Framley Parsonage

By: Anthony Trollope

Narrated by: Timothy West

Length: 19 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible

In the fourth audiobook in Anthony Trollope's series known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire, the values of a Victorian gentleman, the young clergyman Mark Robarts, are put to the test. Though he lives a comfortable life, has a doting wife, children and a patroness in Lady Lufton, his ambitions stretch beyond the little village of Framley. Through a combination of naivety and social climbing, Robarts is compromised and brought to the brink of financial and social ruin by the disreputable politician, Sowerby.

Meanwhile, a romance develops between Mark's younger sister, Lucy, and Lady Lufton's son. He proposes, but the marriage is firmly opposed by his mother. Lucy recognises the difference in their social positions, which forces her to reject Lord Lufton's proposal unless his mother asks her to accept him.

Working with the prose of one of the most successful and respected English novelists of the Victorian era, narrator Timothy West captures Trollope's customary humour, offsetting the drama of the tale with great compassion. Like all in the Barsetshire series, it is an extraordinarily evocative picture of everyday life in 19th-century England that delves deep into the social issues of the time.

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 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, The Day of the Jackal. On television, Timothy has appeared in Broken Biscuits (BBC), Great Canal Journeys (across 3 Series), regular role of Stan Carter on EastEnders (BBC); Last Tango in Halifax; Bleak House, Bedtime and Brass.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Loved it.

Beautifully read. Engaging characters. A.m. Enjoying listening too the whole of the Barsetshire Chronicles in order.

Such a joy to listen to

Love this book I love the actor, so many stories within one story, I learned how limited my vocabulary is

"Is the Game Worth the Gamble?"

Timothy West did a great narration bringing out all of Trollope's subtle humor, sly jabs, the winks and nods. Lawyers, newspapermen, financers and churchmen come under a broadside from Trollope's heavy guns. He unloads his full wicked wit on the whole disgusting tribe. It was an excuse for writing a perfectly lovely comedy of romantic entanglements. The cunning back-stabbing political and match-making schemes, as well as shadow cat fights are exquisite. For instance, the extremely rich, not particularly lovely, older heiress Miss Dunstable seemed to attract only offers which pass as corporate mergers. I think her first appearance was in "Dr. Thorne" where the financially embarrassed Greshams tried merging her with the family heir. The poor girl is bombarded with proposals or should I say get rich schemes for the proposers. I love the conclusion of her numerous courtships having forgotten it was in this book. Miss Dunstable's is not even the best romance in this story; in best one, I won't even tell you what the girl made the suitor do. It is agonizingly perfect. Psst, it has something to do with what his haughty disapproving mother has to do. I think that Trollope believed that overzealous attempts of mamas and papas to bring about the marriage of a son or daughter generally had contrary and often humorous effects. At least that is what happens in his books including this one. What I really like about Trollope is he generally doesn't lead the reader on then pull the rug from beneath one's feet at the conclusion. As an example of rug pullers I give you Mary Ann Evans a.k.a. George Eliot, "The Mill on the Floss" or that gosh awful woman, Edith Wharton. Most probably disagree with me but hey, I read them but still growl. Another thing I like about Trollope is his partiality for the unsuited but worthy lover very much on display in "Framley Parsonage". This is a totally satisfying story from a great writer.

Stinging Insight into Rural English Life

What made the experience of listening to Framley Parsonage the most enjoyable?

The character development and author's insight into and wit about the impact of social order on those with money and power, like the church and landowners; and those without, or who did not follow the social rules.

What other book might you compare Framley Parsonage to and why?

I recommend the entire series for those who enjoy character development stories about this period of English social and religious order.

What about Timothy West’s performance did you like?

He is excellent with all ages and characters. Tone of his voice is also very pleasing to listener.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Inside view into 1800 English church and rural social order.

Any additional comments?

book is informing and funny and sad all at the same time. Sad to be at the bottom of the social order, funny to hear the games played, and intriguing in character development as their stories/lives unwind in their little community.

Parsonage, politics, and debt intrigues

Trollope goes into great detail about 19c. English parsonage life, and debt machinations. As always, he examines, comments on in his inimitable descriptive style, and skewers, the class system. And, of course, it is brought vividly to life by the incomparable Timothy West.

Trollope at His Wittiest

Trollope leaves not stone unturned as reveals the noblest and least moral tribe surrounding the parsonage.

Trollope is always current!

Such delightful language, marvelous characters! You can meet those kind even today! Read all his books!!

Character development.

The narration was wonderful, masterfully delivered. Insights of historic British family and aristocratic life was informative while being entertaining.