Like everyone already said before me, this 2nd book of the Barsetshire series was an improvement on the Warden. Very funny, the world's great character sketches. I just love it when Trollope brings in a new character, he does it with skill and precision. I love his naughty characters the best. I like how even they, in their wickedness, usally have some great redeeming trait that keeps hold of my sympathy. But most of all, the little giggling school girl in me that will not die, loves how the good girl always gets her guy (the one she wanted, not the toads that pile up wanting her) and the wicked, naughty, evil villains that are to wicked to feel very much sorry for, get their payback. And then, the villain catches a break! And that's okay, cos then I don't have to feel guilty about wanting him to suffer. I should have made a great catholic, with my ability to feel guilty about any thing, even for ill-wishing fictional characters.