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    The Eustace Diamonds
    The Eustace Diamonds
    The Eustace Diamonds
    Ebook1,182 pages16 hours

    The Eustace Diamonds

    By Anthony Trollope

    4/5

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    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherArchive Classics
    Release dateDec 31, 1968
    Author

    Anthony Trollope

    <p><b>Anthony Trollope</b> nació en Londres en 1815, hijo de un abogado en bancarrota y de Frances Trollope, que, tras fracasar montando un bazar en Cincinatti, escribió <i>Usos y costumbres de los americanos</i> (ALBA CLÁSICA núm. XLVIII), con la que inició una carrera literaria que le reportó fama y prosperidad económica. Anthony se educó en Harrow, Sunbury y Winchester, donde se sintió a disgusto entre los miembros de la aristocracia, y nunca llegó a la Universidad. En 1824 empezó a trabajar en el servicio de correos, donde permanecería hasta 1867. Tras siete años en Londres fue trasladado a Irlanda, y de ahí a nuevos destinos por el Reino Unido, Egipto y las Indias Occidentales.</p> <p>En 1847 publicó su primera novela, <i>The Macdermots of Ballycloran</i>, y en 1855 <i>El custodio</i>, la primera del ciclo ambientado en la mítica ciudad de Barchester (trasunto de Winchester) y en las intrigas políticas de su clero. Este ciclo lo consolidó como autor realista y le dio una gran popularidad. En 1864 inició con <i>Can You Forgive Her?</i> otro ciclo, el de las novelas de Palliser, en el que retrataría los entresijos de la vida política y matrimonial de los parlamentarios londinenses. En 1868 él mismo se presentó como candidato liberal a las elecciones, pero no fue elegido. Entre sus últimas obras cabe destacar <i>The Way We Live Now</i> (1875), una gran sátira del capitalismo. Murió en Londres en 1882.</p>

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    Reviews for The Eustace Diamonds

    4/5

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    • 4/5
      A very enjoyable novel well-read by Simon Vance.
    • 3/5
      This book had an entertaining plot, but it seemed to bog down in so many side plots that it nearly lost my interest at several points. Clearly, the side plots are meant to enrich and emphasize the main themes of the book, but I like a plot that moves a little more quickly. And some of the characters, particularly the "good" girl, Lucy Morris, seemed flat.
    • 3/5
      In The Eustace Diamonds, Anthony Trollope explores the dark side of marriage in the Victorian era. Our heroine, Lizzie Eustace, is a very unlikeable young widow who, thanks to her husband's fortune, has a roof over her head and a steady income until her son comes of age and inherits everything. She is also in possession of a diamond necklace, which she insists was a gift from her husband but by law is not rightfully hers. A lawsuit is brought against her concerning the necklace, and Lizzie pouts and stamps her feet and refuses to deal with it. Her fiance, Lord Fawn, begins to regret his proposal. Meanwhile, Lizzie's cousin Frank Greystock has fallen in love with Lucy Morris, who works as a governess in the Fawn family and is Lizzie's complete opposite: kind, honest, and poor. Frank is a lawyer and Member of Parliament, but in the eyes of his family "needs" to marry money. In that respect, Lizzie would be a much better match and while Frank finds her attractive, he knows Lucy is the better person. When Lizzie's necklace is stolen, the pace picks up and Lizzie becomes further entrenched in selfish deceit.I liked this book less than the earlier Palliser and Barchester novels. It was darker and lacked the satire Trollope is known for. The characters were unlikeable or boring, and familiar faces from previous books were not sufficiently present to compensate. There was also a strong anti-semitic thread involving jewelers, money-lenders, and a clergyman and while I understand the views expressed were typical of that time period, it made for unpleasant reading. But at least now I can say I'm halfway through the Palliser novels, and look forward to the next one.
    • 5/5
      I first listen to Anthony West's sublime narration while climbing the Alps on a StarTech elliptical, then return home suffused to read what I just heard -- though Lizzy Eustace is but second-hand Becky Sharp, my weakness for liars has no parameters...
    • 4/5
      I reread The Eustace Diamonds for the first time in about a dozen years last week. I can't give it five stars because of the casual anti-Semitism in it, which is just plain disgusting to the modern reader. That said, otherwise it is a really fun read.While the book is part of Trollope's Palliser series of novels, the central characters in the series play only minor roles in this book, so it can easily be read as a standalone novel. The main character is Lizzie Greylock Eustace, and what a character she is! Lizzie is fair of face and black of heart. Lizzie is a liar--and she's one of those liars who tells her lies so well that she begins to believe them herself. She's beautiful and she uses her beauty to manipulate other people--usually successfully. Even people who know that Lizzie's stories can't be true fall under her spell. Lizzie marries a very wealthy man. He dies shortly after they wed. After his death, Lizzie has in her possession a beautiful diamond necklace, which she claims her deceased husband gave her. The Eustace family lawyer is convinced that the necklace is an heirloom, i.e., family property which must be handed down from generation to generation and which therefore can never become Lizzie's personal property. He therefore attempts to regain custody of the diamonds. Lizzie refuses to surrender them and insists that her husband gave them to her as a giftAfraid that the lawyer will have the necklace seized if she leaves it at home, Lizzie carries it with her in a special strong box. The box is stolen. Was it really stolen? Or did Lizzie arrange the theft so she can keep the necklace?
    • 4/5
      The characters in this book are not nearly as much pleasure to read about as those in Phineas Finn. And it isn't because Trollope is misogynist. He gives the main character her due as a complicated, worthy anti-hero. But this book really frustrated me because it felt like something that was written in order to be paid by the word. There were many many redundancies and repetitions. The plot moved forward by tiny fractions of the inch. Finally at the end, when the pacing picked up, it was quite marvelous. But getting there was a plod.
    • 4/5
      My, this old classic turned out to be far more controversial than I would have anticipated. Like most of Trollope's work, this is a long book. I think reading it pays off, though, if one has any interest in Victorian life in the 1860's era. Most of the characters are less than admirable and keep their eyes directly on the main chance (in this case, money; social and political position runs second to financial concerns). Lizzie, our main character, is a selfish and quite stupid woman who will lie, and lie badly, when the truth would serve her better. The plot revolves around some diamonds that Lizzie insists are hers, although others think they belong to the estate of her late husband. It's a bit complicated to explain, but the situation is quite clear within the novel. Lizzie is advised by her cousin Frank and several others, but she makes her own decisions, all of them bad. Sounds dreadful, doesn't it?And yet I found the book to have an undercurrent of almost bitter irony, inviting the reader to laugh at the machinations of the characters, most of which come to naught. This novel is quite a change from the Barsetshire stories, but is refreshing in its complete lack of sentimentality.y, this old classic turned out to be far more controversial than I would have anticipated. Like most of Trollope's work, this is a long book. I think reading it pays off, though, if one has any interest in Victorian life in the 1860's era. Most of the characters are less than admirable and keep their eyes directly on the main chance (in this case, money; social and political position runs second to financial concerns). Lizzie, our main character, is a selfish and quite stupid woman who will lie, and lie badly, when the truth would serve her better. The plot revolves around some diamonds that Lizzie insists are hers, although others think they belong to the estate of her late husband. It's a bit complicated to explain, but the situation is quite clear within the novel. Lizzie is advised by her cousin Frank and several others, but she makes her own decisions, all of them bad. Sounds dreadful, doesn't it?And yet I found the book to have an undercurrent of almost bitter irony, inviting the reader to laugh at the machinations of the characters, most of which come to naught. This novel is quite a change from the Barsetshire stories, but is refreshing in its complete lack of sentimentality.
    • 4/5
      Rather a darker installation of the Palliser books than the previous two, with nobody very pleasant except some of our friends from earlier volumes making cameo appearances. This book is pretty much a catalog of horribles, but with one of the most interesting horribles ever written populating its pages. Lizzie Eustace, to put it bluntly, is a real piece of work, a born schemer who can't seem to stop even when she knows she's just hurting herself and those around her. No matter how much you might want to, you can't look away, either. The subplots in this one aren't quite as well-developed (or as interesting) in other Trollope novels, but both, like the main storyline, are quite discomforting. Now, back to the adventures of our old buddy Phineas Finn, if the title of the next book is in any way descriptive.
    • 5/5
      Lizzie Eustace marries a dying man for his money and then schemes to keep control of a diamond necklace which is rightfully a family piece, rather than her personal property. The necklace is stolen and Lizzie lies and schemes away. The third in the Palliser/political series, there is very little politics (although what little there is includes attempts to introduce decimal currency) and not much of the Pallisers either. Lizzie is a wonderful baddie and I am giving this five stars despite a) the obligatory hunting chapters, b) plenty of anti-semitism and c) the fact that I think Lucy should have told Frank where to go.
    • 4/5
      Oh, what a maddening book!As I read there were moments when I thought this might be my favourite Trollope (to date) and there were moments when I thought it would be at the bottom of the list.In the end I did like it. But ….The story spins around Lizzie Greystock, who will quickly rise to become Lady Eustace.Lizzie was the only child of the disreputable Admiral Greystock, who died leaving her nothing but debts. Fortunately his daughter had learned to live by her wits, and she realised that to marry money to make her way in the world. And so she chose to live with a rather difficult elderly relation, because that put her in the right location and the right strata of society to catch a wealthy husband.She caught Sir Florian Eustace. He was exceedingly rich, but he was in poor health, and Lizzie was a widow before her first wedding anniversary. She was wealthy, she would soon be the other of the Eustace heir, and she was in possession of the Eustace Diamonds; a fabulous diamond necklace, valued at ten thousand pounds then, which equates to around half a million now73954 Lizzie said that they were hers; the Eustace family insisted that they were part of the estate and must be returned to the trustees. Though Lizzie knew her claim was shaky she held her ground, she spun a very good story, and she began to look for a husband who she hoped would protect her and look after her interests.Lord Fawn proposed, but he tried to back out when he realised that dispute over the diamonds might have consequences for his own reputation for her. Lizzie didn’t want to marry a an like that, but she wasn’t going to let herself be jilted. She had to be the victor, she had to have the final word. Always.She was fond of her cousin Frank, the only one of her relations who had stood by her, and Lizzie knew that, as a barrister and a member of parliament with very limited resources, he needed a wealthy bride. She didn’t understand why he didn’t propose. She didn’t know – he didn’t tell her – that he was engaged already.Lucy Morris had been left alone in the world, just like Lizzie, but she had dealt with the situation rather differently. She accepted that she had to earn her own living, she became a governess, and she had the qualities she needed to make her a very good governess. She loved Frank, she knew that he loved her, but because she worked for the Fawn family she found herself in a rather awkward position.One night, when she was travelling between her Scottish home and her London home Lizzie’s room was broken into, and the metal chest that kept her diamonds secure was stolen.Who was responsible? Who had the diamonds?The answer was surprising, and it seemed inevitable that Lizzie’s lies would be revealed and that she, and anyone close to her, would be ruined.
    • 4/5
      Young Lizzie Greystock has a taste for diamonds and other precious stones. Her brief marriage to Sir Florian Eustace leaves her with a title, an infant heir, and a diamond necklace valued at 10,000 pounds. The Eustace family lawyer, Mr. Camperdown, insists that the diamonds are part of the Eustace estate and must be returned. Lizzie claims that her husband gave the diamonds to her with no strings attached. She enlists her young lawyer cousin, Frank Greystock, to help her fend off Mr. Camperdown. The pretty young widow has a lifetime settlement from her late husband's estate. It's not an enormous amount of money, but it's enough to attract suitors like Lord Fawn and the somewhat disreputable Lord George de Bruce Carruthers. It may even be enough to tempt cousin Frank away from his beloved but penniless Lucy Morris. Trollope lets readers in on a secret that Lizzie's suitors only suspect. Lizzie is a shameless liar.This will never be among my favorite Trollope novels. Unlike in some of his earlier novels, there is little humor to lighten the tone. Lizzie brings out the worst in her companions. In contrast, Lucy Morris brings out the best in others. There just isn't enough of Lucy in the novel. The first half of the novel hinges primarily on inheritance law that can no longer be assumed to be common knowledge. Things become much more interesting in the second half of the novel after a theft occurs.I've always maintained that there are worse things than being single. The subplot of Lucinda Roanoke and her engagement to Sir Griffin Tewett could be Exhibit A for this argument. With money running out, Lucinda is forced to accept the first man who asks her to marry him, even though she finds him repulsive.Even the friendships in the book are based on money. Although the Fawns and Lucy genuinely like each other, Lucy is still an employee in their household. Lizzie's friendship with Mrs. Carbuncle is measured out in pounds and shillings. I'm reminded of the old saying “money can't buy happiness”. If that's the point Trollope intended to make with this novel, he succeeded.
    • 4/5
      Anthony Trollope’s books are usually pretty light hearted marriage plots where situations like class or annual income interfere with true love. But The Eustace Diamonds was different in a refreshing way. In addition to the typical conundrum of two people without any income falling in love, there is the added intrigue of politics and … gasp, a stolen diamond necklace. And not just any necklace, but a family heirloom valued at 10,000 pounds. The mystery of the stolen necklace definitely added a bit of spice to the story, making it much more of page turner than the typical Victorian novel. As part of Trollope’s Palliser series, there are some familiar characters from earlier books, such as Lady Glencora and Madame Max Goesler, but they are very minor characters in this story. Although it was more of a side plot to the overall novel, I really enjoyed the conflict in Parliament over the change from the old Shilling money system to the current use of decimal system. So interesting to see the similarities of getting a bill passed in England and the United States – lots of back room deals as well as the necessity of a small fortune to win an election. Enjoyable book – definitely one of my favorite Trollope’s! Extra bonus – beautifully narrated by the ever wonderful Simon Vance.
    • 4/5
      I continued to enjoy Trollope's Palliser novels in August with the delightfully devious Lizzie Eustace, who insists that her late husband gave her as her own property the Eustace family diamonds, so that they are not a part of his estate. Her assertion creates all sorts of problems, including the fact that her fiancé finds her assertions distasteful and dishonorable enough that he no longer feels able to honor his pledge. I mostly enjoyed this, although I found it went on rather a bit long about some things. I did specifically enjoy learning the arcane bits of English common law about what does and what does not constitute an "heirloom" (the Crown jewels--possibly yes; the Eustace diamonds--definitely no), and what a widow can claim as her "paraphernalia" after the death of her husband. On to Phineas Redux4 stars
    • 4/5
      I found this 3rd novel of the Palliser series the most enjoyable book so far. It reminded me of Vanity Fair in some ways, such as not really having a heroine. Lizzie Eustace is not as fun as Becky Sharp, because she isn't as clever - in fact, quite stupid in many ways. Lucy Morris is almost as annoying as Amelia & only saved by being such a minor character.
    • 3/5
      This is the third book in Trollope's Palliser series. It follows the drama surrounding Lady Lizzie Eustace. Lizzie Eustace married a rich Lord who gave her (so she says) a diamond necklace worth 10,000 pounds. After he dies, she insists she will not give it up as it was a gift to her, but the Eustace family insists that the diamonds belong to the estate and she can't keep them. After arguing about this for about half the book the diamonds are stolen and there is lots of drama surrounding the truth of the matter for the rest of the book.It was interesting to me that Trollope shakes things up a bit with this book in a couple of ways. First, it is a fairly dark book. Few of the characters are particularly appealing or redeemable. In other Trollope books, even when characters are behaving badly, I've viewed them more as having human faults than being bad people, but in The Eustace Diamonds I didn't have that sort of sympathy for the characters. Second, he flips the general order of things by focusing on a woman who has plenty of money and is looking for a husband more as a support, protector, and mate. This was kind of nice to see rather than the more familiar story of a penniless woman needing a rich man to secure her livelihood. Unfortunately, Lizzie is so irredeemable that I couldn't give Trollope much credit for this shift.This book also suffered a bit from not having enough side stories despite its length. I'm used to 2 or 3 stories going on in Trollope's books in addition to the main story. This book certainly had side stories, but I didn't find them all the interesting or enough of a diversion to give me a break from Lizzie Eustace.Now, all that sounded pretty negative, but I still did enjoy the book. It just wasn't up to the high standards I set for Trollope. Taking the book on its own, I'd give it 4 stars, but in comparison to the other Trollope books I've read, it only gets 3 stars from me.
    • 4/5
      My, this old classic turned out to be far more controversial than I would have anticipated. Like most of Trollope's work, this is a long book. I think reading it pays off, though, if one has any interest in Victorian life in the 1860's era. Most of the characters are less than admirable and keep their eyes directly on the main chance (in this case, money; social and political position runs second to financial concerns). Lizzie, our main character, is a selfish and quite stupid woman who will lie, and lie badly, when the truth would serve her better. The plot revolves around some diamonds that Lizzie insists are hers, although others think they belong to the estate of her late husband. It's a bit complicated to explain, but the situation is quite clear within the novel. Lizzie is advised by her cousin Frank and several others, but she makes her own decisions, all of them bad. Sounds dreadful, doesn't it?And yet I found the book to have an undercurrent of almost bitter irony, inviting the reader to laugh at the machinations of the characters, most of which come to naught. This novel is quite a change from the Barsetshire stories, but is refreshing in its complete lack of sentimentality.y, this old classic turned out to be far more controversial than I would have anticipated. Like most of Trollope's work, this is a long book. I think reading it pays off, though, if one has any interest in Victorian life in the 1860's era. Most of the characters are less than admirable and keep their eyes directly on the main chance (in this case, money; social and political position runs second to financial concerns). Lizzie, our main character, is a selfish and quite stupid woman who will lie, and lie badly, when the truth would serve her better. The plot revolves around some diamonds that Lizzie insists are hers, although others think they belong to the estate of her late husband. It's a bit complicated to explain, but the situation is quite clear within the novel. Lizzie is advised by her cousin Frank and several others, but she makes her own decisions, all of them bad. Sounds dreadful, doesn't it?And yet I found the book to have an undercurrent of almost bitter irony, inviting the reader to laugh at the machinations of the characters, most of which come to naught. This novel is quite a change from the Barsetshire stories, but is refreshing in its complete lack of sentimentality.
    • 5/5
      2011, Blackstone Audiobooks, Read by Simon Vance Oh, Lizzie Eustace, what a piece of work you are! Described in turn by relatives and acquaintances as “cunning, obstinate, greedy, false, heartless, cruel, ignorant, ungrateful, and vile …” – you get the picture – Lizzie is the wiliest of Trollope’s female creations. Wily enough, in fact, to have attracted the attention of the enormously wealthy Sir Florian Eustace and to have induced him to marry her. Alas, Sir Florian lived only a few months into his marriage, leaving Lizzie an annual income of £4,000 and a Scotch property, Portray Castle. He left her a diamond necklace, too, valued at a staggering £10,000, which Lizzie claims was a gift. But Mr. Camperdown, the Eustace family lawyer, is adamant that “the Eustace diamonds” are a heirloom and cannot be thus gifted. Lizzie’s refusal to part with the jewels causes Mr. Camperdown to vow to pursue the “greedy blood-sucking harpie” to the full extent of the law. And it’s game on!“She knew well enough that she was endeavouring to steal the Eustace diamonds; but she did not in the least know what power there might be in the law to prevent, or to punish her for the intended theft. She knew well that the thing was not really her own; but there were, as she thought, so many points in her favour, that she felt it to be a cruelty that any one should grudge her the plunder … She would break her heart should she abandon her prey and afterwards find that Mr. Camperdown would have been wholly powerless against her had she held on to it.” (Ch 6)Finding neither widowhood nor idleness to her taste, Lizzie begins to search for a new husband. Amongst her prospective victims: Frank Greystock, a cousin and a handsome, though broke, barrister; Lord Fawn, a diplomatic undersecretary, who according to Greystock, is an “empty, stiff-necked, self-sufficient prig” (Ch 16); and finally Lord George de Bruce Carruthers, a guest of Lizze’s at Portray Castle, whom she believes might well be the “Corsair of her Byronic dreams.” But as Lizze becomes further embroiled in legal troubles, the gentlemen may well have cause to reconsider their options.The plot thickens yet further when the diamonds are stolen not once, but twice! First, on a return trip from Portray to London, Lizzie’s hotel room at Carlisle is broken into and the safe in which she keeps the diamonds is stolen. That the diamonds were not in the safe, Lizzie neglects to report to the police. Lord George is suspected of being in league with the thieves, and the gossip is rife – reaching even Lady Glencora (to my utter delight!) and the Duke of Omniem. Shortly thereafter, there is a robbery at Lizzie’s London home. But how can the jewels be reported stolen from London when they were stolen from Carlisle? Oh, the woe! “Lizzie, in defending herself to herself, felt that, though cruel magistrates and hard-hearted lawyers and pig-headed jurymen might call her little fault by the name of perjury, it could not be real, wicked perjury, because the diamonds had been her own. She had defrauded nobody,—had wished to defraud nobody,—if only the people would have left her alone. It had suited her to give—an incorrect version of facts, because people had troubled themselves about her affairs; and now all this had come upon her!” (Ch 71)The Palliser novels just keep getting better! As always, I must compliment the sublime Simon Vance for brining Trollope’s best to life. Highly recommended!
    • 5/5
      Trollope continues, in this third installment of his Palliser series, to poke fun at the aristocracy. It is really more than poking fun, but the writing makes one laugh while also clearly identifying the vanities, hypocrisies, and various other frailties of theEnglish upper class in the mid 1800s. Lady Eustace, the melodramatic, manipulative, narcissistic widow will stop at nothing to hold onto her beloved diamond necklace, while desperately seeking a new spouse in the poetic incarnation of a corsair. In the course of pursuing her nefarious goals, she lies, cheats, double-crosses, perjures, and uses everyone in her path. I won't tell you what happens to the necklace or her love life, because that would spoil half the fun. I look forward to the next volume and what antics will occur there!
    • 4/5
      Fanny Price meets Becky Sharp in a straight fight, no holds barred. Plus a detective story à la Wilkie Collins, a cameo appearance by Lady Glencora Palliser, an attempt to introduce decimal currency a hundred years too soon, and a couple of racy Surteesian hunting sequences&mdash;plenty of fun for all. The story itself isn't as interesting as the detailing of the characters and dialogue (we have a pretty good idea how it's all going to turn out), but it's still good fun. Lizzie Eustace, the Becky-character, is especially nicely done: utterly amoral, a skilled liar, but just a fraction short of being clever enough to get everything she wants. The political background this time isn't much (the decimal-currency saga is a very minor distraction), but the story of the diamonds does run along on the fringe of one of the hot topics of the time, the extent to which married women could own property in their own right. Very possibly this is the only place in English literature where the reader needs to understand the legal definition of "paraphernalia".
    • 3/5
      Fares better when the entire series is read consecutively. Trollope is a straight-forward storyteller who treats his readers well.
    • 5/5
      Lizzie Eustace is one of the great anti-heroines in literature. At the end, one character summarizes this book thus: She told a lot of lies and lost some diamonds.True, true . . . but there is so much more. I listened to Timothy West read this (audible.com) and then would read some on my own. Timothy West is an incredible reader--some parts probably are boring but his voice just smoothly pulls you through those points. So many portions of the book are fantastic. Trollope somehow makes us see through Lizzie's lying, greedy, ridiculous nature and still like her, like her in spite of the fact that she prefers lies to truth, thinks of poetry as jewelry, etc. etc. I was sad to finish this book. I recently read Trollope's THE WAY WE LIVE NOW. That was also great, but it dwindled away at the end. This one stays strong to the last page. A great Victorian novel.
    • 3/5
      It's as if Trollope, who is normally quite kind to most or all of his characters, purposely set out to put together a set of people with little to like between them. And while it's true that Frank Graystock comes good in the end, and that Lucy Morris is always worthy (but how worthy as a plain and penniless governess in Trollope's world that prizes beauty and money?), most of the rest of the cast is bad to some degree or another. And at it's core is the utterly despicable Lizzie Eustace: liar, fortune-hunter, manipulator, bitch -- so bad herself that she quite literally makes everyone else look good in comparison. I'll be happy to move on to Phineas Redux and away from most of this particular set.
    • 4/5
      The Eustace Diamonds By Anthony Trollope Sally ApollonOverall Score: 6.5 out of 10Literary StyleFormal, literary style, in keeping with 1873—the year in which it was initially published. No tricks, but an intimate approach to the reader, the author sometimes addresses us directly, which I found a little unnecessary. I think if I take issue with the style at all it was the degree to which the author takes his time. He does not know anything of the economies of time in the modern world! But then if I were Lucy Morris, passing six months at Lady Lithlingow’s I would be very appreciative of this, likewise if I were one of the Fawn girls, at Fawn Court waiting for something, ANYTHING to happen, I would love a book like this to sink my teeth into. Truthfully, I often wanted to skip over pages or chapters, but found myself unable to because I was afraid I’d miss something. Themes HONESTY: this is central to the book and to each character. The degree to which they are honest with themselves and those around them and the effect it has upon their lives. I do think Trollope very cleverly demonstrates that lies beget lies and truthfulness ultimately is it’s own reward. Lucy and Lizzie are polar opposites to demonstrate this, with Frank being the (questionable) prize. Lady Lithlingow is miserable, but honest and Lucy ends up liking her. Lady Fawn is compassionate & honest and although she is made to look like a fool at times, she is in the end a friend that anyone would appreciate. Mrs Carbuncle is delusional and false with all those around her & reaps the rewards of that. The LAW is almost another character in the book…interesting how slippery it is at times and how in the end Lizzie evades the worst, by finding legal ways around her predicament.LOVE: Not really much in evidence with the exception of Lucy—she’s really the only one who demonstrated faithful & true passionate love and that you could imagine becoming a good spouse. Maternal love was well demonstrated by Lady Fawn. None of the men in the book seem to know the meaning of love, with the exception of Frank—and it seems it curiously sneaked up on him in the penultimate chapter—he sort of lost his mind for the ENTIRE BOOK, courtesy of Lizzie.MARRIAGE: As was so important in those days “a good marriage” was the be-all and end all of a young lady’s social forays. The various marriages that woulda-coulda-shoulda been kept you wondering. The many suitors that Lizzie went through made my head spin, especially towards the end. I found it intriguing that Frank was the one that she really liked most of all, but you could never have convinced yourself that she loved him as she tossed him too easily aside when she realized that he was “JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU”. Curious too that she accepted the Jew-Preacher, Mr Emilius, when he was described as so vile, perhaps she saw in him someone not unlike herself and could respect that. She did not resent him his scheming and chose to believe his lies. I could almost imagine them scheming together on how to scam people. I guess he was the last reasonable option open to her that she could tell.MONEY: This book principally deals with people who do not have enough for the life that they lead—hence are constantly trying to figure out how to get by, whether by creditors or sponging off others, or simply being frugal. Interesting insights. This was Lizzie’s upbringing and legacy, from her spendthrift father—you could say he scarred her into immediately seeking a financially sound marriage by DYING & leaving her young, penniless and almost friendless.Mrs. Carbuncle’s wheeling & dealing over the wedding presents was astounding in it’s audacity—really quite pitiful.Curious that the one person who truly needs money—Lucy, but sees the futility of it is the only one to adamantly refuse an unearned generous gift from the typically mean Lady Lithlingow. And she is vindicated; even a new frock would have made no difference to how Frank loved her in the end!SOCIETY: How judgmental and fickle is the society then—but can we say it is any less so now? And yet realizing how harsh an audience, the people to whom it matters bow to social pressure over & over again. Lizzie stands alone in her defiance, first secretly then openly—but resultingly she is no longer welcome in London society and knows it. In the chapter: “Lord George gives his reasons”, Trollope reviews why Lizzie is rejected. CharacterizationLIZZIE EUSTACE: She would probably be interesting company, but you would quickly realize she’s not to be trusted. It took Frank a long time to realize this. Others, not quite so long. She’s referred to as “clever” a lot, but I’m not sure it was so. Quick-witted perhaps, but self-defeating in the end. If she had failed to marry Sir Eustace she should have been on the stage, as acting was her real talent. Narcissistic. FRANK GREYSTOKE: He was often referred to as a hero, which, I suppose in the end he did turn out to be. But he was delightfully fallible and particularly susceptible to Lizzie’s wiles. Lucky for him, Lucy would still have him in the end…how could she not? With no other prospects—he was the hero she needed.LUCY MORRIS: Dull—sort of a Jane Eyre. I wish that she had a little more spunk—I would have liked her better if she’d taken a few adventurous walks out of LL’s house, but at least she spoke her truth to Lizzie and didn’t back down.LORD FAWN: Does anyone see him as anything other that a WUSS???MRS CARBUNCLE: Devious & deluded.LUCINDA: Mentally ill—probably masochist, at the very least clinically depressed. Interesting diversion though—I did wonder if she spent the rest of her life in a lunatic asylum—or if she was abused as a child.SIR GRIFFIN: Headcase—probably a sadist. Maybe even borderline. Most certainly Grandiose.LORD GEORGE DE BRUCE CARRUTHERS: Bizarre red herring. Truth teller.MR BENJAMIN: The mastermind behind the robberies! Along with Smiley & whats-is-face. Not forgetting Patience CRABSTICK (what kind of a name is that Trollope????) THE POLICE: bunch of twits—but they did plod on with it & eventually see an end to it.THE CREW AT MATCHING (PALLISERS?): extremely dull—almost skipped this altogether—remind me not to read another Pallisers novel if this is who it’s all about. SUMMARY:I did enjoy the book, honestly I did, although I became frustrated with the sheer volume of extra stuffing in it and the extent to which I felt I had to wade through to get to the point of the plot. It took me FOREVER—about 2 months or more, waaay too long for a book. Not nearly rewarding enough for the effort expended. I did enjoy Lizzie & watching her unravel—I almost thought she would be utterly triumphant and return to London on the arm of a handsome and loaded and titled Peer of the Realm, but that would not have been a judicious ending, I suppose. I particularly enjoyed the scenes of hunting in Scotland—funny how Frank gets someone else’s horse. Made me think how I’d LOVE to be galloping across the moors & hedges in Scotland. I actually had a pang of sadness for MacNulty in the end and often felt that Lizzie’s son must be a poor dejected little thing.
    • 3/5
      This is the third Palliser novel, but not one of Trollope's best. It was written by published installments, and sorely needs a good edit - there are long patches that could be removed and improve the overall result. This book is more story-based than other novels, and he does a good job of keeping interest in the outcome of the anti-heroine and her diamonds. Characterisation is, as expected of Trollope,quite wonderful. Lady Eustace and her cronies are delightfully seedy and disreputable, but not overdone - they remain very believable. So, not the best book, but even a bad Trollope is a good book. Read on nook, August 2010.
    • 4/5
      The Eustace Diamonds is a social commentary on man, and man’s condition with and without money. It was an introspective look into the character of all humans, particularly when money becomes the root of their focus. Because I had no prior knowledge of this book, nor author, I had no expectations for reading this piece. I truly enjoyed the book and the style in which it was written. Particularly interesting was the author’s interaction with the reader throughout the text. Trollope’s interruptions and conversations about the characters and progression of the story were enjoyable and interesting. Whereas this is something I’ve often wished for while reading certain books, it was delightful to actually encounter an author who fulfilled such a personal wish.Initially, I was confused by the beginning of the book, as Trollope introduced the characters, giving such a deep perspective into each one (I admit, I abhor reading prologues, author‘s notes and introductions.) This was such an interesting approach to a text, yet it allowed the reader to immediately become immersed into the text and know the characters with greater intimacy. At times, that the saga of the diamonds became monotonous, and found myself wanting a resolution (I don’t know if this is a result of being raised within the American culture). However, after finishing the book, I can’t imagine any parts of the story being omitted, as each event was significant to the story and to further revelation of the character’s true moral makeup.It was interesting to learn that, during the 1800’s, despite a man’s intellectual strength and significant career placement, he could still be poor. This resulted in reliance upon a financial marriage, sacrificing true love, to ensure societal placement, thus completing his social framework. (Reminds me of sports figures, here in the US, who’s sudden wealth is meant to distance themselves from poverty, uplift their families and subsequent gold-digging females who surround them.) Also interesting, although I think I somewhat knew it, was the role of women during this time. With wealth, a woman was virtually a pawn and/or stepping stone for a gentleman’s societal growth. Without wealth, a woman was reduced to dependency, and sometimes mistreatment, upon those of a wealthier class. Interestingly enough, with the decline of the middle class in America, I question whether these same ideals exist today? In truth, wealth or lack thereof, put all persons on a level playing field … dependence upon others. This situation directly fed into the character development of a person. Money, in the case of Trollope’s characters, was truly the root of all evil. Trollope created a world of opposite relationships and mirror images within the text. Lucy Morris and Lady Fawn versus Mrs. Carbuncle and Miss Roanoke is an example of this craft. Lady Fawn counseled Lucy Morris on her engagement to Frank Greystock, seemingly out of motherly concern, but with social overtures. Lady Fawn had grown to love Lucy and dealt with her, as though she were one of her daughters, though to a certain point. When Lucy does become engaged to Mr. Greystock, Lady Fawn responds favorably, although reminding Lucy of the societal implications which she’d face. Mrs. Carbuncle on the other hand, forced her niece Lucinda, into a marriage for her own selfish gain. Despite Lucinda’s blatant revulsion and abuse of Sir Griffin Tewett (what a worm to never stand up for himself!), Mrs. Carbuncle crushed Lucinda’s zest for life and independence, and doggedly determined the course of her life. Lucinda, a vibrant, energetic and beautiful young woman, is finally reduced to insanity. While Lucinda gets her way and doesn’t marry Tewett, she is all but discarded by her aunt, who uses her wedding presents to fulfill her personal need for material gratification.Trollope’s femme fatal, Lizzie Eustace, was a morally corrupt woman. I hated her! Lizzie’s desire for wealth manipulated every fiber of her being, as well as every aspect of her life. (This was despite the fact Lizzie clung to the diamonds, refusing to give them up, yet repeatedly stating that she should like to throw them into the sea, whenever troubles arose.) She sought to destroy people, like Lucy Morris and her love for Frank. Lizzie was the epitome of selfishness! She believed her own lies (the diamonds were hers), lied to everyone (Frank, her cousin), stole from her in-laws (their family heirloom), and attempted to manipulate everyone around her (Lucy, Frank, Lord Bruce, etc), until she managed to saddle herself with Mrs. Carbuncle, her mirror image (the only sense of justice I found for Lizzie). It disgusted me that Lucy would consider situations, then purposefully consider how she should dress, act and place herself in her sitting room or bed, in order to give the illusion of ill-used widow! Furthermore, she completely abandoned her own child to seek a Corsair of some sort! When she was engaged to Lord Fawn, he had never even met the child! Ugh … that such a woman should be blessed with a child!Lucy Morris was one of the more redeeming characters of the story. Being the polar opposite of Lizzie Eustace (a nice tactic used by Trollope throughout the novel), Lucy balanced and refreshed the oppressive moral decay of most other characters. Lucy was the embodiment of goodness and I was happy to see her win in the end. Her moral fortitude served to enable Frank Greystock to find redemption in himself, those around her and with this reader. Lucy’s morality also revealed the truth of the scripture, “Love never fails.” Lucy, endured her year long stay with Lady Linlithgow, with graciousness, and gained a positive response from Lady Linlithgow.Frank Greystock was a man still seeking himself. While he was temporarily led astray by the temptation of Lizzie‘s beauty and the possibility of wealth, Frank finally grew into a man of true character. In hindsight, Frank’s dedication to his cousin Lizzie, was a sign of him being a man of his word (I didn’t see this as I was reading the book). He consistently gave his word to Lizzie and followed through. In the same way, he had asked Lucy to become his wife, and in the end, he did stay true to his commitment. Despite his lengthy ignoring and desertion of Lucy, Frank had experienced pure love. Sensibly enough, he allowed this pure emotion to lead him in the right direction -marrying Lucy Morris, forsaking immediate wealth and the opinions of others - and allowed him to be true to himself and find real happiness.Lord George de Bruce Carruthers surprised me! While it was questionable as to how he afforded his lifestyle and the company he chose to keep, Lord George proved to be a very observant and intuitive character. I appreciated how he withstood the allegations of aiding in the theft of the Eustace Diamonds, despite the attack upon his character (he could have easily run away). Furthermore, Lord George was able to maintain relationships with people, despite their obvious character flaws, as revealed in his final conversation with Lizzie. I’m still not sure how I feel about his lifestyle - seeming to live off the means of others.
    • 4/5
      Lizzie Eustace had to marry. So she went to work, captivated a wealthy man, and became Lady Eustace. Lord Eustace died, leaving Lizzie a house tenancy for life and everything to his son. He also left a diamond necklace. Was it left to Lizzie specifically, or was it left to his son, to give his bride one day? Lizzie is sure it was left to her, and she refuses to give it back.That is the central plot of this Victorian novel by Anthony Trollope. It's the third in the Palliser series, but it is not necessary to read them in order to enjoy this one. Despite its age, I had no trouble reading and enjoying this book. Yes, Trollope does moralize a bit in places and some of the paragraphs are dauntingly large and wordy. But the characters are still fresh and very entertaining. I was only a few pages into the book when I thought, "Oh, this is going to be fun!" A beautiful, selfish, spoiled heroine and a meaty plot - what more could I want? I stayed up until 1:30 in the morning to finish last night, but had to go to bed and read the last few pages this morning. Definitely it did take longer than my usual read, since it took me about 3 days to read it. But it was worth it. The setting was well done and very interesting.As always, if you want to read it and be surprised, DO NOT read the preface first. Just read the back of the book and jump in.
    • 4/5
      The Eustace Diamonds, one of Trollope's finest and yet cruelest works, plays between the conventions of domestic fiction and picaresque. Lizzie Eustace is an opportunistic heroine in the tradition of Becky Sharpe, using her beauty and charm to secure title and fortune for herself. Her struggle to hold on to the fabled Eustace diamonds in the face of severe opposition forms the major conflict of the book, but Trollope also turns his attention, as he has so successfully elsewhere, to the impossibilities—or at least extreme difficulties—of marriage in Victorian England. Love is no guarantee of marriage, and neither is a promise, but the novel deals sensitively with the difficulties of women as well as men in facing the rigors of the marriage market.Trollope is a great master of the subplot, and three separate plots emerge, intertwining neatly, each holding interest and enriching the novel's exploration of the depths to which love, encumbered by finance, can sink.While some find the narrator's treatment of Lizzie herself overly harsh, the even-handedness elsewhere is a pleasure as characters behave well, behave badly, and are characterized with exquisite complexity. And through it all, Lizzie emerges as one of the great Victorian heroines: beautiful, unscrupulous, and fiercely protective of herself and what she has managed to secure.Though the novel is harsh and occasionally bleak, there is hope to be found as a leaven for this searing critique.

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    The Eustace Diamonds - Anthony Trollope

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