This 1862 novel was the author’s personal favorite of all his books. A young widow and her infant son come into possession of a small farm after the death of her wealthy husband, who leaves the bulk of his estate to his first family. The upheavals set in motion by this bequest—which come to involve a criminal investigation and court case—cast a long shadow over the lives of Trollope’s characters.
Circa l’autore
Anthony Trollope (1815-1882) was a quintessential Victorian novelist best known for his series of novels, the Chronicles of Barsetshire, set in the imaginary county of Barsetshire. Tirelessly prolific, he tackled a rich assortment of the political, social, and gender issues of the day. As career employee of the British Postal System, he is credited with introducing the “pillar-box” mailboxes on street corners.