The Claverings

In this 1867 classic from Anthony Trollope, we follow the predicaments of Harry Clavering as he tries to find his path in both love and work. Jilted by his first love Julia Brabazon for another man several years previously, Harry finds himself once again caught in a love triangle when Julia returns following her husband’s death only to find that Harry has by now pledged himself to another. What follows is a true Trollopian tale of romance, humour and numerous moral dilemmas. The novel provides a fascinating insight into mid-Victorian society and contrasts the ambitions of the genders of the time; while Harry must settle on both a career and a wife, marriage is the only aspect of their futures over which the novels’ female characters have any control. Anthony Trollope (1815 – 1882) was a Victorian writer and author of 47 novels. He also wrote an autobiography, short stories and plays, travel articles, reviews and lectures. A prolific writer, he made no secret of the fact that money was his motivation for writing – an admission which raised eyebrows among his literary contemporaries at the time. The amount of works Trollope authored are testament to his belief in hard work. His first successful novel was The Warden followed by its sequel, Barchester Towers. The Chronicles of Barsetshire are perhaps his most well-known series of novels, though many of his works have been adapted for TV and radio, starring many familiar faces such as Alan Rickman, David Tennant, Bill Nighy and Tom Hollander. Alongside his literary career, Trollope also worked for some time for the Post Office and is credited with the introduction of the iconic post box to Britain. A memorial to Anthony Trollope was unveiled in Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey in 1993.