I have been so looking forward to the bicentennial of Anthony Trollope's birth this year. I know that the Trollope Society - which I keep meaning to join - is planning some events. Closer to home, I am excited about two reading events hosted by fellow bloggers. One of the great joys for me in blogging has been connecting with other Trollope readers. Audrey is hosting a year-long read through the Barsetshire series, which I will join in April (after the TBR Dare ends), just in time for Barchester Towers and Mrs. Proudie. That will tie in with the celebration of his birth on April 24th, for which Karen is planning a month-long party.
Looking at my own shelves, I have 13 books of his, still unread. (Fourteen if you count Vol. II of North America, which I couldn't leave on the shelf even though there was no Vol I; I have yet to find a copy). I also have two biographies, The Chronicler of Barsetshire, by R.H. Super, and Trollope, An Illustrated Biography, by C.P. Snow. Audrey and JoAnn are currently reading Victoria Glendinning's biography, which makes me want to read it again myself.
I think that I will celebrate one of my favorite authors by reading something of his each month this year. There will be some re-reading, I know, with Audrey's Barsetshire plan. I've been wanting to read Doctor Thorne and Framley Parsonage again, and I feel I should give Lily and The Small House at Allington another try. But I would also like to read from the TBR shelves. To that end, I've started with Marion Fay, one of Trollope's last novels, published just six months before his death in 1882. It reminds me a little of The Duke's Children (and reading about that book in the Oxford Reader's Companion to Trollope has made me want to take it down off the shelf). The young Lord Hampstead at the center of this story is a delight, at least so far - though his stepmother, the haughty Marchioness of Kingsbury, keeps thinking what a better marquis her own son Frederic would make.
Yay! I can't think of anyone I'd rather read him with than you and JoAnn -- with a visit to Karen's party along the way. (And happy birthday, Angela Thirkell - we might need to plan another party, don;t you think?)
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be a great year :) I can't wait to get back to Barchester. We could throw a dual Barsetshire theme party for both of them!
DeleteGood things to look forward to! I put Dr Thorne down months ago and have never gone back to it so hope to pick up again in May/June and actually finish this series. Rachel Ray in April for Reading England and maybe The Way We Live Now at some time during the year.
ReplyDeleteAnd such a variety of his books to choose from! I'm so torn between reading new-to-me ones & re-reading. I really enjoyed Rachel Ray but I've forgotten a lot of the details.
DeleteI've read the first of the Palliser novels, and have the second waiting for me on my kindle. I didn't realise that it was his bicentennial this year. I'll make sure that I read it soon to mark the occasion.
ReplyDeleteThat's Phineas Finn, right? Sometimes I get confused on the order. It feels ridiculous to keep saying, "That's a favorite," but I do love his story.
DeleteI'm so looking forward to the Trollope events! I don't know if I'll go for the stand alone novels or jump into the Palliser novels... Probably the latter :D
ReplyDeleteIt's a tough choice to make :) I have enjoyed discovering the stand-alones, some of which are NOT 700 pages - but I am drawn back to Barsetshire & the Pallisers.
DeleteInterestingly, Elizabeth Goudge was also born on April 24 -- I'm planning to celebrate her with a reading week at the end of April. However, I would also love to join in the Trollope events. I'm just getting started on his novels and making my way through Barsetshire; Dr. Thorne is next on my list.
ReplyDeleteI'll look forward to that, Lory. I've been hoping to get a copy of I Saw Three Ships ever since Jane (Fleur) posted about it. The Dean's Watch makes me think of Trollope, with the cathedral city setting.
DeleteI read the bio intro last night (ending the TBR Dare a day early) and look forward to continuing. Hope to finish The Warden today. It's been 15 years since I read it, but don't remember enjoying it this much. 2015 is going to be an excellent reading year!
ReplyDeleteMy introduction to Trollope was a paperback edition that combined The Warden with Barchester Towers, and I was enchanted. I'm so glad that you've enjoyed your re-introduction!
DeleteI'm still working slowly through the Pallisers - I do love Trollope but I find it works best for me to take my time and space his books out. The Eustace Diamonds is next for me so I'll probably read that one for Karen's reading month.
ReplyDeleteOh absolutely, Helen - I usually take a good break between books myself, and not just because they're so long.
DeleteAren't the possibilities wonderful?! I've just parted company with the Pallisers, but I've already started Lady Anna and I want to read Orley Farm, because I used to live in Harrow and I had no idea that Trollope had lived there too.
ReplyDeleteJane, I have both of those on the TBR stacks too. You've really made me want to read The Duke's Children again, though.
DeleteI've never read a Trollope, but he's on my list to read this year. I thought I'd start with Can You Forgive Her? which I picked up at a used book sale last year. I'm excited to finally give this author a try!
ReplyDeleteHow fun to have his books to discover! I have found him quite addictive, as you've probably noticed :) I'll look forward to hearing what you think of Can You Forgive Her.
DeleteI'd love to join in at some point in the year and finally finish Barchester Towers - a book I started over a year ago!
ReplyDeleteMaybe all the Trollope posts will inspire you :) I do love Barchester Towers.
DeleteThere's nothing quite as exciting as immersing yourself in an author you love on a milestone anniversary. I did that with Gaskell and it was so rewarding. I may try to hook up with the Barsetshire novels read-along as I wouldn't mind revisiting the first three before resuming with the fourth.
ReplyDeleteJane, I've never had the chance before, not with an anniversary like this - though I've joined in the different reading weeks focused on an author. I enjoy the communal part of it so much, even when people are reading different books, still there's that focus on the author. I'm really looking forward to being back in Barsetshire :)
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