Phineas Finn

By: Anthony Trollope

Narrated by: Timothy West

Length: 23 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible

In Phineas Finn, the second of the Palliser series, Trollope balances the rival demands of public and private life, entangling political ambitions with the experiences of love.

Phineas Finn, an irresistible but penniless young Irish barrister enters Parliament and comes to London leaving behind him an Irish sweetheart, Mary Flood-Jones. In London, Phineas wins friends on all sides and is admitted into high society. However, he also falls more-or-less in love, first with politically-minded Lady Laura Standish, then with Violet Effingham, and finally with wealthy widow Madame Max Goesler.

With his character, reputation and prospects at stake, Phineas must make some ethical choices in regards to his career, political beliefs and romantic life - but what must he sacrifice?

Trollope deals with a diverse set of topics including reform and the Irish question, the position of women in society, and the conflict that integrity and ambition pose, the latter still being as relevant today as it was in the 1860s.

Phineas Finn is the first of Trollope's works to feature the affairs of the parliamentary world as a major interest. Three of the main characters are based on Benjamin Disraeli, William Gladstone, and the English reform politician John Bright.

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's theatre includes 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.

Trollope shines with Timothy West's brilliance!

Trollope offers more depth of character than Dickens and an incredible way with words, but he would not be half as interesting without Timothy West's amazing interpretation. West becomes Trollope, in both senses.

Phineas Finn

Overall I enjoyed thus book. It was a bit long and some points tedious. However, I did be if it from reading it.

Still true today

"Phineas Finn" could be filmed in modern dress -- it's a timeless story. It follows a number of young people as they establish themselves in the adult world, and reminds me very much of my own youth. Everyone seems to start with more or less the same potential -- while Phineas feels he's been dealt a poor hand, it is perfectly clear he has advantages of wit and charisma that make up for his poverty. Those qualities lead him into temptation (he's no saint) and back out again. Others in his circle, as brilliant as their prospects seem, make decisions that lead them into compromised futures or even dead ends. As always, Trollope is shrewdly observant of human nature, and as always, draws sharp, powerful and engaging female characters, whose limited life options are particularly brought to our attention in this fine book.

Love love love

So happy to have found both a new favorite author and narrator - Trollope and West are a dynamic team, and so looking forward to their remaining combinations.

A great view of Victorian life and politics

Would you consider the audio edition of Phineas Finn to be better than the print version?

Yes, I think so, much as I love to read print books. The narrator, Timothy West, is absolutely fabulous: dramatic, fun, sensitive to the nuances of all the characters. He's one of the main reasons I have loved listening to the first two novels in this series.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Phineas Finn?

For me, it was when Phineas has to decide about whom he will marry, a decision that will determine in many ways the future of his own career.

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

Please see my first comment. West captures that inestimable British flavor---formal and yet intimate, thoughtful, fun, careful---he's just great!

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

The life and loves of Phineas Finn

Any additional comments?

The book held my attention throughout, with only a bit of flagging when Trollope gets deeply into Victorian/Parliamentary politics and procedures. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed PHINEAS FINN. I wouldn't mind running into Phineas again in a future Trollope novel, but my guess is that Trollope is finished with his story. Given how much I have enjoyed the first two, I plan to read the remaining four novels in this series---and many more Trollope novels besides, especially if Timothy West narrates them.

A good Trollope Novel

I read the first three of this series out of order so may go back and "Redux"'!

Romance of Victorian Ireland &England

Phineas Finn is the second of Anthony Trollope’s novels that I have “read.” I picked up Trollope after reading in CS Lewis’ autobiography, Surprised by Joy, that Lewis’ father read Trollope’s books. My brain is weary of novels with millennial or latter 20th century morals. The more serious consideration of what is love-making by Victorian elites and especially, the sacrifices Trollope’s women would make either for family or for love and detailed explanations either in person or by letter appeals to the reader. The character of Phineas Finn was intriguing the more because of how it set off the morality of women attracted to him. The novel is not high literature (especially because of its surprising ending) but the narrator’s Irish and English accents entertain and so does Trollope’s depiction of the differences in national character. Wonderful for expressions of English landscape and late 19th century political and social life.

Excellent book

Trollope is a treasure, and Timothy West does an awesome job reading Trollope's books. If you haven't read Trollope, you are really missing something.

Loving Trollope!

Just the most satisfying read-though it leaves you hungry for more, so you will want to read others in the Palliser series. I first read "Can You Forgive Her?" and enjoyed the overlapping characters and equal charm of "Phineas Finn" very much.

The window Trollope gives the reader into the inner thoughts of his characters is so entertaining that I found myself laughing out loud at the self-justification and rumination. Only Trollope can make fickle emotions so very charming. Having found the same to be true in "Can You Forgive Her", I cannot wait to read another in the next in the Palliser Series to see if that is a Trollope hallmark.

Reading a little about Trollope's experience of political life will increase your enjoyment.

The reader is superlative! I will be looking for more read by him.

I am sad to be finished, but will attempt to find consolation by moving on to "The Eustace Diamonds"!

A wise and wonderful work

West is nearly as good a reader as Trollope is a writer. Although the book is much less bombastic than most of Dickens and far less melodramatic then Wilkie Collins, it just as absorbing as anything either of those Victorian masters ever wrote. All in all, this was a wonderful way to experience a wonderful book.