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The Eustace Diamonds
- Narrated by: Timothy West
- Length: 25 hrs and 38 mins
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Summary
Exclusively from Audible
Who owns the Eustace Diamonds? Lizzie Eustace claims that Sir Florian Eustace, her late husband, gave them to her. But Mr. Camperdown, the family solicitor, insists that they are an heirloom, to be passed down from generation to generation. Lizzie is both beautiful and clever, yet Mr. Camperdown believes her to be a scheming liar. And Mr. Camperdown is right! The battle for the diamonds rages until a robbery intervenes and they disappear. Or do they...? Will the scheming and manipulative Lizzie ever get what she deserves?
The third and least political in Trollope's six-volume Palliser series, this audiobook features a most remarkable heroine. Humorously cynical, Trollope shows his insight into human nature, painting each character's flaws. But how will their flaws determine their fate?
Anthony Trollope was one of the most popular and prolific novelists of the 19th century and his work is considered some of the greatest fiction of the era.
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.
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What listeners say about The Eustace Diamonds
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Overall
- Amberdoggie
- 25-08-10
The Eustace Diamonds
Timothy West has such subtlety and humourous nuance flowing from his brain to his vocal chords that he could read a train timetable and I would probably be interested for ten minutes at least. It is wonderful to have a reader of such skill to present the various works of Trollope for the first time, for me at least. Now I see where Joanna gets it. An enthralling look at what people of a certain class were up to in England in the 1860's. Flawless reading, and nice and long.
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14 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Julie Bail
- 27-07-10
Marvellous Trollope and Timothy West
So entertaining and insightful, beautifully read. I do hope Timothy West records the rest of Anthony Trollope. These are my favourite audio books.
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13 people found this helpful
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- Pony Tails
- 23-01-15
If it doesn't grab you at first, persevere!
What did you like most about The Eustace Diamonds?
Terrific story, brilliantly read by Timothy West, as all his Trollope novels are. A very great pleasure to listen to.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Lizzie [Lady] Eustace. A marvellous antihero, Timothy West plays her part wonderfully, intoning all her scheming, tantrums, and feminine wiles. We have all met Lizzie types in life, Trollope gets under her skin and presents her character in an alarmingly clear sighted and almost, at times, sympathetic way. In a way, she is a bit of a relief after so many near-perfect, patient and compliant females in a number of his tales (including Lucy Morris in this one).
Which character – as performed by Timothy West – was your favourite?
A cameo performance of the lawyer Mr 'Turtle' Dove is memorable, though it's a short appearance in the book, but so well done. His Mr Camperdown, another lawyer, is also spot-on. But Timothy West plays all the characters 'in character' whether male or female, he does them all justice.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Not that I can remember, but I recall laughing quite alot all the way through; there were some hilarious asides, mainly linked to Lizzie's antics and her dealings with Lord Fawn and later with Lord George. The description of Portray Castle in Scotland sounds very much like Culzean Castle, also on the Ayrshire coast, which today has a wondrous garden, though during 'Lizzie's tenure' it has gone to rack and ruin, more or less, since she cannot afford to staff it appropriately.
Any additional comments?
This book did not grab me at first and I struggled with it, for some reason, for a couple of 'go's at the first chapters over several weeks before getting stuck in -- glued to it, in fact. If you find it doesn't grab you at first, try again. It is well worth it. A good story; much too long, really. It would benefit from editing; Trollope repeats himself often and retreads already described scenarios for no obvious reason; some of the asides are weak and seem like pointless padding-out to meet a word-count. Nevertheless, I was sorry to finish it and played it all again soon after! I wondered if Trollope chose Eustace because it rhymes with 'useless'... They are the 'useless diamonds', when all is said and done, but enjoyable, all the same.
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7 people found this helpful
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- LilyRose
- 03-06-15
Wicked Lizzie Eustace!
You can't help liking the central character in her schemes to keep a family heirloom and to find a husband, even though she causes all sorts of trouble with her selfishness and stubbornness. Highlights very strongly the 19th century need to marry for money (for men and women). Superbly read by Timothy West as usual. Very long, but thoroughly enjoyable. Warning: contains a bit of Victorian anti-semitism , so be aware if that would offend you.
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Christine
- 05-12-11
What a minx
Lizzie Eustace has been brilliantly written by Trollope, and this is a twisting story that is quite difficult to predict. Loved this (read just as brilliantly as usual by Timothy West).
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6 people found this helpful
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- JH
- 30-05-13
A Convoluted Tale
A typical Trollope tale with lots of deception and twists and turns. Lizzie finally gets what she deserves!!! Timothy West gives it a wonderful gravity.
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3 people found this helpful
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- MrsCat
- 04-12-15
Fantastic!
If you could sum up The Eustace Diamonds in three words, what would they be?
Can't be done.
What other book might you compare The Eustace Diamonds to, and why?
Vanity Fair, probably, because of the similarity between the ( anti) heroines and the entertainment value.
Have you listened to any of Timothy West’s other performances? How does this one compare?
No, I have not, but on the back of this one I will be looking out for other books he's read.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes, though I also wanted to savour it in small bites...
Any additional comments?
This really is a very enjoyable book and reading - Timothy West's lovely fruity voice and slight suggestion of ham are perfect for what is a cracking story.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Deborah
- 10-06-12
Exciting!
This was so enjoyable, so exciting that I couldn't wait to get back to it each day and was sad when it ended. So well-read, he really is the best in my book.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Mrs S E Curtis
- 16-07-23
Narrator made the story worth listening too
Timothy West is an absolutely excellent narrator. He made this story. The protagonist is so frustrating. We are told numerous times that she's clever but in fact she's very dim. The story could have been cut in half and still be too long. Not Trollope's best.
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1 person found this helpful
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- offgrid
- 14-05-17
A true saga
While the endless wrangling over the family jewels might seem overly prolonged it does give an insight in to the economic pressures and transactional nature which defined matrimonial arrangements in that era. And of course Trollope's depiction of his charcters is as always masterfully compelling.
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1 person found this helpful