The Warden is the first of the six classic Chronicles of Barsetshire novels, Trollope's best-loved and most famous work.
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.
Though the bishop and archdeacon stand behind him, the honest Reverend Harding is caught in a moral dilemma, questioning whether he truly deserves the money or should resign.
Set in the world of the Victorian professional and landed classes that Trollope portrayed so superbly, The Warden explores the complexities of human motivation and social morality.
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"I read this soon after I read Vanity Fair and was struck by the similarities and differences. Both Thackeray and Trollope are superlative at describing people; they both have the knack of knowing what detail to reveal about someone so that you know exactly what type of person they are. But Thackeray seems to feel that everyone, no matter how good, is somehow flawed, while Trollope can see the good in everyone, even the scheming Lizzie Eustace. I loved Vanity Fair, but intend to read every book Trollope ever wrote (and that's a lot) in my lifetime."
— Arwen (5 out of 5 stars)
“The incomparable Simon Vance parses Anthony Trollope’s famously circumlocutory, phrase-filled style with aplomb…His ability to create character-revealing accents, from the illiterate grumble of a local farmer to the nasal bray of a highborn clergyman, makes the nineteenth century come alive…Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile“A clever, spirited, sketchy story...and smartly told.”
— Athenaeum, 1855“There is considerable talent displayed in this volume.”
— Electric Review, 1855“Keen observation of public affairs, a pungent closeness of style, and great cleverness in the author, are the distinguishing features of The Warden.”
— Spectator, 1855" about Warden Harding and the mischief cause to him because someone took an interest in his finances (NOT AN ACTION PACKED ADVENTURE!) Still - quite good! "
— Yifot, 2/17/2014" This is a well-written book but one of the slowest-moving plots of any English classic I've ever read. "
— Alicia, 2/16/2014" Overwritten, as are many 19th century novels. I enjoyed the psychological process that Harding went through. I may try some of Trollope's other novels. "
— Layne, 2/13/2014" 1st of the chronicles of Barsetshire, featuring a third person narrator who 'steps out' to address the audience. Humour is very dry and Austenesque. Great characters and story. "
— Sandra, 2/12/2014" ok so i'm kind of copping out here by choosing to read Le Fanu (who I love anyway) over Trollope for class. I'm probably in all likelihood NOT going to finish this book, but in case anyone is interested, it is AN EXTREMELY SLOW READ. And not very interesting. "
— Rebekah, 2/12/2014" A very nice book to read - a return to gentler times - or at least, more polite times. Interesting that the perceptions of journalists and lawyers haven't changed much.... "
— Rosemary, 2/12/2014" I like Trollope -- another age, another sensibility. "
— Martha, 2/7/2014" Lesson learnt: too many moral high grounds createth a quagmire of misfortune. A little trite at times but interesting perspectives nonetheless in charming 19th century English prose. "
— Laura, 2/7/2014" Later Trollope (The Way We Live Now) is so linked to 21st century behaviors that it's mind boggling. This is much more of a period piece. Was struck by one comment early on in particular, to the effect that he would not repeat all of the dialogue among female characters as that would make the book way too long! Heading back to George Elliott, thankyouverymuch. "
— Deborah, 2/3/2014" Liked it, but don't have a lot of time to review right now. Review later. "
— Ibis3, 2/2/2014" I didn't enjoy this book as much as Barchester Towers - it felt much more laboured and clumsy and the characters weren't as well drawn out. "
— Heidi, 2/2/2014" This book was especially interesting to me given my work with ECFA and my interest in financial accountability in Christian ministries. Overall, I thought Trollope was a little dull in some of his wordier sections(I know, I know, book length was a virtue in his day) but there was a consistent supply of nuggets of profound truth mixed in with the longest descriptions or conversations to make the reading well worthwhile. "
— Stephanie, 1/31/2014" It was actually better than I thought it would be. Scandalous church funds story and it's moral implications. I read this in a 19thc. English novels course in college. "
— Greg, 1/25/2014" the first in the Barchester series. Pretty good. Slow at start, but good overall. "
— Maura, 1/24/2014" Topical themes still resonate today. I must read more Trollope. "
— Camille, 1/20/2014" This book tells a surprisingly absorbing tale of the social lives of the clergy in 19th century England. Despite the apparently narrow setting, many of the themes explored are as relevant now as in the time it was written. It has some wonderfully witty moments and the characters are beautifully described, but I also found there were a few flat spots where the story seemed to come to a grinding halt. Overall though, it was a very pleasant introduction to the Barsetshire series and left me wanting to read more. "
— Jeanette, 1/18/2014" It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I recognised the main issues in the book and I did not have to look up strange words except for Sybarite (which means someone who lives in luxury and enjoys it). I did not like the warden though the author was obviously sympathetic to his plight. M, I just thought that he was a weak, cowardly man. Though at the end, he showed a tiny bit of spine. The author's description throughout the book was wonderfully vivid, though. "
— Sam, 1/18/2014" about Warden Harding and the mischief cause to him because someone took an interest in his finances (NOT AN ACTION PACKED ADVENTURE!) Still - quite good! "
— Yifot, 1/17/2014" Trollope creates a readable, touching, and sometimes funny question-of-conscience book while simultaneously determining conclusively that one can write a novel in which none of one's characters are antagonists. Charming! "
— J., 1/12/2014" Ahh... Mr. Harding. One of the true good guys in all the history of literature. "
— Peter, 1/12/2014" fantastic novel. recommended for everybody. "
— Joshua, 1/9/2014" The Warden is an old favourite. I think this may be the third time I have read it. This time it was in preparation for reading the whole Barchester series of six books. I am just finishing Barchester Towers at the moment read to move on to the third in the series. "
— Phyllida, 1/9/2014" There is a reason no one has heard of this Victorian author. "
— Carolyn, 1/7/2014" This is not a particularly exciting book. Nonetheless, the descriptions of 19th century Britain are charming, and the book has a good message about doing the right thing, even when it isn't popular. "
— Douglas, 1/2/2014" Kind of boring. Mildly interesting if you've read Barchester Towers because you can see the wonderful characters before they became wonderful. "
— Mary, 12/19/2013" Very wordy, but for all that a good read. "
— Nancy, 11/30/2013" This is one of my favorite books. I re-read the entire Barchester Towers series about once a year, but this is my favorite of all of Trollope's books. "
— Kathy, 11/30/2013" It is slow but those who like old novels may like it. It deals with very modern themes of corruption in an organized Church, court cases, the press and the proper use of charity money. It is my first Trollope book and I find his writting style east to read. "
— Celia, 11/10/2013" my record show i read this in 2002 but i do not remember it.i had given it a 6 on a 1 to10 scale "
— John, 10/23/2013" Enjoyed my first Trollope story. "
— Kathy, 10/22/2013" Quite a charming book and introduction to Trollope's writing. "
— Debbi, 10/16/2013" Excellent - the synopsis would not lead you to think that this novel would be particularly interesting but such is the skill of the author you find yourself drawn into it. Four more in the Barsetshire Chronicles to go. "
— Mark, 10/9/2013" Any Episcopalian, any Anglican, probably any church person will recognize the characters and situations of Trollope's Barchester novels. The Warden is not quite as droll as its sequel, Barchester Towers, but it is funny as well as poignant. Trollope is my go-to guy for 19th-century fiction. "
— Merri-Todd, 9/11/2013" not his best book - there is a reason it is not listed in the best books list "
— Donna, 9/5/2013" The first novel in the Barchester series is a beautifully written study of a naive clergyman in a small Uk parish. Thoroughly. enjoyed reading this one! "
— Westley, 8/2/2013" Good story and very well written. Perhaps a bit of an understated ending - but an enjoyable read nevertheless. I really enjoyed the writer's style as he occasionally addresses the reader directly. "
— Shawn, 7/27/2013" Goodness, Trollope is *funny*. And he makes fun of Carlyle! Why did it take me so long to learn to read him? "
— Cera, 6/30/2013" I like Trollope -- another age, another sensibility. "
— Martha, 6/16/2013" Charming little story! I LOVE the good, simple Mr. Harding! "
— Steven, 5/29/2013" I am listening to the audiobook version narrated by Sir Nigel Hawthorne. "
— Emily, 5/13/2013" After re-reading Vanity FAir I decided to try some Trollope. After re-reading I changed it from 4 to 3 stars. "
— Lila, 5/6/2013" Didn't actually finish it - well written, but subject isn't 'up my alley'...bored me to tears. "
— Tomas, 4/28/2013" Good story and very well written. Perhaps a bit of an understated ending - but an enjoyable read nevertheless. I really enjoyed the writer's style as he occasionally addresses the reader directly. "
— Shawn, 11/27/2012" This is a great book, but it was a little bit poisoned for me, having seen the excellent BBC adaptation of this book and Barchester Towers, called the Barchester Chronicles. I highly recommend the movie, but if you would like to enjoy the book, you really should read it first. "
— Kaye, 10/10/2012" Lesson learnt: too many moral high grounds createth a quagmire of misfortune. A little trite at times but interesting perspectives nonetheless in charming 19th century English prose. "
— Laura, 8/28/2012" There is a reason no one has heard of this Victorian author. "
— Carolyn, 8/18/2012" I loved everything about this book the i could read it over &over whitch iswhy i got the audio version. its like a comfort blanket on a cold night. "
— Joy, 8/16/2012" 3.75 Took a while to get into it but I really liked it by the end. Enough that I will get to Barchester Towers eventually. The Warden is such a nice honorable man. "
— Barbara, 8/15/2012" Slow-moving. Neither plot nor main character are very interesting till book's almost over. "
— Eileen, 4/10/2012" A delicious read and the best introduction to the world of Trollope's clerical world.. "
— Liz, 2/28/2012" Wonderful story, with one of my all-time favourite fictional characters - the eponymous warden. First and perhaps most enjoyable of the Barsetshire novels. "
— Dan, 2/6/2012" A bit of a struggle at first but worth reading for the gems of character depiction. I liked the way he discussed with the reader how a character might be portrayed by their actions and how he tried to change our opinion. "
— Kelly, 1/26/2012" I'm actually re-reading all the Chronicles of Barset this summer. Anthony Trollope is one of my favorites! "
— Amy, 12/4/2011" I have only read two Trollope books but I have thoroughly enjoyed them. The Warden is a great story with characters that transcend their specific English peculiarities. Very fun read with that bone dry English wit. This might make me go on a Trollope binge for a while. "
— Robert, 11/22/2011" Quite a charming book and introduction to Trollope's writing. "
— Debbi, 11/9/2011" a book about corruption that is very relevant to our own times. . . this is my first Trollope and I'm so glad that I read it! "
— Becky, 10/8/2011" Just the warm up to the world of Trollope. Read this, though, um, well, it was different. And then went on to read another 52 books! "
— Laura, 9/12/2011" Great writing, brought up an interesting gray area moral dilemma, and gave me lots of fun words to look up in a dictionary. "
— Amelia, 7/7/2011" Solid read- no surprises but interesting characters and moral complexity. "
— Jscorse, 7/3/2011" hmm good but not quite so good as I remembered it. Will move on to the first chronicle and see how that goes, "
— Caroline, 7/1/2011" It was a good story of the conflicts of power, ethics, and personal integrity. I thought he kept the story moving pretty well with a very simple plot. "
— Raisonbr, 6/6/2011" It was a good story of the conflicts of power, ethics, and personal integrity. I thought he kept the story moving pretty well with a very simple plot. "
— Raisonbr, 6/6/2011" It was a good story of the conflicts of power, ethics, and personal integrity. I thought he kept the story moving pretty well with a very simple plot. "
— Raisonbr, 6/6/2011" I read this the summer after I graduated from High School, so I don't remember much about it, except for that I was mostly reading it so I could get to Barchester Towers. I think it's pretty slow. Maybe I'd like it better now that I'm slow. "
— Nathan, 6/2/2011" Gently unfolding tale made particularly interesting by its references to Winchester and the Hospital of St Cross. Loved the descriptions of the various characters and in some cases the caricatures. "
— Nats, 5/29/2011" This novel was a Book Group choice; I never would have selected on my own. "
— Ann, 5/29/2011" Gently unfolding tale made particularly interesting by its references to Winchester and the Hospital of St Cross. Loved the descriptions of the various characters and in some cases the caricatures. "
— Nats, 5/29/2011" Gently unfolding tale made particularly interesting by its references to Winchester and the Hospital of St Cross. Loved the descriptions of the various characters and in some cases the caricatures. "
— Nats, 5/29/2011" A view into the Church of England in the 1850,s. It is not a pretty picture, but a fascinating one. Some of the theological issues of that day may be lost on the modern reader, but the story of ambition and sacrifice transcend time. "
— Rob, 5/14/2011" God, I hated this book. Also, did you know that in the movie, the Odious Reverend Slope is played by the guy that plays Snape in Harry Potter?! :-O I saw Harry Potter and was like HOLY CRAP REVEREND SLOPE AAAA EVERYONE HIDE! "
— Huma, 5/10/2011" 1st of the chronicles of Barsetshire, featuring a third person narrator who 'steps out' to address the audience. Humour is very dry and Austenesque. Great characters and story. "
— Sandra, 5/2/2011" 1st of the chronicles of Barsetshire, featuring a third person narrator who 'steps out' to address the audience. Humour is very dry and Austenesque. Great characters and story. "
— Sandra, 5/2/2011" 1st of the chronicles of Barsetshire, featuring a third person narrator who 'steps out' to address the audience. Humour is very dry and Austenesque. Great characters and story. "
— Sandra, 5/2/2011" What a character study! Trollope can certainly invent the most believable characters!! Loved it! "
— Rachel, 4/29/2011" Any Episcopalian, any Anglican, probably any church person will recognize the characters and situations of Trollope's Barchester novels. The Warden is not quite as droll as its sequel, Barchester Towers, but it is funny as well as poignant. Trollope is my go-to guy for 19th-century fiction. "
— Merri-todd, 4/6/2011" Any Episcopalian, any Anglican, probably any church person will recognize the characters and situations of Trollope's Barchester novels. The Warden is not quite as droll as its sequel, Barchester Towers, but it is funny as well as poignant. Trollope is my go-to guy for 19th-century fiction. "
— Merri-todd, 4/6/2011" Any Episcopalian, any Anglican, probably any church person will recognize the characters and situations of Trollope's Barchester novels. The Warden is not quite as droll as its sequel, Barchester Towers, but it is funny as well as poignant. Trollope is my go-to guy for 19th-century fiction. "
— Merri-todd, 4/6/2011" Kind of obsessed with Trollope now. Loved the quirky characters in this book, and the way that, early on, the narrator assures us that the girl we like isn't going to marry either of the men we don't want her to marry. "
— Jean, 3/19/2011" Didn't enjoy this as well as BARCHESTER TOWERS, but it had its moments. Would love to club Mr. Bold and Eleanor. "
— Christina, 3/17/2011" Didn't enjoy this as well as BARCHESTER TOWERS, but it had its moments. Would love to club Mr. Bold and Eleanor. "
— Christina, 3/17/2011" Didn't enjoy this as well as BARCHESTER TOWERS, but it had its moments. Would love to club Mr. Bold and Eleanor. "
— Christina, 3/17/2011" Enjoyed this book about introspection and morals. Doing the right thing even when it goes against your best interest. Not set in modern times but has implications that transcend time. Quick read and I like happy endings. "
— Cyndi, 3/11/2011" Enjoyed this book about introspection and morals. Doing the right thing even when it goes against your best interest. Not set in modern times but has implications that transcend time. Quick read and I like happy endings. "
— Cyndi, 3/11/2011" Enjoyed this book about introspection and morals. Doing the right thing even when it goes against your best interest. Not set in modern times but has implications that transcend time. Quick read and I like happy endings. "
— Cyndi, 3/11/2011" I just received a 1st ed. of this book. I love the illustrations. Stay tuned for my review. "
— Shereese, 2/12/2011" Ah to read good writing; it is a splendid thing.<br/> "
— Shereese, 2/12/2011Anthony Trollope (1815–1882) grew up in London. He inherited his mother’s ambition to write and was famously disciplined in the development of his craft. His first novel was published in 1847 while he was working in Ireland as a surveyor for the General Post Office. He wrote a series of books set in the English countryside as well as those set in the political life, works that show great psychological penetration. One of his greatest strengths was his ability to re-create in his fiction his own vision of the social structures of Victorian England. The author of forty-seven novels, he was one of the most prolific and respected English novelists of the Victorian era.
Simon Vance (a.k.a. Robert Whitfield) is an award-winning actor and narrator. He has earned more than fifty Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration thirteen times. He was named Booklist’s very first Voice of Choice in 2008 and has been named an AudioFile Golden Voice as well as an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009. He has narrated more than eight hundred audiobooks over almost thirty years, beginning when he was a radio newsreader for the BBC in London. He is also an actor who has appeared on both stage and television.