Meeting Summary—July 31, 2026

Great Books KC—The Way We Live Now, by Trollope (Chp.1-67)

Summary

The group discussed their reading progress through Trollope's novel, focusing on the character of Augustus Melmont and his political rise, which they compared to modern political figures like Trump. They reviewed key plot points including Melmont's party with the Emperor of China and the complications surrounding Paul Montague's engagement to Marie. The discussion included analysis of Trollope's writing style, particularly his use of the word "ain't" which was common for that period, and they noted that while this might not be Trollope's best work, it contains strong social and political messages.

They analyzed the character Melmont discussing his financial schemes and how he pays some bills while defrauding others. The conversation then shifted to Trollope's portrayal of female characters in his era, with participants noting how unusual it was for the time to see strong, independent women characters with agency. The discussion concluded with questions about the book's target audience.

The group discussed Anthony Trollope's novel, with Don describing it as bland while others noted its focus on character analysis and social commentary. Tom highlighted the central theme of marrying for money versus love, and the discussion touched on various characters' motivations and societal pressures. The conversation also included observations about the author's use of classical literature references and asides to the reader in the text.

The group discussed Anthony Trollope's novel, focusing on various characters and themes including financial speculation, social class, and religious differences. They analyzed characters like Paul, Mrs. Hurdle, and Felix Carbury, discussing their motivations and relationships. The participants compared Trollope's writing style to Dickens, noting differences in character development and social commentary. They also touched on the historical context of the novel, including financial bubbles and government oversight of speculation. The discussion concluded with hints of predictions about the outcomes of certain character relationships in the story.