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An Old Man's Love

An Old Man's Love

By: Anthony Trollope
Narrated by: Tony Britton
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William Whittlestaff, an aging bachelor, becomes a guardian to the much younger Mary Lawrie, the orphaned and penniless daughter of an old friend. Having lost the woman he loved to a richer rival many years ago, he now finds himself falling in love with Mary with intentions to marry her despite knowing that her love belongs to another man, John Gordon. John left three years previously in search of his fortune in order to make himself worthy of Mary. Not knowing if she will ever see him again, Mary accepts Whittlestaff's proposal only for her true love to return having made his fortune in the Kimberley diamond fields of South Africa. Though he knows Mary's true feelings, Whittlestaff is unwilling to be rejected once again and will not let Mary go back on her promise. John does not want to give up hope either. Who will win Mary's hand in marriage?

An Old Man's Love is the last completed work by Anthony Trollope, published posthumously in 1884. Trollope was one of the most successful and respected English novelists of the Victorian era with more than 40 published novels that 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

In 1952, Tony Britton came to major attention after his role as Rameses in The Firstborn at London’s Winter Garden Theatre. A renowned classical stage star he has also appeared in numerous British films since the 1950s; most notably Operation Amsterdam (1959), Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971) and The Day of the Jackal (1973). In 1975 he won the Broadcasting Press Guild Award for Best Actor for his performance in The Nearly Man. In 2013 he performed in a Gala Performance of King Lear at the Old Vic, London.

Over the years Tony has lent his soothing voice to a huge collection of audio productions including Daphne du Maurier’s Jamaica Inn and Thomas Hardy’s The Mayor of Casterbridge.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
Classics England
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As Trollope sometimes is. Wanted to shake the female heroine at times - her pious, martyred attitude - so desirous of female characters in the 19th century are at odds with the way today’s emancipated women behave and think. Thank goodness times and attitudes have changed! This book hasn’t stood the test of time.

A bit long winded …

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Skilfully written. A gripping and sad tale of an elderly lover in a time of Victorian conventions. Well worth reading.

Brilliant, Sad and Amusing

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I have been working my way through Anthony Trollope's novels and have enjoyed them. However, this story is rather repetitive as far as the thoughts etc., of the characters go. Worth a listen to though.

Not the best Trollope novel.

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The first time I’ve ‘read’ Trollope, it’s an insightful story, with very well depicted comic and tragicomic characters. Which raises important questions around love, selfishness and generosity of spirit. Excellent story very well read.

Tender story read brilliantly

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A typical Trollope novel: good characters and well told. The storyline is an interesting one: the "old man" whilst being a tad caustic to his love rival, which is understandable, does an exceedingly thoughtful thing and gives up his love for her sake. I would have liked to have known what happened to the "old man". The heroine, Mary, was a bit insipid but that was typical of the time - docile was a favourable characteristic; she also seemed to what her "cake and eat it".

Another enjoyable novel from Anthony Trollope

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