Phineas Redux

Anthony Trollope's Phineas Redux resurrects one of Victorian literature's most compelling political ambitions in this gripping fourth installment of the Palliser series. After being forced to abandon his promising parliamentary career to marry his pregnant Irish sweetheart, Phineas Finn has retreated into the tedium of rural life as a Poorhouse Inspector. When his wife dies in childbirth, leaving him adrift and unfulfilled, he makes a fateful decision to return to England and reclaim his place in the corridors of power. Back in London, Phineas navigates the treacherous landscape of Victorian politics and high society, where ambition clashes with morality and romantic entanglements threaten to derail his carefully laid plans. Trollope masterfully weaves together political intrigue with intimate character studies, reuniting readers with beloved figures like the formidable Glencora and Plantagenet Palliser, the enigmatic Madame Goesler, and the scandal-prone Lizzie Eustace. Their interconnected lives create a rich tapestry of competing desires, loyalties, and compromises. Originally serialized in 1873, this historical fiction captures the essence of nineteenth-century English parliamentary drama while exploring timeless questions about ambition, love, and the cost of success. Perfect for listeners who appreciate sophisticated character-driven narratives and the intricate social dynamics of Victorian England, Phineas Redux delivers both romance and political suspense in equal measure.