Engaged to the ambitious and self-serving Adolphus Crosbie, Lily Dale is devastated when he jilts her for the aristocratic Lady Alexandrina. Although crushed by his faithlessness, Lily still believes she is bound to her unworthy former fiancé for life and therefore condemned to remain single after his betrayal. And when a more deserving suitor pays his addresses, she is unable to see past her feelings for Crosbie. Written when Trollope was at the height of his popularity, The Small House at Allington (1864) contains his most admired heroine in Lily Dale - a young woman of independent spirit who nonetheless longs to be loved - and is a moving dramatization of the ways in which personal dilemmas are affected by social pressures.
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About the Author
ANTHONY TROLLOPE ( 1815-82) was born in London. His literary career began with the appearance of The Macdermots of Ballycloran in 1847, but not until his fourth novel, The Warden (1855), did he establish the manner and material by which he is best known. This, the first of the 'Barteshire' series, was followed by Barchester Towers (1857), Doctor Thorne (1858). Framley Parsonage (1861), and the Last Chronicle of Barest (1867).
His second series, the Palliser series, comprises of Can You Forgive Her? (1864), Phineas Finn (1869), The Eustace Diamonds (1873), Phineas Redux (1876), The Prime Minister (1876) and The Duke's Children (1880).
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OF COURSE there was a Great House at Allington. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
OF COURSE there was a Great House at Allington. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By bookelephant
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
All of the reviews on this book are right - and yet they are wrong! For me, the central character is Adolphus Crosbie, a man with whom everyone must identify. Crosbie is a man who sees the right course and acknowledges it, but cannot stop himself from following the wrong one. Who cannot understand and sympathise with this? He finds something right, and true, which would make his life better, and help him to live his life better, but ultimately cannot resist the false glamour of an aristocratic marriage - even while he knows deep down that he despises the woman he is marrying and the things for which she stands. The passage after the wedding when he finds himself alone in the train compartment with Lady Alexandrina communicates the awful, empty, cold feeling that comes with acknowledging a great mistake like nothing I have ever read before or since.
Of course Lily Dale must not be forgotten, and she is indeed more than a symbol of simplicity and truthfulness. She reminds us that people make their own experience of love - it is not a "one size fits all" affair, and asks us the question about whether for some people love can only come once.
And of course being Trollope, along the way there are a variety of well fleshed out and engaging other characters (Earl de Guest is a particularly endearing one and Trollope saunters through himself, disguised as Johnny Eames), a few guest turns from old friends (Mr Harding stands as a moral fingerpost to Crosbie as he crosses the line between right (Allington) and wrong (Courcy Castle), and Lady Dumbello enjoys a quasi flirtation with a future hero, Mr Palliser), and lyrical descriptions of the beauties of the scenery.
Every page offers its pleasures and the book is a great joy. Finally, if you read it and like it, do try to get hold of a version with the original illustrations - by Millais- which are simply lovely.
Of course Lily Dale must not be forgotten, and she is indeed more than a symbol of simplicity and truthfulness. She reminds us that people make their own experience of love - it is not a "one size fits all" affair, and asks us the question about whether for some people love can only come once.
And of course being Trollope, along the way there are a variety of well fleshed out and engaging other characters (Earl de Guest is a particularly endearing one and Trollope saunters through himself, disguised as Johnny Eames), a few guest turns from old friends (Mr Harding stands as a moral fingerpost to Crosbie as he crosses the line between right (Allington) and wrong (Courcy Castle), and Lady Dumbello enjoys a quasi flirtation with a future hero, Mr Palliser), and lyrical descriptions of the beauties of the scenery.
Every page offers its pleasures and the book is a great joy. Finally, if you read it and like it, do try to get hold of a version with the original illustrations - by Millais- which are simply lovely.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Purple fox
Format:Paperback
Although this book could never be described as 'fast-paced', it's a wonderful book. Trollope's language is so simple, contemporary and beautiful. The characters are so human, and I found myself really sympathising, empathising, enjoying... and getting annoyed with them! The book is about relationships between people, kindness, bravery, hope and hopelessness, love and lovelessness.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Didier
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This fifth novel in the Barsetshire chronicles has, as often with Trollope, an almost stupefyingly simple plot: Lily Dale is courted by the 'swell' Adolphus Crosbie who then, not one month after their engagement, drops her for the daughter of an earl. Lily is heartbroken but resolves she still loves Adolphus and therefore can accept no other man, even though a much worthier man soon presents himself in the person of John Eames.
In a nutshell, that's all there is to it. But, as also always seems the case with Trollope, out of this simple plot he weaves a beautiful tale that keeps you turning pages although nothing much really happens (definitely not by today's standards). How so? For starters, Trollope is a master at analyzing and describing the thoughts and emotions of his characters (most of them ordinary people like you and me), which makes them leap of the page like real-life people you know in the flesh and, often as not, you find yourself identifying with one or more of the main characters, wishing them well and hoping they'll succeed in their endeavours as if they were your own. In this case too, although you know from the start that nothing will come of it, you cannot help but hope that Lily will give up her stubborn behaviour and accept the man that truly loves her.
Secondly, altough in this case the main plot gives little room for mirth Trollope does introduce quite a lot of humour by means of the various subplots and secondary characters (the head-gardener Hopkins for instance, or earl De Guest). It's rarely the laugh-out-loud kind of humour (although there's a few hilarious scenes) but mostly rather subtle, which makes it none the less effective.
Last but not least, Trollope writes in a very fluent, easy style, describing everything in plain everyday language which makes it all the more 'real' and accessible. And for the odd reference to classical literature or other you can simply refer to the excellent notes at the end.
All in all, a very satisfying experience even though there's no happy end, making me start the sixth and last novel in the series ('The Last Chronicle of Barset') with that most odd mixture of feelings: happy to begin a new book that you know will be good, and simultaneously sad knowing it's the last in the series!
In a nutshell, that's all there is to it. But, as also always seems the case with Trollope, out of this simple plot he weaves a beautiful tale that keeps you turning pages although nothing much really happens (definitely not by today's standards). How so? For starters, Trollope is a master at analyzing and describing the thoughts and emotions of his characters (most of them ordinary people like you and me), which makes them leap of the page like real-life people you know in the flesh and, often as not, you find yourself identifying with one or more of the main characters, wishing them well and hoping they'll succeed in their endeavours as if they were your own. In this case too, although you know from the start that nothing will come of it, you cannot help but hope that Lily will give up her stubborn behaviour and accept the man that truly loves her.
Secondly, altough in this case the main plot gives little room for mirth Trollope does introduce quite a lot of humour by means of the various subplots and secondary characters (the head-gardener Hopkins for instance, or earl De Guest). It's rarely the laugh-out-loud kind of humour (although there's a few hilarious scenes) but mostly rather subtle, which makes it none the less effective.
Last but not least, Trollope writes in a very fluent, easy style, describing everything in plain everyday language which makes it all the more 'real' and accessible. And for the odd reference to classical literature or other you can simply refer to the excellent notes at the end.
All in all, a very satisfying experience even though there's no happy end, making me start the sixth and last novel in the series ('The Last Chronicle of Barset') with that most odd mixture of feelings: happy to begin a new book that you know will be good, and simultaneously sad knowing it's the last in the series!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very good
Ok, so I'm not a book critic. I'm actually 13 years old and only bought this book because it was free and recomended. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Lucy Thomas-Stanton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very good
Very good novel, rich in humour and with an interesting plot. Trollope, IMHO, is a novelist not less important than Dickens or Thackeray.
Published 1 month ago by Francesca
5.0 out of 5 stars
How small?
I have read other novels by this author and can't wait to read this one. It will make a good read on holiday.
Published 3 months ago by tiddioggie
5.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful armchair read
Please read my review on Framley Parsonage (same author same series). I think that these books are Anthony Trollope's best.
Published 4 months ago by beastygirl
4.0 out of 5 stars
A surprisingly enjoyable read
I had read all the other books in the Chronicles of Barset series and, having never discovered The Small House at Allington in any Charity Shops, was delighted to find it (free! Read more
Published 9 months ago by Michael Clark
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Small House at Allington
The Barchester series continues with this excellent tale of young love, immaturity, selfishness and broken hearts.
Lilly Dale is loved by John Eames. Read more
Lilly Dale is loved by John Eames. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Rich
3.0 out of 5 stars
Small House at Allington
A delightful read. I had high expectations, having read other Anthony Trollope books, and was not disappointed. Read more
Published 22 months ago by jacqueline
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not my favourite Trollope
This must be one of the longest of Trollope's novels, with a huge cast of characters, including many from his previous novels. Read more
Published on 4 July 2010 by F. M. M. Stott
5.0 out of 5 stars
"The claims of friendship are very strong, but those of love are...
(4.5 stars) A witty and incisive look at love, money, and marriage, this 1864 novel is the fifth of Anthony Trollope's six Barsetshire novels, with some of his the best characters. Read more
Published on 29 Oct 2008 by Mary Whipple
4.0 out of 5 stars
For some reason, I keep going back to it
Contrary to the synopsis given on this page this is actually the story of the nauseatingly perky Lily Dale who falls in love with the superficially glamorous Adolphus Crosbie, who... Read more
Published on 23 Jun 2000
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