Doctor Thorne

By: Anthony Trollope

Narrated by: Timothy West

Length: 20 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible

Doctor Thorne is the third audiobook in Anthony Trollope's series known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire. Long regarded as one of Trollope's greatest works, it is a complex story of love, greed and illegitimacy. Set in fictional Barsetshire, it concerns the romantic challenges facing Doctor Thorne's penniless niece, Mary, and Frank Gresham, the only son of the impoverished squire of Greshambury. Mary falls in love with Frank but he is constrained by the need to marry well to restore the family fortunes and Greshambury estate. Despite the promptings of his family to consider a Miss Dunstable, heiress to a fortune, Frank's affections persist, and the humane Doctor Thorne, as Mary's protector, must confront the prejudices of the mid-Victorian society.

Timothy West's narration enhances all the wit and satire that one expects from Trollope. Full of snobbery and hypocrisy, it is a social comedy full of some of Trollope's most brilliant characters.

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.

Critic reviews

" Doctor Thorne is engaging, witty, profoundly moving, and full of emotional strands that seem as relevant today as when it was written. I love it." (Julian Fellowes)

Excellent Book

The protagonist, Dr Thorne is a character for which the reader becomes quite fond. He is a complex and strong character. The dilemmas which the author presents are typical of those of the time and setting. This book is part of a series and I enjoyed it immensely. Characters become part of the overall saga and this in itself is interesting. The performance is brilliant.

Wonderful Old English satire. Similar to Jane Austin.

I loved this book. I love happy endings. I really enjoy old English style stories, especially when they describe the beauty at the same time poking fun at the narrow minded views of some of the “upper class”. It was a riot how quickly her “unfortunate birth” was forgotten and “forgiven” as soon as there was money involved.

loved the movie so i decided to listen to the book

loved the movie so i decided to listen to the book. loved the book more! the characters, writing style, and storyline were l so enjoyable!

Such a great narrative and performance!

I'm new to Anthony Trollope and growing to be quite a fan. There was a streaming TV production of Doctor Thorne a few years back and I've watched it 2 or 3 times so I thought it was high time to get acquainted with the source material. I'm an English lit super fan and have read and re-read all the Austen, Bronte, and Dickens classics. While this book may not be as popular or "important" as the work of those other authors, it's just as satisfying and enlightening. The story is compelling while being both serious and fun. The voice actor does a wonderful job with all of the characters too.

Really a good value!

Trollope is always a good value in Audiobooks, over 20 hours of a well read story that keeps you glued to the headphones - even though you may have heard it nearly all before in other Trollope stories

Outstanding Classic Novel!

This book is an outstanding portrayal of the complications of life for the upper class in England on the mid-1800’s. Outstanding heroes and heroines, feisty villains, a great snapshot of an era!

Absolutely the best!

This is a terrific book! Trollope employed dry wit and satire to relate the events surrounding Dr. Thorne, his niece, Mary Thorne and the Gresham family in Victorian England. Compliments to the narrator.

Fabulous fun!

This book was so much fun and so beautifully red by Timothy West. Thank you

Another great Trollope

Superbly read. I love Trollopes books but this actor truly brings them to life. Thanks Audible.

Great story!

We are treated to a world full of well-rounded, and interesting characters. I enjoyed every page!