SOURCE: Rigby, Sarah. “Making Lemonade.” London Review of Books 17, no. 11 (8 June 1995): 31-2.

In the following review, Rigby argues that Trollope's writing deserves to be taken more seriously by critical audiences, citing The Best of Friends as an example of how powerfully Trollope handles such themes as “the stifling social hierarchies and the prejudices of provincial communities among old-fashioned institutions.”

Critics don't think much of Joanna Trollope's novels. They call them inconsequential, petty and suburban. But that's beside the point, because as far as money and fame are concerned she's a phenomenal success. The critical reaction isn't surprising: very popular writers are often dismissed in this way. Trollope, though, has some claim to be taken more seriously.

It's because this is evident and yet thought to be inappropriate that the odd sense of unease which surrounds all discussion of her work has built up. Trollope isn't felt to be...