Anthony Trollope 
Rachel Ray 

Set in Devon, where Rachel lives with her widowed mother and older sister, ‘Rachel Ray’ charts the romantic interests of young Rachel. When Londoner Luke Rowan comes to their small village of Baslehurst she becomes infatuated, and the pair are soon engaged. Rumours begin to swirl about Luke’s character however, as the locals begin to resent the outsider. Will Rachel and Luke be able to overcome the suspicions of others? First published in 1863 in the earlier stages of Anthony Trollope’s literary career, ‘Rachel Ray’ is a fascinating depiction of daily life in a small, rural Victorian community, the power of the Church, and a warning against the dangers of jealousy and gossip. Full of well-drawn, humorous characters, ‘Rachel Ray’ is a great place to start for those new to Trollope.-