Barchester Towers

The second and best of the prolific author's six novels about the fictional Barsetshire satirizes ecclesiastical politics in rural Victorian Britain. Among the many superbly drawn characters, the risibly overbearing Mrs. Proudie and the feckless Ethelbert Stanhope particularly shine. Some of us may even recognize the central conflict from our own experiences as congregants. Trollope once said, "In the writing of BARCHESTER TOWERS, I took great delight." The listener gathers that, in the reading of it, Simon Vance also takes great delight. Obviously, he relishes impersonating the dramatis personae. One gets the impression that the more, the merrier, as far as he's concerned. In addition, he delivers the fustian narrative with particular fluidity, verve, and grace. Y.R. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine


The city of Barchester, awaiting the appointment of a new bishop, has an upsetting awakening with the appearance of Bishop Proudie and his aide, Obadiah Slope, whose unctuous ways polarize the entire community. To hear this story is one of life's treats. As Trollope created the citizens of Barchester, so Stephen Thorne's reading gives these citizens the kiss of life. To find the core of each character is an art, but to be able to illustrate the entire range of the character's emotions is beyond artistry. Thorne obviously studied the book well, for the breadth of his comprehension of the novel makes the plot easier to understand. What a boon for students to hear this classic as presented by Thorne, and what a delight for everyone to enjoy the re-creation of a village. J.P. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine