The Belton Estate

By: Anthony Trollope

Narrated by: Flo Gibson

Length: 14 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Charming, loving Clara Amedroz is involved with two suitors. How she deals with this dilemma is full of humor and very moving.

©2008 Audio Book Contractors, Inc. (P)2008 Audio Book Contractors, Inc.

Clarity

I didn’t love all the narration. I’m not really a Flo Gibson fan. I do still buy several of hers.

Wonderful Narration

All of the narrators who read Trollooe’s books on Audible are outstanding. And Flo Gibson is one of them. Her style is distinct and she brings this story alive with her rich and lively voice. She narrated many books in the late 1990s and some may find her old fashioned but I give Flo five stars plus!

Finishing up the Trollope novels

I have been listening to the Anthony Trollope novels, mainly narrated by Timothy West. This story is very much along the lines of what Trollope liked to write about, but the quavers and loops of Flo Gibson are very off-putting. This was narrated before Audible really existed, but it is a huge disappointment to hear a generally good story get such a quirky performance. I will certainly think twice before I download another book narrated by Flo Gibson!

Trollope writes a love story

Trollope was himself a bit dismissive of this unassuming work , maybe, because he did not juggle several dynamic stories in The Belton Estate, as he does in most of his novels. Nevertheless, it is a very affecting portrayal of two people "made for each other". The simplicity of the tale allowed Trollope to fully develop the excruciatingly annoying behavior of the characters who stand in the way of the happiness of the lovers. Trollope is a master at portraying the ordinary pettiness that causes most of life's problems. The Belton Estate, modest, but satisfying.

Claire's Two Lovers

This gentle story goes leisurely along as if there was no reason in the world to hurry. Indeed, there doesn't even seem to be a foreordained conclusion. Trollope writes as though he had no idea what was to come next; as if he was just as surprised as the reader. The story seems to ramble almost aimlessly but what delicious aimlessness. I think despite appearances, Trollope knew exactly what would come next; the seeming ramble is careful craft, an unsurpassed talent. This is a satisfying saunter through a gentle country romance albeit somewhat awkwardly with two charming suitors. Ah, but unexpected complications, setbacks, right angle turns and forks in the road are the forte of a Trollope story and makes him as fresh today as when first published in the mid 1800's.

Defending Flo Gibson

After reading several negative reviews of this narrator, I want to add my two cents. I’ve been reading and listening with audible to many of Trollope’s novels. There’s no doubt that Timothy West is a fantastic narrator perfectly suited for Trollope’s stories. After listening to the sample of Ms Gibsons reading I was uncertain but gave it a try. Very different but I found her narration quite good. Her voice is lovely to me and captures the mood of life in the counties.