The Last Chronicle of Barset

by Anthony Trollope · 1867

In the final Barsetshire novel, Reverend Josiah Crawley, the impoverished perpetual curate of Hogglestock, is accused of stealing a cheque to cover his mounting debts. The scandal tears through the close‑knit community, pitting those who cling to his innocence against a hostile clergy eager to condemn him. As Crawley’s pride prevents him from defending himself, his daughter Grace faces her own trial: she has fallen in love with Major Henry Grantly, the widowed son of the archdeacon, and must win over a family that views her father as a criminal. Trollope weaves together humor, tragedy, and keen social observation, bringing closure to beloved characters while exposing the fragile dignity of a family struggling to maintain its standards amid disgrace. The novel is a masterful portrait of pride, shame, and the relentless pull of reputation in Victorian England.