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A review by manwithanagenda
Phineas Finn by Simon Dentith, Anthony Trollope
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Phineas Finn follows 'Can You Forgive Her?' in Trollope's series of "Parliamentary" novels that are linked by Plantagenet and Glencora Palliser. This is the first one to really dig into the nitty-gritty of politics and the thrill of legislative processes. It actually is interesting, especially as I had very little idea of how the election process worked in the United Kingdom (then, or now).
The Penguin Classics edition has a thorough introduction (that should be read afterwards, naturally) and exhaustive notes concerning Trollope's manuscript and highlighting the to-the-minute real influences incorporated into the novel. I love that someone has researched the articles Trollope was reading and editing at the time he was writing and noted his attempts to forecast in his novels. Trollope was so prolific and so attuned to society his books are an archive of fashions, language and trivia of the mid-Victorian era.
What about the novel itself? I liked it enough - the extra politics was fascinating - but there was a huge flaw. I never believed Phineas was in love. I never believed Violet Effingham was in love. I didn't believe in the romance of any of the characters except for, perhaps, Lady Laura. That's a huge flaw, and if it were not for the fact that I nevertheless enjoyed this novel a LOT more than 'He Knew He Was Right', I'd be rating this lower.
Phineas Finn is a young Irishman who has studied the law and has a minor flirtation with the Girl Back Home who he proceeds to never think about for years at a time. He is made the protege of a young noblewoman interested in politics and at an incredibly young age is elected into the House of Commons. He is slightly corrupted, goes to parties, shilly-shallies, and the like. He is a good seat on a horse and handsome enough for the ladies. The plot of the novel surrounds Phineas' coming to terms with what is honorable and what is right in government and must make hard choices for his future. There are subplots involving a duel in Brussels and several potential marriages, but this is a shockingly focused novel. A pity, like I said, I never believed in Phineas' heart. I'll have to see what becomes of him in 'Phineas Redux'.
The Pallisers
Next: 'The Eustace Diamonds'
Previous: 'Can You Forgive Her?'
The Penguin Classics edition has a thorough introduction (that should be read afterwards, naturally) and exhaustive notes concerning Trollope's manuscript and highlighting the to-the-minute real influences incorporated into the novel. I love that someone has researched the articles Trollope was reading and editing at the time he was writing and noted his attempts to forecast in his novels. Trollope was so prolific and so attuned to society his books are an archive of fashions, language and trivia of the mid-Victorian era.
What about the novel itself? I liked it enough - the extra politics was fascinating - but there was a huge flaw. I never believed Phineas was in love. I never believed Violet Effingham was in love. I didn't believe in the romance of any of the characters except for, perhaps, Lady Laura. That's a huge flaw, and if it were not for the fact that I nevertheless enjoyed this novel a LOT more than 'He Knew He Was Right', I'd be rating this lower.
Phineas Finn is a young Irishman who has studied the law and has a minor flirtation with the Girl Back Home who he proceeds to never think about for years at a time. He is made the protege of a young noblewoman interested in politics and at an incredibly young age is elected into the House of Commons. He is slightly corrupted, goes to parties, shilly-shallies, and the like. He is a good seat on a horse and handsome enough for the ladies. The plot of the novel surrounds Phineas' coming to terms with what is honorable and what is right in government and must make hard choices for his future. There are subplots involving a duel in Brussels and several potential marriages, but this is a shockingly focused novel. A pity, like I said, I never believed in Phineas' heart. I'll have to see what becomes of him in 'Phineas Redux'.
The Pallisers
Next: 'The Eustace Diamonds'
Previous: 'Can You Forgive Her?'