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The Duke's Children

By: Anthony Trollope
Narrated by: Timothy West
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Summary

Exclusively from Audible

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.

Critic reviews

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

What listeners say about The Duke's Children

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Trollope and West - the perfect match

Would you listen to The Duke's Children again? Why?

yes, this is already my second or third time, I love it.

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

Any other of Trollope's novels, read by Timothy West. Pure escapism

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

His lovely voice, inflection and pronouncement is perfect. He doesn't give female characters silly voices. He is perfect and brings the characters to life wonderfully. Listening to audiobooks continuously as I do, I can only recommend it to everyone.

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

laugh constantly, Trollope was such a clever and witty writer. This novel did not have any real sad bits.

Any additional comments?

Find more of Trollope's novels that have not yet been recorded. But it has to be Timothy West as narrator.

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A Delight from Start to Finish

I doubt anyone could do more justice to this work than Timothy West, always the most intelligent and insightful interpreter, who deals effortlessly with the sometimes demanding prose. Every subclause is given its proper emphasis. Every character is brought to life in delightful fashion. If there is one small lack, it his American accents which do not come up to the mark. The book itself satisfies on all fronts, seeming to me the most balanced of Trollope's novels that I have encountered as to the ratio of joy to sorrow and tribulation. The Duke of Omnium is infuriating and not a romantic figure. I don't think 'nerd' would be too far off as a description.

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Timothy West excellent as always

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.

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  • CJ
  • 15-04-20

Fantastic!

I have been absolutely captivated by these Palliser stories and devastated that they are now at their end. The characters are wonderfully drawn and the story lines amusing as well as fascinating in terms of their time. Timothy West is just brilliant throughout. I can not give high enough praise for all six of these Trollope/West Audible books. I think I may just have to start them all over again.

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Superb narration

I cannot be more grateful to Timothy West for his wonderful narration. There is no one better in my experience.

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it took me a while to get into it

I felt aggrieved about the dispatch of the duchess but all in all I thoroughly enjoyed this book and think it a fitting end to the Palliser series. I will definitely be exploring more of mr trollope's work

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an absolute joy

can't recommend high enough all of anthony trollopes books. however although wonderfully written I beleive that the narrater brought them to life .
make sure to read them in the correct order. enjoy

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really good

like this a lot. it's really very good reading.thank you for these great classic reads

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Sheer delight

I cannot praise Timothy West enough for my discovering Anthony Trollope. He brings the characters and stories to life. I have listened and absorbed in sheer delight the human insights Trollope brings to the reader and listener from complex human relationships. I found myself immersed in the language of the 19th century.

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West wonderful

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.

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6 people found this helpful