Complete Chronicles of Barsetshire & Palliser Series

 Chronicles of Barsetshire Series

Set in the fictitious cathedral town of Barchester this series follows the dealings of the clergy and the politics behind the scenes.

1 - The Warden

2 - Barchester Towers

3 - Doctor Thorne

4 - Framley Parsonage

5 - The Small House at Allington

6 - The Last Chronicle of Barset

Can You Forgive Her?

The main plot revolves around the marriage choices of Alice Vavasor. Early in the novel, Alice asks the question "What should a woman do with her life?" -- a theme repeated in the dilemmas faced by other female characters in the novel.

The Last Chronicle of Barset -

The dominant situation is one of intense anguish: a poor country clergyman, proud, learned, sternly conscientious, is accused of a felony, and the pressure of family want makes his guilt seem only too probable. His own agony, his wife's dread, and the distress of his daughter, affianced to the son of a neighbouring landowner, are the elements of a profound tragedy. The ecclesiastical society of The Warden and its successors, Mr. Harding, Mrs. Proudie and the rest, make their last appearance here.

Phineas Redux -

In the fourth of the Palliser series Phineas Finn is working as a Poorhouse Inspector in Ireland. His wife having died in childbirth, he finds his existence dull and unsatisfying after the excitement of his former career as a Member of Parliament. Back in England, the Whigs are determined to overturn the Tory majority in Parliament. As Finn had been considered the most promising of the younger set, he is invited to run for office again.

The Prime Minister-

In this fifth installment of the Palliser series, Plantagenet Palliser becomes Prime Minister in a fragile coalition government. Lady Glencora attempts to aid the success of her husband's tenure by hosting lavish events. Meanwhile a significant sub-plot concerns Ferninand Lopez, a city adventurer of undisclosed parentage who wins the favour of Emily Wharton. Emily marries Mr Lopez despite her father's objections and rapidly regrets her mistake. Lopez's high-risk gambles lead to financial ruin and, after failing to persuade Lizzie Eustace to go with him to Guatemala, takes his own life.

He Knew He Was Right-

his novel describes the failure of a marriage caused by the unreasonable jealousy of a husband exacerbated by the stubbornness of a willful wife. As is common with Trollope's works, there are also several substantial subplots.

The Vicar of Bullhampton-

I have introduced in the Vicar of Bullhampton the character of a girl whom I will call,—for want of a truer word that shall not in its truth be offensive,—a castaway. I have endeavoured to endow her with qualities that may create sympathy, and I have brought her back at last from degradation at least to decency. I have not married her to a wealthy lover, and I have endeavoured to explain that though there was possible to her a way out of perdition, still things could not be with her as they would have been had she not fallen.