The Warden

By: Anthony Trollope

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Anthony Trollope's classic novel centers on Mr. Harding, a clergyman of great personal integrity whose charitable income far exceeds the purpose for which it was intended. On discovering this, young John Bold turns his reforming zeal toward exposing what he regards as an abuse of privilege, despite the fact that he is in love with Mr. Harding's daughter, Eleanor. Set in the world of the Victorian professional and landed classes he portrayed so superbly, Trollope explores the complexities of human motivation and social morality.

The Warden is the first of the six classic Chronicles of Barsetshire novels, Trollope's best-loved and most famous work.

Don't miss the sequel, Barchester Towers (Unabridged).(P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Finalist, Classic, 2007

"Critics found The Warden a new voice among novelists; the book was acclaimed as clever, spirited, and promising much for the author's future as a writer of significance."(Donald Smalley, Anthony Trollope: The Critical Heritage)

unremarkable, kept falling asleep

I read this as Julian Fellows so lauded the work of Mr. Trollope and I loved the Fellows feature "Dr. Thorne." However, this book was a snoozer and never delivered much dynamic either in plot or character development. I literally fell asleep probably a dozen times and had to rewind to find my place. I kept thinking something interesting would happen, but it never did. Narration was excellent though.

A beautiful story

Trollope never fails to weave together characters that generate the strongest feelings in his readers. Mr. Harding (the warden) is a truly good man who is a model of kindness and magnanimity who must see his way through a most difficult set of circumstances. It would be an honor to have such a friend as he.

Such a deljght

I enjoyed listening to Simon Vance read The Warden. the book is a delightful cautionary tale of what money can do to men. How greed can get in the way of living one's life and how a simple life is often better. Trollope spun his own take of English society from an economical standpoint and did a fantastic job of it in The Warden.

A really interesting story

Trollope makes a case for the human aspect of correct behaviour. So that the surprise denouement is really well argued.

Simon Vance reading the Chronicles: Perfection

Would you listen to The Warden again? Why?

I love the Chronicles of Barsetshire, and Simon Vance is the perfect reader for them. I have listened to The Warden (a very good book), Barchester Towers (one of the best books of all time), and I am currently about half way through Dr. Thorne.
In The Warden, it was great listening again to Trollope's description of the press - and the politicians - as his insights are all still relevant today. It is, perhaps, a pity that they sound so fresh, but at the same time - it makes one ponder the fact that we are more often led by reporters, rather than educated by them.
What a great book!

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Warden Harding is a man of incredible ethics, and in today's world of ethical rationalizations, he sounds weak.

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No one is better to take you on a visit back to through Trollope's classics than Simon Vance. This reading is everything I would expect from Simon - in fact, I decided to re-visit this series when I discovered that Simon Vance was reading it.

Excellent performance of a delightful and ever memorable book!

I loved how the reader performed each character. Had I read it myself I doubt if I would have enjoyed it as much!

Heartbreakingly Good

This novel was painful to read, as the injustice of it all is so clear, and so is the inevitability. But, like all such narratives, it is also comforting to be reminded that we are not the only ones to encounter injustice, and the model that the warden offers, as far as dealing with a moral question with honor is concerned, is a treasure to behold. Simon Vance is, as usual, a jewel of a narrator. I can't believe I haven't read Trollope until now. I'll certainly be reading more of his works in the future.

Every bit the equal of Dickens,

In presenting the majesty and grandeur of the English language, but without the sometimes heavy moral bludgeoning of the Great Liberal Reformer, Instead, this more subtle tale is presented with a sardonic flair that reminded me of Americans Clemens and Bierce and even Tobias Smollet’s Incomparable translation of Cervantes. I just hate that I will now have to spend more credits on yet another Master of English Letters when Hardy, Dickens, Fielding and others are already queued up in my Wish List. Superior job by Simon Vance!.

Vance reads very well

Trollope’s humor and social commentary are both nonpareil, but the reading by Simon Vance makes for a great experience. Vance is clear, articulate, and animated. He voices the individual characters well and delivers Trollope’s humor with a delightful tongue in cheek deadpan. Looking forward to the rest in the series.

A Specialized Little Treat

Any additional comments?

Is Trollope an acquired taste? I'm not sure, since I've just started with this, the first in the Barchester Chronicles series. The story line is not complex, nor is there a lot of action, as opposed to interaction among the well-developed characters. These people react to the impact of the times, of society, and of each other's personalities. Overall, I enjoyed it and will listen to it again--but it's not one I'd recommend without these caveats.