The Honorary Consul (Graham Greene, 1973)

I like Greene's books, and will continue to work through them.

Protagonist is a doctor (Plarr) who moved south from Paraguay with his mother when a child - leaving behind his politically dubious father (in a country where that always seems to be a big problem).  Now he lives in a small town near the Paraguayan border.  Half-English and half Paraguayan; identifies with the local English community (consisting of three members, including him).  The Honorary Consul (English) is an aging mediocrity with a new, young wife who Plarr finds interesting, let's say.

The Honorary Consul is mistakenly kidnapped and held for ransom with some desperate amateurs who were going after the U.S. ambassador.  The kidnappers are Paraguayans with information about Plarr's father; Plarr is mixed up in their activities.  Head of the kidnapper group is a former priest, which gives Greene some room to work in his Catholic themes.

Good, I liked it.

The Small House at Allington (Anthony Trollope, 1864)

I've been wanting to read Trollope, not quite sure why it's taken so long to pick up one of his books.

This was entertaining, but I won't prioritize reading more of his stuff.  Good, but didn't grab.  Easy reading.

The protagonist - Lily Dale - is supposed to be one of his best female characters - but I found her behavior after being jilted (pretty outrageously, by the "swell" Mr. Crosbie) to show somebody "in denial" and just plain naive - didn't strike me as "noble" at all.

Trollope can sketch characters and scenes extremely adeptly - this is enjoyable.  Though I don't think it required 650 pages to tell this particular story.

Johnny Eames grows up, with an assist via the earl and the bull.  Sub-plot involves him at the boarding house with Amelia Roper, the Lupex couple, "Cradell," etc.

De Courcy family - this was a very effective discussion of what life must have been like for nobility in decline; it was increasingly acceptable for these types to marry the right type of commoners, though not so wise if the commoner doesn't bring money into the marriage (as Crosbie didn't).

Lily's sister (Bell) and her mother; Dr. Crofts.

The squire - his nephew (Bernard).  The squire belatedly builds relationships with the Dales.

A Canticle for Leibowitz (Walter M. Miller, Jr., 1960) (take 3)

Book club selection (via PJr).

Re-read for "book club".  I like it better each time.

Earlier (and very brief) discussion can be found here.

Some related thoughts (from 1976) can be found here.