Catching up on the books I did not have time to read when I had to wade through reports,journals,theses etc. Working my way (slowly) through Dickens,Eliot,Gaskell,Trollope,Hardy and Austen.
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Written as a sequel to "The Warden", this is the second book of the Barsetshire novels. Described as humorous, this …
The tranquil atmosphere of the cathedral town of Barchester is shattered when a scandal breaks …
The first book of the Barchester Chronicles,set in a fictional cathedral city,probably based on Salisbury. The central character is Rev. Septimus Harding,the warden of an almshouse for elderly men. The plot centres on a crisis of conscience when Harding is accused in a national newspaper of receiving more than his fair share for managing the almshouse. I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters are well drawn, particularly that of Hardy himself. Some aspects of the book will perhaps have little meaning for many modern readers. In some respects however it has resonances today, particularly the depiction of the actions of the newspaper editor - the embodiment of 'power without responsibility '
The first book of the Barchester Chronicles,set in a fictional cathedral city,probably based on Salisbury. The central character is Rev. Septimus Harding,the warden of an almshouse for elderly men. The plot centres on a crisis of conscience when Harding is accused in a national newspaper of receiving more than his fair share for managing the almshouse. I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters are well drawn, particularly that of Hardy himself. Some aspects of the book will perhaps have little meaning for many modern readers. In some respects however it has resonances today, particularly the depiction of the actions of the newspaper editor - the embodiment of 'power without responsibility '
The tranquil atmosphere of the cathedral town of Barchester is shattered when a scandal breaks concerning the financial affairs of …
That this a novel about contrasts is suggested by the title. There is the contrast between the rural South of England and the North. The contrast in life experiences between the mill owners and their employees. A contrast in world views of an established educated middle class and the 'self made' industrial capitalists. These contrasts,how these contrasts result in conflicts and how these conflicts are resolved form the plot of this novel. Whilst the resolution of conflict is not wholly convincing,Gaskell's portrayal of life in a northern city is. Her experience of living in Manchester is put to good use,her characters being well drawn and believable. A recommended read.
That this a novel about contrasts is suggested by the title. There is the contrast between the rural South of England and the North. The contrast in life experiences between the mill owners and their employees. A contrast in world views of an established educated middle class and the 'self made' industrial capitalists. These contrasts,how these contrasts result in conflicts and how these conflicts are resolved form the plot of this novel. Whilst the resolution of conflict is not wholly convincing,Gaskell's portrayal of life in a northern city is. Her experience of living in Manchester is put to good use,her characters being well drawn and believable. A recommended read.