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The Way We Live Now

By: Anthony Trollope
Narrated by: Timothy West
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Publisher's Summary

Exclusively from Audible

In this world of bribes, vendettas, and swindling, in which heiresses are gambled and won, Trollope's characters embody all the vices: Lady Carbury is 'false from head to foot'; her son Felix has 'the instincts of a horse, not approaching the higher sympathies of a dog'; and Melmotte - the colossal figure who dominates the book - is a 'horrid, big, rich scoundrel...a bloated swindler...a vile city ruffian'. But as vile as he is, he is considered one of Trollope's greatest creations.

Trollope's highly regarded satire is about the dishonest and villainous financier, Augustus Melmotte, who captivates and buys his way into the corrupt aristocratic society of London, throwing it into turmoil.

Described by The Guardian as 'the darkest of Trollope's 47 novels' it is also the longest with gloriously rich subplots. Inspired by the financial scandals of the 1870s, the novel is a dramatization of how greed and dishonesty permeated life during that era.

The Way We Live Now has become recognised as Trollope's masterpiece and was featured at Number 22 in The Guardian's 100 best novels.

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 Pallisers series. He has also narrated volumes of Simon Schama's A History of Britain and John Mortimer's Rumpole on Trial.

Timothy West's theatrical credits 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 appeared in Broken Biscuits (BBC), Great Canal Journeys (across 3 Series), and the regular role of Stan Carter on EastEnders (BBC).

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"A tale of financial skulduggery reminiscent of recent city scandals." ( Daily Telegraph)

What listeners say about The Way We Live Now

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Oh the Trollops!

Highly amusing, wittily delineated characters, ironic reading by West. Perfectly apt for current financial, events even down to the inherent racism in all boys' clubs.

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Brilliant story and narration.

After 30 hours of pure pleasure, I was sorry this had to end. I have listened to 100 audiobooks and this is one of my favourites. Tim West narrates with the most wonderful tongue in cheek style that conveys the true spirit of the book. A wonderful ride!

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Excellent narration for the finest of Trollope’s books

Reading Trollope, you realise over & over again that life then & now is fundamentally no different. The Way We Live Now (TWWLN) is full of the same monetary, political & social scandals as today. I’ve never read a classic writer whose work could so easily be transposed into 21stC life - Trollope is a Nostradamus of literature!
I read TWWLN after the Barsetshire & Palliser series. They were very good, especially once you get into the rhythms of Trollope’s writings, but TWWLN is in a class of its own.
Having discovered the great works of Anthony Trollope through Timothy West’s narrations, which are nothing short of genius, Mr.West will forever be in my head as the voice of Trollope’s clever & humorous words.
Enjoy this book, it’s a truly wonderful listen.

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Timothy West Makes Trollope!

Timothy West again gives a commanding performance. With his amazing performances in many Trollope novels, he makes the author and his characters come alive.

Trollope has been an integral part in the understanding of Victorian society, and of Greek mythology, for me, for which I am deeply grateful for the experience!

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