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 First edition title page. | |
| Author | Anthony Trollope |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Series | Chronicles of Barsetshire |
| Publisher | Chapman and Hall |
Publication date | 1858 |
| Media type | |
| Preceded by | Barchester Towers |
| Followed by | Framley Parsonage |
| Text | Doctor Thorne at Wikisource |
Doctor Thorne is a novel by the English author Anthony Trollope, published in 1858. It is the third book in his Chronicles of Barsetshire series, between Barchester Towers and Framley Parsonage. The idea of the plot was suggested to Trollope by his brother Thomas.[1] Michael Sadleir places it as one of the five best of Trollope's novels and the best of the Barsetshire novels.[2]
The novel is set in Greshamsbury, 15 miles from Barchester. The familiar residents of Barchester take little part in proceedings, since most of the narrative revolves round the three families of Gresham, Thorne and Scatcherd. The Greshams are commoners, but an old and respected family, based at Greshamsbury Hall and headed by Francis Newbold Gresham. His wife, Lady Arabella, is sister of the Earl de Courcy. Doctor Thorne lives in the village with his niece Mary. He and Gresham have become friends and he has helped Gresham by negotiating loans, mostly from Sir Roger Scatcherd, originally a stonemason in Barchester who has become wealthy and has purchased a large property between Greshamsbury and Barchester.