Ralph the Heir by Anthony Trollope, l love this book

I posted about the first sentences of this book in March and here is my review of the book, now that I finished reading it.

I love this book. Trollope creates realistic people and not just perfect heroes and purely dastardly villains. There are two Ralphs in this novel, Ralph Not the Heir is the illegitimate son of Squire Gregory. He lives with his father who wants to leave his estate to him, but the law requires a legitimate heir. Thus, Ralph the Heir, the Squire’s nephew, will inherit the estate and title. This man has flaws and yet is charming and has a tender heart. His spend thrift ways cause him to be in dire need of money and to propose to Polly, the daughter of a well to do tradesman. This marriage idea shocks everyone who hears of it. Polly is simply not in his social class since he is a gentleman. Trollope explores here the idea of marrying for love, or to improve social standing or save an estate from ruin by marrying money. Polly is a heroine as she absolutely refuses to marry the heir. She feels she would not be comfortable as the lady of the estate and she knows her dear papa would never fit in there. In another story line, Sir Thomas Underwood has two daughters and a niece of marriageable age, so romance is in the air, plus he is called to stand for a seat in Parliament. Electioneering then in 1870s England turned out to be quite corrupt, which comforted me as I look at the current elections in the USA and our own political fighting. I am reviewing the copy I bought, which is the Folio Society edition, printed in London in 1996 with a foreword by John Letts. The book is a hardcover with a robin's egg blue cover and slipcase and includes numerous black and white drawings by Shirley Bellwood which added a lot to my pleasure as I read the book.

 

Book Beginnings, Ralph the Heir

"There are men who cannot communicate themselves to others, as there are also men who not only can do so, but cannot do otherwise. And it is hard to say which is the better man of the two."
The above is the first two sentences of "Ralph the Heir" by the brilliant Anthony Trollope.
He goes on to describe Sir Thomas Underwood as one of the first sort of man, who has many good qualities but lacks friends and the ability to make friends.
I am reading a biography of Anthony Trollope where it is suggested that Trollope's own father was a man like that. Honest, fair, caring, but unable to communicate his deepest nature to others. Also, Sir Thomas in "Ralph the Heir" and Anthony Trollope's father were both actively researching for and writing huge books which they never finished.
Book Beginnings is new to me, and I am linking to Rose City Reader who coordinates this Friday event.
Just share a first sentence or two from the book you are reading and you can join in too.