Piet Barol, the titular pleasure seeker, is a priapic, ambitious young man come to seek his fortune in belle époque Amsterdam. Unlike Frédéric More...
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Jan 05, 2012
switterbug (Betsey)
rated it: 
Twenty-three-year-old Piet Barol is a hedonist with a purpose. He's turned pleasure into an art, and made an art of pleasure. In 1907, he leaves behind his austere beginnings in South Holland for the splendor of the rich and modern, via employment in a powerful family in Amsterdam. Although raised in lower-middle-class surroundings, his Parisienne mother imparted gentility and musical refinement to Piet before her premature death. His sensuous lips, striking physique, keen blue eyes and cultivat
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Feb 07, 2012
Alla
rated it:
“History of a pleasure seeker” by Richard Mason, follows Piet Barol, an attractive but intelligent playboy from the lower classes, who uses his charms and street-smarts to try to make something of himself, in early twentieth-century (1907) Amsterdam. The storyline reminded me of the French classic “Black and Red’ by Stendhal, which attracted me to this book.
Piet Barol earns himself a job in the house of Amsterdam’s most prosperous family, the Vermeulen-Sickerts, by charming Jacobina, More...
Piet Barol earns himself a job in the house of Amsterdam’s most prosperous family, the Vermeulen-Sickerts, by charming Jacobina, More...
Jan 16, 2012
Laurie
rated it: 
The pleasure seeker of the title is young Piet Berol, but he is far from the only one. Almost everyone in the novel is a pleasure seeker in one way or another. And while the first thing the title brings to mind is sex- and there is plenty of that, written in terms that rise to near Bulwar-Lytton-esque heights- Berol and the others seek all sorts of pleasure: fine food and drink, beautiful clothing, jewels, objects d’art, music, even the everyday pleasures of soft, clean sheets and hot baths.
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Feb 20, 2012
Ramie
rated it: 
First the positive - I did enjoy the writing, the time period, and yup even the overall story. Set in the early 1900s we follow Piet as he attempts to make a life for himself -- not just a life, a good life. We join up with Piet just as he's taking a job with one of thee families in Amsterdam. He's tasked with being a "tutor" for their young son, but really he's expected to be much more than a tutor -- instead the family is hoping for something of a miracle worker, someone who can
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Dec 28, 2011
Noce
rated it: 
E per fortuna che stiamo al 28 di Dicembre
Perché a me di finire l’anno con un libro così così, non mi va proprio.
Cioè: già quest’anno non è stato brillante, già il mio Capodanno si prospetta piatto come il Natale, forse di più; e per quanto io abbia una certa attitudine al masochismo, non vedo perché debba infierire a oltranza anche sul mio curriculum di brava e onesta lettrice.
Questa volta Mason mi ha fregato.
E so anche perché. Probabilmente ha letto il More...
Perché a me di finire l’anno con un libro così così, non mi va proprio.
Cioè: già quest’anno non è stato brillante, già il mio Capodanno si prospetta piatto come il Natale, forse di più; e per quanto io abbia una certa attitudine al masochismo, non vedo perché debba infierire a oltranza anche sul mio curriculum di brava e onesta lettrice.
Questa volta Mason mi ha fregato.
E so anche perché. Probabilmente ha letto il More...
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Feb 12, 2012
AG
rated it:
An utterly charming, witty, and engrossing sex romp done up in the trappings of a Henry James or Edith Wharton novel. At times it seems nearly impossible that this book was written in this century: Mason nails James's and Wharton's exhilariting milieu of belle epoque glamour and Gilded Age intrigue, while keeping the tone light and leaving out the more depressing aspects of literature of that era, be it James's paralyzing emotional density or Wharton's undertow of stultifying classism and woe. T
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Jan 18, 2012
Meg
rated it:
Richard Mason's HISTORY OF A PLEASURE SEEKER is a lush, sensuous and finely-wrought story of how, through charisma and seduction, one man is able to change an entire family and free them from their stuffy, well-made cages. In return, Piet is able to leave behind his poverty-stricken youth and seek all the pleasures to which he feels entitled as a self-made man.
I was initially attracted to this book because of a line drawn between it and F. Scott Fitzgerald's THE GREAT GATSBY, one of More...
I was initially attracted to this book because of a line drawn between it and F. Scott Fitzgerald's THE GREAT GATSBY, one of More...
Feb 22, 2012
Jennifer
rated it:
<I was going to give this book 3 stars but by the end of writing this review I talked myself down to 2.5 although I would categorize it as a good beach read - wait for the summer and take this book on vacation>
History of a Pleasure Seeker is a fun, frothy, sex romp. It's a book about class but there is nothing new to be learned here about "the haves" and "the have nots". Mason creates an appealing setting - a 1907 upper class household in Amsterdam where More...
History of a Pleasure Seeker is a fun, frothy, sex romp. It's a book about class but there is nothing new to be learned here about "the haves" and "the have nots". Mason creates an appealing setting - a 1907 upper class household in Amsterdam where More...
Feb 20, 2012
Charlie
rated it:
3.5 Stars
Piet Barol is a classic, seductive, golden boy who comes from modest means, but rises with the help of good looks and some common-sense charm that carries him a long way. The book is divided into two parts, with Piet Barol the focal character that pulls it together. The first half is intriguing and builds as the imperfections, phobias, morals and obstacles of the characters are revealed. Based on this, I would have rated the book higher, but then disappointment occurs when the More...
Piet Barol is a classic, seductive, golden boy who comes from modest means, but rises with the help of good looks and some common-sense charm that carries him a long way. The book is divided into two parts, with Piet Barol the focal character that pulls it together. The first half is intriguing and builds as the imperfections, phobias, morals and obstacles of the characters are revealed. Based on this, I would have rated the book higher, but then disappointment occurs when the More...
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Jan 18, 2012
Wendy
rated it:
History of a Pleasure Seeker is well-thought out and descriptive, almost like watching an old black and white movie. The focus is on the characters and not pomp and flash. I really enjoyed the characters, they were well-rounded and intriguing.
Humor just jumps out at you on rare occasions, which was surprising, yet rewarding. The time period is true to form and lends authenticity to the story. I must say, I'm not much of a person to read erotica or erotic scenes. However, Mason d More...
Humor just jumps out at you on rare occasions, which was surprising, yet rewarding. The time period is true to form and lends authenticity to the story. I must say, I'm not much of a person to read erotica or erotic scenes. However, Mason d More...
Jan 22, 2012
Roberta
rated it:
Piet Barol è solo il figlio di un impiegatuccio universitario, ma la madre, un'insegnante di canto morta prematuramente, gli ha insegnato ad apprezzare i piaceri più esclusivi della vita. All'età di ventiquattro anni Piet abbandona la casa paterna e il lavoro a fianco del padre per diventare il tutore del piccolo Egbert. I Vermeulen-Sickerts sono una famiglia molto ricca e molto in vista nel bel mondo della Amsterdam di inizio Novecento, e Piet spera che siano anche il suo trampolino di lancio v
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May 31, 2011
Paul
rated it:
Meesterlijke roman. Plotopbouw is fenomenaal en mijn vingers jeuken om het uit de doeken te doen, maar dat zou teveel verpesten voor toekomstige lezers. Wat ik wel kan zeggen: het verhaal gaat over een jongeman die in dienst treed bij een vooraanstaande familie in Amsterdam en die daar de lastige taak krijgt om het autistische zoontje van zijn pleinvrees af te helpen. Maar zoals dat vaker het geval is met zulke verhalen: het gaat daar natuurlijk niet écht over. Het gaat over alles wat er omheen
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Feb 14, 2012
Stephen
rated it:
"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-the-big-city yarns by giants such as Balzac ("Pere Goriot") and Guy de Mauppassant ("Bel Ami").
What with cable networks morphing novels into television series, author Richard Mason may have a winner on his hand if he'll only go with snappier title, "Bourgeois Behaving Badly."
The scen More...
It descends from a long line of young-man-seeks-fortune-the-big-city yarns by giants such as Balzac ("Pere Goriot") and Guy de Mauppassant ("Bel Ami").
What with cable networks morphing novels into television series, author Richard Mason may have a winner on his hand if he'll only go with snappier title, "Bourgeois Behaving Badly."
The scen More...
Aug 14, 2011
Terry
rated it:
This book is a complete delight. It has been excellently crafted, the characters are beguiling and the story holds one captive til its very last breath. I have read all of Richard Mason's books, and this one is my favourite. He is a master storyteller, and I wait impatiently for the next installment of the adventures of Pete Barol, or indeed for any of his novels. If you think about how many books you are able to read in one year, often quoted as 15 on average, this book should be part of that s
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Jan 31, 2012
Madelene
rated it:
I am infinitely drawn to art and to start off with, the art cover of this book is a plus!
However, the title of the book may be a little too obvious on first impression, but this book is really so much more than that! It consist of many elementary components, such as .... 1)human interaction, 2)survival instincts, 3) judge of character, 4) confidence, 5)determination ... and the oh-so-true motto - if you never try, you'll never know, amongst many others. This book has a good built of c More...
However, the title of the book may be a little too obvious on first impression, but this book is really so much more than that! It consist of many elementary components, such as .... 1)human interaction, 2)survival instincts, 3) judge of character, 4) confidence, 5)determination ... and the oh-so-true motto - if you never try, you'll never know, amongst many others. This book has a good built of c More...
Nov 22, 2011
Michael
rated it:
Amsterdam, 1907, and a newly hired servant extends his ambitions inside a wealthy household, then forces himself to extend his fortune.
One of the strengths of this novel is in the stilted, mannered language. While this acts as a marionette on which its spoiled characters dangle, it manipulates the reader to crave its dissembly. (The starched collar; the flesh within.) There are multiple erratic storylines: a child who won't go outside, a patriarch sworn to God as he builds the Plaza Ho More...
One of the strengths of this novel is in the stilted, mannered language. While this acts as a marionette on which its spoiled characters dangle, it manipulates the reader to crave its dissembly. (The starched collar; the flesh within.) There are multiple erratic storylines: a child who won't go outside, a patriarch sworn to God as he builds the Plaza Ho More...
Feb 20, 2012
Lola425
rated it:
In theory, I liked the book. I really wanted to like Piet, but something held me back from getting in his corner. Perhaps because I identified too strongly with Didier? I enjoyed the upstairs downstairs elements of the early part of the book and did enjoy Piet and Didier's subterfuge on board the luxury liner, but I still felt that Piet was entirely too cold. And while I didn't feel any more warmly about the Piet and Stacey union, I daresay it will make an interesring sequel.
Feb 21, 2012
Janet
rated it:
A lascivious Upstairs/Downstairs in novel format with even the promise of serialization. Terrific opening paragraph, wonderful writing but for the story to really work one has to care about the protagonist who, in this volume is so facile as to be teflon coated. Still, it had me turning the pages...
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Sep 15, 2011
Ruth
rated it:
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this story, since I'm not usually one for historical fiction. The characters are really well drawn and there's a good pace & tension to the story. It's very playful, extremely erotic (you might not want people reading this over your shoulder on the tube!) and ripe for a sequel.
Jul 08, 2011
Paul
rated it:
A good effort about Holland written by a non-Dutch person. It's a soap opera, not great literature, but I enjoyed the story. Nitpicker that I am, I couldn't get past the writer having the family in Amsterdam eating asparagus in February. Never happens, and certainly not in 1907.
Oct 19, 2011
Manuel
rated it:
This was a good read. The characters are interesting and the plot is good enough. It is sexy and erotic without being lewd. I was a little surprised by the To be continued ending. I might consider reading the sequel, though I will not be particularly looking out for it. Good, fun read.
Jan 02, 2012
Bianca
rated it:
I enjoyed the book but was looking for a bit more. The second part of the book did not have me as captivated as the first. Worth reading though.
Feb 15, 2012
Marcy
rated it:
A wonderful romp! Rather racy at times, and great fun throughout. This book kept me up until 2:30 in the morning -- I just had to finish it. A great read! 4.5 stars.
Aug 23, 2011
Sophie
rated it:
I found it highly entertaining and original. I couldn't put it down and totally recommend it. I can't wait for the next one.
Feb 13, 2012
Ashley
rated it:
Beautifully written but not for prudes. The story is engrossing and the language Mason employs is magic. But I was a bit surprised at the level of raunch of some scenes. This story may cause blushing.
Feb 19, 2012
Christine
rated it:
Something for seekers of literary pleasures. Like Hollinghurst on Viagra.
Aug 14, 2011
Willsta
rated it:
A truly fantastic book - could not put it down - when is the next one coming?
