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.

What a lovely experience

Beautifully written, very well spoken, a reminder of times gone by, I will look for other books by this author, and also the narrator (first class) this gentleman is splendid.

Wonderful!

Loved the Small House, brilliant Timothy West, and am sad only one Barchestshire story remains.

Good as always

A little different in that there are a few sad stories but enough happy ever afters all the same.

Wonderful!

A great reader reading a great book. As usual, Timothy West captures all the humor and greatness of Trollope in his narration of The Small House At Allington.

Fun listen

Anthony Trollope is usually a delightful read. In this case with Timothy West reading, a delightful listen.
Not so serious, it is a charming story of family and manners .A dash of independence, lovely young women, a gossipy group, a rouge, scandal, a few good fellows, supportive relatives and friends all make for some good hours of listening pleasure. While most 'unbecoming' behavior is referred to, you will find no jarring descriptions of who did what to whom.This is the time and society of glances and a gentle pressure of the hand. All written and read with subtle humour.

Delightful language and wonderful story

Trollope is one of the authors a literate person is supposed to read, but I expect that few of us do. To remedy that deficit in my own list, I purchased this book due to the interesting description. What an happy surprise to realize that almost 200 years later, the humor is fresh and the story is still appealing. I loved the self-aware narration speaking to the reader "around" the tale, and the assumption in the writing that we are clever enough to listen between the lines for the meaning of the author. Trollope's use of the language is brilliant. I will listen to more!

A Warm Story for a cold winter in Georgia

This story went with me on my phone, day and night, just such a comfort. The language, the characters, all came through the narrator's British accent, so pleasantly. I cared about everyone, in all their complexities, which Trollope revealed thru their behaviors and interactions . After all the dramas, the concluding conflict concerned an old gardener driven to tears over a barrowful of manure, and one dear jilted beauty pleading his case for him and setting all to rights in Allington.

One of the great novels and great readers

My goodness, what exquisite writing!

Anthony Trollope is a new discovery for me. His sense of humor and emotional tone are striking and wonderful.

Trollope has an amazing ability to dip a "spoon" into the bowl of life, pull out what comes and remark precisely on what he has found. He at one point is so sensitive about the troubles of Love, and on another occasion is very severe about his characters' character (if I may say).

He does not present us with the usual endings for novels so you have to get to the end of the book and cannot even guess how it will end.

The reader Timothy West is also a very great discovery for me. I read along with him on Gutenberg.org and realized I could never have gotten the characters' "voice" without Timothy West's great artistry. He brings out the emotional element of Trollope's writing masterfully.

Further to Trollope, I am amazed how he draws out life's contradictions in matters of Love. In this character, money does not matter. In the other character, money brings love. I wonder if Trollope was the inventor of every cliche we have ever heard regarding "Love." Money does not bring happiness, we want to believe. On another moment, we see how money breeds love.

Yet we are rewarded with the results of our own integrity towards others, Trollope seems to say.

A most frustrating heroine

Trollope is a master at characterisation. Every one of the main characters are three dimensional and very real even if they aren't very modern - 150 years hasn't changed human character very much at all - we all could feel Lily Dales suffering, Johnny Eames pain, we know self-centred people like Lady Alexandrina and bad boys like Crosbie. The fact we can empathise and identify with the characters shows Trollope's genius.

The fact that I wanted to slap some sense into Lily Dale also shows that genius - and believe me she did need a good slap - we've all been hurt in love but she took the hurt to another level! Her martyrdom so annoyed me and made for a very frustrating heroine in my eyes.

Nevertheless I do hope that someone makes a good movie of this book for it needs to be done. Its a complete story in itself but listening to all the books in the series does make it all the more enjoyable - characters from previous books reappear and their stories continue. Its rather like catching up with a rarely seen friend and hearing their news.

I'm looking forward to the last in the series and then I shall launch into the Pallisers - Trollope is providing me with a feast which I am loving.

Anthony West’s Voice IS Trollope’s

Anthony west and Trollope are a match made in Heaven. He has such a wonderful appreciation of Trollope’s humor and phrasing, and you really feel like Trollope himself is reading to you. Thoroughly enjoyable! This book is wonderful too.