The Way We Live Now
Anthony Trollope
Read by Debra Lynn
The Way We Live Now is a scathing satirical novel published in London in 1875 by Anthony Trollope, after a popular serialization. It was regarded by many of Trollope's contemporaries as his finest work.
One of his longest novels (it contains a hundred chapters), The Way We Live Now is particularly rich in sub-plot. It was inspired by the financial scandals of the early 1870s, and lashes at the pervading dishonesty of the age, commercial, political, moral, and intellectual. It is one of the last memorable Victorian novels to have been published in monthly parts. (Summary from Wikipedia) (33 hr 50 min)
Chapters
Reviews
GREAT SATIRE
Avid Listener
A bit long, but the pompous characters are well done. The reader did a fine job on what must have seemed a never-ending task.
Well-Read Classic!
Kristin P.
This was my first foray into Trollope, and being a fan of both Dickens and Wharton, I felt that this was almost like a marriage of the two. It’s a long story with lots of characters and sub-plots, but I found it engrossing. I give much credit to the reader—she was unflagging. She never stumbled in her speech, never met a word she could not pronounce, and did not affect any accents. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to her and the story itself.
Good story
KAB
I love a story with in-depth character development. Sure wish there were real Roger Carburys. Reader did a good job, though I find the tone of her voice rather grating. I also wish she would have pronounced French (etc) words, especially names, properly.
thanks. well done!
sittingnut
thanks for this . i would give book itself less than 5 stars (there are many faults in it, both literary, and in its worldview, though it has many merits as well) but it is well read here.
A LibriVox Listener
Why do people call this novel his best? I liked a number of the Barchester Towers novel better. I felt little sympathy for the characters and what's worse, I felt less sympathy by him for the characters than I did in his other novels. In other works, I was struck by his Christian sympathy and mercy even for the dissolute but this novel seems to have a more secular air. I liked Roger Carbury but even that had its limits. Maybe I was a bad reader or took for granted some of Trollope's qualities from dulled familiarity. ...The reader did a fine job.
Good reader, good book
A LibriVox Listener
My first Trollope book, interesting to read about the society in the 1800's and the complex question about marriage, a lot of social rang, money issues concerning the whole matter. I know Mr Melmotte is pointed out as the big swindler, but it feels like almost everyone have a string of falseness in them. More or less.. Appreciate the narrator who's doing a great job must taken ages to read all this. All in all a good one.
Alexandra Veres
I do not believe this book should feature in any list of the top 100 best books. The inferior nature of the substance is compounded by rather wooden and monotonous, though clear, reading. I’ve given it three stars, as the reader did, at least, read the whole 100 chapters through to the end.
Excellent Reading!
gooch12
Debra Lynn is one of Lirbivox's best volunteers, and she doesn't disappoint with her rendition of The Way We Live Now. This was an extremely long book, but with Debra at the helm, it's a pleasant listen. Highly recommended!