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The Duke's Children

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The Duke's Children

By: Anthony Trollope
Narrated by: Timothy West
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The Duke's Children is the sixth and final audiobook in the Palliser series.

Plantagenet Palliser, the Duke of Omnium and former Prime Minister of England, is widowed and wracked by grief. Struggling to adapt to life without his beloved Lady Glencora, he works hard to guide and support his three adult children. Palliser soon discovers, however, that his own plans for them are very different from their desires. Sent down from university in disgrace, his two sons quickly begin to run up gambling debts.

His only daughter, meanwhile, longs passionately to marry the poor son of a squire against her father's will. But while the Duke's dearest wishes for the three are thwarted one by one, he ultimately comes to understand that parents can learn from their own children.

A remarkable story of love, loyalty and principles, written by one of the most respected novelists of the Victorian era. With over 40 published novels, Trollope's is regarded as some of the greatest 19th-century fiction.

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 Palliser series. He has also narrated volumes of Simon Schama's A History of Britain and John Mortimer's Rumpole on Trial.

West's theatre roles 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 held the regular role of Stan Carter on EastEnders (BBC), as well as appearing in Broken Biscuits (BBC), three series of Great Canal Journeys, Last Tango in Halifax; Bleak House, Bedtime and Brass.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
Classics Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Fiction Feel-Good Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Witty Theatre England
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Critic reviews

"...his writing feels like life, it's hard to say just how he works his magic...." (Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker)
All stars
Most relevant
... as usual.

But why has this book appeared in Audible's list before "The Prime Minister"? Glencora is mysteriously gone (it wouldn't be a mystery if we had "The Prime Minister" and Plantagenet is a single parent not making a very good job of it. But he learns. I do enjoy his reaction to the slang of the time and Trollope is very good at the interplay between generations, and between British and American characters.

If you know the Palliser series you might not mind hearing this next after "Phineas Redux". Or it would work as a standalone novel. But if you are following the series for the first time in order then badger Audible for "The Prime Minister" before listening to this.

I wish there were more to come.

Trollope and Timothy West perfectly matched ...

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I have now heard Timothy West read the whole Palliser Saga and feel privileged to have heard him narrate them. The books can so sometimes be repetitive and long winded but he makes it work and paints a wonderful picture in the mind to the extent that you are hardly aware of the narrator. I am sad to hear no more of the Pallisers and their circle but am grateful for this insight into mid Victorian politics which often reflects the doings of today although the social life reflected in it is very different. There is in any case a nice balance between the two and as in life there are always a few losers.

West wonderful

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Finally reached the end.. it was very long but worth it. such a well written & narrated book.

long but worth it!

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If you could sum up The Duke's Children in three words, what would they be?

Change, fear, determination.

What other book might you compare The Duke's Children to, and why?

It has to be The Prime Minister, which tells the story prior to this one.

Have you listened to any of Timothy West’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Yes, all of them and all of them are excellent.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The deep sadness of the Duke following his wife's death.

Any additional comments?

In my review of The Prime Minister I commented on Plantagenet Palliser's deep sadness at the death of his wife, but actually that's a feature of this book. Whoops! Comes of gorging on Timothy West's telling of these novels.

Timothy West excellent as always

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Beautifully read by Timothy West. as the tone and manner of delivery seems to be perfectly matched to the writing. One of Trollope's gifts is to bring alive the aristocratic sentiments and manners of that period. And even though so different to the present times the fact that people are people with all their personalities and foibles is timeless and this Trollope is able to capture and so his writing like Gaskell and Austen remain timeless. I have loved all of Timothy West's narration of Trollope and this is no exception.

Timothy West and Anthony Trollope Perfect Together

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