Barchester Towers


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.3 stars; 82 reviews)

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 Sabbatarian 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) (22 hr 25 min)

Chapters

I.I Who will be the new Bishop? 20:25 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
I.II Hiram's Hospital 20:30 Read by eva
I.III Dr. and Mrs. Proudie 16:27 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
I.IV The Bishop's Chaplain 19:55 Read by Catharine Eastman
I.V A Morning Visit 21:44 Read by Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
I.VI War 28:28 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
I.VII The Dean and Chapter take Counsel 16:22 Read by Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
I.VIII The Ex-Warden rejoices at his probable Return to the Hospital 16:26 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
I.IX The Stanhope Family 33:32 Read by Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
I.X Mrs Proudie's Reception--Commenced 22:36 Read by Kirsten Ferreri
I.XI Mrs. Proudie's Reception - Concluded 35:30 Read by Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
I.VII Slope versus Harding 18:06 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
I.XIII The Rubbish Cart 23:58 Read by Lucy Burgoyne (1950 - 2014)
I.XIV The New Champion 16:40 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
I.XV The Widow's Suitors 32:36 Read by eva
I.XVI Baby Worship 30:23 Read by Anita Roy Dobbs
I.XVII Who shall be Cock of the Walk? 22:18 Read by eva
I.XVIII The Widow's Persecution 18:41 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
I,XIX Barchester by Moonlight 24:04 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
II.I Mr Arabin 29:39 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
II.II St Ewold's Parsonage 25:06 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
II.III The Thornes of Ullathorne 32:24 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
II.IV Mr Arabin reads himself in at St Ewold's 23:50 Read by Anita Roy Dobbs
II.V Mr Slope manages matters very well at Puddingdale 24:02 Read by Kirsten Ferreri
II.VI Fourteen Arguments in favour of Mr Quiverful's Claims 20:13 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
II.VII Mrs Proudie wrestles and gets a Fall 32:36 Read by eva
II.VIII A Love Scene 40:54 Read by Gesine
II.IX Mrs Bold is entertained by Dr and Mrs Grantly at Plumstead 43:18 Read by eva
II.X A serious Interview 26:19 Read by eva
II.XI Another Love Scene 29:03 Read by Kirsten Ferreri
II.XII The Bishop's Library 13:52 Read by krithiga
II.XIII A New Candidate for Ecclesiastical Honours 35:13 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
II.XIV Mrs Proudie Victrix 25:56 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
II.XV Oxford--The Master and Tutor of Lazarus 20:44 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
III.I Miss Thorne's Fete Champetre 22:15 Read by Kirsten Ferreri
III.II Ullathorne Sports--Act I 34:36 Read by eva
III.III The Signora Neroni, the Countess De Courcy, and Mrs Proudie meet each o… 33:35 Read by eva
III.IV The Bishop sits down to Breakfast and the Dean dies 33:02 Read by Anita Roy Dobbs
III.V The Lookalofts and the Greenacres 26:24 Read by eva
III.VI Ullathorne Sports--Act II 28:54 Read by eva
III.VII Mrs Bold confides her Sorrow to her Friend Miss Stanhope 24:04 Read by eva
III.VIII Ullathorne Sports--Act III 28:58 Read by Kirsten Ferreri
III.IX Mrs and Mrs Quiverful are made happy. Mr Slope is encouraged by the Press 40:51 Read by eva
III.X Mrs Bold at Home 23:31 Read by Lucy Burgoyne (1950 - 2014)
III.XI The Stanhopes at Home 26:28 Read by Lucy Burgoyne (1950 - 2014)
III.XII Mr Slope's parting Interview with the Signora 25:04 Read by eva
III.XIII The Dean Elect 26:12 Read by eva
III.XIV Miss Thorne shows her Talent at Match-making 26:47 Read by Anita Roy Dobbs
III.XV The Belzebub Colt 15:09 Read by Ana Simão
III.XVI The Archdeacon is satisfied with the State of Affairs 16:44 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
III.XVII Mr Slope's Farewell to the Palace and its Inhabitants 21:28 Read by eva
III.XVIII The new Dean takes Possession of the Deanery, and the New Warden of … 18:52 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
III.XIX Conclusion 10:46 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)

Reviews

To william hauff


(0 stars)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.