A great house. A family dispossessed. A sensitive young man. A powerful landowner. An epic love that springs up between two men. Set in the post-Napoleonic years of the 1820's, Standish is a tale of two men - one man discovering his sexuality and the other struggling to overcome his traumatic past. Ambrose Standish, a studious and fragile young man, has dreams of regaining the great house his grandfather lost in a card game. When Rafe Goshawk returns from the continent to claim the estate, their meeting sets them on a path of desire and betrayal which threatens to tear both of their worlds apart. Painting a picture of homosexuality in Georgian England, Standish is a love story of how the decisions of two men affect their journey through Europe and through life.
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Review
"Five Stars"
Standish was not just a novel it was an epic. From the beginning, the
characters appealed to me. Rafe and Ambrose were the key factors in the
story......The more pages I consumed the greater my appreciation grew for
the story. I'm pleased to have read Standish and I am waiting on baited
breath to see what Erastes comes up with next. -- Suni Farrar, Just Erotic Romance Reviews, January 2007
"Four Lip Rating"
Standish is an intriguing novel which presents numerous plot twists and
turns. Erastes delivers a finely-researched and fascinating historical
background, reaching back to the French Revolution, the European Continent,
and Great Britain in the 18th and early 19th centuries. In addition, a
plethora of information is woven in on the horrific laws of the times
concerning the punishments for homoerotic activites, which make the reader
pale. The characters are numerous and well-tended, and the reader will find
sympathy readily elicited. -- Frost, Two Lips Reviews, 1 January 2007
I read a lot of erotica. For me, Standish was refreshingly
different from the froth of recreational sex or the edgy post-modernism
that characterize much of what I read. It is a well-executed period piece
with stimulating characters and a surprisingly unpredictable plot. -- Lisabet Sarai, Erotica Readers & Writers Association, May 2007
Standish is an immaculately researched novel full of breadth and
scope. A real love for historical detail is apparent on every page. The
book drips with references to the politics, science, and culture of the
period, with literature, mythology and European history. If anything, there
is too much research on the page; the novel is almost dizzying as it spins
us from city to city, lavishly reconstructing 19th century Europe before
our eyes. -- Reflections Edge, February 2007
The relationship between Ambrose and Rafe moved me unbearably. The
formality in which the novel is written, juxtaposed nicely with the emotion
and passion that exists between the two characters, and creates a tension
that fairly leaps off the page. Secondary characters will alternately
entertain surprise and shock readers. With a couple of villains, two lovers
who care for each other beyond all measure, obstacles that will make
readers root for them, and a meticulous rendering of 19th century England,
STANDISH is high melodrama at its best. The ending was too ambiguous for
me, and amazingly restrained like the rest of the book but it left me
unsatisfied. I hope that there is another story in the works involving
these two characters.
For an historical romance that stays with you long after reading it, I
highly recommend STANDISH. -- Nickole Yarbrough Romance Reviews Today January 2007
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
`Standish' is a sweeping, elegant book, about one man's journey of discovery and another's move through pain and loss to redemption. It's about a physical journey too; through the ballrooms and gaming houses of Europe and the stews and prisons of early nineteenth century London.
But for all the movement in the book, it has a still centre, the eponymous house, Standish, something which gives the story a depth and a grounding and provides a neat backdrop.
Ambrose Standish is a gentle, well-educated and bookish young man, whose life has been shaped by the loss, by his grandfather, of the ancestral home. His longing for his rightful place, and his sense of grievance is fuelled by the fact that he lives so near to the house that he can see it every day, although he has never entered it. And when the descendant of the interloper who acquired it, Rafe Goshawk, takes up residence, inevitably, sparks fly.
In the hands of a less skilled writer, this might have followed a familiar and trite romantic path. But Rafe, though everything a romantic hero should be, is far from typical. What we learn of his past makes him a highly complex and difficult man. Ambrose Standish, too, has to deal with the weight of his family history and of his uncertainties about the course his life has taken as well as the problematic discovery of his sexuality at a time when sodomy was punishable by death.
Throw into the mix a dastardly ex-lover, an adorable child, a saintly clergyman, a lovable Irish rogue and any number of well drawn minor characters, and what you have is a rattling good yarn.
And at the end, with two deeply attractive characters vying for our hero's attention, the reader is left on edge until, literally, the very last sentence.... Read more ›
But for all the movement in the book, it has a still centre, the eponymous house, Standish, something which gives the story a depth and a grounding and provides a neat backdrop.
Ambrose Standish is a gentle, well-educated and bookish young man, whose life has been shaped by the loss, by his grandfather, of the ancestral home. His longing for his rightful place, and his sense of grievance is fuelled by the fact that he lives so near to the house that he can see it every day, although he has never entered it. And when the descendant of the interloper who acquired it, Rafe Goshawk, takes up residence, inevitably, sparks fly.
In the hands of a less skilled writer, this might have followed a familiar and trite romantic path. But Rafe, though everything a romantic hero should be, is far from typical. What we learn of his past makes him a highly complex and difficult man. Ambrose Standish, too, has to deal with the weight of his family history and of his uncertainties about the course his life has taken as well as the problematic discovery of his sexuality at a time when sodomy was punishable by death.
Throw into the mix a dastardly ex-lover, an adorable child, a saintly clergyman, a lovable Irish rogue and any number of well drawn minor characters, and what you have is a rattling good yarn.
And at the end, with two deeply attractive characters vying for our hero's attention, the reader is left on edge until, literally, the very last sentence.... Read more ›
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Erastes spins a tale that is captivating and challenging and some surprise twists to the plot makes it hard to put down.
Standish is essentially the tale of the relationship of two men of very different circumstances and backgrounds and the twists and turns of their lives as they come to know each other. Set in an era when such love was not to be spoken of and ultimately punishable by death, the reader can expect to encounter some challenging and sometimes disturbing events unfold.
This is a well-written novel whose language is beautifully crafted. The characters have a realistic quality, complex in their expressions of feelings and actions with dialogue that you can really hear as you read. The historical detail is accurate and evidently well-researched but not in any way overpowering; it isn't a history lesson but rather adds flavour and realism to the plot.
The subject of homosexuality is introduced sensitively and is tastefully approached offering viewpoints from characters both in favour of and against such relationships. In fact, the story is written as to give the reader the opportunity to make up his own mind as to the morality of the situation; it is in its simplest form, a story of love in all its manifestations and it is easy to feel sympathy for the most unlikely of characters who appear during the course of the novel. Standish describes scenes of a sexually explicit nature but these are written in a way that allows the characters to explore their sexuality and does not lead the reader to feel they are indulging in selfish voyeurism; this is homosexual love described clearly but delicately and lovingly.
This is much more than a simple work of romantic fiction or historical prose.... Read more ›
Standish is essentially the tale of the relationship of two men of very different circumstances and backgrounds and the twists and turns of their lives as they come to know each other. Set in an era when such love was not to be spoken of and ultimately punishable by death, the reader can expect to encounter some challenging and sometimes disturbing events unfold.
This is a well-written novel whose language is beautifully crafted. The characters have a realistic quality, complex in their expressions of feelings and actions with dialogue that you can really hear as you read. The historical detail is accurate and evidently well-researched but not in any way overpowering; it isn't a history lesson but rather adds flavour and realism to the plot.
The subject of homosexuality is introduced sensitively and is tastefully approached offering viewpoints from characters both in favour of and against such relationships. In fact, the story is written as to give the reader the opportunity to make up his own mind as to the morality of the situation; it is in its simplest form, a story of love in all its manifestations and it is easy to feel sympathy for the most unlikely of characters who appear during the course of the novel. Standish describes scenes of a sexually explicit nature but these are written in a way that allows the characters to explore their sexuality and does not lead the reader to feel they are indulging in selfish voyeurism; this is homosexual love described clearly but delicately and lovingly.
This is much more than a simple work of romantic fiction or historical prose.... Read more ›
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Lady Mol
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have always adored nineteenth century literature, and I'm also an avid reader of gay fiction (which I review on my own site). So to find a book that combines these two loves seemed too good to be true. It wasn't. This book lived up to all my hopes. It's incredibly well written, romantic and exciting. It's well researched and gives an excellent insight into attitudes to homosexuality in the early 1800s in England. Rafe Goshawk is a wonderful invention. He's gorgeous, sexy, intelligent and appears at first to be little more than a thoughtless seducer. As we learn more about his past we come to see him as a tragic figure, a perfect creation for this kind of romantic novel. He's Heathcliff - only gay. How much better can that be?
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I read a lot, but I have never read anything so breathtaking. You feel every breath taken in this book, the heartache, betrayal, love, power... yes even the sex.
It is a CLASSIC historical romance novel. It has all the ingredients to make you laugh, cry, tear your hair out, punch someone. (and it's about 2 guys.. go figure) If Johanna Lindsey wrote gay bodice rippers.. this would be it.
Don't take my word for it.. read it, live it, love it.
It is a CLASSIC historical romance novel. It has all the ingredients to make you laugh, cry, tear your hair out, punch someone. (and it's about 2 guys.. go figure) If Johanna Lindsey wrote gay bodice rippers.. this would be it.
Don't take my word for it.. read it, live it, love it.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Mathilda
Format:Paperback
There are simply not enough historical romance books with two male leads. This means that fans of this kind of yummy stuff often have to make do with whatever is out there. However, in this case, what is out there is a book that can compete with any mainstream historical romance going.
Seriously sexy with immaculate research and a lush writing style.
And two charismatic heroes! Delicious.
Seriously sexy with immaculate research and a lush writing style.
And two charismatic heroes! Delicious.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
I wanted to like it.
I wanted to like this book but found I could not finish it. The book starts off rather well but suddenly the main characters fall in love, too quickly in my opinion, with no build... Read more
Published 19 months ago by xaddyx
1.0 out of 5 stars
Abandoned at page 79
I abandoned the book at page 79, when Ambrose (one of the main characters) is beaten ad raped: I'm sorry but I don't like this kind of things. Read more
Published on 7 Jun 2011 by Ginger
1.0 out of 5 stars
Standish
I read this book quickly just to finish it so that I could move on to another book. Parts of it was good but the story line became very far fetched in places. Read more
Published on 28 Nov 2010 by David O'Donovan
2.0 out of 5 stars
Few redeeming qualities
I was convinced by the good reviews on this page to give this a read, despite previous negative comments I'd heard about the author. Read more
Published on 11 Dec 2009 by Alison
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good, full of sex
I enjoyed this book a lot although it wasn't quite what I expected. It's a romance, but it also seems every chapter has a sex scene. Read more
Published on 25 Jun 2009 by G. Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Regency Treasure
After many people recommended this novel to me, I finally got round to reading it (it was on the pile, and it took a while to get to it) - and finished it within two days, even... Read more
Published on 10 April 2009 by Alex
5.0 out of 5 stars
A darn good read
I read quite a few reviews before I purchased this book, none of which helped. All you need to know is that this book reads fluidly and the plot keeps you interested. Read more
Published on 15 Feb 2009 by Brython
3.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining and informative
I enjoyed this book but it frustrated and disappointed me too, even though better than most romance stories. Read more
Published on 23 Jan 2008 by Cerisaye
5.0 out of 5 stars
A sexy, entertaining read
I adored this novel, and read it avidly in just a few days. Great writing combined with a fast pace and believable characters, especially Rafe, whom I loved. Read more
Published on 18 Aug 2007 by K. Husband
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awfully Entertaining!
I so enjoyed this novel - I read it on a rainy hoilday in Scotland and it really lifted my spirits and made the whole few days even more memorable. Read more
Published on 25 July 2007 by Shelly Hart - Leeds
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