Trollope

Why is it that I had to discover Anthony Trollope by myself? Why did no one ever expose me to this great author? Why did I have to find his name in What Jane Austen Ate and What Charles Dickens Knew of all places?

This early Victorian author is the successor to Jane Austen. His characters are engaging, original, and well rounded; his writing has the irony and sarcasm but with a gentleness that's missing in Austen; his morals and emphasis on character are just as good; he's funny and has good quotes; and like any classic book should be, his are page turners. I couldn't wait to finish them!

The first book I read by him was The Warden, and then I read its sequel, Barchester Towers. What great books! I don't know why they have never been lauded, for they are excellently written, and, while realistic, much less depressing and more interesting than most Dickens.

I won't give the summary because it would really give away too much (His Barsetshire series are about the interworkings of characters in a country village...you can't really summarize that).

I love how he celebrates simple folk, motherhood, the quiet life, and all those things that remind one of the Hobbits of Tolkien. No twaddle, these books

Also, The Warden has a very interesting political plot about welfare that's very relevant today (Trollope doesn't take a stand, but his main characters take both sides).

These are books that I would highly recommend to everyone who likes classic literature, especially character novels! (And I can't wait to read more!)