Orley Farm (BBC Radio 4 Classic Serial)

By: Anthony Trollope

Narrated by: Full Cast, Samantha Bond, Tim Pigott-Smith

This novel, described as a '... brilliantly choreographed legal thriller' (Mail on Sunday), centres on the pathos of the main character, Lady Mason. Youthful marriage choices, middle-aged marital crisis, love and loss revolve around the legal action and the complex portrayal of Lady Mason, who is both sympathetic and wily. The novel proposes a standard of morality higher than that embodied in the practice of an English court of law. With its concern for social issues and its extensive coverage of middle-class and landed life, 'Orley Farm' is a novel that demands attention in the rich field of nineteenth century fiction. Trollope wrote in his Autobiography that his friends considered this 'the best I have written'. With Tim Pigott-Smith as Anthony Trollope and Samantha Bond as Lady Mason, this production also stars Ronald Pickup, Dan Stevens, Amanda Root, Jonathan Christie and Lydia Leonard. Directed by Tracey Neale.

A Victorian Drama

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I'd recommend it to those who like 19th-century literature.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The story concerns a wrangle over who should get a piece of property. I ordinarily don't care for this type of thing, but Trollope knows how to peak your interest because you get to know the characters and feel sympathy for them.

Have you listened to any of Tim Pigott-Smith and Samantha Bond ???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I know Mr. Piggott-Smith is a fine actor and the BBC generally uses fine actors when producing radio dramas.

Did Orley Farm (Dramatised) inspire you to do anything?

Not particularly, but I did get another dramatization of The Barcetshire Chronicles also put on by the BBC.

Any additional comments?

I like the drama although I find Victorian stories tending toward the sentimental, especially Trollope. All in all, I don't regret getting it and listening to it.

Disappointing

I feel there could have been more to it.
The end was not the illumination you would have expected from the build up.