Can You Forgive Her?

By: Anthony Trollope

Narrated by: Timothy West

Length: 28 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible

Can You Forgive Her? is the first of the six in the Palliser series.

Trollope inextricably binds together the issues of parliamentary election and marriage, of politics and privacy. The values and aspirations of the governing stratum of Victorian society are ruthlessly examined, and none remains unscathed.

But above all Trollope focuses on the predicament of women. 'What should a woman do with her life?' asks Alice Vavasor of herself, and this theme is echoed by every other woman, from her friend, the uncomfortably married Lady Glencora, to her aunt, the coquettish Mrs. Greenow, as well as her clear-headed cousin, Kate.

Alice is torn between marrying her ambitious but violent cousin George or the bland but gentlemanly John Grey, ending up both accepting and rejecting each of them in turn and thus transgressing from the Victorian moral code.

In contrast, her friend Lady Glencora is forced to marry the rising politician Plantagenet Palliser to prevent the worthless Burgo Fitzgerald from wasting her vast fortune.

Trollope was considered one of the most successful and respected English writers of the Victorian era. With more than 40 published novels, they are regarded by some as among the greatest of 19th-century fiction. Many of his works covered political, social and gender issues. Fans of his work have included former British Prime Ministers Harold Macmillan and Sir John Major.

Narrator Biography

Timothy West is prolific in film, television, theatre and audiobooks. He has narrated a number of Anthony Trollope’s classics, 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 theatre roles include King Lear, The Vote, Uncle Vanya, A Number, Quarter, and Coriolanus. His films include Ever After, Joan Of Arc, Endgame, Iris, The Day of the Jackal. On television, Timothy has appeared in Great Canal Journeys, Last Tango in Halifax and Bleak House.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

An audio page turner

I loved this book, but I do like Trollope and classic fiction in general. The narration is great, although I wish that the pauses between chapters weren't quite so long. If you're not into long novels then this probably isn't the audiobook for you. But if you enjoy Trollope, this is a great buy.

Worth the Time Spent

It took me a while to get through this long audiobook, but I'm so happy I did. I thoroughly enjoyed it, the characters, and the story.

I was not a fan, early on, of John Grey - and, in fact, was a fan of George's. I must not have the best taste. But as the story progressed, I came to my senses.

And, as was the plea, I do forgive Alice for her ultimate happiness. Especially since she tried so hard to avoid it.

Loved it!

I’ve read several Trollope novels now but I think this is my favorite! Great story.

Superb performance and sound

This is a review of the audiobook narrated by Timothy West, not a review of the novel per se. (I would advise new readers/listeners to Trollope to start with Barchester Towers.)
This is an superb performance of Trollope's speaking narrative. Trollope, I think, would love it; it is entirely in Trollope's service. Trollope's style, syntax, and voice are all excellently rendered throughout the 28 hours of storytelling. The acoustic quality is consistently perfect throughout all 28 hours. If West made any mistakes, they were edited out perfectly. The microphone was placed perfectly. I listened to the Audible enhanced MP3 format, which is 800 MB for the unabridged novel. The recording is so good that the lighter MP3 formats are sure to be of the highest quality also.
West's differentiation of individual characters is excellent, as each narrative voice is specific and recognizable and yet not delivered with extravagance. West's aim is to be expressive yet subtle. (Perhaps the subplot with Mrs. Greenow and her two suitors is a bit extravagant, but that is as Trollope wishes.) West renders sustained dramatic dialogue perfectly (very important for one of Trollope's greatest strengths), with just the right timing and nuances of tone. Glencora's quick, witty, passionate voice comes through very well.
In short: The narrator is performed as a speaking voice, and the characters are acted through the narrative voice. Trollope provided the score, and West is a great musician.

great reader, so-so Trollope

story engaging; paternalism irritating. first Palliser book. not sure if worth while to read more.

Completely Entertaining!

It's hard to explain this lengthy Victorian novel, as it follows many characters and several plot lines. Politics, various aspects of marriage, mistakes both innocent and guilty, and the examination of contemporary morals and mores link together to form a deliciously meaty, completely entertaining, excellently penned experience. I was smitten from the beginning, laughed out loud often, and enjoyed every minute of the 28 hours. It's not for everyone, of course, but those loving Victorian novels as I do should find it delightful.

Timothy West is an amazing narrator, and gives such life to the characters. I plan to listen to all of his Trollope performances!

Can’t stop listening when I should be sleeping

Your patience will be rewarded listening to this masterfully performed beautifully written saga of Anthony Trollope’s soap and commentary of women,marriage and politics. I Will continue with the next book in this series.

No I can't

Great listen - I'm working my way through the audio collection of Trollope and having read this book 20 years ago really enjoyed the wonderful narration by Timothy West. I'm a huge fan of his work - especially the female voices. The great aunts etc. Boy were the old girls bossy back then. I do love it when they feel the need to tell some distant relative how to run their lives. What happened to these people - Did the First World War knock them all off!

Trollop at his best

A very well told story, loved every moment of it. The narrator was excellent. The time just flew and I can't wait to read the rest of the books.

Where Dickens Saw Classes, Trollope Sees People

Ignore the hyperventilated, reductive identity politics of the Publisher's Summary and enjoy a story that transcends the comfortable class compartments of Dickens. Here we have real people who, rich or poor, male or female, are capable of being both good and bad, generous and self-centered (at the same time…imagine that).

True, our female characters struggle with the question, "What am I to do with my life?", but then so do the men. Here we find them--from an aloof Victorian patriarch capable of changing for the better, to daring young firebrands who can't. It's an approach that makes Trollope's novels so much more unpredictable, complex, and realistic than Dickens'--and so much less preachy and didactic.

Having listened my way through the Barsetshire Chronicles, The Way We Live Now and Doctor Wortle’s School, I can say I’ve never enjoyed a Trollope novel more than this one. And Timothy West hands in a superb performance here. I look forward to following him through the other five installments of the Palliser story.