The Macdermots of Ballycloran

"The Macdermots of Ballycloran" by Anthony Trollope is a novel written in the mid-19th century. The story unfolds in the impoverished setting of rural Ireland, focusing on the Macdermot family as they navigate the struggles of maintaining their estate amidst financial woes, social pressures, and changing times. Central characters include Thady and Euphemia (Feemy) Macdermot, who grapple with the legacy of their family's past and the looming threat of losing their home. The opening of the novel sets a vivid scene in a decaying Ballycloran house, where the narrator reflects on its state of ruin and the indicative past of the Macdermot family. The protagonist arrives in the village of Drumsna on business and takes a solitary walk to explore the desolate estate, encountering local inhabitants and their hard lives. As he learns from a local man about the previous residents, he begins to hand on the story of the Macdermots, who have succumbed to a cycle of debt and despair. The narrative introduces the troubled family dynamics and paints a bleak picture of their socioeconomic challenges, setting the stage for the unfolding drama. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Anthony Trollope was an English novelist and civil servant of the Victorian era. Among his best-known works is a series of novels collectively known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire, which revolves around the imaginary county of Barsetshire. He also wrote novels on political, social, and gender issues, and other topical matters.