The Macdermots of Ballycloran

By Anthony Trollope

Book Overview

Anthony Trollope's "The Macdermots of Ballycloran" offers a compelling glimpse into 19th-century Ireland. This powerful novel delves into the social issues of the time, presenting a story deeply rooted in the Irish experience. As a work of historical fiction, it provides a rich tapestry of cultural heritage, exploring themes that continue to resonate today.

Set against the backdrop of Ireland, this literary work showcases Trollope's keen observations of society and his ability to craft enduring narratives. "The Macdermots of Ballycloran" remains a significant contribution to Irish fiction, providing readers with a timeless exploration of the human condition within a specific historical context. Experience the Ireland of yesterday through Trollope's masterful storytelling.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 102326546X
• ISBN13: 9781023265461
• Release Date: March 2025
• Publisher: Anson Street Press
• Length: 360 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

First novel a success

Anthony Trollope's first novel, and a good one. Set in Ireland in the 1830s, it tells the story of a proud but destitute family and their tragic downfall at the hands of a scoundrel. Myles Ussher is an English police captain sent to Ireland to help stop illegal whiskey making. Feemy Macdermot falls deeply in love with him, though he has no intention of returning that love. The locals hate him, and Feemy's brother Thady, when he learns of Ussher's merely using Feemy, kills him in a rage when he believes Ussher is abducting her against her will (they are actually eloping). A trial ensues and after some exciting intervals involving escapes, Thady is convicted and hanged. Trollope offers a sympathetic look at Ireland's troubles during this time period; indeed the "innocent" Feemy might symbolically represent that country while the unfeeling, spiteful Ussher is England. Trollope had spent a good deal of time in Ireland and knew the country and the people well; his use of Irish dialogue is natural and realistic. The trial scene is pretty exciting, and Trollope's broad humor is already clearly evident. The use of the dilapidated Macdermot mansion as the starting and ending point, with the main plot sandwiched inbetween as flashback, gives the novel a cinematic touch. The author would achieve greater novels as his career progressed, but this initial production highlights an auspicious start.