The mother of the renowned novelist Anthony Trollope Frances Trollope began her literary career in the realm of nonfiction publishing an excoriating takedown of American manners and mores in 1832 She then turned to fiction channeling her staunch opinions into a series of social novels that tackled the toughest issues of the era Sprawling epic The Widow Barnaby is one of her most wellreceived efforts skillfully weaving elements of domestic drama tender romance subtle wit and gentle satire of the Victorian period