When a twist of fate delivers an ambitious young medical student to the court of King Charles II, he is suddenly thrust into a vibrant world of luxury and opulence. Blessed with a quick wit and sparkling charm, Robert Merivel rises quickly, soon finding favour with the King, and privileged with a position as 'paper groom' to the youngest of the King's mistresses. But by falling in love with her, Merivel transgresses the one rule that will cast him out from his new-found paradise. Determined to be restored to the King's grace, Merivel begins a journey of self-knowledge and soon discovers that the King's pleasure is equally matched by his wrath...
Restoration
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Review
Triumphant (Sunday Telegraph )
Gripping (Herald )
A most beautiful and original novel (Independent )
A dazzling triumph. It is nothing less than superb (New York Times Book Review )
To be moved and impressed by a novel and yet so entertained, is rare (Fay Weldon )
Gripping (Herald )
A most beautiful and original novel (Independent )
A dazzling triumph. It is nothing less than superb (New York Times Book Review )
To be moved and impressed by a novel and yet so entertained, is rare (Fay Weldon )
Book Description
The bestselling and much-loved classic from Orange Prize-winning Rose Tremain, Restoration introduces us to the young Robert Merivel and his rise and fall through glittering seventeenth-century society.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
88 of 89 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Robert Merivel, who has studied to be a physician, is appointed, ironically, to be veterinarian for the spaniels of King Charles II, who has recently been restored to the throne following the death of Oliver Cromwell. Merivel enjoys the gaiety and frivolity of court life, and, a bit of a fool, he entertains the king. The king's decision to placate one of his lovers by marrying off his favorite mistress to Robert Merivel, spells the beginning of the end for Merivel's tenuous fortunes. Warned not to fall in love with his wife, Celia Clemence, since the king intends to continue seeing her, Merivel cannot help himself, and he is cast out, losing not only the king's affection, but also his house and, of course his wife.
Joining a group of men who work at an asylum for the insane, Merivel learns that there are deeper concerns in life than the hedonism of his life at court, and he develops genuine affection for several of the kindly Quaker men with whom he works. When he transgresses the society's rules, however, he is cast out from there, too, ending up in London at the time of the Great Plague and eventually the Great London Fire.
Painting vivid pictures of Merivel's life--at court, at the asylum in Whittlesea, and in the neighborhoods of London--author Rose Tremain brings the age, its customs, its science, and its social structure to life. The years of 1664 - 1666 are especially difficult, and as Merivel lives through the horrors of the Plague and the panic of the Great Fire, which Tremain recreates with the drama they deserve, the reader can see Merivel becoming less a fool and more a human.
... Read more ›25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By B. Kelly
Format:Paperback
I have read other books by Rose Tremain and found this very different. You have to stick with this book in the beginning but I found it a really absorbing and highly entertaining read once it got going. Her main character, Merivel is superbly characterized and on the surface quite loathsome but you end up feeling very fond of him because he knows his own weaknesses and is always trying to improve himself. I laughed out loud on several occassions because she vividly depicts the scenes so well. It is historical and she relates the lavish lives of the royal court in contrast to the extreme poverty on the streets with great skill - it is all done within Merivel's narration which I found captivating. Try it - I am sure you will enjoy this unusual journey.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Room For A View
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
For me this was a wonderful historic novel written with delightful elegance by a very talented writer. Tremain captures, displaying erudite control, humour and pathos, the licentiousness of the court of Charles II, recently restored following the trauma of civil war and Puritan rule. The principal character, Robert Merivel (who develops an Earl of Rochester appetite for magisterial fun and frolics) finds that his fortuitous veterinarian skills grants him access to a world of aristocratic patronage and privilege. Dismissing the cautious advice of the `saintly' Pearce (close friend, Puritan and fellow medical student), Merivel embarks on an obsequious and opulent lifestyle, indulging himself in beribboned, frivolous antics, accompanying a flamboyant lifestyle to support his position as the `protector' of the beautiful Celia, the King's mistress. Tremain's vivid portrayal of Restoration England is not just a lewd drama of social excesses but is also a story of scientific enquiry. And Pearce's humanity and altruistic medical vocation acts as a rewarding juxtaposition to Merivel's hedonism. The friendship between these two characters is sensitively developed and it is through Pearce that Merivel eventually recognises the superficiality of his existence and the rewards of a life centred on a sincere love for others.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Philip Spires
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
If I finish a book and declare it to be one of the best I have ever read, I normally wait a few days before writing a review. If my opinion hasn't changed by the time I take up my pen, I restate the opinion. It doesn't happen often. Rose Tremain's Restoration remains one of the best books I have ever read.
It's a book with everything a good novel should have. There's a thoroughly endearing, involving and interesting central character. There's a wonderful backdrop in mid-seventeenth century England. There's intellectual pursuit, carnal knowledge, earthy lifestyle, religious revelation and a good deal of excellent cooking. There are complicated relationships, both unrequited and requited love, commissions from royalty, the proximity of madness and, to keep everything in perspective, a keen sense of the absurd. And, alongside all of that, we live through some great historical events in the restoration of the monarchy, the plague and a Great Fire.
But central to everything is the remarkable Robert Merivel. He's a talented individual who threatens to achieve but rarely does. He's never a success but manages to stumble upon a succession of remarkable achievements. He drops out of his studies as a physician, but practices as a doctor. He gets a special job from the king, but fluffs it. He lands a job that's a meal ticket for life and gets kicked out.
Through Merivel's eyes we experience the sounds, smells and lifestyle of London, the opulence of high society, courtesy of royal patronage and then the frugality of religious commitment. We also appreciate how knowledge and thus assumptions can change. We enter a world where Harvey's discovery of the circulation of the blood is still novel.... Read more ›
It's a book with everything a good novel should have. There's a thoroughly endearing, involving and interesting central character. There's a wonderful backdrop in mid-seventeenth century England. There's intellectual pursuit, carnal knowledge, earthy lifestyle, religious revelation and a good deal of excellent cooking. There are complicated relationships, both unrequited and requited love, commissions from royalty, the proximity of madness and, to keep everything in perspective, a keen sense of the absurd. And, alongside all of that, we live through some great historical events in the restoration of the monarchy, the plague and a Great Fire.
But central to everything is the remarkable Robert Merivel. He's a talented individual who threatens to achieve but rarely does. He's never a success but manages to stumble upon a succession of remarkable achievements. He drops out of his studies as a physician, but practices as a doctor. He gets a special job from the king, but fluffs it. He lands a job that's a meal ticket for life and gets kicked out.
Through Merivel's eyes we experience the sounds, smells and lifestyle of London, the opulence of high society, courtesy of royal patronage and then the frugality of religious commitment. We also appreciate how knowledge and thus assumptions can change. We enter a world where Harvey's discovery of the circulation of the blood is still novel.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Introduction to Robert Merivel
I don't read a lot of historical fiction and I'd not read anything by Rose Tremain at the point when I read a review of her latest book Merivel: a Man of His Time at the time of... Read more
Published 2 days ago by Elizabeth Ducie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
A really enjoyable, funny and well written book. Highly recommended. Looking forward to reading the follow up when it goes to paperback.
Published 14 days ago by NT
5.0 out of 5 stars
A friend of King Charles II
Very well written account of young doctor who enjoys the hedonistic life that is at the gift of the King. His downfall comes because he cannot resist temptation.
Published 26 days ago by Yellowfinch
5.0 out of 5 stars
My kind of historical fiction
This is my kind of historical fiction: intelligent and credible. From the first couple of pages I knew I was going to enjoy this book. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sally Walker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Surprising tale, unexpectedly engaging
Wasn't sure as I started to read this book. Odd manner of story telling, in the first person 350 years ago. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. Elizabeth H. Sheldon
4.0 out of 5 stars
As expected
Neither 'No more' nor 'no less' than advertised and expected. Neither 'No more' nor 'no less' than advertised and expected.
Published 2 months ago by B. Betts
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Rise & Fall of a Fool
The Fool, Robert, seeks fulfilment but is thwarted by his selfish nature. A tale set in Medieval England that romps through London, the Court, a Quaker settlement and The East. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Helen Barnfield
4.0 out of 5 stars
Short on historical background, long on atmosphere
Don't read this book if you are looking to learn about the restoration. Do read it if you are interested in getting a sense of what life was like for a few people on the periphery... Read more
Published 3 months ago by C. J. Rayden
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good read
Loved this book, was sorry when I finished it. What a versatile author, hard to think it is a woman writing this.
Published 3 months ago by Amanda Carrasco
2.0 out of 5 stars
Unfinshed ...
Usually love Rose Tremain but hated the central character so much I gave up on it - sorry. Perhaps I will try again sometime
Published 4 months ago by Mrs Carol A Smith
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