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Barchester Towers

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Barchester Towers

By: Anthony Trollope
Narrated by: Timothy West
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Barchester Towers is the second of six in the series known as Chronicles of Barsetshire. Narrator Timothy West brings life to the story, begun in The Warden, of Mr. Harding and his daughter Eleanor. It chronicles the struggle for control of the English diocese of Barchester after one Bishop dies and a new one is selected.

The rather incompetent new Bishop, Dr. Proudie, led by his formidable wife, and ambitious chaplain, Mr. Slope, begin to create turmoil with their desire to shake up the church establishment in Barchester with new policies and practices. However, the established clergy of Barchester, led by Archdeacon Grantly, the son of the previous Bishop, are equally determined to keep things just as they've always been. Archdeacon Grantly declares 'War, war, internecine war!' on Bishop Proudie, but who will win the battle between the archdeacon, the bishop, Mr. Slope, and Mrs. Proudie?

The Guardian included Barchester Towers in its list of '1000 novels everyone must read'. Full of humour and extraordinary characters, it is no wonder it continues to be Trollope's best-loved work.

Narrator Biography

Timothy West is prolific in film, television, theatre and audiobooks. He has narrated a number of Anthony Trollope’s classics, 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 theatre roles include King Lear, The Vote, Uncle Vanya, A Number, Quarter, and Coriolanus. His films include Ever After, Joan Of Arc, Endgame, Iris, The Day of the Jackal. On television, Timothy has appeared in Great Canal Journeys, Last Tango in Halifax and Bleak House.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
Classics Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Fiction War Funny Witty Feel-Good Theatre

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Critic reviews

"It was in [Trollope's] fifth book, Barchester Towers, in which he blended his satirical gifts with disdain for evangelical puritanism, that he found himself." (Washington Post)

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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.

Wonderful

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Perfect pairing of narrator and book. A meander through episodes from the lives of some characters in 19th century ecclesiastical life.

19 hours of gentle entertainment

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What did you like most about Barchester Towers?

Timothy West has to be the best narrator ever. He really made all the characters into individuals, and brought the story properly to life. Brilliant.

What other book might you compare Barchester Towers to, and why?

The others in the series are all equally great. Timothy West again!

Which character – as performed by Timothy West – was your favourite?

The Archdeacon.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Beneath the surplice - an intimate portrait of church life in England.

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Where does Barchester Towers rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is an excellent listen and West has a good sense of comic timing while not obscuring the quiver moments. The cockney tinge to Slope's voice, though, felt a bit wrong - not enough to spoil my enjoyment but unexpected. Overall, wonderfully entertaining.

Entertaining

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Delivered with such precise and charming narration by Timothy West. His ability to inject the necessary humour and characterisation with such apparent ease is a sheer wonder. I look forward to the next instalment of the Barchester Chronicles.

Timothy West strikes gold again.

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