So, here's the deal with Can You Forgive Her? It's the first book in Anthony Trollope's Palliser series, but you can absolutely jump in here. It follows three different storylines, all connected by the theme of women making (and questioning) huge life choices.

The Story

The main thread is about Alice Vavasor. She's smart, wealthy, and engaged to John Grey, a genuinely good man who loves her. The problem? She finds him a bit... boring. Her charismatic but financially reckless cousin, George, reappears and convinces her she's meant for a more exciting life. Against everyone's advice, she breaks her engagement. Most of the book is us watching Alice wrestle with that decision. Was it independence or self-sabotage?

The other plots mirror her dilemma. Her friend, the wonderful but coquettish Glencora Palliser, is trapped in a politically advantageous but loveless marriage to the rigid Plantagenet Palliser. And then there's the comic relief of Aunt Greenow, a wealthy widow expertly playing two very different suitors against each other. It's a brilliant setup that shows the limited options women had, from the serious to the silly.

Why You Should Read It

What blew me away was how current Alice's internal struggle feels. Trollope gets inside her head. Her doubts aren't about good versus evil; they're about safe passion versus risky passion, duty versus desire, head versus heart. You'll want to shake her and hug her at the same time. The other characters are just as vivid. Plantagenet Palliser, obsessed with decimal currency, is somehow endearing. The scheming George is infuriatingly charming.

Trollope writes with this warm, knowing voice. He's like a clever, slightly gossipy friend explaining everyone's motivations. He doesn't judge his characters harshly; he presents their flaws and lets you decide. The title itself is a direct question to you, the reader. Can you forgive Alice for her indecision? It makes you part of the story.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone who loves character-driven stories where the biggest battles happen in conversations and inside people's minds. If you enjoy Jane Austen's social comedies but wish they had a bit more psychological depth and a longer page count to really live in, Trollope is your next stop. It's also a great pick for readers who think classics are stuffy—this one is full of wit, sharp observation, and relatable human messiness. Just be prepared to get very invested in Victorian engagement drama!