tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post8235550088345193005..comments2024-02-29T02:54:19.767-05:00Comments on Babbling Books: The Eustace Diamonds by Anthony TrollopeBrian Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-5125152795606763332017-05-16T18:18:08.701-04:002017-05-16T18:18:08.701-04:00Thanks Maria.
Lizzie is a lot like Trump! I was t...Thanks Maria.<br /><br />Lizzie is a lot like Trump! I was thinking that the entire time that I was reading this.<br /><br />I do think that noice folks often do OK. It does happen that people do end up bring attracted to bad people sometimes, but I think it is the exception. <br /><br />One thing that is interesting, the bad folks usually do fool the good ones. But as you mention, that ids not the case for Frank.<br /><br />I can see how you m might not like to read about Lizzie :)<br /><br />Have a great day!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-37558317443759042692017-05-16T13:03:17.292-04:002017-05-16T13:03:17.292-04:00Superb commentary as usual, Brian!! :) :)
Well, I...Superb commentary as usual, Brian!! :) :)<br /><br />Well, I have to say it: Lizzie sure sounds like a female version of Trump. Lol. That quote in which she muses on the "beauty" of lies is very telling. I'm sure that "our illustrious President" would fully agree with her. Not publicly, of course, haha! <br /><br />As I read the rest of your very insightful review, I was reminded of a comment I recently made on another of your posts, about the fact that some women always seem to be attracted to men who are bad for them. You mentioned, in your reply, that this type of thing happens to men, as well. And here it is, in the plot of this novel. Graystock feels a strong attraction for Lizzie, and this is despite the fact that he KNOWS her true nature. She doesn't fool him at all. And yet, he continues to feel this illogical attraction, neglecting his devoted, sweet fiancee in the process....<br /><br />This, to me, is one of the great mysteries of life..... WHY is it that men who are B****RDS, and women who are B****ES, seem to get the BEST romantic partners, while those who are genuinely NICE, do not? But this seems to apply to other situations in life, as well. I have observed dishonest, manipulative co-workers who are sycophants of the boss, advance and get raises, while those who are hardworking, nice, and honest are actually treated with contempt.,,,<br /><br />Well, I guess the old saying is true -- "Nice guys finish last." :(<br /><br />To be quite honest, I don't think I would ever be interested in reading this novel, in spite of its funny elements. I don't think I could stomach Lizzie for ONE minute! Women like her just make me SICK. They're the ones who frequently steal husbands.<br /><br />Thanks for the incisive commentary!! Hope you're having a WONDERFUL day!! <3 :)<br /> Maria Beharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13635809880830316283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-27821742660862477872017-05-15T04:57:33.780-04:002017-05-15T04:57:33.780-04:00Hi Susan In my answer let me say that there is a s...Hi Susan In my answer let me say that there is a spoiler ahead. <br /><br /><br />The necklace is stollen and disappears into the Continent. Neither Lizzie nor the family end up with them. This is deliciously ironic. <br /><br /><br />Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-841088372899362762017-05-14T20:49:11.003-04:002017-05-14T20:49:11.003-04:00Now what happens with the necklace? Does Lizzie g...Now what happens with the necklace? Does Lizzie get her way? She sounds a bit like Scarlett after Rhett but perhaps worse! Quite a dark character for Trollope. thecuecardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08870323589682197091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-7169587757596671572017-05-14T14:26:23.515-04:002017-05-14T14:26:23.515-04:00Thanks Caroline.
Though this book can be read out...Thanks Caroline.<br /><br />Though this book can be read out of order, personally, I would also finish the Chronicles of Barsetshire first. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-51007624114681543942017-05-14T14:20:36.422-04:002017-05-14T14:20:36.422-04:00A great post, Brian. Lizzie does sound different b...A great post, Brian. Lizzie does sound different but fascinating nonetheless. I know I might not read this, as I'm not so keen on huge books, and thus isn't even the first in the series. I'll continue with the Chronicles for now.Carolinehttp://beautyisasleepingcat.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-54519470811891777282017-05-14T12:00:00.652-04:002017-05-14T12:00:00.652-04:00Thanks Naida.
Trollope's characters are usual...Thanks Naida.<br /><br />Trollope's characters are usually interesting. Lizzie is particularly interesting. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-60917677228959639182017-05-14T09:02:57.397-04:002017-05-14T09:02:57.397-04:00Great post Brian, I know you enjoy reading Trollop...Great post Brian, I know you enjoy reading Trollope. Lizzie's character sounds interesting and it seems like Frank can't help himself when it comes to her power over him. It's interesting the way some personality types affect others.<br />Enjoy your weekend! The Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10217390642323530030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-20508357895309177372017-05-11T06:05:29.029-04:002017-05-11T06:05:29.029-04:00Thanks Kathy.
Indeed, Lizzie married her husband ...Thanks Kathy.<br /><br />Indeed, Lizzie married her husband for money. <br /><br />The fact that the main character in this book is so irredeemable was indeed risky and original.<br /><br />Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-63796544644576177562017-05-11T06:02:22.048-04:002017-05-11T06:02:22.048-04:00Thanks The Reader's Tales.
I think that you w...Thanks The Reader's Tales.<br /><br />I think that you would like this book.<br /><br />It is unfortunate that there are people like Lizzie around. I do think that she is an extreme and happily, her kind is not all that common. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-35042339046168237652017-05-11T05:59:40.280-04:002017-05-11T05:59:40.280-04:00Hi Carol - In my opinion, here in the United State...Hi Carol - In my opinion, here in the United States in terms of class and income we are mostly egalitarian. With that there is income segregation and similar issues. I think that we are more like Australia then Scotland. <br /><br />Reading books by writers like Trollope and Jane Austen makes one really aware just how constrained the class thing was. In Trollope's books one can see how the wall between old money and new money were breaking down in his time. It is common theme of his. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-19008559569069417792017-05-11T02:33:16.360-04:002017-05-11T02:33:16.360-04:00Hi Brian, I always look forward to your reviews. ...Hi Brian, I always look forward to your reviews. I must read Trollope. I keep telling myself I will start with the Warden but its time to stop procrastinating My guess is Lizzie probably never loved her husband either. Her focus on getting the diamonds away from his relatives gives me that clue. I appreciate Trollope taking a chance with a character like Lizzie, a main character with no redeeming qualities. Sometimes those can be the most fascinating characters in literature if the writer has the skill to pull it off, which Trollope does. Kathy's Cornerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03967595794483824444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-17666720968627465492017-05-11T00:48:23.098-04:002017-05-11T00:48:23.098-04:00Great post as always, Brian!
Every time I read you...Great post as always, Brian!<br />Every time I read your reviews I want to read the books (not all, most).<br />To return to the book. I find the character of Lizzie pitiful. A woman who uses her charms to the get what she wants. This kind of person who use lies, flattery and sweet words as weapons to better manipulates others. Unfortunately, very ubiquitous in our society. So, Lizzie is a very modern character.<br />That said, a story that promises to be captivating. Very much to my taste. Superb writing style, interesting and funny characters, great dialogue, entertaining...Also, I am a fan of Victorian era. Will add this novel to my TBR list which becomes very long.<br />Have a great weekend ahead :) The Reader's Taleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12701126931175725145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-37505158351824552022017-05-11T00:26:34.372-04:002017-05-11T00:26:34.372-04:00Very thoughtful analysis, Brian. I concur with Sha...Very thoughtful analysis, Brian. I concur with Sharon above that I'm glad I wasn't living at that point of time! Australia is an egalitarian society as a whole - I wonder if the USA is similar in that respect? It's something I noticed when we came here from Scotland where class structure was much more defined. We were working class, my dad being a plumber, and we would never have mixed with anyone from a 'professional' class, such as a doctor. I don't know if things have changed very much as I was a child at the time we emmigrated.Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06820925595506920754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-4960105439546387112017-05-10T16:18:41.854-04:002017-05-10T16:18:41.854-04:00Thanks Sharon.
Folks like Lizzie really do a lot...Thanks Sharon. <br /><br />Folks like Lizzie really do a lot of harm. They really seem not to care. I have trouble understanding them too. <br /><br />These books really do show how people could so easily be trapped in the nineteenth century. In Phineas Phin Lady Laura ended up in a position where her husband would have been in complete control of her had she not fled the country. <br /><br />I thought that Frank was more of a typical Trollope character, the kind commonly found in his other books. <br /><br />Have a great week! Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-3791865827329736512017-05-10T13:19:52.390-04:002017-05-10T13:19:52.390-04:00Hi Stephanie- This book works fine as a stand alon...Hi Stephanie- This book works fine as a stand alone. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-68530300937794016602017-05-10T13:18:56.161-04:002017-05-10T13:18:56.161-04:00I read this book a couple of years ago. It was my...I read this book a couple of years ago. It was my very first Trollope and I believe you were the one the made me aware of his writings.<br /><br />I really enjoyed it and your analysis is spot on.<br /><br />I find these character studies to be so interesting, especially Lizzie. Your description of her is pretty blunt but very true. I've met these people in my life and I don't understand them at all. Their entire thinking is wrapped around using other people and they are very good at it. I'm particularly vulnerable to people like that, I don't know why. I've had a couple of "friends" take advantage of me. At least I eventually wise up and cut ties. I think most people do, which leaves that person without lasting friendships. I wonder if they see that? Or care?<br /><br />I was particularly surprised at Frank who, as you point out, in many respects is an honorable person. But maybe Trollope (accurately) is showing that no one is above falling, at least a little.<br /><br />I did think it was interesting that Lizzie couldn't hold his attention; that he ultimately became bored with her. Her charm and looks had no sustaining power, not really with anyone.<br /><br />Lastly, Trollope shows how desperate people can be because there was not the equal opportunity to work and make a living. You were at the mercy of your class, station and gender. I'm glad I did not live then.<br /><br />Thanks for a wonderful review Brian! Hope your week is going well.Gently Madhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10450371589766691273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-55974574326256081522017-05-10T13:17:52.840-04:002017-05-10T13:17:52.840-04:00I would say so. There are references to the Palli...I would say so. There are references to the Pallisers and some of the other characters in that series, but it really works well as an independent novel.Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10233846613173866140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-30433143903730662302017-05-10T12:54:47.739-04:002017-05-10T12:54:47.739-04:00This sounds delicious. If I don't want to read...This sounds delicious. If I don't want to read the whole series, can I just read this one?Stefaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14943596258182968212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-24916733840655711952017-05-10T05:55:45.350-04:002017-05-10T05:55:45.350-04:00Hi Baili - Indeed Trollope's negative side com...Hi Baili - Indeed Trollope's negative side comes out here.<br /><br />Though Lizzie can be fun to read about, in the end you are correct, she is sad and pitiable. Thus she fits into the novel's moral framework. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-30545697357536908222017-05-10T05:52:39.759-04:002017-05-10T05:52:39.759-04:00Thanks Suko - As I mentioned, this book can be rea...Thanks Suko - As I mentioned, this book can be read as as a standalone novel. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-21407294507373487892017-05-10T01:16:13.208-04:002017-05-10T01:16:13.208-04:00Lizzie sounds like a fascinating character who use...Lizzie sounds like a fascinating character who uses her charms to the get what she wants. I haven't read any of Anthony Trollope’s work, but I'll keep this book and this series in mind for the future. Excellent commentary, Brian Joseph! I'm glad you found this to be very humorous, although less nuanced than Trollope's other books. Sukohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11893742747135555499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-84646008717223543612017-05-10T01:15:08.719-04:002017-05-10T01:15:08.719-04:00Unlike his other works writer seems to be mor...Unlike his other works writer seems to be more attractive to the negative shade of character ,<br />i that Frank here is speaking for writer somehow .<br /><br />Lizzie sounds terrible women with sick mind and takes my empathy easily as i found her pitiable in her confused complicated behaviors ,<br />i really enjoyed reading this post as great way with expressions always!bailihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06498012175058870980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-15217692690513791022017-05-09T19:54:48.679-04:002017-05-09T19:54:48.679-04:00Hi Kate - The first book in The Chronicles of Bars...Hi Kate - The first book in The Chronicles of Barsetshire, The Warden, is relatively short and thus it might not be bad place to start. I would love to know what you thought if you read one of his books. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-90593077096915206722017-05-09T19:52:21.136-04:002017-05-09T19:52:21.136-04:00Hi Mudpuddle - I think that if you thought that Th...Hi Mudpuddle - I think that if you thought that The Chronicles of Barsetshire was just OK, you would feel about the same about this series.<br /><br />I tend to love Trollope's characters. I found that he put people into slots this book, but not so much his other works. <br /><br />You raise an interesting point about Dickens. Folks compare the two, but I think that they are wildly different writers. I will have more on this when I post commentary on Oliver Twist in a few weeks.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.com