Sir Harry Hotspur of Humblethwaite
Jan 2013 · Courier Corporation
Ebook
256
Pages
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About this ebook
"When George Hotspur entered the room, his cousin was dancing with a prince. Thus the hand of Emily, the only child and heiress of the vastly wealthy Sir Harry Hotspur of Humblethwaite, is eagerly pursued by Europe's "princes and potentates." Their hopes are quickly dashed, however; Emily's heart is pledged to her impecunious cousin George.
A fairy tale? Not in the least! As even his love-blinded cousin knows too well, George is no humble or virtuous knight. Except for his attachment to her, he knows little but carousing with his unsavory cronies, evading his creditors and betting his last — borrowed — shillings at the races. Sir Harry, who in the main naturally opposes the match, has yet one powerful incentive to support it: after his demise, George will become Sir George, and the cousins' marriage would maintain the centuries-old tie between the title and the family estates. Sir Harry is in a quandary, and meanwhile the virtuous Emily is bent on reforming her scapegrace cousin. Then unwelcome news arrives, further complications ensue, and the once complacent Hotspurs are forever wrenched from their placid existence.
Anthony Trollope (1815–1882), best known for his panoramic studies of Victorian society, could also be a keen, uncompromising psychologist. In 1868 he laid aside his famous Palliser series of novels, then in progress, and conceived a brief, poignant tale that would thoroughly explore the minds, hearts, and intertwined fates of just a few characters. The result was the present novel, one that treads familiar pathways of love and parental opposition but insistently avoids trite resolutions, probes deep, and is totally uncloying in its pathos.
As we read this compelling story — here in its first inexpensive edition in many years — we rediscover, as the best Victorian literary artist knew, how character is destiny — and at the same time how an individual destiny is as unpredictable as life itself. No Trollope fan or lover of quality fiction should miss this unjustly neglected Trollope gem.
A fairy tale? Not in the least! As even his love-blinded cousin knows too well, George is no humble or virtuous knight. Except for his attachment to her, he knows little but carousing with his unsavory cronies, evading his creditors and betting his last — borrowed — shillings at the races. Sir Harry, who in the main naturally opposes the match, has yet one powerful incentive to support it: after his demise, George will become Sir George, and the cousins' marriage would maintain the centuries-old tie between the title and the family estates. Sir Harry is in a quandary, and meanwhile the virtuous Emily is bent on reforming her scapegrace cousin. Then unwelcome news arrives, further complications ensue, and the once complacent Hotspurs are forever wrenched from their placid existence.
Anthony Trollope (1815–1882), best known for his panoramic studies of Victorian society, could also be a keen, uncompromising psychologist. In 1868 he laid aside his famous Palliser series of novels, then in progress, and conceived a brief, poignant tale that would thoroughly explore the minds, hearts, and intertwined fates of just a few characters. The result was the present novel, one that treads familiar pathways of love and parental opposition but insistently avoids trite resolutions, probes deep, and is totally uncloying in its pathos.
As we read this compelling story — here in its first inexpensive edition in many years — we rediscover, as the best Victorian literary artist knew, how character is destiny — and at the same time how an individual destiny is as unpredictable as life itself. No Trollope fan or lover of quality fiction should miss this unjustly neglected Trollope gem.
About the author
Anthony Trollope was born in London, England on April 24, 1815. In 1834, he became a junior clerk in the General Post Office, London. In 1841, he became a deputy postal surveyor in Banagher, Ireland. He was sent on many postal missions ending up as a surveyor general in the post office outside of London. His first novel, The Macdermots of Ballycloran, was published in 1847. His other works included Castle Richmond, The Last Chronicle of Barset, Lady Anna, The Two Heroines of Plumplington, and The Noble Jilt. He died after suffering from a paralytic stroke on December 6, 1882.
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