The Last Chronicle of Barset

By: Anthony Trollope

Narrated by: Timothy West

Length: 30 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible

In the last and most complex of the Barsetshire audiobooks, many of Trollope's best-loved characters appear, but the mood of the recording is darker and more uneasy than in earlier volumes.

At the heart of the audiobook is the penniless Reverend Josiah Crawley, first encountered in Framley Parsonage, who in the opening of the story is accused of theft, creating a public scandal that threatens to tear the community apart. As well as this central mystery we find Johnny Eames attempting to woo Lily Dale and the now grown-up Major Henry Grantly falling in love with Reverend Crawley's daughter, Grace, against the wishes of his father, the Archdeacon. The Bishop Proudie and his formidable wife also receive their most dramatic portrayal with Mrs. Proudie finally meeting her match.

This final volume manages to resolve many threads started in the first volume and is a fitting conclusion to the series.

The Last Chronicle of Barset is considered by many, including Trollope himself, to be his best work. A prolific and respected novelist of the 19th-century he created 47 novels and many short stories that have continued to be popular and well-loved.

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 Palliser series. He has also narrated volumes of Simon Schama's A History of Britain and John Mortimer's Rumpole on Trial.

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 and The Day of the Jackal. On television, Timothy has held the regular role of Stan Carter on EastEnders (BBC), as well as appearing in Broken Biscuits (BBC), three series of Great Canal Journeys, Last Tango in Halifax; Bleak House, Bedtime and Brass.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Good (with some frustrating characters)

I love Trollope, & I would listen to Timothy West read almost anything. A couple of the characters in this book sort of irritate me, & the book is mighty long. Now that it’s over, though, I’m going to miss Barsetshire.

Timothy West at his best

The only thing better than a Barchester novel is one read on Audible by Timothy West. What a delight!

Addictive

Would you listen to The Last Chronicle of Barset again? Why?

I have listened to The Last Chronicle five times. I love being in the company of these characters. Their world, their time.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Last Chronicle of Barset?

The meeting of Grace and the Archbishop

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

Timothy West is outstanding. There is no comparison between reading the book and listening to his stellar performance. Each character is vividly alive. No movie could replicate the effectiveness of his performance, I wish he would read Orley Farm. The difference between the Spoken Word Orley Farm that is available and the TW performances is frustrating.

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

I would not make a film of this book. There are no actors capable of portraying the characters as they are presented by this recording.

In need of an editor's red pencil

''The Last Chronicle of Barset'' is wonderful, but this lengthy and most enjoyable novel is in need of an editor. There simply is too much repetition and backtracking. Timothy West is outstanding. I can listen to him all day!

Accent

If you could sum up The Last Chronicle of Barset in three words, what would they be?

Any additional comments?

For the most part, Timothy West is as brilliant a reader as he is an actor. But, when it comes to Mrs. van Siewer, he fails completely. Instead of trying for a Dutch accent, he resorts to a sort of parody of a Yiddish accent. Oh dear. He manages the variety of English accents flawlessly. But his rendition of Mrs. van Siewer is the only hole in an otherwise wonderful audible rendition of this novel.

Superb conclusion to Trollope’s Barchester novels

You can’t go past Timothy West’s achingly perfect readings of Anthony Trollope’s funny, compassionate, and civilised novels.

The Clever Mr. Trollope

This is one of the few Trollope novels I had not read. It re-introduces several characters from earlier Barchester Chronicles, wrapping up their storylines. But, to be honest, I had encountered them so many years ago, I couldn't really remember them. So I am pleased to report that this book holds up entirely on its own, as a lovely, comic and touching conclusion to Trollope's clerical novels. I found myself walking miles further because I was on tenterhooks about the fate of these gentle (or ambitious or exasperating) characters, shrewdly characterized by Timothy West. And it contains a long passage about the end days of an aging cleric, whose goodness, mildness and acceptance are both utterly believable, and piquantly contrasted with those among whom he lives, that I pulled over to weep. Whereas Dickens often portrays goodness as treacle, Trollope never loses sight of his characters as people in a closely observed world.

AN ABSOLUTE JOY TO LISTEN TO!!!

I cannot fully express how much pleasure I have experienced listening to the entire series "The Chronicles of Barset". Anthony Trollope's style is so well written...literate and clever, witty and warm. I generally have a deep dislike for "romance" in my books but not with Trollope whose "Chronicles" have unrequited love as a central theme..... as well as wealth, poverty, social class and the general absurdity of the human race . This only goes to show you the extent to which this writer is able to pull you in to his world.
I have every intention of listening to every book Trollope has written - especially the ones read by the amazing TIMOTHY WEST. This narrator reads these books has though these were his stories.
I hope you will enjoy these books as much as I have. GOOD HEAVENS!!! (inside joke)

A great novel, beautifully narrated

I've read all Trollope's novels multiple times & this was already a favorite, full of complex characters & storylines that range from the dramatic to the comic. Timothy West's narration was a joy, & he provides distinct voices for each character without going "over the top."

Masterful Narration

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. I had read the first five of the Barsetshire series, and liked them very much. This audiobook came alive,

What did you like best about this story?

Definitely the narration. Timothy West is simply amazing.

What about Timothy West’s performance did you like?

His characterization. I had clearly not completely understood the character of the archdeacon, but Timothy West plumbed the depths of this man, and with great nuance, helped me see him and his relationships more clearly. And Mrs. Proudie! Oh my. Hilarious.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Trollope is not particularly moving - he seems to be the less maudlin counterpart to Dickens. I love how he teases out myriad details in the small circumstance of a missing check, and I love seeing how 19th century relationships and cultural expectations work.

Any additional comments?

Timothy West - I am now going to find and listen to every book you've ever narrated. :)