Visit of the Royal Physician, the (Export): Amazon.co.uk: Per Olov Enquist: Books

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9 Reviews

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4.2 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful historical/philosophical romance, 9 Jun 2003

By	M J Longley (Penarth, South Glamorgan United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Visit of the Royal Physician (Paperback)

This book recently won the Independent Foreign Book Award, and has won similar awards in France and elsewhere. It is based on the bizarre facts of a brief period in eighteenth century Danish history when the incompetent and youthful king first fell under the influence of the eponymous Enlightenment physician, and then under that of a scheming reactionary courtier.

The personal is interwoven with the political. The queen is a complex and sympathetic character, and her mystical and serene relationship with the physician creates an almost magical atmosphere, inevitably destroyed as the forces of reaction gather strength. The physician is beautifully and subtly portrayed - his painful uncertainty and indecision, combined with his idealistic espousal of Enloightenment values, creates a fragile but sympatheic and believable character, who nevertheless remains something of a mystery to the end.

A complex and subtle book, but eminently readable. Highly recommended.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best ever historic novels - an absolute must read, 7 Aug 2008

By	Klaus van Amelrode "kmcva" - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Visit of the Royal Physician (Paperback)

Denmark in the 18th century - by all means what has it to offer? The story of Pricness Caroline Mathilde of England, her husband King Christian and her lover and his physian and than first minister Count Struensee is royal drama of the first order.

Per Olov Enquist's novel from 1999 is just amazing and very, very hard to put down. His spare style of writing has amzing effect and is simply superb. The English translation capatures this to perfection. It is not a period drama in the usual sense, no sentimental drama in costumes.It is sensitive and intelligent. It is about the temptations of power, about love and a quite serious question: How can one achieve good without using bad methodes? Well, and that is quite a relevant question than as it is today.

This is an absoulte must read. No doubt about it.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nobel prize material, 6 Feb 2003

By	Didier (Ghent, Belgium) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Visit of the Royal Physician (Hardcover)

This is surely one of the best historical novels ever. Enquist succeeds in drawing you in from the very first page and in the plainest of words - therefore all the more poignant and powerful - describes how the main characters move inexorably towards the inevitable outcome. Rarely have I sympathized so much with some of the characters in a novel, and loathed others. The Danish court is vividly brought alive but perhaps the greatest achievement is that Enquist leaves you with insights into human nature that are timeless. This book left me breathless, I hope it will do the same for you.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful historical novel
This book is an outstanding historical novel, that manages to make a crucial period in the history of Denmark quite exciting, by dwelling into the central people and the... Read more

Published 6 months ago by Erik Cleves Kristensen

4.0 out of 5 stars FUN & FROLICS, FICTION & FACT
Nice bit of historical truth tangled up with poetic license. You feel the period, you feel the people and it all rings true while retaining the flow and feel of fiction... Read more

Published 19 months ago by Easily Me

3.0 out of 5 stars Good in parts

This book is good in parts but lacks consistency in its narrative. At times I became a little confused as to who was who with some characters, and towards the last seventy... Read more

Published on 20 Aug 2006 by FAMOUS NAME

5.0 out of 5 stars A joy
I must completely disagree with my fellow Danish reader.This book is a perfect example of pure and good writing and it deserves all the praise and prizes it has won. Read more

Published on 11 Sep 2003 by teddyhk

1.0 out of 5 stars Too much moralizing, no grey zone
Personally I was very dissapointed with this book. I'm danish, and as such I hoped that P.O.Enquist would write a truthful, balanced book about Denmark and the danish society as... Read more

Published on 4 Jul 2003 by alcon28

5.0 out of 5 stars Astonishing.
Palace intrigue of the highest order, conducted by courtiers and officials who will do anything to achieve their goals, makes this one of the most stimulating and thoroughly... Read more

Published on 10 Nov 2002 by Mary Whipple

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Visit of the Royal Physician, the (Export) (Paperback)

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	94% buy the item featured on this page: Visit of the Royal Physician, the (Export) 4.2 out of 5 stars (9)
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