Dispossessed of crown and kingdom, the young Charles II must flee for his life, across Cromwell's England bound for a Channel port and a ship to Fr...
read full description
reviews
Jul 28, 2010
Fence
rated it: 
Set after the execution of Charles I, this book tells the story of Charles II after his forces lose the Battle of Worcester and he is forced to try and escape the country and go into hiding in France. To be honest there isn’t much of a plot to this book. Okay, so we have the would-be king riding about the English countryside, or sometimes walking, trying to escape. But we all know that he does, escape that is, I mean we have all heard of the Restoration right? So the book is more of a character
More...
Oct 21, 2011
Gillian
rated it: 
As my book "The September Queen" recounts Charles II's escape after the Battle of Worcester - primarily the part involving Jane Lane, and her subsequent relationship with Charles - it was interesting to get acquainted with this book recently.
It was enjoyable and compelling. I have a couple of minor complaints -the country folks and working class people are treated rather patronizingly and frequently seem like buffoons - though I think this is intensified by the reading (I More...
It was enjoyable and compelling. I have a couple of minor complaints -the country folks and working class people are treated rather patronizingly and frequently seem like buffoons - though I think this is intensified by the reading (I More...
Mar 20, 2011
Katie
rated it: 
Georgette Heyer is really hit and miss for me. I think the hardest part of this book was that the description of it was misleading....I was anticipating this great heroine, and there wasn't one. The only worthwhile female in the book didn't show up till 100 pages in and then was present for only about five pages. Now, I'm not a huge women's rights person, but if you tell me there's going to be a female lead, I think there should be a female lead. Anyway, the whole 250 pages spanned about fiv
More...
Apr 29, 2011
Adrianna
rated it:
Not the best of Heyer's works, but if you are looking for a true historical fiction and are willing to leave the realm of her typical romance fare for a bit, this is an interesting timeline of the the escape of King Charles II. Heyer made Charles quite likeable, even endowing him with quite a reckless sense of humor; whether this is her elaboration or fact, it makes the somewhat ponderous story much more entertaining. As always, her thoroughness in historical research is gratifying and leaves th
More...
Feb 27, 2009
Jan (the Gryphon)
rated it:
Heyer's historical fiction is impeccably researched and always a good read. However, the booksellers market her novels as historical romance even when there is no romantic involvement of the characters in this story. Indeed, the only reason for a female in this story is as part of the disguise for Charles II as he escapes to France.
If you want a bodice ripper, Ms. Heyer is not your author. If you want witty, drawing-room farce, Royal Escape is not your novel
If you want a bodice ripper, Ms. Heyer is not your author. If you want witty, drawing-room farce, Royal Escape is not your novel
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Oct 31, 2011
Sallie
rated it:
Ok, this is NOT one of my favorite Heyer books. I read to within about 60 pages of the end and then skipped ahead to the last few pages. So, technically, I guess I finished it, ala Cab Edwards, but it just got to be repetitive about how poor ole Lord Wilmot et al were going to be able to get Charles II out of England before the Roundheads (Parlimentarians/Puritans/Cromwell's guys) found him. I'll stay happily with Heyer's Regency romances from now on.
Jan 19, 2010
Pollylbeck
rated it: 
I got this book as a Christmas gift. I was not acquainted with this author but having read her book I am anxious to get a chance to read more of her works. The book was a true story but so well written it read like a very good novel. I have always enjoyed good books about life in old England I guess partly because I have ancestors that were there then but this book will surely have to be listed among my favorites. Great read!
Oct 18, 2010
Lauren
rated it:
A fictioanlized version of King Charles' escape from England. Not a story I would normally care to spend time on but ANYTHING from the incredible Miss Heyer and I must read on...I just can't help myslef. I imagine that a person truly interested in this story would be wonderfuly entertained, for me it was a bit "Planes. Trains and Automobiles" but such a sweet ugly young monarch, who could not love him and cheer his helpers on??
Jan 22, 2009
lisa
rated it:
This is one of Heyer's non-Regency historicals, and oh my good lord it just about put me under. The ponderosity of the writing reminded me of Dunnett's Game of Kings, which took me forever to get through. It didn't have a very elegant story arc, which I suppose is difficult to finesse when you're working with real events, but I also wasn't particularly engaged by any of the characters.
Aug 02, 2011
Reetta
rated it: 
Lienee saavutus kirjoittaa kirja kuninkaan pakomatkasta hävityn sodan painaessa ja hirttotuomion uhatessa. Sellainen kirja, jossa kenestäkään ei tule verta, kenelläkään ei ole kiire, yhtään taistelua ei käydä, kukaan ei tunne juurikaan vetoa kehenkään ja ainoat keskustelut liittyvät korttipeliin tai siihen, kuinka mielliyttävä persoona kuningas on. Pitkä kirja.
Jan 27, 2010
I tried to listen to this audio book twice and can't get through it. Come to find out, it's a straight-up historical fiction and not one of Heyer's regency stories. I usually like historical fiction, but I just wasn't interested in this story, I guess.
Aug 04, 2011
This is not one of Georgette Heyer's best. There are way too many characters, and not enough dialogue. Heyer couldn't write badly if she tried, though, so it is still funny and the King is interesting and likeable.
Jan 22, 2009
Yati
rated it:
I picked the book up on a whim. It was a fast read, despite me stumbling over some of the vocabulary, and enjoyable too. Now I shall go look up Charles II and see whether he managed to keep his head in the end and reward those nice people who helped him.
Jan 22, 2010
Elena
rated it:
This book was reasonably entertaining, but I didn't like it anywhere near as much as Heyer's romances. Plus, it was a little repetitive, with all the "and then he hid out in so-and-so's house, and they remarked on how tall he was, and he charmed all the ladies!" So, yeah. I think I'll be sticking with the romances in the future.
Aug 30, 2011
Kate
rated it:
Re read an old favourite - enjoyed even more having visited one of the houses in the story - and living in Wolverhampton where the early parts of the story are set
Apr 20, 2009
Six weeks during the life of James Stuart"Black Boy" Henry II. He travels the country side, hiding at various supporters houses, while trying to flee to France.
May 08, 2010
Constanze
rated it:
This was well-written (enough so that I think I'd like to try another Heyer novel at some point), but the story -- Charles II (who is tall and ugly, yet disarmingly charming) rides around the countryside, hides in a bunch of houses, and tries to find a vessel to carry him to France -- just failed to engage me.
Feb 25, 2011
Maria
rated it:
Charles II is on the run, across Cromwell's England, fleeing to France. He meets friends, foes and the common man.
Why I started this: I wanted an audio book to listen to with Mom as we drove across the country. Having listened to other Heyer romances I thought that this would be a great pick.
Why I finished it: First of all, this was not a romance like I was expecting. With the traumatic end to our road trip, it took me a while to get back to the audio book. If you lov More...
Why I started this: I wanted an audio book to listen to with Mom as we drove across the country. Having listened to other Heyer romances I thought that this would be a great pick.
Why I finished it: First of all, this was not a romance like I was expecting. With the traumatic end to our road trip, it took me a while to get back to the audio book. If you lov More...
Aug 29, 2010
The escape of King Charles II after defeat at Battle of Worcester. Pub 1938.
Jul 22, 2011
I got two of her books at the same time and this was the second one. I made it through three or four pages and determined I just don't like her style. Wasn't worth the library fines I was wracking up.
Jul 18, 2011
Darla
rated it:
Okay, this is a little slow and if you are reading this expecting one of Ms. Heyer's regular romantic tales, stop reading. Put the book down, walk away and find Frederica or False Colours. This is not for you. BUT, if you have an interest in Charles II and his escape from England after Oliver Cromwell's forces ruined his chances of regaining his throne, after the battle of Worcester, this is the book for you. Very accurate, very detailed. Just made me want more.
Jul 15, 2007
Naomi
rated it:
Actually I enjoyed this book despite my prejudice against Georgette Heyer. The story of Charles Stuart's escape from England following the collapse of his overthrow attempt was well portrayed with interesting characters populating its pages. I have very little idea how accurate her description was unfortunately. But, I shall forever be fascinated by priest holes and the inability of monarchs to decree what their subjects should believe or reject.
Mar 21, 2008
Maria
rated it:
Heyer is a favorite, even recounting the story of Charles II's escape from England after his ill-fated attempt to take back the throne from Oliver Cromwell's Roundheads. This is my second reading, and I still want to know if Charles repaid or acknowledged all the people who helped him escape after he came to the throne 8 years later.
Nov 06, 2009
Jen
rated it:
A little slow but hoping it picks up.
Decent story line but too slow in between.
Decent story line but too slow in between.
Dec 19, 2008
Anna
rated it:
I first read this about 40 years ago and started reading it out of curiosity to see if it was still enjoyable. I'm happy to say that like other books by Georgette Heyer, it's a great read.
Aug 23, 2008
Julianne
rated it:
Isn't Georgette Heyer the pen name for someone else?
Lots of fun, but also lots of sex. About 200 years ago in England.
Lots of fun, but also lots of sex. About 200 years ago in England.
May 06, 2008
Robert
rated it:
Entertaining account (fictional, I assume) of Charles II's efforts to escape Cromwell.
