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    Framley Parsonage
    Framley Parsonage
    Framley Parsonage
    Audiobook21 hours

    Framley Parsonage

    Written by Anthony Trollope

    Narrated by David Shaw-Parker

    4/5

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    About this audiobook

    In Framley Parsonage, the fourth novel of Trollope’s Chronicles of Barsetshire, the author leaves the confines of Barchester and looks to the countryside, where he relates the moral difficulties of Mark Robarts, the young clergyman who has recently been appointed Vicar of Framley Parsonage. Desperate to keep up with the local aristocracy, the country parson is persuaded to underwrite the debts of Sowerby, a well-respected peer. However, when the debts are called in, Robarts finds himself in a serious predicament. Written with acute insight, together with a great deal of warmth and humour towards his characters’ attendant charms and foibles, Framley Parsonage is sure to delight.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherNaxos Audiobooks
    Release dateJan 15, 2015
    ISBN9781843798507
    Author

    Anthony Trollope

    Anthony Trollope (1815-1882) was the third son of a barrister, who ruined his family by giving up the law for farming, and an industrious mother. After attending Winchester and Harrow, Trollope scraped into the General Post Office, London, in 1834, where he worked for seven years. In 1841 he was transferred to Ireland as a surveyor's clerk, and in 1844 married and settled at Clonmel. His first two novels were devoted to Irish life; his third, La Vendée, was historical. All were failures. After a distinguished career in the GPO, for which he invented the pillar box and travelled extensively abroad, Trollope resigned in 1867, earning his living from writing instead. He led an extensive social life, from which he drew material for his many social and political novels. The idea for The Warden (1855), the first of the six Barsetshire novels, came from a visit to Salisbury Close; with it came the characters whose fortunes were explored through the succeeding volumes, of which Doctor Thorne is the third.

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    Reviews for Framley Parsonage

    4/5

    391 ratings31 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Trollope often relies on the conniving abilities of women, but here there is even more devious trickery from men, in this case, Sowerby and Tozer. Like Mark Robarts - someone who deserves a good shake - Trollope had similar money troubles so he writes with experience. I enjoyed the return of some characters from earlier books, like Miss Dunstable and the Proudies. Trollope makes the reader feel like they are old acquaintances. I find this Victorian upper crust saga supremely entertaining. My version was an audiobook with a top-notch reading by Simon Vance who, granted with Trollope's influence, can impart the character's personality with their first words.
    • 5/5
      One of the best of classics, so very well narrated. Highly appreciated and recommended.
    • 4/5
      Loved it On to the next instalments
    • 4/5
      True to Anthony trollops mastery of storytelling, this continuation of the Barchester series delights.
    • 5/5
      Another masterpiece of understatement, delicious irony, and exquisite prose from the master whose wit in no way diminishes the realism of his characters. This fourth volume of the Barchester Chronicles is a bit more demanding than the previous ones, because the characters each show a certain reticence in living up to the better angels of their nature; but the drama lies in their overcoming what makes them at first seem less admirable to the reader, and finally becoming true nobles, not in caste or wealth, but in the only sense of the word in which Trollope is really interested - strength of character.
    • 4/5
      It's been too long since my last dose of Anthony Trollope. In this fourth installment in the Barsetshire series, we meet a whole new set of characters headed by the formidable Lady Lufton. This lady, shrewd but unworldly, masterful but loving, is the linchpin of the novel and rules its events with gracious aplomb. It is she who brings young Mark Robarts, a friend of her son's, to the comfortable living at Framley where he has everything a man could desire... except that man desire political advancement and greater wealth. Mark, blessed with attractive personal qualities and an unspoken bent toward ambition, slightly chafes under Lady Lufton's loving rule and begins to associate with men who can help him make a name for himself in the world of political power. But it all comes at a price, as Mark finds when he begins to become entangled in debt and personal compromise.Standing against Mark as a foil to his weakness is his sister Lucy, who is so firmly committed to doing the right thing she will even sacrifice her own happiness to hold her head up before the world. It would be easy to write a paragon so perfect she is not human, but Trollope is far too wise for that. Lucy is one of his more vivid heroines, with a lively wit and a playful habit of making such fun of her most heartfelt confidences that her sister-in-law Fanny is sometimes at a loss to know when she is serious. She reminds me of Elizabeth Bennett quite a bit. I do love the scene where "insignificant" little 5'2" Lucy dominates Lady Lufton!But though the story is centered on the people of Framley, Trollope kindly allows us to visit with friends from the previous three books. Mrs. Proudie is back, feuding as ever with Mrs. Grantly. Miss Dunstable also is back, with a surprise for her fans. The Greshams have a cameo, as does Lady Scatcherd, Mr. Harding, and Mr. and Mrs. Arabin.Trollope—who reads as a mix between Jane Austen and Charles Dickens—has great fun satirizing the politicians of his day. He makes fun of them, to be sure, but his criticisms don't have Dickens' bitter edge and he seems more relaxed and humorous toward people's foibles. An example of this is Mr. Supplehouse, a newspaper writer whose tendency to vacillate should be evident from his name. Some characters hate him for his power, but others (like the redoubtable Miss Dunstable) indulgently say that he means mischief, but that's his function so it isn't something to get upset about.Trollope certainly has a fascination with lower-class (but very respectable) young women marrying up in the world, with the chief obstacle to their love being the family (or more specifically, the mothers) of the young men. Dr. Thorne, the Barsetshire novel immediately preceding this one, was all about the doctor's niece, Mary Thorne, who couldn't marry into the local nobility because Frank Gresham had to marry money. I wonder if Trollope ever wrote a story with a younger man of less-than-noble antecedents aspiring to the hand of a well-born young lady. Hmm.Trollope continues to be one of the more personable authors I've ever read, often pausing the narrative to ask the reader what he would do when faced by the situations of the characters, and frankly admitting his own proclivities toward comfort and the ease of unruffled custom. There was a point about 150 pages in where I almost didn't want to pick this back up... I hate reading about money troubles (especially self-inflicted money troubles) and it was so evident that things would take a bad turn for our young parson. But I persevered, and was rewarded: yes, things get bad for the parsonage, but not unrelievedly so. There are plenty of other characters and side-stories happening alongside these troubles, and I finished the last several hundred pages at a gallop during a long, quiet afternoon. I think Trollope always rewards his readers in the end. Recommended.
    • 3/5
      As usual Trollope's fourth novel in the Barsetshire Chronicle is laden with characters. One of the first people readers meet is Mark Robarts, a vicar with ambitions to further his career. The gist of the story is that Robarts loans Nathaniel Sowerby money even though Robarts realizes Sowerby is an unsavory character, always gambling and up to no good. Of course there is some good old fashioned courting of the ladies going on that complicates the story.Trollope explores human emotions such as humiliation (Robarts not being able to afford to give a loan but does it anyway), romance (between Mark's sister, Lucy, and Lord Lufton), greed (inappropriate relationships because of lower class status) and affection (bailing a friend out of a sticky situation). The subplot of Lucy and Lord Lufton is my favorite. Lady Lufton doesn't think Lucy is good enough for her son (what mother does?).
    • 4/5
      Another lovely romance that follows similar lines to Doctor Thorne and also revisits some beloved characters from earlier in the Chronicles and marries them off beautifully too. I get a bit lost in all the politics and I'm not entirely sure what the Duke of Omnium is supposed to have done to earn so much opprobrium, but it all rattles along with good things happening to mostly good people and mostly bad people ending up with less, so who could possibly complain? Trollope's still a Jew-hating asshat, but everything else is delicious.
    • 4/5
      After having a little trouble getting into Doctor Thorne, I was sucked into Framley Parsonage almost immediately, and enjoyed every minute of this fourth journey into Barchester. Another bunch of fascinating characters dealing with the everyday machinations of English life, including the wonderful Lady Lufton, the indomitable Miss Dunstable back again, and some other good old friends from previous volumes. More than once I wanted to smack Mark Robarts upside the head for being a doofus, and he would have deserved it, too. But the story is a good one, and I think reading this in the three-chapter sections as which it was originally serialized lent a certain extra punch to the book.
    • 4/5
      The story of Mark Robarts, a vicar who guarantees the debt of a dishonest, unreliable "friend" and suffers for it, and of his sister Lucy, who falls for Lord Lufton, Mark's friend. There is a lot going on in this book: apart from Mark and his disastrous financial dealings and Lucy's love affair, there is politics, Miss Dunstable's romance, Mrs Crawley's illness and the danger that Lord Lufton might be forced to marry the heartless Miss Grantley. In terms of characters from the earlier novels in this series, it was fun to meet the Proudies again and to witness the war of words between Mrs Proudie and Mrs Grantley. I am very glad that Miss Dunstable married for love, although it bit more back story would have been more satisfactory here. I also liked the fact that we met the clergyman who saved Mr Arabin from going over to the RC church.Trollope seems to make his women almost all admirable in some way, but his male characters are weaker. I found Mark's stupidity almost criminal and I do not understand why he did not agree with Mr Forrest at the bank to pay the debt back over two years, rather than allowing the whole area to learn of his plight and ending up borrowing from his friend.
    • 5/5
      I listened to this entire book on Audible.com.

      I appreciate the exquisite prose, and the story about the countryside of England during the early Victorian era. I was left wishing I could read everything Trollope ever wrote.
    • 5/5
      This is the book that started the whole readalong. After reading and loving Jo Walton’s “Tooth and Claw” I found out that it’s a retelling of Framley Parsonage using dragons. The entire Chronicles of Barsetshire readalong was started because I was curious how the original novel compared to the dragon-filled version and I’m OCD, so obviously I had to read the first three books in the series before getting to this one. There are two main plots in the book; the first revolves around the young impetuous clergyman, Mark Robarts and a shady financial decision. He guarantees a bill for an untrustworthy man, which puts his own future in jeopardy. The second plot regards his sister Lucy and the wealthy Lord Lufton who falls for her. Lufton’s mother is opposed to the marriage and Lucy feels that to accept the Lord without his mother’s approval would be wrong. The strength of the novel lies in its characters’ sincere struggles. We feel for Lucy as she wrestles with her feelings. Our hearts break for Mark Robarts even though we know he made a stupid mistake. Trollope has built a fascinating world within the Barsetshire society and now four books into the series we recognize characters and remember their stories from previous books. **A few of my favorite SPOILERY scenes:When Fanny Robarts finds out about her husband’s financial ruin she is beyond kind and patient. She makes it clear to him that no matter what happens, she is on his side. He already feels ashamed and sick for what he’s done and nothing she could have said would have made him regret his actions more. Choosing to show him love and forgiveness in that situation was such a demonstration of strength and compassion. I was absolutely giddy over Doctor Thorne’s sweet romance with Martha Dunstable. They were not young, but with the help of his niece they both realized how happy they would be together. His honest-to-a-fault love letter was too funny. It’s never too late to find love. **SPOILERS OVER** BOTTOM LINE: I so enjoyed this one, but I will say I couldn’t help comparing it to “Tooth and Claw” throughout the book. Both are great, but adding dragons to the mix adds a special layer of fun. I love that this novel has more depth and a few additional side plots that the retelling skipped. Mark Robarts character was particularly good, since in “Tooth and Claw” he becomes a straightforward villain. After Doctor Thorne I think this is my favorite of the series so far.
    • 4/5
      Not quite as great as Barchester Towers, but better than Dr Thorne and the Warden. It's got a nice love story, like Thorne, but much more than that; whereas the plot of the earlier novel is focused on the future Mr and Mrs Gresham, here it's only one strand. The main storyline deals more with politics and money, which is obviously where Trollope's at his best. Also, a lot of characters from the earlier Barsetshire Chronicles show up, which is nice. I'm not sure if that means it's a great novel, or if it's just nice to see old friends. But it's definitely fun!
    • 4/5
      It's been too long since my last dose of Anthony Trollope. In this fourth installment in the Barsetshire series, we meet a whole new set of characters headed by the formidable Lady Lufton. This lady, shrewd but unworldly, masterful but loving, is the linchpin of the novel and rules its events with gracious aplomb. It is she who brings young Mark Robarts, a friend of her son's, to the comfortable living at Framley where he has everything a man could desire... except that man desire political advancement and greater wealth. Mark, blessed with attractive personal qualities and an unspoken bent toward ambition, slightly chafes under Lady Lufton's loving rule and begins to associate with men who can help him make a name for himself in the world of political power. But it all comes at a price, as Mark finds when he begins to become entangled in debt and personal compromise.Standing against Mark as a foil to his weakness is his sister Lucy, who is so firmly committed to doing the right thing she will even sacrifice her own happiness to hold her head up before the world. It would be easy to write a paragon so perfect she is not human, but Trollope is far too wise for that. Lucy is one of his more vivid heroines, with a lively wit and a playful habit of making such fun of her most heartfelt confidences that her sister-in-law Fanny is sometimes at a loss to know when she is serious. She reminds me of Elizabeth Bennett quite a bit. I do love the scene where "insignificant" little 5'2" Lucy dominates Lady Lufton!But though the story is centered on the people of Framley, Trollope kindly allows us to visit with friends from the previous three books. Mrs. Proudie is back, feuding as ever with Mrs. Grantly. Miss Dunstable also is back, with a surprise for her fans. The Greshams have a cameo, as does Lady Scatcherd, Mr. Harding, and Mr. and Mrs. Arabin.Trollope—who reads as a mix between Jane Austen and Charles Dickens—has great fun satirizing the politicians of his day. He makes fun of them, to be sure, but his criticisms don't have Dickens' bitter edge and he seems more relaxed and humorous toward people's foibles. An example of this is Mr. Supplehouse, a newspaper writer whose tendency to vacillate should be evident from his name. Some characters hate him for his power, but others (like the redoubtable Miss Dunstable) indulgently say that he means mischief, but that's his function so it isn't something to get upset about.Trollope certainly has a fascination with lower-class (but very respectable) young women marrying up in the world, with the chief obstacle to their love being the family (or more specifically, the mothers) of the young men. Dr. Thorne, the Barsetshire novel immediately preceding this one, was all about the doctor's niece, Mary Thorne, who couldn't marry into the local nobility because Frank Gresham had to marry money. I wonder if Trollope ever wrote a story with a younger man of less-than-noble antecedents aspiring to the hand of a well-born young lady. Hmm.Trollope continues to be one of the more personable authors I've ever read, often pausing the narrative to ask the reader what he would do when faced by the situations of the characters, and frankly admitting his own proclivities toward comfort and the ease of unruffled custom. There was a point about 150 pages in where I almost didn't want to pick this back up... I hate reading about money troubles (especially self-inflicted money troubles) and it was so evident that things would take a bad turn for our young parson. But I persevered, and was rewarded: yes, things get bad for the parsonage, but not unrelievedly so. There are plenty of other characters and side-stories happening alongside these troubles, and I finished the last several hundred pages at a gallop during a long, quiet afternoon. I think Trollope always rewards his readers in the end. Recommended.
    • 5/5
      It is a remarkable thing with reference to men who are distressed for money...that they never seem at a loss for small sums, or deny themselves those luxuries which small sums purchase. Cabs, dinners, wine, theatres, and new gloves are always at the command of men who are drowned in pecuniary embarrassments, whereas those who don't owe a shilling are so frequently obliged to go without them! It would seem that there is no gratification so costly as that of keeping out of debt.Once again money, or the lack of it, is a problem for a Barsetshire man. This time it's Mark Robarts, vicar of Framley, who gets into financial trouble in a moment of weakness. He learns his lesson, but is it too late to save his family from embarrassment and ruin? Mark's sister, Lucy Robarts, has trouble of her own when she falls in love with Mark's friend, Lord Lufton, whose mother has another match in mind for him.Some of my favorite Barsetshire residents reappear in this story – the Proudies, the Grantlys, Dr. Thorne, and my current favorite, Miss Dunstable. The book has the feel of a soap opera, cutting from scene to scene between three or four story lines. Trollope's novels seem fresh to this 21st century reader probably because they focus more on character and behavior rather than on customs and culture. Human nature hasn't changed much since the mid-19th century. I wouldn't recommend reading Framley Parsonage without reading the preceding Barsetshire novels. Half the fun of reading these novels is waiting for old friends and acquaintances to make their appearance. I look forward to seeing who shows up in the next one!
    • 4/5
      This novel definitely is more enjoyable if you have read the previous books in Trollope's Barsetshire series. Victorian mothers scheming marriages and sons not obliging them, church politics, and men living beyond their means trying to convince heiresses to marry them - Framley Parsonage has it all!
    • 4/5
      Tollope continues his Barsetshire series depicting the foibles, frustrations and triumphs of the denizens of the county. Some characters from older novels reappear, some to frustrate us, some to delight us. And Mrs Proudie appears to make us grind our teeth!
    • 4/5
      It is no doubt very wrong to long after a naughty thing. But nevertheless How They Were All Married, Had Two Children, and Lived Happy Ever Afterwe all do so. One may say that hankering after naughty things is the very essence of the evil into which we have been precipitated by Adam's fall.Mark Robarts is the recently appointed vicar of Framley, and happily married to Fanny. His future appears secure, but Mark longs after "naughty things" like fox hunting, horses, and parties. His troubles begin when he co-signs a loan for a so-called friend, Nathaniel Sowerby. Unbeknownst to Robarts, Sowerby is deeply in debt and on the run from creditors and bill collectors. Robarts naively believes everything will work out, and fails to tell his wife about the debt he's incurred.In Framley Parsonage we are also reunited with several other notable characters from the three previous books: Archdeacon Grantly and his family, Dean Arabin and his wife Eleanor, Mrs Proudie the bishop's domineering wife, Doctor Thorne, Frank and Mary Gresham, and the outspoken and very funny heiress Miss Dunstable. I loved seeing these old friends in new settings. I also enjoyed Trollope's wit, as he poked fun at the clergy:Let those who know clergymen, and like them, and have lived with them, only fancy it! Clergymen to be paid, not according to the temporalities of any living which they may have acquired, either by merit or favour, but in accordance with the work to be done! O Doddington! and O Stanhope, think of this, if an idea so sacrilegious can find entrance into your warm ecclesiastical bosoms! Ecclesiastical work to be bought and paid for according to its quantity and quality!And at men in general: "My dear!" said her husband, "it is typhus, and you must first think of the children. I will go." "What on earth could you do, Mark?" said his wife. "Men on such occasions are almost worse than useless; and then they are so much more liable to infection."But back to Mark Robarts. It wasn't long before his future looked bleak, but this is Trollope's Chronicles of Barsetshire, where things invariably turn out well in the end. In fact, the last chapter of Framley Parsonage is entitled, "How They Were All Married, Had Two Children, and Lived Happy Ever After". The journey from near ruin to happily ever after is a long, meandering one with several related threads. As Mark is facing financial ruin, his sister Lucy comes to stay, and meets young, unmarried Lord Lufton. They are instantly attracted to one another, but Lady Lufton has strong feelings about her son marrying the vicar's sister. And so begins another long, meandering journey in which Lady Lufton discovers why Lucy is the ideal choice for her son, and learns a few things about herself in the process. Trust me -- that's not a spoiler! Trollope's outcomes are always predictable, but it doesn't matter because getting there is so much fun.
    • 5/5
      Elizabeth Gaskell once declared: “I wish Trollope would go on writing Framley Parsonage for ever. I don’t see any reason why it should come to an end.” But end it did, for me anyway, during the wee hours of the morning but I know exactly what she means. Framley is the fourth volume in the six book Barsetshire Chronicles. Mark Robarts, a young man whose “good fortune followed him throughout his life”, benefitted from his friendship with Lord Lufton whose mother was responsible for the selection of the parish vicar at Framley, since her family provided the yearly living. Although intelligent, Mark really was not suited for the religious life. He longed to continue the sporting life that he loved and while in pursuit of this, he naively signs a promissory note for a local MP, Mr. Sowerby, who has a gambling problem and thumbs his nose at personal responsibility. Soon Mark is in deep trouble as the debt soars and the money lenders are at the door and his reputation is in shreds.I think it’s safe to say that this volume depended less on plotting mechanisms and more on a gently surging and exhaustive narrative. Some might find this feature tedious and mind-numbing but I fall firmly in Mrs. Gaskell’s camp. As usual, Trollope brings up the differences of class and once again turns it on it’s head.Trollope brought back many characters from previous volumes including Bishop and Mrs. Proudie, the Grantlys, Doctor Thorne, and Frank and Mary (Thorne) Gresham. But the real star of the entire volume is the fan favorite, Miss Dunstable. The middle aged (40+) and decidedly plain spinster is still fighting off suitors who are maniacally advancing their intentions to marry her for her fortune. She has turned down scads of hopeless gold diggers and although she’s happy enough with her single life, she would marry if the right man came along who had no interest in her wealth. Her droll sense of humor is on full display when her friend, Mrs. Harold Smith, tries to promote her politician brother as a marriage partner without even bothering to conceal the fact that he needs boatloads of money to save himself:”I ought to ask no questions of the kind when your brother proposes to do me so much honour. As for my expecting the love of a man who condescends to wish to be my husband, that, of course, would be monstrous. What right can I have to think that any man should love me? It ought to be enough for me to know that as I am rich, I can get a husband. What business can such as I have to inquire whether the gentleman who would so honour me really would like my company, or would only deign to put up with my presence in his household?”It is Trollope’s characterization of everyday life, his witty dialogue, the ordinary characters who create a sense of well-being and knowing that all this will continue in another volume, possibly with a return of favorite characters that make me such a fan of the author.
    • 3/5
      A young new vicar comes to the village with Lady Lufton's help. His lack of experience causes him to make a deal he will later regret. There are several romances blooming throughout the book as well. As in many Victorian novels, social position is a major plot element. While I had read one other book in the Barchester series of which this book is a part, it had been a long while, and I'm certain that my pleasure was diminished by not having read the other two and by the gap in reading the first.
    • 4/5
      Book 4 of the Barchester Chronicles, Trollope continues with many of the same characters introduced in the first 3 books. The main plot circles around a moral dilemma faced by Mark Robarts, deacon of the Framley Parsonage. In an effort to be helpful to a well-respected peer, he signs his name to a note for 400 pounds which is presented as a temporary loan. Unfortunately, Mark doesn't have the means to cover this debt and ends up getting further in debt. The other conflict concerns Mark's sister Lucy who falls in love with Lord Lufton, the son of Mark's patroness. As the poor sister of a deacon, she doesn't have the social position or the money to make a 'good' match for Lord Lufton.

      I find that when the real world is difficult, I can bury my head in the sand with Victorian classics. They almost all have happy endings and the even the worst characters major offense might be to behave boorishly. Definitely light and fun. Narrated by my favorite, Simon Vance.
    • 3/5
      I found the language delightful, the characters charming, and the subject matter skullcrushingly dull.
    • 3/5
      Phew! A colleague with a similarly voracious appetite for books once told me that the only author she couldn't read was Anthony Trollope. Then, and this has happened before, I stumbled across a recommendation for Trollope's Barsetshire Chronicles for fans of Austen's Emma, starting out of sequence with Framley Parsonage. Well, I tried. And there are parts of Trollope's writing that I like - his portrayal of women, his cynical observations - but the 'Dickens' padding is too much for me, tending to overwhelm the characters and the humour.Mark and his wife Fanny live at Framley Parsonage, under the patronage of Lady Lufton and her son Ludovic. Mark is pathetically weak and naive, falling prey to Nathaniel Sowerby, an upper class conman, and his own ambitious greed for social advancement. Fanny is a good and brave Victorian wife, who becomes a mediator between her husband and Lady Lufton. Mark's sister Lucy comes to stay with the couple after the death of his father, and Lord Lufton promptly falls in love with her, upsetting his mother's plans to unite him with a society beauty named Griselda. That, plus a forthright character called Miss Dunstable and a lot of political and clerical commentary from the omniscient narrator, is the novel in a nutshell.I like characters I can believe in, and Trollope's women - Lady Lufton, Lucy and Miss Dunstable - are certainly convincing, full of wit and wisdom (at least compared to the men). However, his Dickensian caricatures, like Lord Omnium of Gatherum Castle and Mrs Proudie, completely undid the drama and emotion of Mark's financial difficulties and Lucy's romantic dilemma. Stick to the point, man! Without all that padding, this would have been a far better, and less tedious, story. More Gaskell, less Dickens, in other words.So, will I be returning to Barsetshire, or any of Trollope's other epic novels? No, I think my colleague was right - life is too short.
    • 5/5
      There is Mark, said Fanny…..What shall we do if he had not dined? That, I believe, is almost the first thought in the mind of a good wife when her husband returns home. Has he had his dinner? What can I give him for dinner? Will he like my dinner? Oh dear, oh dear! there is nothing in the house but cold mutton.I like Anthony Trollope's ironic musings on his characters. At first I found this very intrusive to the story, but now four novels into the Barchester Chronicles I have got used to his style of writing. And when he sits back and wonder at his own story and the actions of his character's we can be sure, Trollope will tell us truths about human nature - either praise of a good character - or his rebuke of our folly - how easily we can be manipulated and deceived - or just like this quote gently poke fun at a Mrs. Robarts and her deep affection for her husband.It's typical of Trollope himself to have a deep affection for all his characters - even the scoundrel Sowerby who keep getting others in debt....The story itself is perhaps not the best in the series, and it does slow down too much when it strays too far from the central characters - the Luftons and Robards. But there are many memorable characters here to enjoy and the subject matter of money, greed, ambition in life, family, honesty are so well explored.I liked Lady Lufton the best. Manipulating yes, but she gains our sympathy as the story develops. It's also fun to be introduced to "old" friends from the previous novels in the series.
    • 5/5
      2007, Blackstone Audiobooks, Read by Simon VanceFramley Parsonage is the best yet of Trollope’s Barsetshire series! At the center of this fourth novel is Reverend Mark Robarts, who, as a young man, was awarded the comfortable Framley living by his friend’s mother, Lady Lufton. Much to his benefactor’s dismay, Mark naively becomes involved in the suspect dealings of notorious gambler, Nathaniel Sowerby; and the results of his actions are near financial ruin. Politics, a constant theme in Trollope’s work, also feature largely in Framley Parsonage. Through political maneuvering and rivalry, seats are gained and lost, alliances forged and betrayed, governments formed and dissolved. Social class distinctions, another Trollope staple, are set aflutter when Lord Lufton falls for Lucy Robarts, Mark’s younger sister. And Doctor Thorne has a delightful surprise! Other known and loved Barchester characters also appear: Archdeacon and Mrs. Grantley, Miss Dunstable, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gresham, and the ever-disagreeable Mrs. Proudie.Trollope’s much loved trademark humour continues to entertain throughout Framley Parsonage. At a “wild” dance held by Mrs. Harold Smith of Barchester, young Griselda Grantley finds herself the object of attention of both Lords Lufton and Dumbello. The latter takes not kindly to being outdone by his rival, and hilarity ensues:“Lord Dumbello, in the meantime, stood by observant, thinking to himself that Lord Lufton was a glib-tongued, empty-headed ass, and reflecting that if his rival were to break the tendons in his leg in one of those rapid evolutions, or suddenly come by any other dreadful misfortunes, such as the loss of all his property, absolute blindness, or chronic lumbago, it would only serve him right.” (7/16)Highly recommended! As for this Blackstone Audiobook, I can’t say enough about the reading genius that is Simon Vance. His recordings of Trollope’s Barsetshire novels have provided hours of delightful entertainment.
    • 4/5
      The fourth nove of Barset. I love especially Trollope's many excellet character descriotions and dialogues. There is not much of a plot here. I read this as an examination of values - in all senses of the word - and the young clergyman Mark Robarts development from young and inexperienced, but eager to get ahead in the world, to a more mature person. Loved both Lucy and Lady Lufton as well.
    • 4/5
      Much more fun than Doctor Thorne — after that slightly soppy love story we're back into the realms of political and ecclesiastical back-stabbing that make the first two books in the series so entertaining. Trollope had got it into his head by this point that he was writing a series, so he brings back the more successful characters from earlier books: in particular the Proudies, the Grantleys, the sinister Duke of Omnium, and the irrepressible Miss Dunstable. Among the new characters, Lady Lufton is a treasure, as is the Surteesian Mr Sowerby, and for the first time in the Barchester books we get a romantic heroine who can stand up for herself in the shape of Lucy Robarts.The plot itself is rather like a pantechnicon rumbling along very predictable tracks, but that's not what we read Trollope for. We get as many great lines, ironic asides from the narrator, and passages of delightful upper-class indignation as anyone could desire.
    • 4/5
      Framley Parsonage, the penultimate book in the Barsetshire Chronicles, covers familiar territory and brings back a number of characters from earlier novels: Dr. Thorne, his niece Mary (now Mary Gresham), Miss Dunstable (whom I was particularly glad to meet again), the Grantleys and the Arabins, for starters. Of course, new characters also appear, primarily the Ludlows and the Robartses, and the setting shifts between rural towns and London.While I enjoyed this novel, I need a Trollope break before going on to the final installment. I feel a bit overloaded with snobbish mothers who come between their sons and the worthy but common young women they love, male golddiggers trolling for wives, and cads who bring their friends to financial ruin.
    • 4/5
      Book four in the Chronicles of Barsetshire, and back with the leisurely plot style after the Dickensian plot twist of DOCTOR THORNE. The first one to be written/published in serial format – and the “connectors” between episodes are often visible, but not a problem. Still has the author speaking directly to the reader, but less often than earlier volumes (or am I getting used to it?). Has a strong and rather modern heroine – who is liked for her wit rather than looks. A good read. Read February 2008
    • 5/5
      I was going to say that this novel, the fourth in Trollope's Barsetshire sequence, is one of my favorites in the series. But The Last Chronicle of Barsetshire is also very good and Barchester Towers is one of my all-time favorites. So in the top half? The main plot is sometimes annoying - clergyman Mark Robarts finds himself in debt and somehow keeps making it worse. However, the relationship between Lord Lufton and Mark's sister, Lucy Robarts, is wonderfully characterized. Mark starts out with everything one needs in life: a wife he loves, children, a secure and pleasant living as the vicar at Framley and the benevolent patronage of Lady Lufton. Of course, he can only go down from there. Mixing with a loose set leads him to debt. At times, his judgment is so bad, you just want to shake him, but the truth is that debt is still common today. Trollope sometimes seems to be writing the same romance subplot - class conflicted love. In this series, the men tend to be titled or well-off and fall in love with women from a lower social status. The formula changed a bit in the Palliser novels, where the women had the money/position and their loves were poor upstarts. Although Trollope repeats the theme here in his love side-story, I enjoyed the fact that he developed the relationship from its start to the inevitable happy conclusion, a departure from his usual depictions. A rather large generalization from both of his series, but it seems that the author has two kinds of romantic relationships - childhood sweethearts (so no need to describe how they fell in love, just assumed they grew up and in love) or a couple meetings at social events, then the pair is in love. He's more focused on the obstacles to marriage. In a couple instances, the author will simply state that the love is a fait accompli and readers only learn briefly about first meetings and impressions. Unfortunately, this sometimes lessens reader involvement in the relationship. However, in this novel, Trollope writes about Lucy coming to live with her brother, meeting the young lord of the estate (he's not too impressed at first), the gradual development of their friendship and the fits and starts to love. One of my favorite passages -"He had by no means made up his mind that he loved Lucy Robarts; nor had he made up his mind that, loving her, he would, or that, loving her, he would not, make her his wife. He had never used his mind in the matter in any way, either for good or evil. He had learned to like her and to think that she was very pretty. He had found out that it was very pleasant to talk to her; whereas, talking to Griselda Grantly, and, indeed, to some other young ladies of his acquaintance, was often hard work. The half-hours which he had spent with Lucy had always been satisfactory to him. He had found himself to be more bright with her than with other people, and more apt to discuss subjects worth discussing; and thus it had come about that he thoroughly liked Lucy Robarts."They meet resistance from his formidable mother, Lady Lufton. Although she's the main obstacle to marriage and happiness, Trollope doesn't make her one dimensional. She's generous, caring, loves her children and is always good-intentioned though she sometimes finds it hard to overcome her prejudices. She certainly tries to be just to her son and Lucy and imagines that she really has both of their welfare in mind. However, her main fault - and often her most prominent characteristic - is the need to, well, control everything (as is made clear in the wonderful last line of the novel).Lord Lufton and Lucy also have their faults, Lucy being too irreverent and perverse for the model Victorian wife, as well as not beautiful enough for Lady Lufton's ideal daughter in law. Lord Lufton can't be the ideal hero, either - he considers marrying another woman while Lucy is suffering at home. But Trollope novels always have the happy ending, so it's even more shocking to read something so starkly cynical (if superbly constructed) as this gem - "I will not say that the happiness of marriage is like the Dead Sea fruit—an apple which, when eaten, turns to bitter ashes in the mouth. Such pretended sarcasm would be very false. Nevertheless, is it not the fact that the sweetest morsel of love's feast has been eaten, that the freshest, fairest blush of the flower has been snatched and has passed away, when the ceremony at the altar has been performed, and legal possession has been given? There is an aroma of love, an undefinable delicacy of flavour, which escapes and is gone before the church portal is left, vanishing with the maiden name, and incompatible with the solid comfort appertaining to the rank of wife. To love one's own spouse, and to be loved by her, is the ordinary lot of man, and is a duty exacted under penalties. But to be allowed to love youth and beauty that is not one's own—to know that one is loved by a soft being who still hangs cowering from the eye of the world as though her love were all but illicit—can it be that a man is made happy when a state of anticipation such as this is brought to a close? No; when the husband walks back from the altar, he has already swallowed the choicest dainties of his banquet. The beef and pudding of married life are then in store for him;—or perhaps only the bread and cheese. Let him take care lest hardly a crust remain—or perhaps not a crust."