Can You Forgive Her?

De: Anthony Trollope

Narrado por: Timothy West

Exclusively from Audible

Can You Forgive Her? is the first of the six in the Palliser series.

Trollope inextricably binds together the issues of parliamentary election and marriage, of politics and privacy. The values and aspirations of the governing stratum of Victorian society are ruthlessly examined, and none remains unscathed.

But above all Trollope focuses on the predicament of women. 'What should a woman do with her life?' asks Alice Vavasor of herself, and this theme is echoed by every other woman, from her friend, the uncomfortably married Lady Glencora, to her aunt, the coquettish Mrs. Greenow, as well as her clear-headed cousin, Kate.

Alice is torn between marrying her ambitious but violent cousin George or the bland but gentlemanly John Grey, ending up both accepting and rejecting each of them in turn and thus transgressing from the Victorian moral code.

In contrast, her friend Lady Glencora is forced to marry the rising politician Plantagenet Palliser to prevent the worthless Burgo Fitzgerald from wasting her vast fortune.

Trollope was considered one of the most successful and respected English writers of the Victorian era. With more than 40 published novels, they are regarded by some as among the greatest of 19th-century fiction. Many of his works covered political, social and gender issues. Fans of his work have included former British Prime Ministers Harold Macmillan and Sir John Major.

Narrator Biography

Timothy West is prolific in film, television, theatre and audiobooks. He has narrated a number of Anthony Trollope’s classics, 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. His films include Ever After, Joan Of Arc, Endgame, Iris, The Day of the Jackal. On television, Timothy has appeared in Great Canal Journeys, Last Tango in Halifax and Bleak House.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

An audio page turner

I loved this book, but I do like Trollope and classic fiction in general. The narration is great, although I wish that the pauses between chapters weren't quite so long. If you're not into long novels then this probably isn't the audiobook for you. But if you enjoy Trollope, this is a great buy.

Worth the Time Spent

It took me a while to get through this long audiobook, but I'm so happy I did. I thoroughly enjoyed it, the characters, and the story.

I was not a fan, early on, of John Grey - and, in fact, was a fan of George's. I must not have the best taste. But as the story progressed, I came to my senses.

And, as was the plea, I do forgive Alice for her ultimate happiness. Especially since she tried so hard to avoid it.

Loved it!

I’ve read several Trollope novels now but I think this is my favorite! Great story.

excellent

loved it. the story the reader. all excellent. this was also a gratis book.

I never knew; so full

I had not read any books by Trollope before. I’m not sure why, I guess I thought they would be too long and dense. Which is silly because I generally do like my books to be “full”, to use all the language and style of English, which has so much that can be gotten from it and in so many ways. I was enchanted with it. I was able to get fully involved, not just in the interweaving of several person’s lives (in a most reasonable way), but the depths of feelings of each person. The whole overarching span of all of it was fascinating. It was like having a look at all the behind the scenes going ons and people involved. Most of the time, in the presentation of an event by the reporters of it, you wonder how did it really come about? Who exactly was involved? Why did each act the way they did? What went on behind closed doors? Why did it happen the way it did and who caused it to be? Also, what did those involved expect would happen and why their specific happenings would achieve their ends. Lovely. Stretches the mind but does not overwhelm it. I’m glad the author was so prolific, as I envision more fun ahead for me. Narrator was very good also, there isn’t much need for different voices for there is little direct conversation, but the reader had the ability to make his emphases and pauses so that it was like listening to music.