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A review by margaret45678
The Warden by Anthony Trollope
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Pretty enjoyable to read but I felt like there wasn't much to it. A family friend recommended Trollope to me as a remedy to intense academic reading and I ended up starting with Framley Parsonage on a whim. I liked it but wasn't in a hurry to read the rest of the series. One day, while taking out the trash, I came across a copy of The Warden in my apartment building's recycling area (on the shelf with old newspapers and Brita filters - it wasn't actually in the bin) and figured it was something of a sign. This must have been a couple of years ago now; I read this book very much in fits and starts, although it's pretty easy going once you get into it.
I didn't like it as much as Framley Parsonage, the characters seemed flatter and the plot, although in some ways more dramatic, seemed more contrived. Some of the satire (especially the names - I mean, John Bold?! Come on!) is not exactly nuanced, but elsewhere Trollope uses a lighter touch, and it's always quite funny, if not subtle. I look forward to reading the rest of the series, since it seems like Trollope hit his stride in the later books and developed the characters more fully.
The political message of the book is quite silly, not to say totally reactionary, but it's wishy-washy and lighthearted enough to just about get away with it.
I didn't like it as much as Framley Parsonage, the characters seemed flatter and the plot, although in some ways more dramatic, seemed more contrived. Some of the satire (especially the names - I mean, John Bold?! Come on!) is not exactly nuanced, but elsewhere Trollope uses a lighter touch, and it's always quite funny, if not subtle. I look forward to reading the rest of the series, since it seems like Trollope hit his stride in the later books and developed the characters more fully.
The political message of the book is quite silly, not to say totally reactionary, but it's wishy-washy and lighthearted enough to just about get away with it.