Ralph the Heir (Complete Novels of Anthony Trollope) - Hardcover

Trollope, Anthony

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1870587421 ISBN 13: 9781870587426

Publisher: Trollope Society, 1996

Synopsis

Newton Priory, in Hampshire, is occupied by Squire Gregory Newton, yet entailed to his nephew Ralph, because the Squire's own son (confusingly also called Ralph) is illegitimate. Successive attempts are made to allow the illegitimate Ralph to inherit the estate, and rivalry grows between the two cousins for the hand of a beautiful woman. Ralph, the nephew, is weak where his is steadier and more honest; his fecklessness leads him into grave debt, and in an effort to solve his mounting financial problem, he unwisely and ultimately unsuccessfully seeks the hand of Polly Neefit, the daughter of one of his creditors. Within the subplots of the book is the story - derived from Trollope's own unsuccessful venture into politics - involving Sir Thomas Underwood, who contests the election at Percycross.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

This novel tells a story of crossed inheritance. One Ralph Newton, a handsome ne'er-do-well, has the expectation of the family property. His cousin (also Ralph Newton) is a wholly worthy fellow, but a bastard and may not by law inherit what his father desperately wants to bequeath him. This situation provides Trollope with the occasion for a profound analysis of moral worth and legal right. It is a novel of Trollope's maturity, featuring the darker hues and confident social criticism of his late phase together with streaks of broad comedy.

About the Author:

As young adult, Trollope endured seven years of poverty in the General Post Office in London before accepting a better - paying position as postal surveyor in Banagher, Ireland in 1841. The years in Ireland formed the basis of his second career delineating clerical life in small cathedral towns.

About this edition

• Publisher: Trollope Society
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 1870587421
• ISBN 13: 9781870587426
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 496