Restoration is a dazzling romp through 17th-century England. The main character Robert Merivel not only embodies the contradictions of his era, but...
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Nov 23, 2008
Laura
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A cynical view of Charles II era told by an anatomy student, after the civil war and Cromwell government.
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Apr 24, 2008
Katewesterholt
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This is one of my favourite books of all time. The main character, Merivel, is a person ahead of his time in nearly everything he attempts. When he decides to paint, it is in a Fauvist style - in the 1660's. He winds up in trouble and much misunderstood, and his inherent selfishness and immaturity don't help...until he figures out ways towards a personal Restoration. The first time I read this, I cried I was so moved by the way he transforms. A very hopeful read.
Jul 21, 2011
Gayla
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I've read a couple of other novels by Rose Tremain, and I've always liked her work, but this was the first of her books to really wow me. I thought this book was amazing. It's told from the point of view of a foolish sycophant at the court of Charles II. But Robert Merivel transforms over the course of the book, and the transformation is thoroughly believable.
The writing in Restoration is quite different than Tremain's usual style; it's told in the first-person and the voice reminde More...
The writing in Restoration is quite different than Tremain's usual style; it's told in the first-person and the voice reminde More...
Feb 04, 2009
Julie
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I rarely read two books by the same author consecutively, but in this case I found myself unable to resist another of Rose Tremain's, particularly because its subject matter is so different from that in The Road Home. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writing was sound, and the main character was, well, quite a character. As in The Road Home, this character was flawed, to say the least, but still terribly sympathetic, and his life proceeded in an unpredictable way. I learned a little something
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Aug 23, 2011
Jane
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I happened upon Restoration whilst browsing around my mother's retirement village library and because I've read a couple of Rose Tremain's books, asked mum to borrow it for me. What a fantastic book!
Restoration allows us a glimpse into the 1660s during the time of King Charles II's restoration to the throne after the republican rule of England led by Oliver Cromwell. It was a time of great excess and when we first meet the protagonist, Merivel he is beside himself with happiness af More...
Restoration allows us a glimpse into the 1660s during the time of King Charles II's restoration to the throne after the republican rule of England led by Oliver Cromwell. It was a time of great excess and when we first meet the protagonist, Merivel he is beside himself with happiness af More...
Feb 16, 2010
How does our world differ from the world of the past? Answering this question is part of what Ruth Rendell has called "those elusive ideals of the historical novelist": (Rendell)
This excerpt from the historical novel Restoration by Rose Tremain depicts an event that was a commonplace More...
a representation of an old consciousness, a lost horizon, the vision in one man's mind of a world in which half the things that make up our world have not yet come into existence.
This excerpt from the historical novel Restoration by Rose Tremain depicts an event that was a commonplace More...
Mar 29, 2010
Karen
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This is a dense book but really interesting. It is historical fiction and tells the tale of a man and his redemption or restoration. It takes place in England during the reign of King Charles. I got a kick out of the references to the royal dogs (like my own Chloe). The lead character endured great tragedy and goes from being an orphaned philanderer who failed medical studies to a favorite of the king who is placed in a palace in the country and married to the king's lover (for appearances s
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Sep 25, 2011
Andrew
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One of Rose Tremain's earlier novels,set in the 1660s,and culminating in scenes around the Great Fire of London of September 1666.A satisfying blend of fact & speculation,which takes few liberties with reality,& encapsulates in the rise & fall & rise again of surgeon Robert Merivel,friend & confidante of the king himself,the Merry Monarch,Charles II.A cast of well-drawn characters & some meaty discourses on the nature of worldly success,the treatment of the mentally disturbed,& the state of Engl
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Nov 25, 2011
Lesley
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Restoration called to me from the library shelves because I’d recently read two of Rose Tremain’s books – Trespass and The Road Home. They are nothing like each other, and Restoration is different again.
The main character, Robert Merival, tells his story in the first person, providing a candid and unglamorous view of himself. The book covers his rise from humble origins to the royal court, his demise and final restoration.
Rose Tremain’s writing is very good in conveying More...
The main character, Robert Merival, tells his story in the first person, providing a candid and unglamorous view of himself. The book covers his rise from humble origins to the royal court, his demise and final restoration.
Rose Tremain’s writing is very good in conveying More...
Aug 11, 2011
Helen
rated it:
After last month's book club book, anything would have been an improvement - this certainly was.
I'd heard a lot about this, people ravaing about it as one of the best books they'd ever read, so it always had a lot to live up to. And i can see why it was popular, but parts of it jarred for me, and I just couldn't get over those bits and let it suck me in. Narrated by Robert Merivel, a bit of a good for nothing dandy that thrived at the court of Charles II, it tells of his rise from obscurity to More...
I'd heard a lot about this, people ravaing about it as one of the best books they'd ever read, so it always had a lot to live up to. And i can see why it was popular, but parts of it jarred for me, and I just couldn't get over those bits and let it suck me in. Narrated by Robert Merivel, a bit of a good for nothing dandy that thrived at the court of Charles II, it tells of his rise from obscurity to More...
May 31, 2010
Carol
rated it:
This thoughtful historical novel follows the tumultuous fortunes of Robert Merivel during the reign of Charles II. Merivel is the narrator of his own story and Tremain gives him a voice of wit, humor, and insight. She also provides ample historical detail and an excellent sense of the era. Restoration is not just the title of the book, nor merely a description of the historical setting, it is a central motif and theme of the narrative. The central events and experiences of Merivel and the people
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Jan 12, 2011
Jane
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I was disappointed with this book, particularly as it took me over half way before I begun to like and understand it. I have read only one other of this author's books and that was also not a favourite. I had seen the film starring Robert Downey Jnr some years ago, and had forgotten some of the story. The part where Merivel is in the King's favour and lords it in Bidnold I found boring and tedious. Once Merivel returned to the King and was sent away and removed from Bidnold I found the story
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Aug 17, 2010
Kokeshi
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This is an interesting and thoughtful historical novel. The story gives us a glimpse of one man’s tumultuous fortunes during the reign of Charles II. The main character of Robert Merivel is full of wit, humor, and insight. Tremain infuses the story with rich historical detail gives us an in-depth sense of the era. The story covers the time of the Restoration, but it also looks at Merivel’s own personal growth. When the novel opens Merivel is the dedicated lap dog of Charles II, but he soon fa
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Dec 27, 2008
Nancy
rated it:
Recorded back in the early days (1989), which only means this has a charming formality about it, including a slight clumsiness. Reader Paul Daneman is convincing as the foolish but lovably striving Merivel, but made me wince with his nasal rendition of [whatsis-face]. At the end, the recording-company-voice says, "For more recorded books, go to the library."
The story includes a pleasantly long section about English Quakers of the 1660s, speaking of lovably striving.
Kind of a fairy-tal More...
The story includes a pleasantly long section about English Quakers of the 1660s, speaking of lovably striving.
Kind of a fairy-tal More...
Jul 16, 2010
Fence
rated it:
Robert Merival, the narrator of Rose Tremain’s Restoration, is, at the start of this book, a 37 year old doctor. He is one of the king’s favourites, and is utterly devoted to Charles II himself. So much so that he agrees to marry the king’s mistress, Celia, in order to persuade another of the royal mistresses that she is out of the picture. In reality though Charles will continue to see her, and Merival must never fall in love with her. She may be married to Merival, but she is the king’s.
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May 26, 2011
Nstob
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Merivel was a character...not exactly sure of a complete transformation in him, even though he is restored to the king's good graces. I found myself sympathetic for Merivel because, really, don't we all think it would be nice to live a life free of work and responsibility like he had grown accustomed to? How sad when he found that it was unfulfilling, only to have it taken away? How hard it is when you come to realization about yourself that you don't exactly like...lots of things to ponder f
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Oct 12, 2009
Fiona
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This is my second book by Tremain, my first being Music and Silence and I have enjoyed both. I like her as an author and I think it is so nice to find an author whom you know you will enjoy whenever you read one of their books. There's something very comforting about this.
In both her historical novels - they feel as if they are written in another plain - in some strange kind of dreamland almost. Her style is unique and quirky and very easily draws you inwards.
You cannot More...
In both her historical novels - they feel as if they are written in another plain - in some strange kind of dreamland almost. Her style is unique and quirky and very easily draws you inwards.
You cannot More...
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Dec 25, 2009
Barb
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I can never figure out just what it means or what I should expect when reading a book that is either a Pulitzer or Booker winner or nomination. I think it's going to mean that I will just love it because it is so fabulous, but somehow that doesn't seem to be the way it turns out for me and this book is no exception.
'Restoration' starts out well enough, with Robert Merivel falling into favor with King Charles II. Merivel is a wild, lascivious, gluttonous young man fully enjoying the More...
'Restoration' starts out well enough, with Robert Merivel falling into favor with King Charles II. Merivel is a wild, lascivious, gluttonous young man fully enjoying the More...
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Oct 24, 2008
Susan
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A young man, son of the king's glove maker and trained as a physician, gets a post at court and becomes completely enamoured of the life of the times (self indulgence, luxury, profligacy—it's interesting that in an interview Tremain said she had fundamental objections to the ethos of Thatcher's Britain but didn't want to confront it directly so picked another period with similar values). Because he actually touched a human heart (in a man who, after an accident, had a hole in his chest that didn
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Sep 19, 2009
Julie
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The first half of this book read like an MTV music video version of the 17th century: gaudy clothes, binge drinking, general debauchery. I was disappointed by the superciliousness of Tremain's portrait of her protagonist, Merivel. He was too much of a caricature to be sympathetic or even amusing. But I'd passed the point of no return, it's a slim book, and I retained enough faith in Rose Tremain's tremendous abilities to carry on. I'm so glad I stuck to the task, as Part 2 redeemed the book, par
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May 06, 2009
Murray
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This is a wonderful book and one that I often finds comes to mind even thought I read it years ago. The book takes its name from the restoration of a king to the throne of England. Robert Merivel is the protagonist in the story, a man awakening to himself and the effect he has on the world.
The era is caught well with some brilliant evocations of London and also the life of the early Quakers. It builds to a climax that is perhaps unexpected but (for me at least) deeply satisfying.
The era is caught well with some brilliant evocations of London and also the life of the early Quakers. It builds to a climax that is perhaps unexpected but (for me at least) deeply satisfying.
Jun 23, 2011
Historical novel set during the reign of Charles II.
Less a historical novel and more a fantastical novel, with something like a dreamlike atmosphere in places.
The hero lives in a world of illusion and delusion the apex of which is his love for Charles II. (I note how in German this novel is called The King's Fool which is appropriate.)
The hero is sent down through the world and has to remake himself. There is a kind of beauty to the ending.
Concern over th More...
Less a historical novel and more a fantastical novel, with something like a dreamlike atmosphere in places.
The hero lives in a world of illusion and delusion the apex of which is his love for Charles II. (I note how in German this novel is called The King's Fool which is appropriate.)
The hero is sent down through the world and has to remake himself. There is a kind of beauty to the ending.
Concern over th More...
Jan 15, 2010
Sydney
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The book is exquisitely written and it is an absolute “Joy” to read. The story is being related by the protagonist and it made me feel like a bit of a voyeur. Merivel, from whose eyes we see the story unfolding, is rather a coarse character, but endearing nonetheless. He doesn’t seem to have much control over his life and his own words, “My life is a very muddled occurrence”, describes it very well. The best time I have ever had in 17th Century England.
May 23, 2011
Claire
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I've read this more than once, and think it would repay several readings. A really great novel and a huge favourite. Robert Merivel, the narrator, is ambitious and, frequently, self-deluded, but he is full of humour and creativity too. A 'picaresque' novel, where Merivel has to undergo trials to discover his place in the world.
Jan 13, 2011
Mark
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This is the first Rose Tremaine I've read and wasn't sure what to expect. I don't generally read historical novels and wasn't sure how much I would enjoy it. I didn't have to read for long before I was totally engrossed. The character of Merival narrates the story and describes 17th century England wonderfully.
Aug 12, 2009
Marvin
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Set in England at about the same time as Tremain's Music & Silence, which I liked a lot, this one is even more bawdy. The main character is so vain & so blind to the perhaps too obvious lessons life is trying to teach him that he's difficult to fully empathize with. I'm not sure what to think of the book after all.
Jan 01, 2011
Lisa
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Excellent character study of a man's restoration to usefulness and dignity set against the tawdry goings on of Charles II court, a Quaker refuge for the insane, and work a day London. Robert Merivel relishes being a "man of his time" only to have his time and his passions become his undoing. Cut off from his patron, The King, he seeks out his old friend and fellow anatomy student for help. His friend, John Pearce, is working at a madhouse where Merivel also begins to help, and to re
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Jan 29, 2012
Jack
rated it:
Highly accomplished, as one might expect of Tremain, with strong evocation of the age, tight plotting and solid characterisation with a fluent narrative to carry the reader forward. Highly readable and bound to appeal to all ages. If it has a fault, it's that it is so inoffensive it fails to challenge and borders on the bland.
Nov 01, 2011
Diana
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I was read this as an audiobook which made the first person narrative powerful. Really liked Merivel and enjoyed the delusions and inner workings of his voice over time. Made me wonder whether we all should strive for being 'useful' and who is judging.
Apr 26, 2011
Connie
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I started by disliking the protagonist, which makes reading difficult with a first person narrative, but gradually became more sympathetic to him as his journey mellows him and he loses his obsession with the king. A vivid picture of a fascinating period.
