Rachel Ray

Rachel Ray was written by Anthony Trollope in 1863 and tells the simple story of the eponymous heroine and Luke Rowan. Wrapped around this central tale, Trollope examines in his liberal and wry way, the lot of Victorian women. Mrs Prime, a tough , unlovable widow, faces the problems of modern women, wanting a husband and social standing but not willing to give up her financial independence or her chance to make her mark in the world. Interestingly, Trollope’s treatment of the clergymen in this novel is largely unsympathetic.