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Barchester Towers

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Barchester Towers

By: Anthony Trollope
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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Summary

 This magnificent novel, sequel to The Warden and second in the Chronicles of Barsetshire, satirizes the struggle for ascendancy among the clergy of a cathedral city. The contest is between the outgoing church authorities led by Archdeacon Grantly and the newcomers led by Mrs. Proudie and her protégé, the ambitious Mr. Obadiah Slope. Each wishes to become the dominant voice in the quiet diocese of Barchester, and they contend for the newly vacant post of warden of Hiram's Hospital.

The truth is that Barchester's leadership is really concerned with social rather than spiritual or moral issues. These intrigues, entwined through the lives of many memorable characters, provide a humorous backdrop for exploring the clash between the old and new ways in Victorian England.

(P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc. Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Witty
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Renewed my admiration for brilliant writing - witty , economic and elegant.
The reader was also brilliant - only cavill would be with Eleanor's voice!
Great conclusion to the story of Mr Harding and his family and friends.
Loved it.

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Simon Vance continues his impressions of characters in 1950's British films. The women suffer especially, sounding like Lady Bracknell or Gwendoline in the Edith Evans version of 'The Importance of Being Earnest'. Perhaps it's supposed to give period feel for the American market, but it's the wrong period and serves only to make Trollope's very human characters too distant to empathise with. Listern to Juliet Stevenson reading Jane Austen for how to make period characters live. Shame. It's a lovely book.

More 1950's Trollope

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