Barchester Towers

To william hauff

(0 stars)

Nullifidian

The reason that non-native speakers of English are permitted to read English texts is that they volunteer to do so. LibriVox is an all-volunteer organization, and there is no centralized authority telling readers what they are 'allowed' to read. Nothing could be more inimical to the spirit of a volunteer-run organization. Now, aside from the obvious option of paying for a professionally produced recording, you also have the option of signing up at LibriVox and recording the chapters that displease you, or recording the entire book as a solo work. Multiple versions of books and chapters are encouraged there.

Much ado

(4 stars)

katknit

Second in Trollope's Barsetshire series, Barchester Towers concerns the family of the Reverend Septimus Harding, whom we first met in The Warden. The new bishop has arrived, accompanied by his domineering wife and her hand-picked clerical cohort, the hypocritical Obadiah Slope. A sharply satirical comedy of errors ensues, played out by a cast of memorable characters who struggle for power, position, love, and money. Trollope knew human nature, and he knew how to portray it in both its positive and negative aspects. Part of the appeal of Barchester Towers is that he is able to do so with relative gentleness, without preaching or obvious moralizing. I'm looking forward to the sequel, to find out what happens to the bishop's virago of a wife.

An enjoyable character study

(4 stars)

ListeninginChicago

From Librovox: This is the second in Trollope’s ‘Barsetshire’ series of novels. The later novels in the series move away from Barchester itself but ‘Barchester Towers’ is very much a sequel to the first book ‘The Warden’, which is also available from Librivox. The old bishop dies, the archdeacon, Dr. Grantly fails to succeed him and a new bishop, Dr. Proudie is appointed. Dr. Grantly gains a worthy foe, not the new bishop but his wife, Mrs. Proudie, strict sabatarian and power behind the Episcopal throne together with the bishop’s chaplain, Mr. Slope. John Bold is also dead and Eleanor, now a wealthy young widow sets clerical hearts fluttering. The new bishop must deal with the wardenship of Hiram’s Hospital. Will it go to Mr. Harding? All is to play for. Then the old Dean dies and the stakes are raised. (Summary by Andy) My comments: Andy Minter is one of my favorite readers and he takes quite a few chapters in this book. The other readers also do an excellent job, making the entire book easy to listen to. The book is limited in locale and time, but not in characters. Trollope spends considerable time developing interesting people to populate his little ecclesiastical world. We not only follow the various players around but we hear their thoughts and what the narrator thinks of each of them. There's much misunderstanding, as conversations get twisted and turned in the retelling, as inferences drawn in error take on a life of their own, and as certain characters try t manipulate events to their own advantage. As a listener, I found quite a bit to laugh at, but I also found a fair exposition on how we often see what we want to see and miss the clues which should tell us that reality is otherwise.

(5 stars)

Kaoru

I do think it is nicer to have a book read through by one person, but all the readers did excellent jobs. Andy Minter or course has the classic sound for this story and setting. There are so many comments on Eva Harnig's accent that I had braced myself for a struggle, but I found her quite easy to understand--if anything she enunciates extra carefully. Lastly, I can't recall the name of the reader who did the 'Baby Worship' chapter, but her acting in the beginning of it was spot on! The story itself is an absorbing snapshot of a time and society unfamiliar to me. And I rooted for Eleanor a lot! She is simple and honest, but with a bit of temper and stubbornness that save her from being unrealistically angelic.

wonderful novel ruined by bad reading

(1 stars)

william hauff

A magnificent novel almost ruined by one of the readers whose accent is so thick that many times you cannot understand the words being spoken. Understandably the readers to Librivox are volunteers but one would think there would be a minimum competency required. Why in the world would someone with a very thick German(?) accent be allowed to read a Victorian English novel? Why wouldn't that reader read books in German, of which Librivox needs more. It seems some of the readers are only reading for their own vanity, not in the interests of the books or the listeners. Miserable job Librivox!

Great Story

(4.5 stars)

Kelvin Broad

This is a great yarn that puts a little microscope on the jiggery pokery that goesbon among the religious elite as they vy form pour and love. Although there are a number of readers, kudos must go to Andy Minter who is absolutely brilliant. Someone the others leave a little to be desired with poor pronunciation etc. but sense can still be made.

Interweaving Story Lines

(4 stars)

Ortonz

I learned to appreciate the different readers and what each brought to the narration. I found some chapters to be overwrought with detail while more important events were casually mentioned. Im supposing this gives insight to the author's priorities. The characters were well developed and held my interest. I may listen again and would listen to a sequel if it were available.

great story

(5 stars)

A LibriVox Listener

fantastic story in the series by Anthony trollope, so far I love everything he's written. Andy Mentor is one of my favorite narrators and he does most of this book and the rest do a great job except for one that I truly had a hard time understanding but she only did one chapter and I'm sure she tried her best.