The Eclectic Bookshelf

Autobiography by Anthony Trollope was an easy and amusing read. It focuses on Trollope’s two careers – as post office official and author – with only brief forays into personal life, although Trollope-as-a-person comes through on every page. Part of this book’s appeal is Trollope’s refreshing insistence that novel writing is a trade, like any other, bringing it down to the level of the mundane. He reveals his own methods – writing a set number of thousands of words each day before breakfast – and what he values in novels and novel-writing. He critiques the blinding influence of an established name on critics and publishers. He explains what he sees as his moral duty and responsibilities as an author. He also reflects on various dangers of his era, often themes of his books, many of which remain pertinent. A fair chunk of the book is spent reflecting on the development and circumstances of his various novels, their reception and his own opinion of their quality. This latter focus makes this a book that will be more enjoyable after reading a few of his novels.