Set the Tardis to 1861

I'm beginning to wonder whether my plan to audit the whole of the Barchester Chronicles this summer is not a great use of my time. This volume is twice as long as the first (The Warden, set in 1851) but it doesn't really seem to add very much that is new. The characters are the same, as is the setting, and their concerns and attitudes also. I still love the atmosphere of the Cathedral close in 1855, the sunny gardens and very correct grammar and manners, and the insights into the nineteenth century frame of mind (e.g. the position of women and class structures) but it is now becoming predictable and repetitive. I'm going to skip the next volume (Dr Thorne) and fast forward to 1861. Into this happy band of ecclesiasticals should fall the nuclear bomb of the Origin of Species, and I'm hoping that will spice things up.

The performance from Timothy West is first class. Every character has a distinct, consistent and appropriate voice, including Trollope himself: it is Trollope himself who is starting to pall for me.

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3 people found this helpful

Beloved classic enlivened by narration.

With Trollope’s novels a story is enhanced by the manner of his telling of it, his asides to the reader, humour and satire. When West reads Trollope for us, it seems as if the author himself were talking to us, with the extra talent of an accomplished actor.
19th century novels may seem long to some folk in the present age where short books are those which win literary prizes but I enjoy the slower pace which gives a longer acquaintanceship with your heroes and favourite villains. Trollope’s characters are rarely entirely saintly or completely demonic (cf Dickens, satirised as Mr Popular Sentiment), and he avoids the inflexible strict moral tone of Carlyle (Mr Pessimist Anticant) - I do love how he names many minor characters (Mr Quiverfull does not find his 14 children the unalloyed blessings from the Almighty of psalm 127, which hasn’t stopped a group of evangelical Christians from appropriating his name for their polyphiloprogenitive movement.)

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2 people found this helpful

Wonderful

What made the experience of listening to Barchester Towers the most enjoyable?

I've always loved this book in all it's many forms, so now I can listen to it at night when sleep evades me! Thank you Amazon.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Love them all!

What does Timothy West bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Wonderful reading voice.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both

Any additional comments?

Try it if you like classics.

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1 person found this helpful

Excellent.

Interesting story; insightful about human nature and motivations; well-realised settings and characters. Fascinating historically re: the Church

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A great novel, exquisitely read

The skilful plot peopled by engaging characters, incomparably read by a brilliant reader, Make this a great audible experience.

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Highly recommended

Unfortunately, I have started to read the Barsetshire Chronicles in the wrong order, but none the less I don't think this matters a great deal. This is in fact the second novel from the Trollope tales, and what a treat to get "The Chronicles" included with Audible membership.
There are a great many characters in the novel from the smarmy Mr Slope (my favourite) to Dr Grantly, the Arch Deacon my least favourite.
The newly appointed Bishop is totally henpecked and the power behind the throne, is definitely his less than delightful wife.
I have downloaded the entire series, and I am totally hooked. Timothy West is a first class narrator, and I look forward to listening to my next chronicle with great anticipation.

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Pure pleasure

This recording of Barchester Towers is an absolute joy to listen to. Timothy West gives each character their unique 'voice' and it is easy to picture them in conversation together.
My favourite is Rev. Slope who sounds as slimy and ingratiating as Trollope writes him.
I usually listen to my Audible books before going to sleep and I had several rather late nights while listening to this as I didn't want to stop!

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3 people found this helpful

Love Trollope Love West

A match made in heaven . Exquisite narration of perfection in literature.This is audible at its best

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well done Mr Arabim.

I enjoyed the story and how the characters interacted with each other, especially Mrs Peoudy and Mr Slope.

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excellent

a great read, or rather listen, very amusing, fantastic characterisation. I certainly recommend the book

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