The BIG READ 2027: Two series, every Monday
The Trollope Society is delighted to announce two BIG READ programmes for 2027, with a Zoom meeting every Monday throughout the year.
Since the BIG READ began in 2020, readers from around the world have joined us to explore Anthony Trollope’s novels together. In 2027, we’re introducing a new format, with two separate reading programmes running alongside one another.
- BIG READ Barsetshire will take us through all six Barsetshire novels in publication order, and
- BIG READ Complete Novels will complete our ambition of reading all of Trollope’s novels.
The two series will run on alternate Mondays, so you can join either programme or take part in both.
Join us for the BIG READ 2027
Whether you’re joining us for the first time, returning to the Barsetshire novels or completing your journey through Trollope’s novels, we’d be delighted to welcome you.
All meetings take place on Zoom at 8.00pm UK time. Registration is free. Once registered, you’ll receive details of how to join the meetings. You can attend as many or as few as you wish.
Zoom Meetings Terms of UseBIG READ Barsetshire
Our first series takes us back to Barsetshire, the fictional English county that provides the setting for six of Trollope’s best-loved novels.
Beginning on Monday 11 January 2027, we’ll read all six novels in publication order, from The Warden to The Last Chronicle of Barset.
We’ll meet on Zoom every fortnight to discuss the chapters we’ve read, following the familiar BIG READ format, with an introduction from a volunteer followed by questions and discussion.
This is an ideal opportunity for anyone new to Trollope to discover the world of Barchester and its memorable inhabitants. Equally, those returning to the novels will find plenty to enjoy and discuss, particularly as we follow characters and stories across the entire series.
BIG READ Complete Novels
Our second series continues the original BIG READ’s ambition of reading all of Anthony Trollope’s novels.
Beginning on Monday 4 January 2027, we’ll tackle the remaining novels, including some of Trollope’s less frequently read works. The programme begins with Marion Fay and continues through to The Fixed Period in February 2028.
For this series, we’re introducing a slightly different format. We’ll meet every fortnight, but meetings covering the earlier chapters of each novel will last just 30 minutes. There will be no introductory presentation. Instead, we’ll go straight into questions and discussion, giving everyone an opportunity to share their thoughts on the chapters we’ve read.
When we reach the concluding chapters of each novel, we’ll hold a full-length meeting, with an introduction, time to consider the novel as a whole and explore its themes and characters.
Choose your series, or join us for both
If you’ve been taking part in the BIG READ over the past five years, you may want to join BIG READ Complete Novels as we work our way through the remaining novels and bring our original ambition of reading all Trollope’s novels to a conclusion.
Many regular participants will already have read the six Barsetshire novels with us, so there’s certainly no need to read both series. However, you’re very welcome to join the Barsetshire discussions without rereading the books, or you may enjoy the opportunity to revisit them in publication order and follow the development of Trollope’s characters and stories across all six novels.
And, of course, if you’re new to Trollope, BIG READ Barsetshire is an excellent place to begin. Whichever programme you choose, you’re welcome to join us for as many meetings as you wish.
The BIG READ Barsetshire 2027 schedule
The Warden
- 11 January: Chapters 1–10
- 25 January: Chapters 11–21
Barchester Towers
- 8 February: Chapters 1–13
- 22 February: Chapters 14–26
- 8 March: Chapters 27–39
- 22 March: Chapters 40–53
Doctor Thorne
- 5 April: Chapters 1–12
- 19 April: Chapters 13–24
- 3 May: Chapters 25–36
- 17 May: Chapters 37–47
Framley Parsonage
- 31 May: Chapters 1–12
- 14 June: Chapters 13–24
- 28 June: Chapters 25–36
- 12 July: Chapters 37–48
The Small House at Allington
- 26 July: Chapters 1–15
- 9 August: Chapters 16–30
- 23 August: Chapters 31–45
- 6 September: Chapters 46–60
The Last Chronicle of Barset
- 20 September: Chapters 1–13
- 4 October: Chapters 14–26
- 18 October: Chapters 27–39
- 1 November: Chapters 40–52
- 15 November: Chapters 53–65
- 29 November: Chapters 66–80
The BIG READ Complete Novels 2027–28 schedule
Marion Fay
- 4 January 2027: Chapters 1–13
- 18 January: Chapters 14–26
- 1 February: Chapters 27–39
- 15 February: Chapters 40–52
- 1 March: Chapters 53–64 and concluding discussion
The Landleaguers
- 15 March: Chapters 1–12
- 29 March: Chapters 13–24
- 12 April: Chapters 25–36
- 26 April: Chapters 37–49 and concluding discussion
La Vendée
- 10 May: Chapters 1–12
- 24 May: Chapters 13–24
- 7 June: Chapters 25–35 and concluding discussion
Sir Harry Hotspur of Humblethwaite
- 21 June: Chapters 1–12
- 5 July: Chapters 13–24 and concluding discussion
An Eye for an Eye
- 19 July: Chapters 1–12
- 2 August: Chapters 13–24 and concluding discussion
An Old Man’s Love
- 16 August: Chapters 1–12
- 30 August: Chapters 13–24 and concluding discussion
Brown, Jones and Robinson
- 13 September: Chapters 1–12
- 27 September: Chapters 13–24 and concluding discussion
Kept in the Dark
- 11 October: Chapters 1–12
- 25 October: Chapters 13–24 and concluding discussion
The Golden Lion of Granpère
- 8 November: Chapters 1–10
- 22 November: Chapters 11–21 and concluding discussion
Linda Tressel
- 6 December: Chapters 1–8
- 20 December: Chapters 9–17 and concluding discussion
Nina Balatka
- 3 January 2028: Chapters 1–8
- 17 January: Chapters 9–16 and concluding discussion
Harry Heathcote of Gangoil
- 31 January 2028: Chapters 1–12 and concluding discussion
The Fixed Period
- 14 February 2028: Chapters 1–12 and concluding discussion
Join us for the BIG READ 2027
Whether you’re joining us for the first time, returning to the Barsetshire novels or completing your journey through Trollope’s novels, we’d be delighted to welcome you.
All meetings take place on Zoom at 8.00pm UK time. Registration is free. Once registered, you’ll receive details of how to join the meetings. You can attend as many or as few as you wish.
Zoom Meetings Terms of Use