Customer Reviews

Phineas Redux

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased the Palliser Series of books by Anthony Trollope -- Can You Forgive Her; Phineas Finn; The Eustace Diamonds; Phineas Redux; The Prime Minister; The Duke's Children. I have read the first four books in the series and will comment briefly on Phineas Redux, my favorite so far.

The reader who does not wish to read the books in order of composition would lose little by not having read Can You Forgive Her and The Eustace Diamonds. However, not to have read Phineas Finn would create some slight proplems because Finn's behavior in that first book is often mentioned in the second. Even so, it is possible to read Phineas Redux as a stand alone novel and derive much pleasure from the experience.

If we remove the boring Pariliamentary debates concerning the disestablishment of the Church of England, what remains is one of the most delightful of all English novels. Trollope is a great writer and he is at the top of his form in much of Phineas Redux. Particularly moving and convincing is the story of Lady Laura Kennedy, who loves Finn but is married to Robert Kennedy, a man she comes to hate and despise. She leaves Kennedy and takes up residence in Dresden to put herself out of the reach of her increasingly desperate and derranged husband. Finn once loved Lady Laura enough to have proposed to her, but she chose Kennedy and ended any chance she might have had to marry Finn. Even so, her love for Finn remains strong and true. In the end, he rejects her and marries Madame Max Goesler, whom Lady Laura hates with a passion. This is a sad and moving story; Trollope is at the hight of his powers in the telling of it.

The centerpiece of the novel is the trial of Finn for the murder of Mr. Bonteen, Finn's enemy. Trollope creates no mystery here. We know Finn is not guilty and we are given to believe that another enemy of Bonteen, the Reverend Mr. Emilius, is responsible. Bonteen's murder is a hanging offense. Finn is certain he will be hanged; his courage almost fails him; the trial comes close to breaking his proud and indomitable spirit.

Trollope must be considered one of the most entertaining of all English authors. Reading The Palliser novels and Phineas Redux in particular gives tremendous pleasure and satisfaction. The books are so well written that we feel we are a part of them. At the end of an evening's reading when we put down the book for the night, we can't stop thinking about the various characters and events. We start thinking about what we would say to Finn and friends if we were given the chance. This involvement with plot and characters keeps us coming back for more and Trollope has much more to give us.

The entire Palliser Series of novels has been turned into an excellent mini-series available on Amazon which I reviewed and, like the books, highly recommend.

First, if you haven't read "Phineas Finn," be sure to read it first. "Phineas Redux" certainly can be enjoyed without knowing the earlier novel, but it would mean so much more if you saw how Phineas's character and his relationships with others have developed from the first.

"Phineas Brought Back" (as the title means) really brings back Phineas Finn with a vengeance. The handsome, sincere young Irishman has always been a favorite with the ladies. In the first novel he was wounded by a jealous rival; in this one he is fired at by another and has his name scandalized in a newspaper. The high point of the novel is his trial for the murder of a political enemy.

Trollope's genius for character development is superb in these 2 novels. Phineas grows from a naive political novice into a highly capable government official, but his conscientiousness keeps him from playing party politics and causes problems with other members of his party. Phineas maintains his total honesty, a trait which frequently is to his detriment in the real world. His reactions to his imprisonment, trial, and acquittal are exactly right, so perfectly true to the character which Trollope has built up through hundreds of pages.

At the end of the novel, Phineas is still Phineas, but he is a much wiser and sadly disillusioned man. However, he receives the reward of a splendid mate, a woman who is truly worthy of him and whom he now has matured enough to appreciate. If only he had married her when she proposed to him in the first novel! But then none of his engrossing problems would have occurred.

This is one of Trollope's most exciting novels, a true page-turner in the trial sequence. As always, every characterization is extremely well done by one of the world's greatest authors.

Combined, PHINEAS FINN and PHINEAS REDUX constitute one of the great yarns in Anthony Trollope's large catalog of novels. As art, they are not masterpieces and do not quite match up against his very best books, but as entertainment, they are unsurpassed. Together, they are easily as enjoyable as any that Trollope wrote. All of the major characters of the former novel are back with a vengeance, and a far more satisfying end to the Phineas Finn saga is provided than that provided by the first novel.

By all estimations, PHINEAS FINN, while a thoroughly enjoyable novel, ended badly. So badly, that Trollope felt compelled essentially to delete the ending of the former novel, and provide a new ending in the form of a novel to correct the error of his ways. In his AUTOBIOGRAPHY, Trollope expresses his extreme dissatisfaction with the ending of that novel. Happily, he more than atones for his literary sins with the sequel.

This novel, like its predecessor, is set against the background of a great political reform. In the former, it was suffrage (i.e., how many people would be given the right to vote), in this one, the disestablishment of the Church of England (i.e., breaking the tie of mandatory local taxes to support the Anglican Church). Perhaps for this reason, Phineas Finn's Catholicism, which was not alluded to in the former novel, is made much of. The same cast of parliamentary characters are brought back for this new controversy. One curiosity is that sometimes Trollope refers by name to the achievements of members of parliament such as Gladstone, Disraeli, or John Bright. What is odd about this is the fact that Gresham is pretty transparently based on Gladstone, Daubeny on Disraeli, and Trumbull on John Bright.

Far more than the Barsetshire novels, a large number of increasingly familiar characters flit in and out of the various political novels. The major characters of one novels are found as minor characters in another. As one works through the novels in the political series, one sees such characters as Glencora Palliser, Joshua Monk, Mr. Rattler, Lord Fawn, Lord and Lady Cantrip, Lizzie Eustace, and a myriad of other characters. One of my favorite Trollope characters is prominent in PHINEAS REDUX, Madame Max Goesler. Dark in her features, thin, beautiful, extremely wealthy, widowed, extremely self-possessed, sharply intelligent, efficient, and very much a woman of action, she seems very much to be a woman before her time. One of the most remarkable things about Trollope, who was in many ways the epitome of the Victorian world, was his obvious love for strong, intelligent, exceptional women. Although there are many such women in Trollope's novels, Madame Goesler is easily the one I find most compelling.

A. Trollope considered himself a conservative liberal, i.e. he sided with the Whigs against the Tories.
This novel of 1871, the fourth in the six volume Palliser series, is one of his most political ones insofar as AT takes sides in an issue. In many other books of his, he stays away from issues, on the sideline; his tales are about procedures and relations and morality.
The issue in question here is `disestablishment', what we call `separation of state and church' in modern times. Since Tudor times (more specifically Elizabethan times), the Anglican Church was `established' legally by drawing state guaranteed revenue from the population, a church tax. Catholics in Ireland were unhappy with that. In 1868, Gladstone, a liberal PM, `disestablished' the Anglican Church in Ireland.
Trollope, in support of this separation, twists the plot of this novel to a new and surprising direction: he lets the Tories, rather than the Whigs propose disestablishment, and they do it for the whole kingdom, not just Ireland. In consequence, the liberals in parliament find themselves between a rock and a hard place: do they support a measure introduced by the conservatives? The horror!
Or do they vote against their own convictions? Well, what are convictions anyway!?
Any similarity to partisanship in other countries' parliaments is purely accidental.

One of the little niceties of the Palliser series is the humorous way in which we watch Plantagenet Palliser, at times finance minister, later prime minister, fight for his pet project, the decimal coinage. This shows AT as a true prophet, a century ahead of time. It would take until 1971 for the UK to introduce a decimal currency!

Phineas Finn, whom we know and like from volume 2 of the sextet, returns from Dublin to London, to parliament and politics, after a 2 years hiatus. He gets involved in troubles in politics and some complications with love, plus a murder story.

But the main attraction for me is not the plot. Walking in leisurely pace through a Trollope is great fun, if only for the snippets of social wisdom dropping from the table.
In old age, a man may retire without repining, though it is often beyond the power even of the old man to do so. (Hmm).
Of all hatreds that the world produces, a wife's hatred for her husband, when she does hate him, is the strongest. (Not that I know that first hand, luckily.)

So, do I mean the best Trollope or...simply the best novel ever written? Maybe both, although I know that either is a subjective, silly thing to say. So let me just state that "Phineas Redux" has given me more pleasure than most other books I've read, and I read a lot. Firstly, I'm a huge fan of Trollope's; I don't quite understand why the whole world doesn't consider him on par with Dickens and Austen. His plotting, his humor, his political, cultural and psychological insights, his way with the written word: they're all superb, as fine as anything you'll find in all of English literature. Secondly, I'm a huge murder mystery fan -- and lo and behold, a murder mystery makes up the second-half of "Phineas Redux." Add to this splendid mix the continued (mis)adventures of Lizzie Greystock (the vivacious, conniving heroine of "The Eustace Diamonds") and you have an entertaining and suspenseful read with very few equals.

I really enjoyed Phineas Finn (four-stars) and looked forward to his continuing adventures. As the French say: "be careful what you wish for..." First, about a quarter of the book is simply a recounting of events in the first Phineas volume. I don't mean a line or two description--whole paragraphs are given over to rehash previous events. Second, the rather promising story line of Finn tried for the murder of a rival and antagonist peters out to Finn demanding his honor as well as his innocence be reestablished. Even his best friends conclude he's daft. Third, the anti-semitism, even for a Trollope novel is a real stain on the story and a black mark against the writer. I realize times and standards change but dozens of 19th century authors managed to express themselves without coming close Anthony Trollope's bigotry. One more reference to "the swarthy jew's tribe" and I would have vomited.

Spoiler alert: Most absurd of all, we wrap up the life of the man who was going to advocate for the downtrodden by marrying him off to a rich widow. The final chapter has them traipsing across Europe spending her money at the Continent's best hotels. How heroic! Trollope really lost his way on this one.

As the novel Phineas Finn ends the Irish member leaves Parliament for marriage with a beautiful Irish lass. As Phineas Redux begins Mr.Finn is widowed and has returned to resume his career in the British Parliament.

This novel is one of Trollope's works in the Parliamentary series featuring such old favorites as Planty Pall and his wife the Duchess Glencora. Finn returns to find Laura Kennedy eager to win his favor after her mad husband Robert Kennedy casts her out of house and home. Kennedy is enflamed by jealousy of Finn (he courted her when she was Laura Standish). Along the way Kennedy attempts to murder Phineas. Phineas is himself tried for the murder of his politcal rival in the Liberal ranks the odious Mr. Bonteen who has been elevated to President of the Board of Trade.

We also meet the sexy, dark and beautiful continental belle Madame Max

who loves Finn helping him in his time of trouble with the law. She lives after almost 140 years in the vibrant pages she graces with her beauty, wit and tact.

The novel devotes several chapters to Trollope's love of fox hunting which to this reviewer is abhorrent as a blood sport. Some American readers will be confused, bored and bewildered by the machinations afoot in the House of Commons.

A good subplot concerns the triangle existing between Gerald Maule and

the farmer Spooner over the hand of Adelaide Palliser. Meanwhile, Gerald's wastrel father seeks the hand of Madame Max.

Trollope doesn't have the genius of Dickens; the intellect of Eliot or the imagination of the Brontes but he did produce good stories of realistc

characters. This novel is a good way to spend a few nights with a wonderful novelist of the Victorian age.

The Pallisers carry on in this rambling Victorian novel. Phineas Finn's wife dies, and he again enters politics. He picks up with the various women in his life. Violet Effingham is now happily married. Laura Standish is married, but estranged from her husband. Marie Goesler is the eternal enigma. Love and money again wreaks havoc with Phineas's life. Trollope mesmerizes the reader with polished prose that adds a touch of elegance. Style prevails over substance in his novels. British politics are bewildering, but Victorian manners and morals are the real story. The mating dance that unfolds in drawing rooms and country weekends is amusing. Subplots abound. The novel has more drama than usual. Phineas is accused of murder. Trollope manages unexpected tenderness in his depiction of Laura Kennedy. She longs for Phineas, who once was her lover. Fearing scandal, she suffers a lonely life, and regrets what might have been. Lady Glencora and Plantagenet Palliser play a role in the book. They are now the Duke and Duchess of Omnium. Consequently, a new dilemma confronts Plantagenet. Lady Glencora is the tireless meddler, regardless. Marie Goesler is ever more important in Phineas's life. Trollope's work is lightweight, but refreshing. This book is good down time reading to escape the clamor and fast pace of modern life. ;-)

I'm slowly rereading Trollope's political novels and just finished #4, Phineas Redux. In the first Phineas book the likeable (maybe one of Trollope's most likeable characters) Irishman wins a seat in Parliament and makes his way quickly into the homes and political circles of the Liberal Party. He falls in love--almost immediately--with Laura Standish who's the daughter of an Earl. She should have been male--she's that interested in politics and undertakes to make Phineas' career, but she marries an elderly rich man, Robert Kennedy (a calculated move because she didn't love him). Phineas is heart-broken but immediately finds another woman to love (who also marries someone else). He gets involved in a political issue, though, where he has to act on his conscience which means he has to leave the government and he can't afford to be only an MP (no salary). So he goes back to Ireland and marries his childhood sweetheart who rather quickly dies in childbirth.

Phineas Redux is about his second foray into politics. Likeable as ever, he still has limited means and, though, elected to Parliament, has to have a government post to make enough money to survive. But the gods are against him. Laura Kennedy has left her husband--who's tormenting her with his extreme religious practices--and he blames Phineas Finn whom Laura has discovered she really loves. Phineas is over that but kind and compassionate and mets her whenever she requests to give the support and advice of a friend. But the salacious press gets wind of the story when Robert Kennedy makes public his efforts to "get his wife back" and blames Phineas Finn for her leaving, implying an affair. Laura has to leave the country with her father to avoid the law compelling her to go back to her husband. Phineas, the good friend as ever, acts as go between and is attacked by friend and foe, even to the extent that the leaders of the Party avoid picking him for government office, to say nothing of nearly getting shot by Kennedy.

The political insights in this book, apart from the dated but lively prose, could be written by today's political pundits. It's both amusing and horrifying to realize that very little has changed.... Amusing too that Plantagenet Palliser (sort of the central character--well his wife is maybe more central) is angling all the time to convince Parliament to adopt a decimal currency--Trollope never knew it would ever be accomplished--in fact the first time I went to London I counted out 10 pennies for some tourist attraction that cost a shilling, but the ticket taker just glared at me and held out his hand until I sheepishly remembered there were 12 pennies in a shilling.....

Phineas quarrels with one of the party hacks who's most critical (on moral grounds) of his supposed affair with Lady Laura and the next thing we know Phineas is in Newgate accused of murder and in danger of being hung with only circumstantial evidence against him. (Very frustrating--one wants finger prints, blood types, DNA....) And I haven't even mentioned Madam Goesler (rich, dark-haired, young and somewhat mysterious Viennese widow) who's taken up by Glencora Palliser and becomes a fixture in Liberal political circles...who is Phineas' friend and had even proposed to him in the first book, though he'd refused, not wanting to be seen as a poor man angling for a rich wife.

Trollope's world is simple compared to ours but his analysis is far from simple. It's psychologically convincing. His political insights are perfect. And Phineas is a most delightful character.

Trollope supposedly wrote this book in response to public disappointment at the ending of _Phineas Finn_. I can't imagine why; it seemed to me that the former novel's ending was quite brilliant, really, and Phineas himself was always rather a cipher. In both novels, he seems to represent little more than a conduit for the influence of womanly wiles (as Trollope conceived of them) upon the political process.

So what we get here is Trollope's _Merry Wives of Windsor_. The plot trundles along through a minutely reported debate between Liberals and Conservatives upon the disestablishment of the church, followed by a very run-of-the-mill murder trial that pales in comparison to just about any one of John Mortimer's Rumpole stories. One gets the sense that Trollope is marking time, here.

Nonetheless, there are some wonderful character sketches sandwiched inbetween the long passages of reportage, and it's a fairly quick read. The Palliser completist should approach it with only mild apprehensiveness, not outright dread.