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The Warden cover art

The Warden

By: Anthony Trollope
Narrated by: Timothy West
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Summary

Exclusively from Audible

The first of six in Trollope's series of the Chronicles of Barsetshire introducing the fictional cathedral town of Barchester and the characters of Septimus Harding, the Warden, and his son-in-law Archdeacon Grantly.

The Warden concerns the moral dilemma of the conscientious Reverend Septimus Harding, who finds himself at the centre of a bitter conflict between defenders of Church privilege and the reformers of the mid-Victorian period.

His daughter's suitor, John Bold, is a political radical and passionate reformer who launches a campaign against Harding's management of the financial affairs of the charity, thus shattering the atmosphere of the once tranquil town of Barchester. The scandal is not improved when Harding's indelicate son-in-law, Archdeacon Grantly, leaps to his defence.

The audiobook is a charming social comedy and love story that portrays life in an English cathedral town whilst looking at the larger social and political issues.

The Warden was Trollope's first literary success which paved the way for him to later leave his career as a Post Office Inspector and become a prolific and much-respected author of the Victorian era. He eventually published 47 novels, many of which are still popular and well-loved today due to their timeless quality and parallels with contemporary society.

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).

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Warden

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Volume one in a perfect series

It's hard to explain just how good Timothy West's readings of Trollope are. The authorial voice is humane, wise, and various and overcomes Trollope's prosiness and repeated turns of phrase. The characters are all wonderfully done - lively and distinct without caricature. This is how audiobooks should be done - a reader who enhances the books rather than, as so many are, being an obstacle to be endured in order to get at the book behind. Bliss.

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35 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A delight

A beautiful reading of a tremendously touching novel. Timothy West is an outstanding narrator.

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26 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful

The combination of Timothy West and Trollope has got to be my very favourite Audible experience.

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18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enduring appeal

The key moral dilemmas of this novel (church sinecures giving undeserved wealth to fortunate insiders) belong to the nineteenth century and could seem a bit remote today. However, the way that this undeserved money affects the protagonists, their different reactions, the guilt, the temptations and family relationships is universal and timeless. Perhaps a bit goody-goody for today's tastes, a touch sentimental. I enjoyed it, nonetheless, as a gentle summer listen. A holiday in the pleasant surroundings of a Cathedral Close in the 1850s.

Timothy West delivers Trollope's elegant sentences with the skill of an actor. Some books are better on the page, but I think this little jewel sparkles more brightly as an audiobook.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Suberb

I thought I didn't like Trollope until I listened to this. I had no idea he was so dry and amusing and Timothy West's narration is sublime.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful classic!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Warden to be better than the print version?

I really do believe that listening to this version of the audio book has been a better experience than reading the printed edition. Having loved the tv series some years ago it was easy to visualise the characters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Warden?

Each scene that contains Dr. Grantley are moments to savour. The humour in how he displays his Victorian Christianity is legendary. The insights that Trollope gives us into the behaviour of the press in the 19th century demonstrates that little has changed in 150 years.

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

Timothy West reads this story majestically. He brings the characters alive, makes the 19th century language easily understandable and his voice is comforting and confidential. So many books can be spoiled by the narrator but I would buy any narrated by Mr. West.

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

The Warden is the sort of tale that makes you smile a lot rather than laugh out loud. It certainly makes the listener consider the behaviours and attitudes of the 19th century communities - so little difference from today.

Any additional comments?

Usually I listen to my books in bed and very often fall asleep but with The Warden I didn't want to miss one word of this entertaining story (even though I already know it). I have savoured it over a full month. Trollope and West together are really that good in my opinion. Buy and enjoy. Excellent!

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic rendition

Timothy West's narration of this book is superb. He has one of those rare voices which, without being over dramatic or forced in any way, holds the listener's attention fully and deals with the complexities of the prose with consummate skill. His reading of the characters is spot on too. At first sight, the Victorian novel might not seem, for many, to be the most welcoming in style and content, but I would definitely recommend this to anybody who might be new to the genre and to those, like me, who have read the books and wish to add another dimension to their experience.
I am looking forward to listening to the remaining five novels in the series.
If I have one criticism, it is of the fact that the 'chapters', as listed in the user interface, do not match the chapters in the book. This has led to some difficulty navigating at times. I wonder if it would be possible to rectify this.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent writing

The words flowed effortlessly and were a pleasure to listen to. Full of metaphors and eloquent prose. Maybe by today's standard the action was a bit slow. For example chapters 14 and 15 together were only about John Bold visiting Tom Towers to ask a favour - the answer being "no".
I previously listened to the BBC dramatised version (18 hours 47 minutes for the complete set of 6 books). The BBC version definitely adds value for modern ears, but once you learn to appreciate the writing, the original Anthony Trollope version still has a lot of value - if you have time.
Timothy West is an excellent narrator. He has no mannerisms which distract from the words he is reading.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Utterly delightful

What a perfect piece! The Warden is a wonderful novel full of fabulous characters. It’s an exquisite observation of nineteenth century life, full of ascerbic witticisms and also a huge amount of love for several of the key characters. I had a smile on my face for most of it. And - best of all - Timothy West! Flawless in his delivery. I was bereft when it finished and have just bought the next in the series, Barchester Towers. Highly recommend.

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4 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Just could not get into

I loved the Pallisers and was excited to start this series - I have tried hard and relistened but alas nothing. I don’t know whether to persevere with the following ones....

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3 people found this helpful