This book is provided with an introduction and notes by Peter Merchant. Canterbury Christ Church College, the tough-mindedness of the social satire in and its air of palpable integrity give this novel a special place in Anthony Trollope's Literary career. Trollope paints a picture as panoramic as his title promises, of the life of 1870s London, the loves of those drawn to and through the city, and the career of Augustus Melmotte. Melmotte is one of the Victorian novel's greatest and strangest creations, and is an achievement undimmed by the passage of time. Trollope's 'Now' might, in the twenty-first century, look like some distant disenchanted 'Then', but this is still the yesterday which we must understand in order to make proper sense of our today.

2008-01-18 The way we live now

This is without a doubt the best book I have ever read. I am currently doing a degree in English and usually find the books dull and boring. I was dreading reading this as it seemed so big and daunting. However, after reading the first 3 chapters I was completely drawn into the Victorian world as depicted by Trollope. The character's are modern, exciting, sexy and dramatic. There is definitely someone in this book for everyone to relate to. My only problem now is deciding which of Trollope's books to read next!!!