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from Goodreads
Arabella Trefoil, the beautiful anti-heroine of this novel, inspired Trollope to write of her, "I wished to express the depth of my scorn for women who run down husbands." Arabella's determination to find a rich husband is at the heart of this story and her character, though often maligned, is one of Trollope's most famous and vivid creations.Having read all of Jane Austen's Regency novels, I can't help but compare them with the works of Anthony Trollope written during the Victorian period. Trollope's are infinitely better, IMHO. For a male author, he wrote good novels about family relationships. romance, and politics.
This novel has numerous characters to keep track of and the American senator has less presence in the book but scathing criticism of English country life and politics makes him an obnoxious fellow but he has a point in all his observations. For example, he asks the reason for keeping 200 hounds to chase 1 fox because in America maybe half a dozen in a large estate will do. He tends to question almost every aspect of British way of life.
The 2 women, the young and admirable Mary Masters and on the opposite end, the extremely manipulative and liar Arabella Trefoil are very well defined and unforgettable characters. The novel is engaging with plenty of Trollope's brand of wit and humor.
Highly recommended for British classics readers.
