The Small House at Allington

“And, above all things, never think that you're not good enough yourself. A man should never think that. My belief is that in life people will take you very much at your own reckoning.”

Anthony Trollope’s The Small House at Allington is the 5th book in a series called The Chronicles of Barsetshire, but is the most well-known of the series due to it writing quality and timeline placement within the series, and because it was the favorite book of one a past British prime minister in the 1990s.

The novel follows the Dales, a family who occupies a large estate. Christopher is the owner of the estate, and allows his widowed sister and her children to live on a small house on the property. The novel largely follows the children, Lilian and Isabella, as they are courted and try to find their place among society. Societal expectations sometimes prevent them from marrying who they truly love, while they are simultaneously encouraged to marry men who will be good economic providers for the family.

The story continues growing in complexity with varying subplots and side characters getting attention throughout the tale, all while exploring the themes of societal roles and expectations, the purpose of marriage, indecision, heartbreak, and generational power struggles. The Small House at Allington has been cited as a great example of the Victorian novel style and is a perfect book for anyone wanting a period piece with complex characters, romance, and fascinating historical context.