Anthony Trollope (1815-1882) was born in London to a bankrupt barrister father and a mother who, as a well-known writer, supported the family. Trollope enjoyed considerable acclaim both as a novelist and as a senior civil servant in the Post Office. He published more than forty novels and many short stories that are regarded by some as among the greatest of nineteenth-century fiction.

He said of The Last Chronicle of Barset “I regard this as the best novel I have written ... there is a true savour of English life all through the book”.

When Reverend Josiah Crawley, the impoverished curate of Hogglestock, is accused of theft it causes a public scandal, sending shockwaves through the world of Barsetshire. The Crawleys desperately try to remain dignified while they are shunned by society, but the scandal threatens to tear them, and the community, apart.

Drawing on his own childhood experience of genteel poverty, Trollope gives a painfully realistic depiction of the trials of a family striving to maintain its standards at all costs. With its sensitive portrayal of the proud and self-destructive figure of Crawley, this final volume is the darkest and most complex of all the Barsetshire novels.

Trollope calls back some of his best-loved Barsetshire characters; and Mrs Proudie, the virago wife of the Bishop of Barchester, locks horns with Mr Crawley and Dr Tempest, finally meeting her match.

Reader review:

“The Rev. Josiah Crawley, curate of Hogglestock, has been accused of stealing a cheque for 20 pounds. Confused about how the cheque came into his possession, he has no defence to offer. Mrs. Proudie, shrewish tyrant over her husband, the Bishop, is determined to hound Crawley out of his meagre position. Also caught up in the problem is young Henry Grantly, son of the aristocratic Archdeacon, who is in love with the beautiful and intelligent daughter of the accused man--a match that his father bitterly opposes.

This is the main plot, but there is a wealth of subplots, each worthy of its own novel. Among these is a continuation of John Eames' wooing of Lily Dale, carried over from The Small House at Allington.

The Last Chronicle is the longest of the Barsetshire novels--and the best, considerably better in style than the more popular Barchester Towers. Trollope's characterisations are, as usual, superb, among the very best in all literature. He skilfully interweaves all the various strands of the novel into a very satisfying whole. And he has largely freed himself from the sometimes annoying philosophical asides to the reader that detracted from some of his earlier novels. This book merits consideration as a true masterwork.”

Listener review:

“Timothy West and Trollope simply work. This series of the Barsetshire novels could compete for the title of Best Ever Audiobooks. The Last Chronicle is the darkest of the series, but Timothy West again brings a warm humanity to the voice of the author and a penetrating individuality to each of the characters without ever falling into exaggeration or caricature.”