I found this 3rd novel of the Palliser series the most enjoyable book so far. It reminded me of Vanity Fair in some ways, such as not really having a heroine. Lizzie Eustace is not as fun as Becky Sharp, because she isn't as clever - in fact, quite stupid in many ways. Lucy Morris is almost as annoying as Amelia & only saved by being such a minor character. ( )

The third novel in Trollope’s Palliser series, this book is mostly a novel of manners and has very little to do with politics. It concerns the rather tawdry social career of Lizziw Freyatock, the beautifulm but extremely selfish daughter of an admiral who manages to induce the wealthy Sir Florian Eustace to marry her. Lord Eustace is a bore, so it is very convenient when he dies within a few months of his marriage. Lizzie is left with a baby son, the heir to the title, a life interest in the Scotch property, Portray Castle, and an income of £4,000 per year.. There is also a diamond necklace, valued at £10,000 which she claims was given to her by Sir Florian. The Eustace family lawyer, Mr. Camperdown, however claims that the necklace is a family heirloom and thus, not her personal property. Lizzie refuses to give up the necklace and the claims and counterclaims over the necklace drives the plot of this novel.
Lizzie is a Kardashian before that regrettable family existed Besides being pursued by the redoubtable Mr. Camperdown for the necklace, Lizzie is in pursuit of husband #2 who she thinks will protect her interests from these bothersome lawyers. She has two initial candidates: her cousin Frank Greenstock who is an MP and is also unfortunately engages to a poor governess, Lucy Morris; and Lord Fawn, an under secretary in the India office. Both these men appear to ne ninnies where Lizzie isa concerned, but finally, they see through her lies and deceits and back away from entanglements with her. Lizzie then falls in with a disreputable set of characters, tries to orchestrate the theft of her own necklace and ends up back at Portray Castle married to Mr. Emilius, a reformed Jew who has become a popular preacher in London.
Trollope’s richly drawn characters give readers of this novel a detailed picture of life in Victorian England from the top of society to the bottom where con artists and charlatans desperately hang on to their aura of respectability. ( )

Loved. I marvel at the author creating a compelling story out of a palpably uninteresting story of who owns some diamonds / how some diamonds weren't really stolen and then were stolen. But that anti-heroine.... so real so false so true. The pleasures of the twists and resolutions were many. So glad that it all worked out for the policeman and Patience Crabstick.

And to imagine I considered skipping this one and moving on to the looked forward to Phineas Redux... ( )

I love Trollope's writing style and characterization, however I never enjoy anti-hero/heroine stories. ( )

Here's what I wrote after reading in 1984: "In my opinion, not the best Trollope I've read. One of his "political novels". Did Lizzie Greystock have the right to the Eustace family diamonds? Were they worth the price?" Relatively low opinion seems borne out by modern treatment in popular online sources. ( )