Phineas Redux

Despite a decreasing popularity throughout his career, Anthony Trollope (1815-1882) has become one of the most notable and respected English novelists of the Victorian Era. His penetrating novels on political, social and gender issues of his day have placed him among such nineteenth century literary icons as Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and George Eliot. Trollope penned 47 novels in his career, in addition to various short stories, travel books and biographies. "Phineas Redux" was first published in 1873 as the fourth novel in the "Palliser" series. It is the story of Phineas Finn, who, when the story begins, has stepped down as a member of parliament to become a lowly poorhouse inspector. When his wife dies in childbirth, he leaves the life he made in Ireland and returns to London. Finn tries his hand in politics once again, and gets caught up in its scandalous inner-workings.