Arleigh (acj626) - Dallas, GA (237 books)

Arleigh added:

The Woman Who Loved Jesse James
by Cindi Myers

read in February, 2012

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Arleigh is now friends with Melody Wilson

Arleigh is on page 228 of The Woman Who Loved Jesse James

The Woman Who Loved Jesse James
by Cindi Myers

My rating:

Arleigh added:

The Golden Hour
by Margaret Wurtele

read in February, 2012

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Arleigh is currently reading:

The King's Agent
by Donna Russo Morin (Goodreads Author)

My rating:

Arleigh added:

Dark Angels
by Karleen Koen (Goodreads Author)

read in January, 2012

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Arleigh gave

to:

Rochester - The Mad Earl
by Kathleen Kellow

read in January, 2012

My rating:

The adventures and exploits of John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester, are resurrected in this 1957 novel by Jean Plaidy , under one of her lesser-known pseudonyms—Kathleen Kellow.

Rochester’s father, Henry Wilmot, was responsible for cutting the Roundhe...moreThe adventures and exploits of John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester, are resurrected in this 1957 novel by Jean Plaidy , under one of her lesser-known pseudonyms—Kathleen Kellow.

Rochester’s father, Henry Wilmot, was responsible for cutting the Roundhead-pursued Charles II’s curls, helping him escape the country incognito during Cromwell’s rule. The 1st Earl of Rochester was steadfast by his side, while his wife ran a Puritan household in order to hang on to some family assets. Though he dies before Charles was restored to the throne, the King did not forget the man who shared his impoverished exile.

Rochester, true to the Royalist cause, came of age just as the King returned to England, and thus was rewarded with the King’s friendship. Being handsome, of clever wit and sparkling intelligence, Rochester quickly became a favorite in the court circles and set out to marry an heiress. His courtship and attempted abduction of Elizabeth Malet is an unexpected humorous love story. ‘Bessie’ is herself a smart and level-headed young woman, who truly stole Rochester’s heart even while it seemed to others he courted her vast fortune.

Though he seemingly had it all—youth, talent, a title, money and the King’s ear—Rochester’s inner demons were continually at the forefront of his mind. Shakespeare held the standard for him, and he wished to be immortalized in verse—but he couldn’t keep cynicism and barbs toward others from his writing. He is best known for scurrilous poems about fellow courtiers and the King (who amusingly accepted the true enough quips).

Perhaps most scandalous were the outrageous pranks he pulled: setting himself up as a quack doctor, disguised and diagnosing ills of the court, being a landlord of an inn with Buckingham, dressing as beggars and commoners (even with the King in tow). His driving ambition to become a great in the theater world had him searching for an actress to support. He found both Sarah Cooke and Elizabeth Barry, though neither paved his way to fame, and he was never considered a serious asset to the playwrights, other than a wealthy patron.

Rochester’s insistence on logical thinking, sparked by studying the writings of Thomas Hobbes, formed his mind against religion—and this is something he battled throughout his life. He was always questioning the meaning of life and the existence of an afterlife. He welcomed all experiences to further his understanding of the world—one can see why he succumbed to wine and debauchery, for he felt that if a person is only to have the present life, he must live it to the fullest.

Having read many, many novels by the author, I assumed her writing style would be similar with this book from her early career, but it read more clearly and without so many of the obscure ‘Plaidy words’ you find in her subsequent works. Her attention to detail and infallible historical accuracy is prevalent as ever, and I really enjoyed this reimagining of the life of such an intriguing Restoration character. Rochester has always interested me in other novels of the era, and I believe Plaidy went above and beyond in recreating an honest and admirable protagonist.(less)

Arleigh made a comment on her review of Dark Angels

"Haha, that is funny! I read Dark Angels a few years ago, but thought I'd listen to the audio since I found it at a used book store. I remember thinkin...more"

Arleigh is currently reading:

Virgin And The Crab: Sketches, Fables And Mysteries From The Early Life Of John Dee And Elizabeth Tudor
by Robert Parry (Goodreads Author)

My rating:

Arleigh made a comment on her review of The Rules of Gentility

"True, I doubt some of the characters would have been so open-minded, and much of the humor was not of the era, but it is fun. There's no harm in readi...more"

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Arleigh added: The Woman Who Loved Jesse James by Cindi Myers read in February, 2012	My rating:
5 hours, 10 min ago
Arleigh is now friends with Melody Wilson
5 hours, 10 min ago
Arleigh is on page 228 of The Woman Who Loved Jesse James The Woman Who Loved Jesse James by Cindi Myers	My rating:
19 hours, 18 min ago · like · see status
Arleigh added: The Golden Hour by Margaret Wurtele read in February, 2012	My rating:
Feb 05, 2012 10:14pm
Arleigh is currently reading: The King's Agent by Donna Russo Morin (Goodreads Author)	My rating:
Feb 02, 2012 05:58am
Arleigh added: Dark Angels by Karleen Koen (Goodreads Author) read in January, 2012	My rating:
Jan 31, 2012 07:03pm
Arleigh gave to: Rochester - The Mad Earl by Kathleen Kellow read in January, 2012	My rating:
The adventures and exploits of John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester, are resurrected in this 1957 novel by Jean Plaidy , under one of her lesser-known pseudonyms—Kathleen Kellow. Rochester’s father, Henry Wilmot, was responsible for cutting the Roundhe...more
Jan 23, 2012 09:46pm · see review
Arleigh made a comment on her review of Dark Angels "Haha, that is funny! I read Dark Angels a few years ago, but thought I'd listen to the audio since I found it at a used book store. I remember thinkin...more"
Jan 20, 2012 05:25pm · see review
Arleigh is currently reading: Virgin And The Crab: Sketches, Fables And Mysteries From The Early Life Of John Dee And Elizabeth Tudor by Robert Parry (Goodreads Author)	My rating:
Jan 17, 2012 08:46am
Arleigh made a comment on her review of The Rules of Gentility "True, I doubt some of the characters would have been so open-minded, and much of the humor was not of the era, but it is fun. There's no harm in readi...more"
Jan 16, 2012 01:03pm · see review

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