The Way We Live Now

2001 • Drama

Anthony Trollope’s epic tale of Victorian power and corruption, set in the 1870s. Within weeks of his arrival in London, financier Augustus Melmotte announces a railway is to be built from Salt Lake City to the Gulf of Mexico and entices distinguished members of England's land-rich, cash-poor aristocracy into his web. Many are eager to sell their ailing land parcels to afford moving to London proper and naïve speculators are all lured in with promises of an instant fortune.

Dive into the richly textured world of Anthony Trollope's 'The Way We Live Now', where the underlying social satire and intricate plot are rendered with a complexity that can only be fully appreciated in the novel's detailed narrative. Trollope's masterful portrayal of Victorian society's greed and ambition is both timeless and arresting, offering a profound critique that resonates with modern times. The novel not only unveils the machinations behind London's financial circles through the intriguing character of Augustus Melmotte but also explores the varied spectrum of human conditions and motivations with depth and subtlety. Reading the book opens a window into a bygone era, yet its themes echo contemporary issues, making it an enduring classic that goes beyond the series' visual representation, allowing readers to engage with the enduring wit and insights of Trollope's prose.