The Eustace Diamonds

It's hard to adequately describe my affection for "The Eustace Diamonds." This was the first Trollope I read, and I did so more out of a sense of obligation than anything else. (I had heard of Trollope, and thought that I SHOULD read him, much in the way one thinks one SHOULD get a yearly prostate exam.) I expected a dense, difficult read on the lines of Henry James or Thomas Hardy, but was completely surprised -- blown away, frankly -- by how entertaining and funny a writer Trollope is. This is the book that started my love affair with his works, one that has only deepened with each new book. "The Eustace Diamonds," as you probably know, revolves around the vivacious Lizzie Greystock, who marries for money and goes to unimaginable lengths to hold on to it. She is a liar, a cheat, a wicked, wicked woman...and an utter delight. She ensnares every man she meets, and that seems to have included her creator, Trollope himself! I know that I find her irresistible, along with the novel in which she's the sun, moon and stars. If you haven't yet read Trollope, I might work up to this book by reading its two predecessors in The Palliser Chronicles, but be forewarned that the first of them, "Can You Forgive Her?" is not Trollope at his best. Certainly read "Phineas Finn," though, as the characters introduced there will factor into "Phineas Redux," which, in part, continues Lizzie Greystock's dubious adventures. But regardless of the order in which you decide to proceed, don't miss out on "The Eustace Diamonds," one of the great, most pleasurable contributions to English literature.

It is hard to choose my favorite Trollope but this is definitely right at the top of my list. It has everything a novel needs to pique your interest and keep you turning the pages--love, intrique, mystery, jealousy. It is a must read for a Trollope reader. And do yourself a favor. If you have kids, introduce them to this prince.

I had once heard a defination of a "classic as a book to be admired but not read." This book definately defied all that. It was great read. Funny, touching and warm. A witty husband, a pain for a wife. Do read. This is from a 18 year girl, so a must read for all.

With movies being adapted from books by Austen and Forster, what's left of Trollope. I stumbled across this book by accident, having never before heard of it's title and author. When I did some research on Anthony Trollope, by golly he was as popular as Eliot and Dickens in the Victorian Time Period. As for the book, this is a true classic of the Victorian Era. Romance, rivalry, jealousy, money, family feuds, death, and new life, this book is fabulous.Everyone should have this book in their library. It's a delight to read over and over again.

The Lady Lizzie Eustace, a beautiful young widow, claims that her husband gave her the extremely valuable diamond necklace to be her very own. However, Mr. Camperdown, lawyer for the estate, says that it is a family heirloom and must be given up. Lizzie, for whom lying is always more natural than telling the truth, stubbornly clings to the diamonds, taking them with her everywhere, rather than entrusting them to some safe depository.But then there is a skillfully performed burglary, and the jewels are stolen from her hotel room in Carlisle. Or are they? Did Lizzie just use this scheme to make the diamonds disappear? Why is there a second burglary at her London apartment? The novel becomes a fascinating detective story.Lizzie longs for a husband to share her problems. But which man is it to be? There is Lord Fawn, to whom she is engaged, but who breaks with her because of the diamonds. Lord George, a rather shady character, intrigues her with his swashbuckling mann! ! er. Then there is her ever loyal cousin, Frank Greystock, but he is supposedly engaged to a penniless nonentity, Lucy Morris.Lizzie Eustace is one of Trollope's most interesting characters--beautiful, strong willed, intelligent in her way, but utterly untrustworthy, constantly scheming to get what she wants and always able to justify her actions to herself. It is no wonder that even the similarly mendacious Lord George is afraid of her. Lizzie alone makes this third novel of the Palliser series well worth reading.