Ex Libris Kirkland

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First Written 1866
Genre Fiction
Origin UK
Publisher Penguin Classics
ISBN-10 0140430865
ISBN-13 978-0140430865
My Copy oxford hardback with dust jacket
First Read April 08, 2007

Can You Forgive Her?



This is one of those books that I have incredibly clear memories of time and place: I first read this in 2007, and Erika and I had taken the train to Lo Wu to go shopping in Shenzhen. I was killing time in a plaza outside the train station on the SZ side, and marveling at the feeling of enjoying a book that was SO long and SO dull. Perhaps the first step of my slide into Trollope mania.

Noted on May 29, 2020

Re-reading this in 2020 after my Trollope Barset binge of 2019. It's better than I remembered!

Noted on May 29, 2020

A woman's life is important to her, – as is that of a man to him, not chiefly in regard to that which she shall do with it. The chief thing for her to look to is the manner in which that something shall be done. It is of moment to a young man when entering life to decide whether he shall make hats or shoes; but not of half the moment that will be that other decision, whether he shall make good shoes or bad. And so with a woman; – if she shall have recognized the necessity of truth and honesty for the purposes of her life, I do not know that she need ask herself many questions as to what she will do with it.

Quoted on October 5, 2011

The man or woman who received his first overtures with grace would probably be one on whom it would be better that he should look down and waste no further time; whereas he or she who could afford to treat him with disdain would no doubt be worth gaining. Such men as Mr Bott are ever gracious to cold shoulders. The colder the shoulders, the more gracious are the Mr Botts.

Quoted on October 5, 2011

There were many things about this woman that were not altogether what a husband might wish. She was not softly delicate in all her ways; but in disposition and temper she was altogether generous. I do not know that she was at all points a lady, but had Fate so willed it she would have been a thorough gentleman.

Quoted on October 5, 2011

I almost doubt whether any object such as that you mean is necessary for life, or even expedient. It seems to me that if a man can so train himself that he may live honestly and die fearlessly, he has done about as much as is necessary.

Quoted on October 5, 2011


Ex Libris Kirkland is a super-self-absorbed reading journal made by Matt Kirkland. Copyright © 2001 - .
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