The Lives of the English Rakes

by Fergus Linnane

Rake (n) "was a dissolute man, esp. one in fashionable society; roue." The English rake strides through the pages of romantic fiction, impossibly handsome, cynical and dangerous, a gambler, a deadly swordsman leaving a trail of broken hearts and slain rivals in his wake. The reality was if anything more intriguing. Some were poets and playwrights of genius - including the Earl of Rochester, author of some of the most tender and most obscene lyrics in the language. Others, such as Colonel Charteris 'Rape-master General', personified depravity. This unique and fascinating book charts the exploits the English rake, beginning in the Restoration Era with the hedonistic Charles II and his licentious courtiers, and following the flowering and then final decline of the rake during the Victorian era. Along the way you learn about England's most reckless libertines and discover how the Hellfire Club lived up to its reputation for debauchery and satanic blasphemy. You'll become intimately acquainted with those who have the dubious accolade of being the biggest rogues, lechers and profligates in history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Research, Regency, British Literature, Biography, Reference

352 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2006

Reviews

[Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

*storming into every historical romance book club*

DID YOU KNOW REAL-LIFE RAKES WERE BAD PEOPLE?

[Marguerite Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why oh why are rakes seen as heroes in historical romances? After reading this I will never, ever think of them in the same way again.

Fergus Linnane gives us sketches of the most notorious of the English rakes, a good many of them being, not surprisingly, royalty - and I say not surprisingly because the royal status gives to some very unattractive men the cachet to do as they please. Rakes are nasty, vicious, selfish, lithesome creatures who use and abuse men and women. They have no shame, seem to be on the whole narcissistic with absolutely no reason, and frankly you wouldn't want to meet one under any circumstances. Ever.

I can't say I enjoyed this book because of the subject matter, but it was very well-written and researched, and it has certainly made me re-think my own writing!

[Angela Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well researched, and very thorough - packed with characters you would swear were fictional, but no... they actually lived, and actually did the things described! While a good historical/biographical book, this is not for the faint-hearted. The content can be graphic (language, sexual situations, etc.), and I often found myself skipping over some sections (in particular, the Earl of Rochester's poetry and play excerpts). These rakes were the real thing, and certainly not the kind you find in historical romance novels. While many had their charming side, what lay underneath was anything but! Linnane does an excellent job of making this clear, without passing judgment. He tells it like it was, and lets the reader decide if these 'gentlemen' would make it onto their dinner-party list.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book, but again, some material was covered in earlier works.

Was interested to learn that the infamous Earl of Sandwich was the great-grandson of the notorious Earl of Rochester. Some things are obviously genetic!

Interesting read on a number levels.

[PK Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical research on some of the most infamous English rakes. See review on Aisle B http://aisleb.tumblr.com/post/8577523...

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good for the first 1/2-3/4. The later "rakes" were definitely not as interesting as the earlier ones. Dr. Bendo!