Anthony Trollope’s Can You Forgive Her? kicks off his famous Palliser series, but don’t let that intimidate you. Think of it as a juicy, character-driven drama that just happens to be set in the 1860s. Trollope has a gift for writing about people who feel incredibly real, with all their flaws and mixed-up motives.

The Story

The plot revolves around three women, but Alice Vavasor is the star. Engaged to the steady, honorable John Grey, Alice gets cold feet. She fears a quiet, predictable life and is drawn back to her charismatic but financially reckless cousin, George, to whom she was once almost engaged. In a bold and socially disastrous move, she breaks with John. Much of the story follows the messy consequences of that decision as she, George, and John navigate pride, money troubles, and regret.

Running alongside this is the story of her aunt, Lady Glencora Palliser, who is trapped in a politically advantageous but loveless marriage to the upright Plantagenet Palliser. She pines for a former suitor, creating a parallel look at the cost of choosing duty over passion. A third subplot involving Alice’s friend, the coquettish widow Mrs. Greenow, adds a lighter, comic touch about the games people play in love.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this book so engaging is how modern Alice’s dilemma feels. Trollope doesn’t judge her harshly. Instead, he lets us sit with her anxiety, her desire for something more, and her terrible miscalculations. You’ll find yourself arguing with her, feeling for her, and wondering what you’d do. It’s a deep, compassionate look at the pressure women faced (and often still face) to make the “right” choice, not necessarily the true one.

Beyond Alice, the book is packed with fantastic characters—from the pompous Mr. Bott to the wonderfully sly narrator who sometimes chats directly to the reader. Trollope’s world is richly drawn, moving from London drawing rooms to the Lake District, all filled with gossip, financial schemes, and quiet desperation.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who love character studies and social dramas like those by Jane Austen or George Eliot, but who want a slightly more approachable, talkative narrator. If you enjoy stories about complicated women, messy relationships, and the eternal struggle between head and heart, you’ll fall into this book. It’s a long, comfortable read that doesn’t feel like homework—it feels like getting the inside scoop on the most fascinating family scandal.