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| First Written | 1871 |
| Genre | Fiction |
| Origin | UK |
| Publisher | Librivox |
| My Copy | librivox audiobook |
| First Read | July 15, 2025 |
Ralph the Heir
This does feel like it lacks the usual tight structure of a good Trollope. But I do really love having two characters with the same name, Ralph Newton, and having to distinguish them as Ralph the Heir and Ralph Who Was Not the Heir.
Noted on August 11, 2025
Funny how much this feels like a mish-mash of Trollope concerns. Like an LLM remix! It's got: Inheritances! Young men in avoidable but crushing debt. Well-meaning gentleman getting fleeced at elections trying to get their parliament seats. Hunting! Hunting accidents! Not to mention the usual marriages and stuff!
Noted on August 11, 2025
But notably, two nicknames I'd never come across: Patience is called Patty (sure), and Ontario, a comic side character, called Onty by those close to him. Onty!
Noted on August 12, 2025
And a long, drawn-out 'OK we gotta get these people all married' fizzling out at the end.
Noted on August 12, 2025
[Sir Thomas and I feel the same way about politics]
What excuse had he for placing himself in contact with such filth? Of what childishness had he not been the victim when he allowed himself to dream that he, a pure and scrupulous man, could go among such impurity as he had found at Percycross, and come out, still clean and yet triumphant?
Quoted on August 11, 2025
He had made up his mind that the best way to make his fortune was to send out good articles,—and he did his best. Whether or no he was honest in adding on that additional half guinea to the price because he found that the men with whom he dealt were fools enough to be attracted by a high price, shall be left to advanced moralists to decide.
Quoted on July 15, 2025
... as one of those who make circumstances subject to them, rather than become subject to circumstances.
Quoted on August 12, 2025