I've been enjoying reading more classic fiction recently and a new favourite is the work of Anthony Trollope. Part of the pleasure of reading his famous Barsetshire series of novels for the first time is that I've been doing so alongside members of the Trollope Society. Over the months of November and December there were online video meetings discussing sections of “Barchester Towers”. This greatly enhanced my understanding of the context of the historical period portrayed and it was enlightening to engage in debates about the characters and plot. More than this, since we've been in various stages of lockdown for the past several months, it was just nice to see a range of new faces!
It was also helpful to get a range of points of view about the book from beginners, devoted fans who have read and reread Trollope's books and experts like the professor John Bowen who wrote the introduction to the Oxford World's Classics edition of “Barchester Towers”. This meant discussions about the book were both educational and light-hearted. At one point in the final meeting there was a funny debate about whether the somewhat stuffy and dull character of Mr Arabin was sexy or not. Although, personally, I have more of a soft spot for bearded Bertie Stanhope!
Since it was such a delightful experience I'm thrilled that the Trollope Society is launching another global online Big Read focusing this time on “Doctor Thorne”, book three in the Barsetshire series. It will take place on Zoom every two weeks from February 1 to March 15. There will also be a very special guest on February 8 when director and screenwriter Julian Fellowes will be in conversation with broadcaster Gyles Brandreth to discuss Fellowes' 2016 television adaptation of “Doctor Thorne”.
This is a great opportunity for people who are new to the novel (like me) and people who have read it before to join in regular meetings to talk over this story which focuses of the difficulties of forming romantic attachments outside one's social class. I'm sure the novel is also filled with Trollope's characteristic humour and engaging writing style. Unlike the first two novels in the series, I believe this book mostly includes new characters so can be more easily read independently if you've not yet got to reading “The Warden” and “Barchester Towers”.
Over 300 Trollope enthusiasts from around the world took part in the first Big Read and multiple people wrote to let me know how much they enjoyed participating so I’d love for you to join me in the “Doctor Thorne” Big Read. You can find out more information and register for free here: https://trollopesociety.org/event/doctor-thorne-1/
I'm really looking forward to starting “Doctor Thorne” and hope to see you there on February 1st!
