Doctor Thorne / Anthony Trollope

 

4 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer Reading 2023***

Prompt: Book written by an author whose first and last initials can be found in “Summer Vacation"
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 3

If you have read any gothic romances, you may believe that it is always penurious young women who are in search of well off husbands. Reading Anthony Trollope and Jane Austen, you will realize that aristocratic men could also find themselves unable to support the lifestyles to which they are accustomed. Hence the popularity of American heiresses, looking to exchange cash for pedigreed husbands.

True to Trollope’s style, we are introduced to Mary Thorne, niece of the titular Doctor, of dubious parentage and known poverty. She has been educated in the squire's home and if this was a gothic romance, she would be swept off her feet by the handsome Frank and marry into the wealthy family. But the Greshams have fallen on hard times and Lady Arabella's family (with wealth and position) have decreed that Frank must marry a woman of means.

It is obvious from the very beginning where this novel is headed, especially if you have previously read The Warden and/or Barchester Towers. Doctor Thorne ends up in quite the conflict of interest, knowing how a will is made out but not feeling free to blab. Trollope examines this society, where money trumps love and rich people can largely do as they will. Lady Arabella is set up as the villain of the piece, though not a very effective foe. He deftly shows us the hypocrisy as her family flaunt their bloodlines but fall all over themselves to scoop up rich spouses for their children. However there is pride on both sides of this equation, with the doctor not admitting to any inferiority in his status or his niece's.

It's all a matter of timing, with the younger people being the most impatient with their elders who keep saying wait a month, wait a year, just another fortnight. But despite all the obstacles that Trollope throws into the path of his romantic couple, you know that everything will work out in the end.