Barchester Towers (version 2)
Gelesen von Nick Whitley
Anthony Trollope
(4,719 Sterne; 112 Bewertungen)
Barchester Towers, published in 1857, is the 2nd novel in Anthony Trollope's series known as the "Chronicles of Barsetshire". It follows on from The Warden, set some years later, with some of the same characters. Among other things it satirises the then raging antipathy in the Church of England between High Church and Evangelical adherents. Trollope began writing this book in 1855. He wrote constantly, and made himself a writing-desk so he could continue writing while travelling by train. "Pray know that when a man begins writing a book he never gives over," he wrote in a letter during this period. "The evil with which he is beset is as inveterate as drinking – as exciting as gambling." And, years later in his autobiography, he observed "In the writing of Barchester Towers I took great delight. The bishop and Mrs. Proudie were very real to me, as were also the troubles of the archdeacon and the loves of Mr. Slope." But when he submitted his finished work, his publisher, William Longman, initially turned it down, finding much of it to be full of "vulgarity and exaggeration". More recent critics offer a more sanguine opinion. "Barchester Towers is many readers' favourite Trollope", wrote The Guardian, which included it in its list of "1000 novels everyone must read". Barchester Towers concerns the leading clergy of the cathedral city of Barchester. The much loved bishop having died, all expectations are that his son, Archdeacon Grantly, will succeed him. Instead, owing to the passage of the power of patronage to a new Prime Minister, a newcomer, the far more Evangelical Bishop Proudie, gains the see. His wife, Mrs Proudie, exercises an undue influence over the new bishop, making herself as well as the bishop unpopular with most of the clergy of the diocese. Her interference to veto the reappointment of the universally popular Mr Septimus Harding (protagonist of Trollope's earlier novel, The Warden) as warden of Hiram's Hospital is not well received, even though she gives the position to a needy clergyman, Mr Quiverful, with 14 children to support. Now listen on... Summary by Wikipedia (24 hr 54 min)
Chapters
The Countess De Courcy, Mrs. Proudie, and the Signora Neroni Meet Each Other at…
29:52
Read by Nick Whitley
Mr. and Mrs. Quiverful Are Made Happy. Mr. Slope Is Encouraged by the Press
36:56
Read by Nick Whitley
The New Dean Takes Possession of the Deanery, and the New Warden of the Hospital
23:10
Read by Nick Whitley
Bewertungen
Superb!
Margaret87
(5 Sterne)
How extraordinary that no one has yet written an appreciation of both this book and the reader. Nick Whitley does a professional job brilliantly. I've only just started listening but of course know the story well. One of Trollope's masterpieces. Full of his side-long glances, kindness and humour, and once characters like Mrs Proudie and Mr Slope get going it is more exciting than any modern "thriller".
Classic!
null
(5 Sterne)
An excellent read that does not disappoint. The misadventures of Mr. Slope are brought to life as well as Mrs. Bold's love life. All's well that ends well. A lively tale of life in a cathedral town. I love the names Anthony Trollope gives his characters: Slope, Quiverful, Harding, etc. This is an excellent reading that I would highly recommend and listen to again.
Top-notch reader!
Essie
(5 Sterne)
Nick Whitley does a terrific job with this classic. At first I wasn't sure I liked his doing different voices, but then it really grew on me. I especially appreciated his Northern accent for Mr. Arabin. His Dr. Grantly voice immediately conjured up Nigel Hawthorne in the role in the 1982 BBC production (a good thing).
Terrific story and reading
Byron Lee Scott
(5 Sterne)
An interesting look at the politics of religion. Yes love some of his character names... Doctor Fillgrave, and the children's physician Doctor Rearachild for example. Great character drama without tedious descriptions of scenery. It was helpful to listen to the first in this series before, but not totally necessary. The reading was magnificent!!
Amazing Reading
Gammie
(5 Sterne)
Every one of Trollope’s characters come alive with Whitley’s on point reading. Slope is delightfully slimy. Even the other character’s utterance of the very name “Slope” causes you to shudder. Dr. Grandin’s voice is perfectly overbearing and pretentious. Amazing! Whitley does an exceptional reading of this wonderful book!
absolutely perfect reading
darthlaurel
(5 Sterne)
I can't think of a better reading of this novel! It was innovative, but also a perfectly faithful rendering. Absolutely incredible.
Superb narration!
Unknown
(5 Sterne)
Superb narration of a witty humorous story. I hope the narrator continues his great work and narrates the whole series!
Amazing reading!
Ackbach
(5 Sterne)
Nick Whitley nails this one perfectly, with great comedic timing. Dr. Grantly's voice is especially good, as is Slope's.