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The Warden (Chronicles of Barsetshire, #1)

Anthony Trollope

Start date: July 1, 2018

Finish date: July 31, 2018

Discussion: Lesser Know/Wilderness Classics

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What Members Thought

Jan 30, 2021 Chrissie rated it liked it

Shelves: england, philo-psychol, classics, hf, series, victorian, 2021-read, deals, audible-uk, religion

This is the first of the Barsetshire Chronicles series by the Victorian author Anthony Trollope. I have read his books before, found them to be amusing and to have strong, intelligent and wise female characters, so I grabbed this when it was on sale. I knew full well that many consider it bland, not one of his best novels.

The setting is a fictional provincial Cathedral town in the fictional county of Barsetshire, somewhere in western England. It is the mid-1800s. At the time of the book’s concep ...more

28 likes · Like · see review

Sep 01, 2020 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: classics

I found this an enjoyable book. The characters were interesting whether I liked them or not. I found the storyline compelling and the ending certainly packed a punch in the way only a book set around the vicarage of a small village could.
I enjoyed the writing as well, witty, endearing and sentimental, sometimes light yet it wasn’t always a cheery tale. I’m off to the next book in the series.

16 likes · Like · see review

Oct 08, 2017 Kelly_Hunsaker_reads ... rated it liked it

Shelves: classics, vic-lit

Victober 2017 & Audiobook.

I found this book to be light on both plot and character development. Even so, I think I liked Trollope's style enough that I will read more from him. The book was quiet and sweet and enjoyable. It won't provoke you to think very much. It won't even make you feel very much. It is a simple story but it is also a nice view of the life of the English living in similar place and time. \\ ...more

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Oct 22, 2016 Karen rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2024-l-l-challenge, travel-the-world

For a British History course in college I had to read Barchester Towers. I didn't realize at the time it was the second book in a series. Finally, I have read this book, which is the first in a series of 6. Although, the Warden isn't my favorite book of British lit, I did enjoy it, and I look forward to the rest of the series.

02/23/24: The Chronicles of Barsetshire have become a favorite "series". Every time I think about reading another Trollope, I think about rereading the Barsetshire books. S ...more

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Aug 08, 2020 Tom Britz rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I found The Warden to be a very good read. I'd heard that it was boring and tedious, but I didn't find it so. I enjoyed the characters and the plot moved forward at all times. Of course it doesn't read like a modern novel in that there are many references to things and events that were current at that time or that were still being referred to and were common knowledge. I found Mr. Harding to be a stalwart and a fully fleshed out character, for that time. In today's world, and even in his time, p ...more

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Oct 19, 2024 Jenna Scribbles rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Originally published in 1855. This story is based on one question - should Mr Harding, the Warden of the small retirement lodging, receive 800 a year? The church, lawyers, newspaper, friends, lodgers, townspeople and sweet daughters all have a say in the matter. Is it resolved? Whose opinion wins?

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May 08, 2009 Laura rated it it was ok

Shelves: victorians, e-books, fiction-19th-century, british-literature, read-2009

From BBC Radio 4:
The gentle Mr Harding finds his peaceful life disrupted when his would be son-in-law John Bold calls into question the large income he receives as warden of Barchester alms house. Mr Harding's daughter Eleanor is equally shocked and upset by her suitor's actions and she sets out to discover why the man she loves wants to injure someone as well respected and loved as her mild mannered father.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03s... ...more

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Oct 07, 2010 Natalie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: classics

I found this author in a recommended reading list and had never heard of him. I'm glad I read this. It is well written with quaint references to victorian culture. Also, the author speaks to you as if you are on a guided tour of the look inside the life of the Warden (a church minister) and his family. I thought the ending was disappointing but you come to understand what motivates the various characters beyond just following the storyline. ...more

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