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Can You Forgive Her? cover art

Can You Forgive Her?

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

Exclusively from Audible

Can You Forgive Her? is the first of the six in the Palliser series.

Trollope inextricably binds together the issues of parliamentary election and marriage, of politics and privacy. The values and aspirations of the governing stratum of Victorian society are ruthlessly examined, and none remains unscathed.

But above all Trollope focuses on the predicament of women. 'What should a woman do with her life?' asks Alice Vavasor of herself, and this theme is echoed by every other woman, from her friend, the uncomfortably married Lady Glencora, to her aunt, the coquettish Mrs. Greenow, as well as her clear-headed cousin, Kate.

Alice is torn between marrying her ambitious but violent cousin George or the bland but gentlemanly John Grey, ending up both accepting and rejecting each of them in turn and thus transgressing from the Victorian moral code.

In contrast, her friend Lady Glencora is forced to marry the rising politician Plantagenet Palliser to prevent the worthless Burgo Fitzgerald from wasting her vast fortune.

Trollope was considered one of the most successful and respected English writers of the Victorian era. With more than 40 published novels, they are regarded by some as among the greatest of 19th-century fiction. Many of his works covered political, social and gender issues. Fans of his work have included former British Prime Ministers Harold Macmillan and Sir John Major.

Narrator Biography

Timothy West is prolific in film, television, theatre and audiobooks. He has narrated a number of Anthony Trollope’s classics, 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 theatre roles include King Lear, The Vote, Uncle Vanya, A Number, Quarter, and Coriolanus. His films include Ever After, Joan Of Arc, Endgame, Iris, The Day of the Jackal. On television, Timothy has appeared in Great Canal Journeys, Last Tango in Halifax and Bleak House.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Can You Forgive Her?

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A MUST FOR 1800s literature fans

I had not heard of Anthony Trollope until Mary from A Diaries of Two Nobodies mentioned she enjoyed listening to "Can you forgive her?" read by Timothy West. I went hunting and was delighted to find it was free on Audible. Timothy West performs this book beautifully, I'm so grateful to him for this amazing audio book. I have just fallen in love with the characters and am sure this has started an amazing Anthony Trollope journey for me!
So utterly enrapturing and beautiful, can't wait to get started on the next book in the series.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

beautiful vocabulary

In this day and age the available vocabulary to most of us is so limited within that which we read or view everyday. This book despite its obvious Victorian sexism, makes you realise what beautiful rich diction existed then, primarily perhaps by the absence of word limitation requirememts these days on social media. Make your children read otherwise this literature will be incomprehensible to the next generation.

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A modern story from Victorian England

Reader Timothy West is a superb narrator, inhabiting the characters in a way that enriches the Trollope’s observant style - trenchant, poignant and funny.

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Outstanding Narrator

If you like Anthony Trollope, you will love this version as Timothy West’s narration is outstanding.

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torturous

the slowest book ever read to me. never want to read that author again if this is am example of his work

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Classic Trollope

The story is long and detailed in Trollope style - and could use some abridging to improve the pace and cut down on outdated philosophy. Still, it’s a fine study of character. The reading is somewhat condescending in tone to the women, who are the most complex and entertaining of the novel, but even so, I lived with the book and will miss it.

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  • Pam
  • 20-10-2015

Excellent intro to social history UK at the time

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Helps to understand UK politics

What does Timothy West bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

He reads with meaning and an understanding of the 'sense of the words written'

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

No too long for one sitting, but very enjoyable

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