to ...Brian Joseph,<br /><br />Now I have one more book to add to my wishlist! Excellent commentary (as usual). Trollope's insights into human nature, and his work in general, sound exceptional. Sukohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11893742747135555499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-15286813563002779052018-02-06T20:56:25.808-05:002018-02-06T20:56:25.808-05:00Hi Sharon - Plus these are generally very long boo...Hi Sharon - Plus these are generally very long books. On the bright side I think the you will like them and you get to experience them for the first time. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-32178337635548038662018-02-06T19:39:08.602-05:002018-02-06T19:39:08.602-05:00I am jealous that you have read all these Trollope...I am jealous that you have read all these Trollope novels. You are the one that made me aware of Trollope in the first place. I have a lot of them but need to get back into them. Sigh..so many books...I hope I live long enough to read them all.<br /><br />Take care!Sharon Wilfonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17466621290140789056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-77084005432150535522018-02-06T16:19:01.400-05:002018-02-06T16:19:01.400-05:00Hi Susan - According to the forward in the book, s...Hi Susan - According to the forward in the book, scholars believe that since the previous book in The Palliser series failed to sell as well as expected, editors demanded that Trollope cut the size of this book. He apparently removed sentences in every chapter. <br /><br />The Duke's sons, while they have thier positive aspects, are depicted as rich kids who have become spoiled.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.com