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The Way We Live Now
- Narrated by: Timothy West
- Length: 32 hrs and 25 mins
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The Way We Live Now
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Summary
Exclusively from Audible
In this world of bribes, vendettas, and swindling, in which heiresses are gambled and won, Trollope's characters embody all the vices: Lady Carbury is 'false from head to foot'; her son Felix has 'the instincts of a horse, not approaching the higher sympathies of a dog'; and Melmotte - the colossal figure who dominates the book - is a 'horrid, big, rich scoundrel...a bloated swindler...a vile city ruffian'. But as vile as he is, he is considered one of Trollope's greatest creations.
Trollope's highly regarded satire is about the dishonest and villainous financier, Augustus Melmotte, who captivates and buys his way into the corrupt aristocratic society of London, throwing it into turmoil.
Described by The Guardian as 'the darkest of Trollope's 47 novels' it is also the longest with gloriously rich subplots. Inspired by the financial scandals of the 1870s, the novel is a dramatization of how greed and dishonesty permeated life during that era.
The Way We Live Now has become recognised as Trollope's masterpiece and was featured at Number 22 in The Guardian's 100 best novels.
Narrator Biography
Timothy West is prolific in film, television, theatre, and audiobooks. He has narrated a number of Anthony Trollope's classic audiobooks, including the six Chronicles of Barsetshire and The Pallisers series. He has also narrated volumes of Simon Schama's A History of Britain and John Mortimer's Rumpole on Trial.
Timothy West's theatrical credits include King Lear, The Vote, Uncle Vanya, A Number, Quarter, and Coriolanus and his films include Ever After, Joan Of Arc, Endgame, Iris, and The Day of the Jackal. On television, Timothy has appeared in Broken Biscuits (BBC), Great Canal Journeys (across 3 Series), and the regular role of Stan Carter on EastEnders (BBC).
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Mikko
- 23-12-12
Better than TV
Trollope has not been translated to my native tongua (Finnish) so I got to know this great novel through the BBC TV adaptation with David Suchet as the star. The adaptation took rather many liberties in polarising the issues and drama. The novel is superior to the screenplay, more nuances and verisimilitude.
Timothy West is even to me well-known actor with genuine wit. He omits the often annoying strong impersonations ie he does not try to speak high for females or anything like that. Still, he paces the characters very well and lives out their psychology engagingly. He has a most plesant voice and diction.
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18 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jonathan Overend
- 15-03-21
Brilliant
A brilliant story and superb narration.
A timeless tale of love and greed.
A true classic.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- emily hinshelwood
- 12-12-13
Great story! great narration
Would you listen to The Way We Live Now again? Why?
I have listened to this story four times and love it each time. It addresses such relevant issues to today, and yet it was written over 100 years ago. Trollope is an amazing storyteller.
Who was your favorite character and why?
My favourite character is possibly Lady Carbury; a single woman bringing up her children as a writer.
Which character – as performed by Timothy West – was your favourite?
I could listen to Timothy West all day. All the characters are performed brilliantly.
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Greed, railways and the city.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- christine coper
- 22-02-18
Brilliant narration by Timothy West
If you’re going to commit to 32 hours of listening, then you’ll need the best narrator and Timothy West does not disappoint. His beautifully nuanced, satirical tone and voicing of a wide range of characters is a delight. I was truly sorry when this novel came to an end.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 04-01-19
Enjoyable tale
wonderful narration by Timothy West, bringing the characters to life, humour to be found in many places.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rob Russell
- 09-01-23
Enjoyable first time with Trollope
I've listened to dramatisations of Trollope before and enjoyed the story and presentation but this was the first time I have tried the full version. Very enjoyable assisted in no small part by the narrator
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 05-11-22
Terrific
Although written so long ago, the troubles of the world seem never to change and strike a very contemporary note indeed. Brilliantly narrated by Timothy West. I thoroughly enjoyed listening again to a great classic and reacquainting myself with Trollope .
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- L. McCulloch
- 05-12-22
Utter brilliance
The themes, the characters are all dealt with brilliantly and the reading by Timothy West is a masterpiece.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MiniMe
- 17-12-22
Master of Masters
Oh Mr West - I fear I could never fully convey to you how enchanting and captivating I find the your telling of this glorious tale, and others of Mr Trollope, there is nothing more joyous than to listen to your voice as you bring to life with such warmth and such vividness these wonderfully diverse cast of characters.
If ever Mr Trollope had imagined his chronicles to be recorded in such a way, surely he could not have fancied any other than yourself.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mary Carnegie
- 12-07-19
Trollope is worth revisiting
Brilliantly narrated by Timothy West, one of a few who can do not-English voices without seeming to mock them.Politics is our time isn’t so far removed from 21c. Power of media increased. Women’s rights are improved thank God, Author’s views are somewhat less anglocentric than most of that era, and the indomitable class system and xenophobia of England is satirised.
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