The fifth book in the Palliser series focuses on two characters: Ferdinand Lopez, a Portuguese immigrant who is driven by ambition and money, and Plantagenet Palliser, the Prime Minister. Lopez is ignorant of the difference between right and wrong, while Palliser is ridden with self-doubt and has a thin skin when it comes to criticism. His wife, Glencora Palliser, is a happy worldling who plans ostentatious parties to help her husband's political career. The novel explores the complexities of their marriage and the importance of resilience and other soft social skills for politicians. It also contains parodies of the unfair editorials of the scandal sheet, Peoples Banner. An interesting aspect of the book is the Lady Glen's delightful capriciousness, which leads to a political crisis.
Not my favorite Trollope. Seems to lack the human touch of the Barset Chronicles. But (supposedly) high on the list of favorites of "Old Trollopians" because of the fugue-like plot structure and ironical protrayals of English upper, middle and lower class interactions.
