The Way We Live Now cover art

The Way We Live Now

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The Way We Live Now

By: Anthony Trollope
Narrated by: Timothy West
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In this world of bribes, vendettas, and swindling, in which heiresses are gambled and won, Trollope's characters embody all the vices: Lady Carbury is 'false from head to foot'; her son Felix has 'the instincts of a horse, not approaching the higher sympathies of a dog'; and Melmotte - the colossal figure who dominates the book - is a 'horrid, big, rich scoundrel...a bloated swindler...a vile city ruffian'. But as vile as he is, he is considered one of Trollope's greatest creations.

Trollope's highly regarded satire is about the dishonest and villainous financier, Augustus Melmotte, who captivates and buys his way into the corrupt aristocratic society of London, throwing it into turmoil.

Described by The Guardian as 'the darkest of Trollope's 47 novels' it is also the longest with gloriously rich subplots. Inspired by the financial scandals of the 1870s, the novel is a dramatization of how greed and dishonesty permeated life during that era.

The Way We Live Now has become recognised as Trollope's masterpiece and was featured at Number 22 in The Guardian's 100 best novels.

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.
Classics Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Witty Fiction Funny Thought-Provoking

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Critic reviews

"A tale of financial skulduggery reminiscent of recent city scandals." ( Daily Telegraph)
All stars
Most relevant
I would never have read a hard copy of this book. I chose it because of the reviews on Audible. They were not wrong. Great story of genteel 'ruthless people' brought alive by brilliant narration. Funny and touching. The best I have downloaded so far.

Timothy West Is Just Fantastic

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Trollope has not been translated to my native tongua (Finnish) so I got to know this great novel through the BBC TV adaptation with David Suchet as the star. The adaptation took rather many liberties in polarising the issues and drama. The novel is superior to the screenplay, more nuances and verisimilitude.



Timothy West is even to me well-known actor with genuine wit. He omits the often annoying strong impersonations ie he does not try to speak high for females or anything like that. Still, he paces the characters very well and lives out their psychology engagingly. He has a most plesant voice and diction.

Better than TV

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If you could sum up The Way We Live Now in three words, what would they be?

Quaint, exasperating! Inciteful.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Way We Live Now?

I enjoyed more than one moment in this book, mainly because the characters continued to behave true to form in certain situations, just as I would have have expected them to.

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

Great character voices - he brings each character to life.

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

It made me smile often, especially when some of the characters admitted that they might continue with their poor decisions/behaviour, even after a very honest and realistic self-evaluation. The characters carried on, true to form, twisting the plot a little more here and there.

Any additional comments?

I love Anthony Trollope characters. They are as alive, flawed, lovable, detestable and varied, as are the many wonderful characters created by Jane Austen or Charles Dickens. The story might be a little dated in this modern day and age, but I feel sure that I have met people like some of the characters in this book in everyday life.

Characters to love, dislike ... or make you smile!

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I was quite surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I listened to Barchester Chronicles on radio 4 but wasn't particularly impressed. To be honest I got it because it was a long book, got lots of good reviews, and so would hopefully see me through many hours of menial work. Its one of those "one ought to have read but probably never will" books like War and Peace. It is very dark (Trollope was clearly not particulary enamoured of his fellow man) but also has plenty of very dry humour in it and happy endings all round (sort of like Dickens). While societal rules have clearly changed since this was written (thank heavens) his characterisations/caricatures it still feel fresh and relevant. Definitely recommend it.

Well worth it

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30 hours of pure delight. The characterisation is superb and Trollope is a true master of literature.

Perspicacious and wonderful

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