Author Description
'though a great many men and not a few women knew Ferdinand Lopez very well, none of them knew whence he had come' Despite his mysterious antecedents, Ferdinand Lopez aspires to join the ranks of British society. An unscrupulous financial speculator, he determines to marry into respectability and wealth, much against the wishes of his prospective father-in-law. One of the nineteenth century's most memorable outsiders, Lopez's story is set against that of the ultimate insider, Plantagenet Palliser, Duke of Omnium. Omnium reluctantly accepts the highest office of state; now, at last, he is 'the greatest man in the greatest country in the world'. But his government is a fragile coalition and his wife's enthusiastic assumption of the role of political hostess becomes a source of embarrassment. Their troubled relationship and that of Lopez and Emily Wharton is a conjunction that generates one of Trollope's most complex and substantial novels. Part of the Palliser series, The Prime Minister 's tale of personal and political life in the 1870s has acquired a new topicality in the early twenty-first century. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
The arrival of the enigmatic Ferdinand Lopez into London society triggers a series of social and political collisions that threaten the stability of the ruling elite. As Lopez maneuvers to secure a marriage into a respectable family, his ambitions intersect with the tenure of Plantagenet Palliser, the newly appointed Prime Minister. Palliser struggles to maintain a fragile coalition government while managing the social complications introduced by his wife, Lady Glencora. The narrative operates through a third-person omniscient perspective, alternating between the high-stakes political arena and the private domestic spheres of the Victorian upper class.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Examination of the intersection between personal morality and political ambition
- Detailed portrayal of the Victorian parliamentary system and coalition governance
- Contrast between the social outsider and the established political insider
- Exploration of financial speculation and its impact on social standing
- Analysis of the pressures placed on political spouses in the nineteenth century
- Complex character studies focusing on internal conflict and public duty
- Satirical commentary on the rigid hierarchies of British society
- Pacing that balances long-form political discourse with intimate domestic drama
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Readers frequently highlight the novel's meticulous attention to the psychological burdens of public office and the intricacies of Victorian social climbing. Discussion often centers on the stark contrast between the principled, often weary, Prime Minister and the opportunistic, morally ambiguous Ferdinand Lopez. Critics observe that the work functions as both a political procedural and a domestic drama, effectively capturing the anxieties of a changing era. The prose is noted for its steady, deliberate pace, which allows for a deep exploration of character motivations within a rigid social framework. Many readers appreciate how the narrative avoids simplistic moralizing, instead presenting a nuanced view of the compromises required in both marriage and government.
Page Count:
684
Publication Date:
2011-01-01
ISBN-10:
0191620408
ISBN-13:
9780191620409
Victorian
REALISM
Political fiction
classic
Social Satire
English
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