From the Bookshelf of Exploring Anthony Trollope…

Barchester Towers (Chronicles of Barsetshire, #2)

Anthony Trollope

Discussion: Chronicles of Barsetshire

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 8 topics — 36 comments total

Chronicles of Barsetshire

* The Series
By Elizabeth (Al… · 16 posts · 173 views

last updated Jan 12, 2014 04:31PM

Last Chronicle of Barset (possible minor spoiler)
By Paul · 3 posts · 10 views

last updated Nov 12, 2021 11:41AM

showing 3 of 3 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Feb 13, 2023 Laura (Reading is a Doing Word) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2023-read, classics-trad-and-modern, trollope

I really loved this book! I'm also very glad to have read The Warden first, as this novel revisits most of the characters from the preceding installment and it felt like revisiting old friends.
A new Bishop comes to Barchester and his entourage and their ideas cause a ruckus amongst the established clergy.
There are some wonderful new characters in this novel - Mr Slope and Mrs Proudie foremost among them as well as Mr Arabin and the Stanhopes. Oh how I loved to hate Mr Slope! What a great villain I really loved this book! I'm also very glad to have read The Warden first, as this novel revisits most of the characters from the preceding installment and it felt like revisiting old friends.
A new Bishop comes to Barchester and his entourage and their ideas cause a ruckus amongst the established clergy.
There are some wonderful new characters in this novel - Mr Slope and Mrs Proudie foremost among them as well as Mr Arabin and the Stanhopes. Oh how I loved to hate Mr Slope! What a great villain and the embodiment of clerical hypocrisy!
The intrigues centre around different beliefs in the church of England and the contentions between "high" and "low" church practices. Whilst the background of church politics provides the motivation for much of the conflict in the book, it is really the personalities involved that perpetuate it. A desire for power drives Mrs Proudie, the Archdeacon and Mr Slope, so that they necessarily clash. There is also a commentary on the status quo and resistance to change - when clergymen are comfortable in their situation why rock the boat or look to reform, when they themselves may end up worse off?!

The idea of reputation and rumour is also explored. Poor Eleanor Bold becomes the centre of much speculation, through no fault of her own and this highlights that, despite her previously flawless conduct, even those closest to her are quick to believe the worst. How difficult for a guileless woman to protect herself from suspicion - her innocence is her weakness as she cannot fathom what people suspect her of!

I also loved the moral ambiguity of Signora Negroni and Berti Stanhope. Far from being morally religious, they care little for convention but ultimately neither is all bad.

Among all the bustle, Mr Harding remains the truest and most sincere character. The only one who allows himself to be led by his beliefs and his conscience, rather than by the desire for material gain or power, he represents an optimistic view of the clergy when compared to most of the other characters.

I loved revisiting these characters and observing the machinations surrounding the church and politics of Barchester. I look forward to the next installment.
...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Dec 11, 2021 Chris Toppi rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

What a gem. This book had me rolling on the floor laughing. Who knew church politics could be so funny. Dr Thorne is next up.

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 18, 2020 Tom Britz rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Barchester Towers is a well deserved classic. I enjoyed this tale of deceit and infighting within the church and the town. Barchester Towers is the second book in the series and it follows close on The Warden which opened the series. A few new characters are introduced after the beloved Bishop of Barchester dies, his replacement comes in and the sparks begin flying almost immediately. Mr. Proudie is to be the new Bishop. His wife is used to calling the shots and getting her way and she brings in ...more

Like · see review