Cousin Henry. Anthony Trollope

Despite a decreasing popularity throughout his career, Anthony Trollope (1815-1882) has become one of the most notable and respected English novelists of the Victorian Era. His penetrating novels on political, social and gender issues of his day have placed him among such nineteenth century literary icons as Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and George Eliot. Trollope penned 47 novels in his career, in addition to various short stories, travel books and biographies. «Cousin Henry» was first published in 1879, and has been called one of Trollope's more experimental short novels. Protagonist Indefer Jones is forced to choose an heir to his estate due to his ailing health. Jones is torn between logic and social conventions to choose the heir, as the obvious candidate happens to be his niece, but tradition dictates that it should be a man that shares his surname. The tale follows the conflict between heirs, and the dramatic happenings that ensue.