I did find an easier Trollope, and read 'The Warden'.
I found the first half sentimental and annoying but the second half took off for me as Hardings doubts become more cogently expressed and in particular in a chapter called “Mount Olympus’, in which Trollope I think quite brilliantly writes about the rise of a free press, warts and all, but apparently ‘free’ to challenge established values, and question age-old assumptions about rights, etc (as in rights to an income from a wardenship).
Trollope (I think) was writing in the 1860s, which again I think coincided with the rise of the press as we know it today, although not then bought up by the press barons who presumably bought it up not long after its influence had become apparent to them.
So I will definitely read more Trollope, but not straight away!
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