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History of a Pleasure Seeker [Hardcover]

Richard Mason (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
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Book Description

Publication Date: 12 May 2011

'The adventures of adolescence had taught Piet Barol that he was extremely attractive to most women and to many men. He was old enough to be pragmatic about this advantage...'

It is 1907. The belle époque is in full swing. Piet Barol has escaped the drabness of the provinces for the grandest mansion in Amsterdam. As tutor to the son of Europe's wealthiest hotelier, he learns the intimate secrets of this glittering family - and changes it forever. With nothing but his exquisite looks and wit to rely on, he is determined to make a fortune of his own. But in the heady exhilaration of this new world, amid delights and temptations he has only dreamed of, Piet discovers that some of the liaisons he has cultivated are dangerous indeed.

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 288 pages
  • Publisher: W&N (12 May 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0297861050
  • ISBN-13: 978-0297861058
  • Product Dimensions: 13.5 x 2.4 x 21.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 321,644 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Review

rich in period detail and with requisite glittering trappings, it's the sex that is most carefully observed in Mason's lusty romp.. Not for the bashful. (Eithne Farry THE DAILY MAIL - 13.05.11 )

Mason tells his story with humour, charm, fine attention to detail and a healthy dose of eroticism. (INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY - 15.05.11 )

'Sex is everywhere in History of Pleasure Seeker, and it is both well described and very funny... an enthralling, perfectly placed romp that breathes new life into the picaresque genre... Piet Barol like a highly cultivated, bisexual Flashman, looks set to become the star of a whole new series of books." (Alex Preston OBSERVER - 22.05.11 )

From prize-winning author Richard Mason comes a new tale set in 1907 Amsterdam. (STYLIST - 25.05.11 )

A hugely accomplished novel - the story of Piet Barol, a young, provincial Dutchman and the social and sexual adventures he embarks upon in belle epoque Amsterdam. (THE INDEPENDENT 50 Best Summer Reads 10 June 2011 )

Richard Mason's new novel - elegant, upholstered and, for all the sex, well-behaved - is part of a trend... for historical novels that seem not only set but written in the past - modern tracings, skilfully done, of old tropes, old forms. (Adam Lively THE TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT - 17 June 2011 )

a masterpiece. Like Henry James on Viagra. Not only gripping as hell, but brilliantly arranges that the imagined world of Maarten and Jacobina's household sits entirely within Amsterdam of the belle epoque. I thought Piet was wonderfully drawn - rogueish and yet wholly sympathetic. (Alex Preston, Author Of This Bleeding City )

a hugely accomplished novel, the story of Piet Barol, a young, provincial Dutchman and the social and sexual adventure he embarks upon when he is employed as a tutor to one of the richest families in belle époque Amsterdam. Rich with period detail and characterised by pitch-perfect dialogue and a cast of carefully drawn characters, it explores themes of ambition, fidelity and class, and ratchets up the tension as our young hero walks a knife-edge between social/financial success and total ruin (Greg Eden Waterstones.com )

"A sharply written story of love, money and erotic intrigue pulsing behind the staid canal fronts of nineteenth century Amsterdam. Mason's hero is amoral but irresistible. I was gripped till the very last page. Thank God there's a sequel" (Daisy Goodwin )

this elegantly plotted and witty tale unfolds in prose that is not just confident, but impressively stylish. (The Lady )

Piet Barol is a dashing young man of the Belle Epoque who seduces his way into a life of decadence in this fast-paced historical page-turner. (EASY LIVING - August 2011 )

Book Description

The author of THE DROWNING PEOPLE returns with a sumptuous tale set in Amsterdam's Gilded Curve
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Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
41 reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A real pleasure, worth seeking out.. 18 May 2011
By Bama70 VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
Richard Mason's "History of a Pleasure Seeker" is a sincerely pleasurable read. I don't usually read `historical' novels but had been intrigued by the title of this book and the tag line that it was set during the belle époque, a fascinating period early during the last century.

The story details the life of Piet Barol as he takes on a job as a tutor in Amsterdam. It tells of his adventures both amorous and otherwise, of his encounters and relationships with the Vermeulen-Sickerts family for whom he works & their servants. The story is humorous, enjoyable, descriptive (full of the tensions & mores of the period) and erotic. The author is skilled at building up the erotic tension throughout the book until they are satisfactory concluded with fine prose that sets this book apart from the usual erotic tales. The writing at no time becomes smutty or titillating for the sake of it - but is overall a very pleasurable and fulfilling interlude.

I would highly recommend this book and I look forward to more stories from Richard Mason.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Sex Award 12 May 2012
By A Reader in Staffordshire
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Well, if the Literary Review ever decides to run a Good Sex Award, this novel has to be contender. History of Pleasure Seeker is remarkably un-toe-curling, even if subjected to the cruel test of extracting a racy paragraph from its context and reading it through a megaphone. Obviously, I haven't tried this. I live in a cathedral city. Ladies would swoon. But do read this lovely book. In private, with your smelling salts handy.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely enjoyable read--don't hesitate further -- order it! 18 Mar 2012
By P. Cheslaw
Format:Hardcover
Periodically I come across a book that is so enjoyable I recommend it to everyone and then I obsessively wait for the authors next work. This is one of those. I have recommended it to many and ALL have thanked me for recommendation. You will too.

The story is a rich depiction of turn of the century life in Europe through the eyes of a young aspirational man who through circumstance ends up employed as a tutor to one of the wealthiest families in Amsterdam (the head of the house is the hotelier who financed the building of the Plaza Hotel in New York City which is depicted in the book). Though the tutors role is focused on the young man of the house he has a profound effect on all parties in the home. As the pupil overcomes his learning issues the main character also develops polishing his rough edges and becoming as refined as the occupants of the house while finding a role for himself in the personal needs of the master, his wife, two daughters and co-workers in the household.

The author portrays a sense of taste, style and a rich sensuality in the story that is as seductive for the reader as it is to those in the story. I believe Richard Mason has matured and through this book has joined the ranks of authors whose following will grow exponentially with each book published. I will be truely surprised if we don't see this on the silver screen. Be ahead of the pack and read it now.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars adventures of adolescence indeed
If you're looking for a lush, sensuous piece of erotica with beautiful, vivid characters and descriptions with the power to drag you into its world and make you smell every... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Francois The Armaldo
5.0 out of 5 stars High Quality Erotic Writing
There's no doubt that it's the heady and compelling eroticism of this gem of a book which leaves the most lasting impression. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Swellms
4.0 out of 5 stars (He) spent a very pleasant half-hour watching the gorgeous young...
It is towards the end of La Belle Epoque, 1907 in Amsterdam when the reader is introduced to Piet Barol, a young adventurously inclined Dutchman, He has been sent to the Gilded... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Eileen Shaw
5.0 out of 5 stars 1907 Holland brought to life with a loveable rogue!
I've never read a Richard Mason book, but i instantly feel in love with this novel. The main character is Piet Barol who relies on his charm and wit to carry him through life, and... Read more
Published 9 months ago by gwenalop
5.0 out of 5 stars A thoroughly good read
We read this as a book club book. Unusually every single reader had finished the book and, UNHEARD OF, we all enjoyed it. This is an author who is a first class storyteller. Read more
Published 10 months ago by bubbles
3.0 out of 5 stars Period potboiler -- not a classic
Some of the reviewers got a little carried away by the period window-dressing and have misrepresented this novel as high literature. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Damien M.
5.0 out of 5 stars highly addictive, sensual and nothing held back
Richard Mason's quality of writing and his attention to detail is awesome. He skillfully takes you back in time and you really get to "feel" the characters and sense the... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Christopher Leidich
4.0 out of 5 stars A highwayscribery Book Report
"History of a Pleasure Seeker" is a randy, raucous romp through belle epoque Europe.

It descends from a long line of young-man-seeks-fortune-in-the-big-city yarns by... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Stephen Siciliano
3.0 out of 5 stars Difficult book to review...
The front cover on the advance copy of Richard Mason's new novel, "History of a Pleasure Seeker", shows the back of a young man, staring into a large mirror. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Jill Meyer
4.0 out of 5 stars A sensual tour through one man's ambition
Piet Barol has always longed to be more than his humble upbringings. He's searching for a job in Amsterdam in 1907 that will catapult him into the life he believe he's always... Read more
Published 22 months ago by M. K. Burton
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