Orley Farm
Anthony Trollope
Read by Leonard Wilson
Orley Farm is Trollope at his best (as good as the Barsetshire series), which means some of the best characterizations in the English language. Trollope's people are real; the beleaguered Lady Mason, charged with forging a will; the aged lover Sir Peregrine Orme; Madeleine Stavely, deeply but practically in love; the shallow, fickle Sophia Furnival and others are 3-dimensional figures that live and breathe. His satire of the so-called "justice" system is the best kind of satire: he just describes the court proceedings as they really are. The result is as up-to-date as today's newspaper. (Introduction by Leonard Wilson) (32 hr 48 min)
Chapters
Reviews
Trollope puts his characters through the wringer
Margaret87
Trollope takes us through the horrible situation a mother's obsession can put everyone. He presents the crime as altruism, but I see it as selfish, despite her subsequent sweetness and light and beauty. He also manipulates us regarding Mr Dockwrath's comeuppance but after all, for all his faults, as far as the case is concerned the lawyer did identify the fatal flaw. As for characters Trollope likes better, Trollope disarms me when he tells me how I should forgive this and that, asking who among us has no blemishes. However, despite these quibbles, I enjoyed every minute of this long story. Wonderful reading by Leonard Wilson. He has a very agreeable tone of voice and reads at a pace that allows the listener to hear, take in and understand what's happening. (I can't cope with being rushed off to the next point without pause.) Thank you all once again.
THIS DID NOT MAKE THE FAME OF TROLLOPE
AVID READER
His books are always slow, but this one is the slowest. It finally gains momentum around chapter 60. Thankfully the reader is one of the best, else I might have given up. One reader's comment deploring the lawyers of the England at that time rings hollow. Our group of ambulance chasers put them to shame.
Melanie
Pretty tedious. I slept and vacuumed through a lot of this, but a lot of the law narrative was interesting. Filled with repellent characters and tediously virtuous folks.
Betty
Great story (stories). I didn’t care so much for the character reading but in all honesty that is probably due to my generally not liking character readings.
Book is good at showing judicial system in England at that time and personal relations in this society.
I really enjoyed this novel and the reader did an excellent job!
Kenneth J
One of the best readings I’ve ever heard! Great novel… perfectly read.
stunning
Adicerain
such a good reader, well suited to trollope. thanks.