Orley Farm (Dramatised) [Audio Download]

Orley Farm is one of Trollope's best "stand alone" novels, i.e., not one of the Barsetshire or Palliser series. It tells the story of a woman accused of forging a will to give her son the property of Orley Farm. Lady Mason, the accused forger, stands among Trollope's best conceived characters; headstrong, capable of independent thought, yet feminine and essentially obedient to social convention, she rivals Jane Eyre for a character revealing an author's originality and insightfulness. There is also a host of entertaining minor characters: the bullying Newgate lawyer Chaffanbrass; the conniving Sophia Furnival; the comical commercial salesmen Moulder and Kantwise; etc., etc. And the dignified Sir Peregrine Orme, in his devotion to Lady Mason, makes you believe that one can love all the more strongly with age. For an entertaining, thoughtful (and long--over 800 pages) Victorian read, OF is perfect, and David Skilton's introduction is perceptive and helpful.

If you have read anything by Anthony Trollope, chances are it was one of the Barsetshire- or Palliser-novels. Maybe you even became addicted to Trollope's unique style? Such was definitely the case with me, and I read, with great pleasure, the entire Barsetshire- and Palliser-series. All of these novels are so good that, perversely, I afterwards sort of overlooked the fact that Trollope had written plenty of novels besides these. I recently decided to remedy this starting with 'Orley Farm' and now, having concluded this lovely book, I am very glad I did.

The plot of 'Orley Farm' in itself is simple enough: 20 years before the action of the novel is set, Lady Mason's husband died and in his will left part of his inheritance (to wit, the property of Orley Farm) to her son, leaving the rest to his son by an earlier marriage. At the time however, doubts were raised by Lady Mason's stepson about the validity of the will, but the ensuing court case ruled in favour of Lady Mason and ever since she has lived with her son Lucius Mason at Orley Farm. But now, a lawyer with a grievance against Lady Mason claims to have unearthed new evidence proving that at the time she forged the will.

Out of this simple set-up Trollope conjures up a fascinating story about guilt, ethics and the English judicial system, with as usual with Trollope, and luckily so!, a love-interest as well (with the elderly Sir Peregrine Orme falling in love with Lady Mason). True to what I had come to expect based on the Barsetshire- and Palliser-novels, Trollope tells his tale with great detail and an astonishing intuitive feel for people's thoughts and emotions. Although it's eminently clear where Trollope's own sympathies lie, he makes the 'bad guys' as believable (and human) as Lady Mason and her circle of friends. Things are never clear-cut or simple in Trollope's fiction, and I guess it's precisely for that very reason I adore his novels so much. After all, is it not so in real life as well?

To my mind, if you are new to Trollope, this is as good a place to start as any, and if conversely you have already read (devoured?) the Barsetshire- and/or Palliser-novels, rest assured that this book will please you as much. According to Trollope in his autobiography 'Orley Farm' is one of his best novels, and I for one heartily agree.

I'm a great fan of Anthony Trollope, although this is hardly one of his best works. It still has some wonderful set pieces. There's a particularly good account of a hunting accident. There's a touching father / daughter relationship between the judge and Madeline. The dialogue, as always with Trollope, is lively and convincing. Above all a great courtroom drama to end the novel.