Framley Parsonage

By: Anthony Trollope

Narrated by: Timothy West

Length: 19 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

Exclusively from Audible

In the fourth audiobook in Anthony Trollope's series known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire, the values of a Victorian gentleman, the young clergyman Mark Robarts, are put to the test. Though he lives a comfortable life, has a doting wife, children and a patroness in Lady Lufton, his ambitions stretch beyond the little village of Framley. Through a combination of naivety and social climbing, Robarts is compromised and brought to the brink of financial and social ruin by the disreputable politician, Sowerby.

Meanwhile, a romance develops between Mark's younger sister, Lucy, and Lady Lufton's son. He proposes, but the marriage is firmly opposed by his mother. Lucy recognises the difference in their social positions, which forces her to reject Lord Lufton's proposal unless his mother asks her to accept him.

Working with the prose of one of the most successful and respected English novelists of the Victorian era, narrator Timothy West captures Trollope's customary humour, offsetting the drama of the tale with great compassion. Like all in the Barsetshire series, it is an extraordinarily evocative picture of everyday life in 19th-century England that delves deep into the social issues of the time.

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 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, The Day of the Jackal. On television, Timothy has appeared in Broken Biscuits (BBC), Great Canal Journeys (across 3 Series), regular role of Stan Carter on EastEnders (BBC); Last Tango in Halifax; Bleak House, Bedtime and Brass.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

WHAT IS TO BE DONE TO MAKE T WEST READ MORE A.T.?

What did you love best about Framley Parsonage?

Every word written by Trollope and every word uttered by West.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Oh, I love them all even the bad ones, as Trollope did I'm sure.

Which character – as performed by Timothy West – was your favorite?

My only complaint about Trollope is that he only wrote 46 novels.

Any additional comments?

I am facing a very nasty situation in that I have listened to nearly all Trollope novels narrated by Timothy West. Sadly, Trollope is now deceased and will never write more, but could not West be held captive in a Venetian palacio or English country mansion until he has recorded EVERYTHING.

"Is the Game Worth the Gamble?"

Timothy West did a great narration bringing out all of Trollope's subtle humor, sly jabs, the winks and nods. Lawyers, newspapermen, financers and churchmen come under a broadside from Trollope's heavy guns. He unloads his full wicked wit on the whole disgusting tribe. It was an excuse for writing a perfectly lovely comedy of romantic entanglements. The cunning back-stabbing political and match-making schemes, as well as shadow cat fights are exquisite. For instance, the extremely rich, not particularly lovely, older heiress Miss Dunstable seemed to attract only offers which pass as corporate mergers. I think her first appearance was in "Dr. Thorne" where the financially embarrassed Greshams tried merging her with the family heir. The poor girl is bombarded with proposals or should I say get rich schemes for the proposers. I love the conclusion of her numerous courtships having forgotten it was in this book. Miss Dunstable's is not even the best romance in this story; in best one, I won't even tell you what the girl made the suitor do. It is agonizingly perfect. Psst, it has something to do with what his haughty disapproving mother has to do. I think that Trollope believed that overzealous attempts of mamas and papas to bring about the marriage of a son or daughter generally had contrary and often humorous effects. At least that is what happens in his books including this one. What I really like about Trollope is he generally doesn't lead the reader on then pull the rug from beneath one's feet at the conclusion. As an example of rug pullers I give you Mary Ann Evans a.k.a. George Eliot, "The Mill on the Floss" or that gosh awful woman, Edith Wharton. Most probably disagree with me but hey, I read them but still growl. Another thing I like about Trollope is his partiality for the unsuited but worthy lover very much on display in "Framley Parsonage". This is a totally satisfying story from a great writer.

I loved every minute!

A great, long, engaging book read by one of the best! A recording to be savored!

Addicted to Trollope

Whether it's the author or the amazing narrator, Timothy West, I have fallen in love with the novels of Anthony Trollope. "Framley" is the fourth I've listened to. I began with "The Warden" and agree with other reviewers who suggest it's a good place to start.

Dear old friends

In Framley Parsonage Anthony Trollope returns us to familiar characters, and wraps up some of their stories -- Martha Dunstable, for one, finds a disinterested (in her money) true love at last. New to us is Lucy Robards, one of Trollope's most fetching and feisty heroines. All grown up is Griselda Grantley, whose peculiar suitability for high society will remind readers of our own time's Gwyneths and Tinsleys. And back again are two of Trollope's most appalling and astonishing characters: Mr. Crowley, on the side of the angels, and Mrs. Proudie, from the other place. And, as always with this author, money and finance are characters in their own right, in a way that is truer and more realistic than any other author I can name. It's a bit of a transitional book -- on its way to the final Barchester book -- but a tightly plotted, satisfying read from start to finish.

Trollope + West = Amazing

Trollope is an incredibly good writer and his words are brought to life by the incomparable Timothy West, who may be the best audiobook performer I've heard. I've read all 4 books in the series and now, less than an hour after finishing Framley I'm off to Allington.

The one about the bounder, the vicar & the heiress

This is the fourth in the Chronicles of Barsetshire and old characters reappear and their story continues and new characters are introduced. As always Trollope paints a wonderful rural picture but its not all chocolate box sweetness - there's poverty, illness and bailiffs alongside the fun and frivolity of wooing, hunting and sermon writing.

I'm loving this frolic through 1850s Victorian England and a complete convert to Trollope as read by Timothy West. This is as good a listen as it gets when you love the classics and I am already to listen to the next instalment in the series - you really can't have a better recommendation than that after some 50+ hours of listening!

One of Trollope's best, excellent narrator

The twists and turns of the plot (or plots) of Framley Parsonage make this a highly entertaining tale. As always, Trollope provides the romantic struggles of at least one couple as a unifying thread, and their trials and tribulations are especially witty and ironic here in Framley Parsonage. His cast of characters runs the gamut, from the sublime to the absurd; Lucy Roberts, her too easy-going brother, Mark, Mark's nemesis, Sowerby, the wealthy and raucous heiress Miss Dunstable, the statuesque beauty, Griselda Grantly, &c. Trollope has a gift for imbuing his villains with likable, or at the very least, sympathetic, personalities. Haven't we all known an engaging knave, like Sowerby? Yet, in spite of the rich complexity of plot and character, Trollope keeps hold of the reins throughout and brings all to a satisfying conclusion.

A Perfect Novel, Perfectly Read

Framley Parsonage was Trollope's first big success, and you can see why. It's a perfect example of his great gifts of characterization, setting, humor and sympathy. This audiobook, narrated by the brilliant British actor Timothy West, captures every facet of Trollope's narration, the depths of his characters and the marvelous humor and insights that Trollope always brings to his tales of flawed human beings. I can't recommend this enough. And if you'd like to truly treat yourself, Timothy West has narrated all of the Barsetshire and Palliser novels. What a gift Trollope (and Timothy West) gave us.

Simply Wonderful

The series is developed in this story. Human fragilities abound and philosophical problems are presented and examined. Marriage as a love match and an economic and practical matter are found in this and other Trollope novels. Manners and social gender roles are described and this adds to the story. A delightful addition to a fabulous series.

Everything an audiobook should be

Timothy West is one of the best audiobook readers. His narrator is humane, wise and engaging, despite Trollope's prolixity. His characters are beautifully realised - distinct and alive without exaggeration. More please.

Framley Parsonage

An absolutely brilliant reading. Timothy West reads with real feeling and expression, and gives each character their own unique and recognisable style and voice. Buy this audio book. You will not be disappointed. Timothy, please let's have some more!

Wonderful West!

This was the fourth Trollope/West audiobook I have listened to with such pleasure. Mr West is a superb reader: clever, clear, delicious.

Star performance by Timothy West

These stories are woven together with consumate skill - bringing the period alive with all It’s complex webs of social connections and rigid class distinctions
Timothy West effortlessly creates convincing characters with the skill of the great actor that he is - and his timing is perfect
These novels are a marvellous escape into another world made fascinating by the brilliant observation of relationships and situations of another time and very different social values Anthony Trollope is masterful in understanding and expressing the
Various female roles in acute , well observed detail / so much so that I bought the Anthony Trollope Audible autobiography to try and discover the source of such a superior grasp of the female point of view - but that is another story

Tim triumphs again

I am going through the whole Barchester Chronicles series, following the Pallisers!, as read by Timothy West. Superb. Thoroughly enjoyable. Tim's excellent voice and phrasing is a joy.

The perfect narrator

Timothy West reads Trollope with intelligence, subtlety and warmth. I cannot imagine a better narrator to convey the wit and wisdom of Trollope. Framley Parsonage is my favourite of the Barsetshire Chronicles so far, but they are all perfect in their own way.

Perfection

I listen to these stories over and over again. Anthony Trollope and Timothy West - made for each other.

The best Barsetshire novel?

I've read and listened to Trollope's Barsetshire novels several times. I was constantly struck, while listening to Framley Parsonage this time, by how witty, moving, and beautifully written this novel is. It's a masterpiece. The language constantly delighted my ear, and there is the great satisfaction of the intelligent and acerbic Miss Dunstable finally finding a worthy spouse in the good and kind Dr Thorne, so dear to our hearts from his eponymous novel earlier in the series. Of course the main plot lines of the swindling of the naive Mark Robarts by sly Mr Sowerby, and the path of Lord Lufton and Lucy Robarts' romance against unfair opposition, are engaging and interesting as the narrative backbone of the book. Although this book contains favourite characters from previous novels, I think it would stand alone very well - no need to have read the previous novels, you can always go back to them later to read the prequels to this story.

Bramley Parsonage

Narration perfect. A joy to hear time and time again.. A classic in my opinion.

Fabulous as always

Brilliant narration for a wonderful story brought to life by Mr West once again. Highly recommend the whole series, although you could just about get by as a standalone, but many characters traverse the books so you get to known them.