Anthony Trollope Books in Order: 2026 List

Diving into the world of a Victorian novelist can feel like a huge task. With Anthony Trollope, who wrote an incredible 47 novels, the question isn't just if you should read him, but where on earth to begin. You've heard the name, you know he's a classic, but looking at that long list of titles is enough to make anyone put the book back on the shelf.

Don't worry. Getting into Trollope is easier than you think. The key is to understand that his massive bibliography is built around two fantastic, interconnected series of books. This guide provides the definitive reading order for Anthony Trollope's books, breaking down his major series and highlighting his must-read standalone novels. We'll give you the perfect roadmap to navigate his charming, witty, and surprisingly modern world.

Who Was Anthony Trollope? A Quick Introduction

Before we get to the book lists, let's briefly meet the man himself. Anthony Trollope (1815–1882) was one of the most successful and productive novelists of the Victorian era. While working a full-time job at the Post Office, where he is credited with introducing the pillar box (the red mailboxes) to the UK, he maintained a famously rigid writing schedule. This discipline allowed him to produce a staggering body of work. A recent analysis shows he authored 47 novels, 42 short stories, and several travel books.

Unlike some of his contemporaries, Trollope’s style isn't overly flowery. He wrote with a clear, direct, and realistic prose that feels surprisingly accessible to modern readers. His genius lies in his deep understanding of human psychology. He creates characters who are flawed, funny, and deeply relatable, all while painting a vivid picture of 19th-century English society, from the quiet cathedral towns to the bustling halls of Parliament. He was highly respected by fellow writers like George Eliot and Henry James, and his work continues to find new fans today. It's a testament to his skill that he could produce so much; a deep dive into how long it takes to write a book on average really puts his output into perspective.

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Where to Start with Anthony Trollope? (For Beginners)

The most common question from new readers is which of the 47 novels to pick up first. While you can technically start anywhere, your experience will be much richer if you're strategic. Here are the three best entry points into Trollope's world.

Option 1: The Series Starter – The Warden

If you enjoy the idea of settling into a long, rewarding series, The Warden is your perfect starting point. It's the first book in the Chronicles of Barsetshire and it's quite short for a Victorian novel. It introduces you to the fictional county of Barsetshire and its cathedral city, Barchester, which will become the setting for five more novels.

The story centers on Mr. Septimus Harding, a gentle, elderly clergyman who finds himself at the center of a public scandal regarding his income from a charitable trust. It’s a quiet, charming, and morally complex story that perfectly sets the tone for the series. Think of it as the inviting front door to Trollope's grand literary house.

Option 2: The Standalone Masterpiece – The Way We Live Now

If you'd rather read a single, epic novel that showcases Trollope at the absolute height of his powers, you must read The Way We Live Now. Many critics consider this his greatest work. It’s a huge, sprawling satire of greed, corruption, and social decay in London.

The novel's central figure is Augustus Melmotte, a mysterious foreign financier of questionable origins who arrives in London and quickly becomes the talk of the town. Everyone wants a piece of his supposed fortune, and the book follows a huge cast of characters as they fall under his spell. It feels incredibly modern in its depiction of financial bubbles and moral bankruptcy, making it a powerful and timeless read.

Option 3: The Political Epic – Can You Forgive Her?

If you're more interested in politics and the lives of strong-willed women than in the dramas of country clergymen, then start with Can You Forgive Her?. This is the first book in Trollope's other great series, the Palliser Novels.

This book introduces two of Trollope's most memorable characters: the intelligent but indecisive Alice Vavasor, who can't decide which of her two suitors to marry, and the fabulously wealthy and spirited Lady Glencora, who is trapped in a sensible but loveless political marriage. It kicks off a six-book series that dives deep into the world of British politics, ambition, and the complex relationship between public duty and private desire.

The Chronicles of Barsetshire Reading Order

This is Trollope's most beloved series. Set in the fictional county of Barsetshire, these six novels are a masterpiece of interconnected storytelling, focusing on the lives, loves, and rivalries of the clergy and local gentry. While each book tells a self-contained story, they are best read in order to appreciate the recurring characters who age, grow, and pop up in each other's lives. Tackling a project like this requires a solid plan, much like the process outlined in how to write and publish a successful series.

1. The Warden (1855)

As mentioned, this is the perfect entry point. It introduces the gentle Septimus Harding, warden of Hiram's Hospital, a charitable home for elderly men. When a young reformer, John Bold, launches a newspaper campaign questioning the fairness of Mr. Harding's salary, the quiet world of Barchester is turned upside down. The novel explores themes of tradition versus progress, public duty, and personal conscience. At a short length, it's a wonderfully contained story. It's amazing to think that some authors wonder if 25,000 words is enough for a book, while Trollope kicks off his most famous series with such a concise and powerful narrative.

2. Barchester Towers (1857)

This is where the series really hits its stride. Barchester Towers is a comedic masterpiece, picking up after the death of the old bishop of Barchester. A new bishop, the weak-willed Dr. Proudie, arrives, but he is completely dominated by his formidable wife, Mrs. Proudie, and the greasy, ambitious chaplain, Mr. Obadiah Slope. A power struggle for control of the diocese ensues, pulling in characters from the first book, including the Archdeacon Grantly and the now-widowed Eleanor Bold. It's filled with witty dialogue, brilliant characters, and sharp social observation. Its success was immediate; after earning very little for his first book, Trollope received a £100 advance for Barchester Towers, as noted in historical financial records.

3. Doctor Thorne (1858)

This novel shifts focus slightly away from the cathedral close to the country estate of Greshamsbury Park. The story revolves around Doctor Thorne and his niece, Mary, a sweet girl of mysterious parentage. When the heir to the estate, Frank Gresham, falls in love with Mary, his aristocratic family objects because she has no money or connections. The plot is a classic story of love versus class and money, with a fascinating inheritance mystery at its core. Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey, adapted this novel for television in 2016, a testament to its enduring appeal.

4. Framley Parsonage (1861)

This book centers on Mark Robarts, a young, well-meaning, but socially ambitious vicar of Framley Parsonage. He gets drawn into a circle of fast-living politicians and aristocrats, leading him to unwisely guarantee a loan for a shady MP. This single act of foolishness threatens to destroy his career, his family, and his reputation. The novel brings back many characters from previous books, including Lucy Robarts, Doctor Thorne, and members of the Gresham and Grantly families, weaving the world of Barsetshire together even more tightly.

5. The Small House at Allington (1864)

Often considered the most poignant and emotionally resonant book in the series, this novel tells the story of two sisters, Lily and Bell Dale, who live in the "small house" on the estate of their uncle, the local squire. The plot follows their romantic fortunes, particularly those of the passionate and steadfast Lily Dale, who suffers a devastating heartbreak. This novel is notable for introducing Plantagenet Palliser, a key character who will go on to be the focus of Trollope's second great series, the Palliser Novels. It serves as a brilliant bridge between the two series.

6. The Last Chronicle of Barset (1867)

Trollope himself considered this the best novel he ever wrote. It is a grand, sweeping conclusion to the Barsetshire series. The story focuses on the Reverend Josiah Crawley, a poor, proud, and brilliant clergyman who is accused of stealing a check for twenty pounds. His refusal to defend himself properly threatens to bring disgrace upon the entire diocese. The novel masterfully brings back nearly every major character from the previous five books for one final, emotional farewell. It is a powerful exploration of pride, poverty, and justice, and a truly satisfying end to the chronicles.

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The Palliser Novels Reading Order (The Parliamentary Novels)

If Barsetshire is about the church, the Palliser series is about the state. These six novels are centered on the lives of the immensely wealthy and influential Plantagenet Palliser and his fiery, brilliant wife, Lady Glencora. The series charts their personal lives against the backdrop of British high society and parliamentary politics. The BBC produced a much-loved 26-part adaptation called The Pallisers in 1974, which combined the plots of all six books.

1. Can You Forgive Her? (1864)

The series begins with three interlocking plots, but the main story concerns Alice Vavasor, a young woman who jilts her respectable fiancé for her dangerous and manipulative cousin. The "question" of the title is whether society, and the reader, can forgive her for this transgression. Alongside Alice's story, we are introduced to the central couple of the series: the reserved, conscientious politician Plantagenet Palliser and his new bride, the vivacious and wildly rich Lady Glencora, who is still in love with a dashing but worthless rake. Their marriage is the foundation upon which the entire series is built.

2. Phineas Finn (1869)

This novel shifts the focus to one of Trollope's most charming heroes. Phineas Finn is a handsome, intelligent, but penniless young Irishman who gets elected to Parliament. The book follows his political education and his romantic entanglements with several powerful women in London society, including Lady Laura Standish and the mysterious Madame Max Goesler. It's a fantastic inside look at the workings of the British political system and the compromises required for a life in politics.

3. The Eustace Diamonds (1873)

A bit of a departure from the political focus, this novel is a brilliant social satire and mystery story. The plot revolves around the beautiful, cunning, and morally bankrupt Lizzie Greystock, the widow of Sir Florian Eustace. Lizzie comes into possession of a hugely valuable diamond necklace, which she insists was a personal gift from her late husband. The Eustace family lawyers claim it's a family heirloom that must be returned. When the diamonds are stolen, a complex web of lies, deceit, and crime unfolds. It’s a sharp, funny, and cynical look at Victorian society.

4. Phineas Redux (1874)

"Redux" means "brought back," and this novel marks the return of Phineas Finn. After a stint back in Ireland, Phineas returns to Parliament, but his life takes a dark turn when he is accused of murdering a political rival. The second half of the book is a gripping courtroom drama as Phineas fights for his life and reputation. The novel brings back many characters from Phineas Finn and The Eustace Diamonds, and explores darker themes of political obsession and public disgrace.

5. The Prime Minister (1876)

In this novel, Plantagenet Palliser finally achieves his lifelong ambition and becomes the Prime Minister of a fragile coalition government. However, the realities of power prove to be a heavy burden. He is too thin-skinned and scrupulous for the dirty business of politics, while his wife, Lady Glencora, throws lavish parties that create their own set of political problems. The novel is a profound study of power, marriage, and the psychological toll of public life. It also features a fascinating subplot involving the fraudulent financier Ferdinand Lopez, a character reminiscent of Augustus Melmotte from The Way We Live Now.

6. The Duke's Children (1879/1880)

This is the final, deeply moving novel in the Palliser series. Plantagenet Palliser, now the Duke of Omnium and a widower after the death of Lady Glencora, finds himself completely alienated from his three adult children. His daughter is determined to marry a poor commoner, and his eldest son gets kicked out of university and embroiled in a gambling scandal. The lonely Duke must learn to bridge the generational gap and reconnect with his children without the help of his beloved wife. It is a quiet, elegiac, and beautiful end to the saga. A true author knows that connecting with their audience, or in this case family, is vital, which is why many seek to build a supportive author community online.

Top Standalone Anthony Trollope Books

While Trollope is famous for his series, he also wrote many brilliant standalone novels. If you don't want to commit to a six-book series, these are excellent choices that represent some of his finest work.

The Way We Live Now (1875)

Worth mentioning again, as this is arguably his magnum opus. It's a blistering satire of a society obsessed with money and status. The character of Augustus Melmotte is one of the great villains in English literature. If you only read one Trollope novel, this is the one to pick. The Trollope Society's "Pick Up A Trollope" campaign in 2020 highlighted the ongoing popularity and relevance of his work among modern readers.

Orley Farm (1862)

A sprawling novel with a plot centered on a long-running legal case. For twenty years, the charming Lady Mason has lived peacefully at Orley Farm, which she inherited after a disputed codicil was added to her late husband's will. When a new lawsuit challenges her ownership, the secrets of the past threaten to unravel her life and the lives of everyone around her. Trollope perfectly captures the slow, grinding nature of the legal system and creates a deeply compelling moral drama.

The Three Clerks (1858)

This novel is one of Trollope's most personal, drawing heavily on his own experiences working as a clerk in the civil service. It follows the careers and love lives of three friends who work in the "Weights and Measures" office. One is steady and hardworking, another is brilliant but lazy, and the third, Alaric Tudor, is ambitious and easily tempted by the lure of quick money from stock market speculation. It’s a fascinating look at Victorian work culture, ambition, and morality.

Anthony Trollope Bibliography: A Simple Table

For easy reference, here is a breakdown of the two major series by publication date.