Much of the novel is concerned with the trial and what happens to Hester Caldigate after the verdict is given. For me, it seemed as if we continued to explore at length issues that might easily have been disposed of without much description. For example, a tremendous amount of space is devoted to evidence used in the trial that later becomes even more important to the final outcome of the case. Also, not only Hester's mother and family, but also John Caldigate's friends and relatives cause a variety of problems for Hester that to me seemed endless and tiresome.
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John Caldigate himself at first appeared to me to be a likeable and intelligent fellow, but when charged with bigamy he seemed to lose whatever intelligence he possessed and acted in a manner to prejudice almost everyone against him. As mentioned earlier, I had a good idea how all of John Caldigate's problems would be resolved at the end of the story and I increased the rate of my reading to finally discover if I was correct, as indeed I was.
I have reviewed many of Trollope's novels on Amazon and almost always have given them five stars because Trollope is one of the finest of all English writers in involving his reader in his stories. Invariably he takes us under his wing and talks to us as friends as we watch with him what happens to his cast of characters. Additionally, he involves us completely in his story; so much so that we find ourselves wanting to talk with his characters and give them support, advice, and counsel.
In John Caldigate I found myself on the outside looking in, somewhat uninvolved and impatient to get to the end of the story. Three stars is the best I can do for this novel and recommend it only for true lovers of Anthony Trollope's work who want to read all the novels he has written.
I have mixed feeling about Caldigate. It started very strong, and I particularly liked the character, Ms. Smith turned, so far as I was concerned, from a strong, intelligent woman into sloppy evil. I saw no evidence of a transition and couldn't believe that some mistaken identity was not involved. The character I had liked so much was a mess! Bolton, religious zealot, doesn't get her just deserts. Religion gets a bad name in this book, and Mrs. Bolton is the character who brings that bad name home. Yet, by the end of the book, she's still being given a pass for her mean spirit and destructiveness.
On the good side--plenty of good themes in the book, or at least themes that appealed to me: How instructive was that last one: Characters are forever acting in ways contrary to their own interests because they don't, and indeed it's almost beyond human power to, see clearly the points of view of others.
In fact, we should appreciate, this book tells us, that our enemies have problems too. But it's not quite. Trollope is one of the best. This is a very intelligently written novel as is his other fiction. Gives the reader much to ponder in terms of British history, law, and culture. Better than modern novels in terms of articulation, character development, and intellectual depth. Trollope writes very entertaining stories, just like his peer, Thomas Hardy.
One person found this helpful. Midway through, I got the impression that an important chapter had been omitted, like I'd completely missed an important plot point. I wonder if the publisher had censored a chapter for suggestive content, and left the poor readers to fend for themselves. In spite of this flaw, the book is straightforward, for Trollope, and thoroughly satisfying.
Characters are drawn with careful idiosyncratic detail. Trollope though John Caldigate is not one of his best. You can't beat the Barchester Chronicles or the I am a fan of all things Trollope though John Caldigate is not one of his best. You can't beat the Barchester Chronicles or the Pallisers. This is one of his novels that have an Australian in part setting based on his own visits to the country in the s.
Some of Trollope's books I eagerly look forward to rereading--it will be fun to read again about the outrageous Mrs. Proudie, for example, and about the slow realization of Ayala that the homely man with the great character and personality is in truth her "angel of light. Being born in Australia myself, I was especially interested in the parts about gold mining there, and a friend of mine who is intrigued by gold mining and panning loved reading a description of that.
It's simply unusual in that Trollope so rarely keeps anything from his readers. I return to the stealth feminism. When Hester's husband is under suspicion of bigamy, should she return to her family with her baby, lest she be accused of knowingly committing adultery? It might be said that a modest young girl would do so. In that case, Trollope has betrayed his own claim. Because Hester sticks to her husband, even declaring that in the worst possible scenario, "[she] would be his mistress.
Mar 04, Wendy rated it liked it. A slightly sloppy Trollope, but still a good read, and very interesting in having a plot whose elements the evolution of law, not to mention science, guarantees could never happen now.
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Bigamy and illegitimacy were the stuff of genteel horror. Trollope pens one of his warped and evil female characters, but he never seems to inhabit their point of view so as to connect the restrictions placed on their lives with how they subsequently developed. Disappointingly, he idealizes those women who complet A slightly sloppy Trollope, but still a good read, and very interesting in having a plot whose elements the evolution of law, not to mention science, guarantees could never happen now.
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Disappointingly, he idealizes those women who completely adapt to the completely patriarchal status quo. Mar 26, Michael Baranowski rated it really liked it. I've read, and thoroughly enjoyed, a great many of Anthony Trollope's novels. John Caldigate, which features one of Trollope's most interesting plots, was yet another enjoyable experience for me. Oct 28, Al rated it liked it. John Caldigate is an upper class English youth in the s who has squandered his money and his college experience.
Well into debt, with no idea of what to do next, he irritates his strait-laced father by selling his entailed interest in the family estate and going off to Australia with an equally feckless friend to get rich in the gold mines. In the course of all this, we learn that despite basically good intentions, young Caldigate is also a highly suggestible romantic.
As such, he leaves be John Caldigate is an upper class English youth in the s who has squandered his money and his college experience. As such, he leaves behind a trail of misled young women, and in particular becomes involved in Australia with a mysterious and alluring young widow. The story rests on Caldigate's determination to get rich he does and return to England to marry one of the young women which he also does. Problems arise when some of his Australian associates become envious of his success and come to England to raise questions as to his probity.
So, what about it? On the surface, it's a typical Trollope novel of manners, ideals, and constancy in the face of adversity. I found it easy to accept that Caldigate would have acted inappropriately in Australia, young as he was, far from home, and without the stabilizing influence of family and friends.
But I found it less persuasive, and at times even boring due to Trollope's habit of explaining everything to death, that Caldigate's young wife, given her upbringing, would be so unswerving in her belief in him, and that her mother would continue to act as cruelly as she did. I realize Trollope was paid by the word, which explains the endless rehearsals of motivations of the characters, and that in doing so Trollope usually delivers value for money.
In this case, though, I don't think the product was worthy of the effort. Oct 28, Pgchuis rated it it was amazing. John Caldigate goes to Australia in disgrace after running up debts at university and being disinherited by his father. There he mines for gold and returns seven years later a rich man. He is reconciled with his father and marries the daughter of a very religious family, whom he admired before he went away.
Then a woman he knew in Australia Mrs Smith aka Mrs Caldigate claims he is married to her and John is tried for bigamy. More than any other Trollope novel I have read, this is a really suspe John Caldigate goes to Australia in disgrace after running up debts at university and being disinherited by his father. More than any other Trollope novel I have read, this is a really suspenseful page-turner. Trollope is sly in glossing over and then only gradually revealing the true nature of John's dealings with Mrs Smith, in contrast to his usual habit of being up front with the reader.
The sections in Australia were brief enough to be interesting, the evidence turned up by Mr Bagwax was reminiscent of a modern crime novel and the Boltons were excellent characters. I struggled to believe much in the love Mrs Bolton and Hester allegedly felt for one another, but the determination of the Boltons to convict John was shocking and convincingly narrated.
May 07, Marts Thinker rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: Trollope fans and lovers of classic novels As a young man, John Caldigate lives a comfortable life and in time, decides to go to Australia and get involved in the mining industry. He does this and is quite successful, but, some mishaps occur along the way.
He meets an attractive woman and though warned about her still becomes involved with her, his friend and partner who becomes a heavy drinker soon goes his own way, after returning home quite well off he gets married and is charged for bigamy, and worst of all he must endure a tedious t As a young man, John Caldigate lives a comfortable life and in time, decides to go to Australia and get involved in the mining industry. He meets an attractive woman and though warned about her still becomes involved with her, his friend and partner who becomes a heavy drinker soon goes his own way, after returning home quite well off he gets married and is charged for bigamy, and worst of all he must endure a tedious trial and then be sent to jail Told in his usual thoroughly descriptive style, Trollope presents a tale that rather places the reader into each scene or at least that's how I felt reading it , he presents thoughts, emotions, and a vivid description of every situation's atmosphere.
I'd recommend this to all who love the classic novel Interesting plot involving possible bigamy Trollope does do trials well , but slightly boring characters. I did love the enthusiastic Post Office clerk whose evidence was key to the trial, being as Trollope himself was employed by the Post Office for a long time, and there's a lovely defense of government workers: No greater mistake was ever made, or one showing less observation of human nature.
It is the nature of a man to appreciate his own work. Jul 26, Cormac rated it liked it Recommends it for: The best part of this novel are the Australian scenes, told with gusto and plenty of local color. The highlight of the book The best part of this novel are the Australian scenes, told with gusto and plenty of local color. The highlight of the book I found in chapter 48 - pure Dickensian burlesque at its best.
John Caldigate by Anthony Trollope
This, at least, should not be missed. Nov 16, Robert J rated it it was amazing. This little known Trollope novel is actually one of his best. The plot keeps rolling along, exquisitely described as usual, with some unusual twists and turns. Crooked miners, gold-diggers literally , fevered fundamentalists, lovely innocents, stout-hearted friends, a conspiring brother-in-law, the usual contrast between stupid and smart clergymen, and a reconciled father and son - all part of this worthwhile Victorian read.
If you're a Trollope fan, this is a must-read. Nov 06, Dominick rated it liked it Shelves: An interesting book, especially for its time, given the importance given to common-law marriage, but it seems to be poorly thought-out, suffering from inconsistencies and from a curious failure on Trollope's part to psychologize his characters as fully as normal.
Nevertheless, there is some very good work here. A marvellous novel, where at one point you feel like screaming at the main character: Maybe not the best introduction to the wonderful world of Trollope, but it has all the ingredients that make Trollope into one of my favourite authors. Mar 20, Benjamin Kahn rated it did not like it.
For me, it encompassed all the bad things about Trollope - he sets up the dilemma at the beginning of the book - John Caldigate goes to Australia, makes his fortune and comes back to marry the girl next door. Then we find out that while away, he made promises to may have married a divorcee! He then proceeds to beat that horse for the rest of the book.
Feb 10, Lucy rated it liked it. So much to like in this late Trollope, such characteristic authorial comments Simply, I got too involved, I cared too much what would happen to the hero though I think his behaviour quite appalling, frankly , and I was so angered by the injustices. I think I prefer my Trollope a little lighter, please. Sep 30, Pperkins rated it liked it Shelves: Taking a break from other Trollope novels in series, but perhaps I'm reading too much Trollope lately.
This one has not yet engaged me. The 'hero' is a bit of a cad, but very human and we forgive him. Listening to it via Librivox, excellent reader- Martin Evers, I think. She must hide everything by a life of lies, or she will get no admittance anywhere. The man is rather the better liked because he has sown his wild oats broadly. As in Can You Forgive Her? Then he abandons his home, sells out his inheritance, and sets out for Australia to make his fortune.
When he returns, he returns as a success. His past is his past. But is that entirely true? Trollope relishes enriching the plot with scenes of rigid religious intolerance seen mainly through the single-minded Mrs. Smirkie—a man who lives up to his name. It waxes on too long at the end, but it was enjoyable and a change of pace for this author. Does what occurs in the wilds of distant Australia have any bearing on English law?
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Tagged as 19th century Australia , 19th century British literature , Trollope. As you describe the interactions between characters in this book makes it sound very interesting. Never heard of this one when did this bloke sleep, seriously….
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One of the points made in the novel is the length of the voyage—no small thing when vital evidence is required in London from NSW. This sounds like it has its moments, but perhaps more for the Trollope completist than the Trollope beginner. Trying to read them all…. I had professor like that who tried to blend in and you could spot him from afar because he looked so made up.
I would have expected that he set any of his novels in Australia. He was there in Australia for over a year the first time. I was a bit surprised by that but then when you think about how long it took to get there, I suppose the romantic getaway weekend had yet to happen with this destination.
I admire your ability to get through these rather long novels and then write such useful posts about them. I fear that if I committed to a Trolloppe now my blogging would dry up for a couple of weeks. My next article will be about A Slight Misunderstanding which your Christmas recommendation for me. I read a classic at night, Tom. These page books take me some time to get through, but I read them in conjunction with something else.