The Small House At Allington

By: Anthony Trollope

Narrated by: Timothy West

Length: 23 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible

The spirited Lily Dale, who longs to be loved, is devastated when her fiancé, the self-interested Adolphus Crosbie, jilts her for the aristocratic Lady Alexandrina. Although heartbroken, Lily still loves Crosbie and believes she must remain single despite him being unworthy of her affections. Even when the more deserving John Eame presents himself, she is still unable to see past her feelings for Crosbie.

Meanwhile, Lily's sister Bell is also under pressure to marry for money, not for love. With an array of wonderful subplots, this audiobook is full of subtle humour as well as heartbreak.

The Small House at Allington is the fifth audiobook in the series known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire and as usual, Trollope shows his skill at analysing the thoughts and emotions of his characters, a craft that makes them appear truly life-like. Each character feels human, even Crosbie who also suffers himself for the mistakes he makes. Trollope possesses the ability to take everyday events and turn them into a gripping tale.

The novel was written at the height of Trollope's popularity and contains one of his most admired heroines, Lily Dale. Former British Prime Minister, John Major, declared it his favourite book, propelling it back into the limelight in the 1990s.

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 theatrical credits 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 appeared in Broken Biscuits (BBC), Great Canal Journeys (across 3 Series), and the regular role of Stan Carter on EastEnders (BBC).

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Trollope's writing

I really enjoyed the "Small House" as a great example of how to use the English language in a novel. Listening to Trollope takes you back to an earlier time without fear of violence or untoward sexual episodes. You can listen with confidence and a calm heart.

getting to really like listening to trollope

this is my second anthony trollope read. his books really grow on you ... they are charming, well written and very relaxing. i appreciated that this book had fewer characters. checking out the reviews for my next trollppe novel.

Wonderful story performed fabulously

What about Timothy West’s performance did you like?

There are more than enough reviews summing up the book and discussing Trollope, so let me simply say I love this period of literature, and Thackeray, Trollope, and Austin did some very good work. I really enjoyed this work of Trollope in particular. Some of his books have bored me. This did not, which may be in part because of the truly brilliant performance by Timothy West. Normally the performance of female characters by male actors interrupts my enjoyment (as well as females doing male voices), but West simply glides through like a swan on an open lake. He is perfect. I can't stress this enough! He sounds exactly like Trollope looks!

I can say unquestionably that Timothy West is my favorite narrator so far. Did I mention that he's perfect? Oh, I guess I did.

Perfect.

Ohh Lily ..how I despise you!

Timothy West is quite simply, the finest choice for Trollope there could ever be. One can SEE the characters, feel their anger or joy simply by his tone and inflections. His female voices are most wonderful and that’s the mark of true genius in my humble opinion. I have listened to the series twice now and will do so again.... with the exception of this one book. Ohh how I hate you Lily. How I despise your arrogant, self serving, indulgent conceits. In truth, in the beginning, I delighted in your humour, but your humour hides a self indulgent child who will never grow out of her vices, being thus petted and indulged.

Timothy West does it again

What a pleasure it is to listen to Timothy West bring to life the wonderful characters written by Anthony Trollope.
A true audible pleasure.
Looking forward to moving into Book 6.

Best of the first five

Complex. I wish I had a series character map, especially since married women get new names and residences. A novel of ambition and coming of manhood.

Lilly Dale, At Times, An Infuriating Heroine

This is a fabulous story, splendidly narrated by Timothy West. Lily Dale is at times an infuriating heroine. She makes me want to jerk Anthony Trollope out of his grave, slap him up side the head, then force him to rewrite a couple of spots in this otherwise perfect story then afterwards dumping his bones in an inglorious heap. But after forgiving George Elliot (Mary Ann Evans) for the ending of The Mill on the Floss, I guess I have to be consistent and let Trollope slide on this one. On the other hand, there is a wonderful awkward moment when Johnny Emes is forced to propose to Lilly Dale in the presence of her mother. Austen, the queen of awkward moments, could not have done better.

Trollope wrote for the daily papers, one episode every day or so, soap opera fashion so there is a leisurely pace to his stories with lots of odd characters who flit in and out of the story according to their wont. Sometimes, it seems as if the author gets sidetracked but he always manages to bring the story back to the main point and be darned if he doesn't shoehorn it altogether into a coherent whole. I shake my head in admiration at a writer who can juggle dozens of characters without flubbing or dropping a single one from the opening word to the final period, a thousand pages later.

Timothy West, the narrator or performer, took this complex work and made it intelligent able and enjoyable to the listener with tremendous talent, skill and obvious understanding.

Best reader

I will listen to anything read by Timothy West. He is brilliant, and perfect for Trollope.

Trollope!

Studied a couple ofBarcests in college and am so happy to continue on Audible. Timothy West is a n excellent narrator. In these stay home times listening to Trollope while knitting is simply the best!

My best Audible experience of the last twelve months.

Superb performance of a marvellous novel. Trollope is a revelation if you’ve never read him and Timothy West is a genius. Often unexpectedly hilarious and full of brilliant observations of human behaviour.