The fifth novel of the Barchester Chronicles is The Small House at Allington. This novel introduces us to a new range of characters whilst still maintaining contacts with established favourites. The story concentrates around Lily Dale a character about whom Trollope said he ‘loved’ but who, later in his life said was a ‘prig’. Whatever you may decide on the question of Lily Dale, The Small House is a hugely enjoyable fifth instalment to the series but works equally well as a stand alone novel that can be enjoyed with no prior knowledge of the rest of the series.