Preparations for Lady Monk's Party

Historical Fiction

Can You Forgive Her?

by Anthony TROLLOPE (1815 - 1882)

“Can You Forgive Her?” is the first in a series of six Trollope novels dealing broadly with 19th Century English political scene. It introduces the reader to Plantagenet and Glencora Palliser, as they court, marry, and as Plantagenet sets out on his political career, which is carried on in the foreground or background throughout the series. Each novel has a focus on other particular characters, as well. In this one, it is the dilemma of Alice Vavasor, who is a young woman choosing between two suitors: one who has all the best qualities, but who prefers a retiring private life, and another, whose qualities are doubtful, but who is ambitious for public office. There is also a comic subplot involving a widowed aunt, who also must choose between two suitors: Mr. Cheeseacre, a dull but stable farmer, and Capt. Bellfield, a charming but somewhat erratic retired military man. (Summary by Karen Merline) This is the first of Trollope’s six “Palliser” novels. LibriVox recordings of other novels in the series are available: 1-Can You Forgive Her? 2-Phineas Finn, the Irish Member 3-The Eustace Diamonds 4-Phineas Redux 5-The Prime Minister 6 The Duke’s Children

Listen next episodes of Can You Forgive Her?:
Alice Vavasor's Name Gets into the Money Market , Another Walk on the Fells , At Lucerne , Bold Speculations on Murder , Diamonds Are Diamonds , From Baden to Lucerne , From London to Baden , Going Abroad , How Lady Glencora Came Back from Lady Monk's Party , How Lady Glencora Went to Lady Monk's Party , In Which Come Tidings of Great Moment to All Pallisers , Lady Monk's Plan , Mr Cheesacre's Fate , Mr John Grey in Queen Anne Street , Rouge et Noir , Showing How Alice Was Punished , Showing How George Vavasor Paid a Visit , Showing How George Vavasor Received a Visit , Showing How Wild Beast Got Back from the Mountains , Showing What Happened in the Churchyard , The Bills Are Made All Right , The Duke of St Bungay in Search of a Minister , The First Kiss , The Landlord's Bill , The Last Kiss , The Last Will of the Old Squire , The Pallisers at Breakfast , The Rocks and Valleys , The Story Is Finished Within the Halls of the Duke of Omnium , The Travellers Return Home , The Will , What Occurred in Suffolk Street, Pall Mall