The Last Chronicle of Barset

By: Anthony Trollope

Narrated by: Timothy West

Exclusively from Audible

In the last and most complex of the Barsetshire audiobooks, many of Trollope's best-loved characters appear, but the mood of the recording is darker and more uneasy than in earlier volumes.

At the heart of the audiobook is the penniless Reverend Josiah Crawley, first encountered in Framley Parsonage, who in the opening of the story is accused of theft, creating a public scandal that threatens to tear the community apart. As well as this central mystery we find Johnny Eames attempting to woo Lily Dale and the now grown-up Major Henry Grantly falling in love with Reverend Crawley's daughter, Grace, against the wishes of his father, the Archdeacon. The Bishop Proudie and his formidable wife also receive their most dramatic portrayal with Mrs. Proudie finally meeting her match.

This final volume manages to resolve many threads started in the first volume and is a fitting conclusion to the series.

The Last Chronicle of Barset is considered by many, including Trollope himself, to be his best work. A prolific and respected novelist of the 19th-century he created 47 novels and many short stories that have continued to be popular and well-loved.

Narrator Biography

Timothy West is prolific in film, television, theatre, and audiobooks. He has narrated a number of Anthony Trollope's classic audiobooks, including the six Chronicles of Barsetshire and the Palliser series. He has also narrated volumes of Simon Schama's A History of Britain and John Mortimer's Rumpole on Trial.

West's theatre roles include King Lear, The Vote, Uncle Vanya, A Number, Quarter, and Coriolanus and his films include Ever After, Joan Of Arc, Endgame, Iris and The Day of the Jackal. On television, Timothy has held the regular role of Stan Carter on EastEnders (BBC), as well as appearing in Broken Biscuits (BBC), three series of Great Canal Journeys, Last Tango in Halifax; Bleak House, Bedtime and Brass.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Farewell, Barset

I studied the first two novels of Barset with great joy. Over the years read one or two more, but oh, how I wish I had been able to listen to Timothy West’s superb narration for the entire series. Before I picked up a continuation of the novels, I sampled multiple narrators on Audible. Hands down Mr. West was the best. His pacing is perfect and he is a genius at creating the characters with differing voices. Is it any wonder this fine actor brings Trollope to life so brilliantly? I can’t wait to listen to additional Trollope narrated by Timothy West!

Falls short of its predecessors

New characters in London appear, and the story from the fifth book drags on interminably to a disappointing denouement. The new characters are a mixed blessing, one we esteem and a number with whom we do not much care to be acquainted. The book is perhaps too long by half, but it must nevertheless be read by those who find themselves washed up on its shores.

Simply Marvelous

Anthony Trollope’s last book of the Chronicles of Barsetshire is a fitting and wonderful sixth book of this series. The Lives of country clergy we have met in the previous five and other associated persons come together. The authors humor and eye to the vagaries of Victorian society create a delightful journey. Tim West is superb again as narrator.

I enjoyed every minute

I have recently been listening to many books by Trollope. This was the best! The narrator has been superb throughout, but this story was the most interesting of all I've heard. It was a treat to visit all my old friends and tie up any loose ends. Now I want to go back to the beginning of the series and start again, bringing my husband along with me this time.

A Fitting Conclusion

Trollope has really mastered the art of creating irritating characters in this last volume of 'The Barchester Chronicles'--which doesn't make it any less enjoyable. Some are familiar to readers of the earlier novels. There's Mrs. Proudie, for example, the bishop's wife, who seems to think that SHE is the bishop, yammering on about "the souls of the people" while she bullies her husband and everybody else. The namby-pamby bishop is quite irritating on his own accord: he never silences or reprimands his wife until near the end, and then it takes the form of whining and blaming. The focal figure of the novel, the reverend Mr. Crawley . . . well, I wanted to whack him over the head with a 2x4! I understand his forgetfulness and his adherence to principles, but refusing to hire a lawyer (even taking on a free one) when you've been charged with a crime, thus putting your family on the brink of total destitution and disgrace, is unforgiveable, not to mention just plain stupid. Then there's Lily Dale, abandoned in an earlier installment by her lover in favor of a wealthier woman. Devoted not only to him but to her role as martyr, she refuses the love of a good man, refuses to marry the now-widowed lover, and takes a vow reflected in her diary: "Lily Dale: Old Maid."

By now, you're probably wondering why I didn't hate this novel. Well, while all of these characters are maddening, somehow Trollope also manages to makes their trials and tribulations quite intriguing. And at least one of them gets his or her comeuppance. Trollope weaves in several subplots as well, inlcuding that of Grace Crawley, a young woman as principled as her father who refuses the proposal of the man she loves, reluctant to tie his family to her father's possible shame. And John Eames, who has loved Lily Dale forever. There are plenty of other characters to admire, among them those trying to help the beleaguered Mr. Crawley. (Most memorable is the goodhearted lawyer Mr. Toogood.)

As others have mentioned, the subplot surrounding John Eames's friend, the painter Conrad Darymple, doesn't quite fit. Perhaps it's true that Trollope stuck it in to come up with the number of pages required by his publisher. Nevertheless, The Last Chronicle of Barsetshire is an entertaining and engaging book, a fitting conclusion to Trollope's delightful six-volume chronicles.

Timothy West is one of the finest narrators around. I've greatly enjoyed his readings of Trollope and Hardy, among others.

Simple elegant story performed magnificently

If you could sum up The Last Chronicle of Barset in three words, what would they be?

Good Day Sir!

What other book might you compare The Last Chronicle of Barset to and why?

Pride and Prejudice- unrequited love, social standings, gatherings, frocks, marriage and flirtation that is all so innocent but terribly enthralling.

What about Timothy West’s performance did you like?

Best part- he does the voices superbly. Tone, pace and pronunciation- complements Anthony Trollopes writing style perfectly

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Oh yes- pesky work gets in the way!

Some of Trollope's Greatest Characters

In this volume Trollope winds up the stories of some of his greatest characters -- Dr. Grantly, Mrs Proudie, Mr Harding, Lily Dale, (the former) Miss Dunstable -- and even adds several more. The reading , by the great Timothy West, is simply incomparable. His characterizations of every conceivable type of person , rich or poor, old or young, make or female, is simply phenomenal.

The Last Chronicle of Barset

Absolutely wonderful. Timothy West brought this book to life for me. Yes, it is long but it is grand. Each day I looked forward to sitting down with my needlework and becoming part of the milieu of Barsetshire, I have listened to other Trollope books and this one was as good as all the others. If you haven’t read or listened to any of Trollope’s works go to Audible and start at the beginning. The characters you meet in Book one will be alluded to in the next books you listen to. This book was the ending of the folks in Barset so don’t start here. I highly recommend Anthony Trollope.

Timothy West at his best

The only thing better than a Barchester novel is one read on Audible by Timothy West. What a delight!

Good (with some frustrating characters)

I love Trollope, & I would listen to Timothy West read almost anything. A couple of the characters in this book sort of irritate me, & the book is mighty long. Now that it’s over, though, I’m going to miss Barsetshire.