The Eustace Diamonds revolves around Lizzie Greystock, a fortune-hunter who ensnares the sickly, dissipated Sir Florian Eustace and is soon left a very wealthy widow and mother. While clever and beautiful, Lizzie has several character flaws; the greatest of these is an almost pathological delight in lying, even when it cannot benefit her. Before he dies, the disillusioned Sir Florian discovers all this, but does not think to change the generous terms of his will. The diamonds of the title are a necklace, a family heirloom that Sir Florian gave to Lizzie to wear. Though they belong to her husband's estate (and thus eventually will be the property of her son), Lizzie refuses to relinquish them. She lies about the terms under which they were given to her, leaving their ownership unclear. The indignant Eustace family lawyer, Mr. Camperdown, strives to retrieve the necklace, putting the Eustaces in an awkward position. On the one hand, the diamonds are valuable and Lizzie may not have a legal claim to them, but on the other, they do not want to antagonize the mother of the heir to the family estate._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_

Anthony Trollope, an eminent Victorian novelist, was born on April 24, 1815, in London, England. Renowned for his prolific writing and keen insight into the social and political landscapes of his time, Trollope penned an impressive array of works during his lifetime. One particularly notable example is 'The Eustace Diamonds' (1873), a satirical novel which forms part of his 'Palliser series'. This series adeptly combines Trollope's sharp social commentary with gripping, melodrama-infused narratives—a trademark of his literary style. Trollope's work is distinguished by its realistic characterizations and detailed depictions of the quotidian aspects of 19th century society, particularly the trials and tribulations of the English upper middle classes. With a formidable oeuvre of 47 novels, in addition to numerous short stories and non-fiction works, Trollope was both a reflective chronicler and a subtle critic of his time. He often employed intricately plotted narratives to explore the social dynamics and gender roles of his contemporary society. 'The Eustace Diamonds' itself, with its focus on the legal and moral implications surrounding a disputed inheritance, is emblematic of his approach to storytelling, which is at once critical and engaging. Trollope's significant contribution to English literature was acknowledged by his contemporaries and continues to be revered by scholars and readers alike. He passed away on December 6, 1882, but his legacy endures through his richly-detailed storytelling and pervasive themes of social justice and moral integrity.