I had to read this for my Victorian study group. I liked it, but it was long – definitely a marathon reading event. It was serialised and that always makes for a long novel (it’s like being paid per word!)
Here is the entry in Wikipedia. This novel is timeless – it is as relevant today (well mostly) as when it was written. There are still Melmotte’s creating financial boom and bust cycles (GFC anyone?), the idle rich young men who don’t seem to be doing much of anything, people trying to be ‘in’ with the latest celebrity and how quickly it all falls apart.
There are some good people in this novel as well; Roger Carbury who is determined not to say a word against his rival, John Crumb who thinks the best of Ruby despite evidence to the contrary and even Mrs Hurtle is truthful at the end when she could have simply taken the easy option of saying nothing.
I am glad that I read this novel, but I don’t think I will be rushing back to read it again! When I wasn’t sure if I would finish it in time I watched the BBC adaptation. This is a lovely adaptation – the screen play was written by Andrew Davies and it does diverge a bit from the novel, but mostly remains true to the spirit of the story. Plus it’s lovely to look at …
I suggest you watch this first and then read the novel if you liked it!
More reviews…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/feb/12/trollope-state-nation-london-novel
and a review of the adaptation…
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