The Eustace Diamonds

By: Anthony Trollope

Narrated by: Timothy West

Length: 25 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible

Who owns the Eustace Diamonds? Lizzie Eustace claims that Sir Florian Eustace, her late husband, gave them to her. But Mr. Camperdown, the family solicitor, insists that they are an heirloom, to be passed down from generation to generation. Lizzie is both beautiful and clever, yet Mr. Camperdown believes her to be a scheming liar. And Mr. Camperdown is right! The battle for the diamonds rages until a robbery intervenes and they disappear. Or do they...? Will the scheming and manipulative Lizzie ever get what she deserves?

The third and least political in Trollope's six-volume Palliser series, this audiobook features a most remarkable heroine. Humorously cynical, Trollope shows his insight into human nature, painting each character's flaws. But how will their flaws determine their fate?

Anthony Trollope was one of the most popular and prolific novelists of the 19th century and his work is considered some of the greatest fiction of the era.

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.

Delicious Evil

The story of "poor Lizzy" and the Eustace family diamonds is one of the amazing Trollope's most inventive and enjoyable novels. Very good and thoroughly bad women, a slew of lawyers, mixed-up men, crime, and courtroom scenes populate a novel so marvelously read that the listener knows and recognizes each character's voice. A marvel in every way.

A Great Book

I loved this book. It's the 9th in a row that I've read by Trollope and I never want to read anything else. Which may be possible, since he was apparently the most prolific of all English authors. The narrator is also excellent. I'll only listen to his versions of these books, especially since the same characters occur in many of them so I want their voices to be the same. The only warning I must give is that you'll see in this book and others of that time period (The House of Mirth, for example, by Edith Wharton) a profound anti-semitism that's very hard to bear.

Good but not as good as the first two

As a story this is a bit patchy but it is so interesting to see how a Victorian author describes psychopathic characters.

Fabulous narration plus engaging story!

I'm stunned that this whole series is free to members (part of the Plus catalogue) - absolutely engaging, and great company for long commutes. I've always loved Trollope novels, and the narrator does a wonderful job of making the characters come alive as well as making the author a character as well. I stumbled upon his version of "Can You Forgive Her?" (worth starting with so you understand the cast of characters) and was delighted to find he'd narrated the whole set of Palliser novels.
The only minor quibble (not of the narrator but of the book) is that there is a lot of esoteric information about English politics - some of it is fascinating trivia but Trollope goes on a bit too much for my taste - but the narrator is so sprightly and charming that I really didn't mind!
This series has more than made my Audible membership a great bargain - thank you!!

Just desserts

What made the experience of listening to The Eustace Diamonds the most enjoyable?

the Eustace Diamonds provides a panorama of personalities that is true and truly entertaining.

What did you like best about this story?

the thought processes of Lizzie Eustace as she encounters difficulties and successes fascinates.

Have you listened to any of Timothy West’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Did he narrate The Warden? If so - I'm a fan!

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

No. The book was not made up of characters given to moral aspiration, except of course, Lucy Morris, but she is never given the spotlight.

Any additional comments?

This is a long winded book, hence 4 stars., I enjoyed it thoroughly but doubt I could have read it in print. The added details and conversation are interesting, but not necessary to the action of the story. Overall, the characters are not as well developed as Trollop's later works and the descriptions sometimes get bogged down in minutia. Still great, though.

Mmmmmm!

A favorite! Have listened to over and over! It is HILARIOUS! I LOVE THIS BOOK

Great performance of a great story

Timothy West does another stellar job bringing to life another wonderful Trollope novel. I am reading all of these novels that West narrates, listening as I read as it gives so much texture to the story and I appreciate it fuller.

Heaven in the form of a novel

Did anyone ever write better novels than Trollope? I guess Henry James, but then, he didn’t quite possess the same sense of fun. What a delight!

Wow

So i needed something to listen to while i worked on a project. Something made me try this book. Really very different than things I usually read. I thought it was sort of boring for a while but was just interested enough to let it play while i was busy. It got better and better. I started to really get it. Why had i never heard of trollope before?! They could do a series the way they do period dramas! These people! But the characters are so recognizable. Apparently people have learned to change their clothes throughout the centuries and that’s about it...
So know i’m going to listen to more trollope.

Becky Sharp Revisited

The third novel in the Pallisers series, "The Eustace Diamonds" is the least overtly political, though some of the main characters from the series re-appear in the book in minor roles. It could certainly be read independently of the other books in the series.

Lizzie Eustace is in many respects a latter-day Becky Sharp. Though less ruthless and more self-deceiving than Thackeray's anti-heroine, she is shallow, beautiful, manipulative, and without redeeming qualities. After marrying the dying Sir Florian Eustace for his money, she embarks on an expensive career as a society widow, and the story revolves around her possession—and subsequent loss—of a diamond necklace which has been an heirloom in the Eustace family, and which she claims is her personal property.

Though real-life Lizzies are highly unpleasant people, the fictional version is highly entertaining, and after several hundred pages of gripping legal, criminal and shenanigans, it is hard not to feel sorry when the naughty Lady Eustace is finally delivered up to her fate. The reading, by Timothy West, is top-notch. If you are not familiar with Trollope's work, this is as good a place as any to start.