The Prime Minister

By: Anthony Trollope

Narrated by: Timothy West

Length: 27 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible

Plantaganet Palliser, Prime Minister of England - a man of power and prestige, with all the breeding and inherited wealth that goes with it - is appalled at the inexorable rise of Ferdinand Lopez. An exotic impostor, seemingly from nowhere, Lopez has society at his feet, while well-connected ladies vie with each other to exert influence on his behalf - even Palliser's own wife, Lady Glencora. But when the interloper makes a socially advantageous marriage, Palliser must decide whether to stand by his wife's support for Lopez in a by-election or leave him to face exposure as a fortune-hunting adventurer.

The fifth audiobook in Trollope's six-volume Palliser series, it is a story of social, sexual and domestic politics. The Prime Minister raises one of the most enduring questions in government - whether a morally scrupulous gentleman can make an effective leader.

With beautifully developed characters, Trollope intertwines the political and domestic stories, analysing the politics behind both government and marriage.

The author of 47 novels and many short stories he was one of the most prolific and successful novelists of the Victorian era with his work remaining popular and well-loved throughout the ages.

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.

masterpiece

Wonderful description of human emotions. Trollope is never at a lost to express precisely what his characters are feeling.

Another excellent resding by Mr. West.

SOME AUTHORS NEVER LOOSE THEIR STORY ABILITY

Would you listen to The Prime Minister again? Why?

YES.
LIKE MOST OF TROLLOPE'S WRITING IT TELLS A SMOOTH TALE, WITH
EXCELLENT CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

What other book might you compare The Prime Minister to and why?

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
TO GREAT WRITERS THAT NEVER BECOME ENTANGLED IN PRESENTING
THEIR CHARACTERS

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

GOOD SENSE OF TIMING, VOICING THAT DOES NOT DRAG

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

WISH I COULD
BUT ALWAYS HOLD YOUR INTEREST UNTIL YOU LAY IT DOWN FOR THE LAST TIME

Feb.18 Customer Service says ...

they have "escalated this to the Audio Bug Department to be corrected, and will continue to monitor it's status. Depending upon the extent of the audio problem, we may be able to resolve this issue internally within about 2 weeks, however if we have to request a new copy of the title this may delay the time until it is resolved.

In the mean time, if you prefer not to wait until the file is repaired, please let us know and we will be able to remove the book from your library and issue you a full refund. " (call 1-888-283-5051 or email Customer Service)

Let's hope that it's fixed soon!

A Tale of Two Marriages

There’s much more to this story, of course. But it all happens within the brackets of two marriages, one disastrous, the other far from untroubled but fully functioning and much happier.

As always with Trollope, his heroes are never pure, his victims never without their fair share of blame for their predicaments, and his insights into villainy penetrating. Overall, there presides his sublimely genial authorial presence, made almost palpable by Timothy West’s superb performance.

Utter heaven

What did you love best about The Prime Minister?

It is a gripping story of politics and family

What did you like best about this story?

The plot is exciting

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

Timothy West is the most marvellous reader of Trollop

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

All of it

Any additional comments?

Keep using actors to read books, they are so much better at brining the stories alive

A joy

Well written. Excellent character development. An engrossing and compelling story. We are who we are owing to our past. Diving in gives current life and society perspective.

Brilliant

Timothy West does a brilliant job of bringing this book to life. Experienced no problems with the download that previous listeners have experienced.

I'm a long, long time listener

I have listened to over 250 audio books over 20 plus years. My taste is eclectic, but I do tend towards longer books, because I get more bang for my buck!

I have really enjoyed the Palliser series. This one is reasonably balanced between politics and characters, don't let the title fool you.

Of all the Palliser novels so far, I believe this one is the most dependent on the previous novels, although they are all independently enjoyable, each focusing on a different tangent line of characters.

But the great pleasure of this book is Timothy West. He a truly brilliant reader, and the perfect match for all Trollope.

Another great recording!

Your time could not be better spent with an audiobook than the time you would spend listening to Timothy West narrate The Prime Minister

Most satisfying

A most satisfying read, bringing back characters and stories from the past volumes of the series, and so many literary, mythical, and Classical references. Excellent narration.