The Small House at Allington

Stubborn people hurt each other for 700 pages

(4.5 stars)

DarthLaurel

I was unaware of this novel and surprised by how difficult the characters were. I found Lily profoundly annoying. I didn't expect to end up liking the squire more than most of the rest of the characters, but everyone else was SO confusingly stupid. Mrs Dale really doesn't come off well. Despite the difficult circumstances she is in, she is an ineffective parent, indulgent, and every bit as stubborn and foolish as her daughters, allowing them their way when she ought to be acting like an adult and guiding them. Lily is the perfect picture of a girl who longs for an abusive selfish man over a normal relationship. The Earl and John Eames are interesting characters whose growing friendship was very enjoyable. Most of the readers were excellent.

(4.5 stars)

Procyon

Perhaps it is not fair to review this book after listening to just one chapter. But I am coming to Trollope after a gap of over 25 years. And the reader makes the whole experience quite delightful. Trollope has such an attractive style, the way he describes things (so vivid!), the underlying current of humor, the flashes of sarcasm, the smooth flow of language. We are in the presence of a master novelist, whose literary genius needs to be appreciated a bit more by our literary critics. Well, have listened to 3 chapters so far. And things are 'so far, so good'.

A look at the low life

(4 stars)

שמעון עין גל

For me, the most interesting parts of this book took place in Mrs Roper's seedy London boarding house, where the low-life struggles and quarrels seemed the most realistic. The main story largely repeats the theme of quite a few books by Trollope and Dickens, in which an eccentric old wealthy patron provides a dowry enabling a nice but impoverished couple to marry and live happily ever after. Great atmosphere and penetrating humour.

well-read, but not a pleasing story

(4 stars)

Ruth Tchobanian

I'm a big fan of Trollope, but not of this book. It was, dare I say, emotionally unhealthy. The reader is drawn into a loathing, almost masochistic intrigue of Crosbey. Then there's Johnny Eames, who makes you want to slap him until he grows up. But it is engaging, well-written and well-read.

Portraits of Real Choices

(4 stars)

Ortonz

Mr. Trollope sometimes gives us the fairy tale ending and sometimes does not. I'm fascinated at some characters naivety. I found myself chastising certain ones as they moved into unwise areas or abdicated their responsibilities where it was decidedly needed.

(5 stars)

Snowed In Again

ah! perfect Trollope with rascally gorgeous women and handsome men who pursue titles and wealth ending up sunk in a living hell, while poor but honest girls get their peaceful happy home in the end. Some of the very best readers around

outstanding

(5 stars)

A LibriVox Listener

A more Henry James-like Trollope. very interesting characterizations, and a story that illustrates Oscar Wilde's aphorism, there are two tragedies in life: one is not getting what you want, the other is getting it. uniforms excellent readers.

Ending Not Quite as Predictable

(5 stars)

C. Love

Nice installment of the series - no big surprises just a good tale about the lives of the gentry of old