Farewell the Tranquil Mind

by R.F. Delderfield

A sweeping drama amind the flames of the French Revolution, Farewell The Tranquil Mind begins in 1794 at Exeter Castle in Great Britain. "Delderfield writes with a gusto, combined with sheer narrative skill, that tops everyone's since Dickens." -- Boston Herald Traveler review.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

325 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1967

About the author

Ronald Frederick Delderfield was a popular English novelist and dramatist, many of whose works have been adapted for television and are still widely read.

Several of Delderfield's historical novels and series involve young men who return from war and lead lives in England that allow the author to portray the sweep of English history and delve deeply into social history from the Edwardian era to the early 1960s.

From Wikipedia

Reviews

[Susan's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this one in my younger years, but can't remember a single thing about it now.
I read just about all of Delderfield's books that I could lay my hands on. Loved the Swann Saga, The Avenue, and the To Serve Them all My Days series.

[Bea Alden · Rating 2 out of 5]

The adventures of a young English farmer, David Treloar, who, escaping to France from trouble with the law in England, finds himself in the midst of the French Revolution. Along with tracking David's adventures, the novel develops into an exhaustive account of the Revolution, the political stresses within it, and the acts of brutality that accompany the common people's struggle for equality.

[Duncan Leung · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came into this book without knowing anything about the French Revolution. So I must say that I really had a hard grasp of the politics of the late 18th century.
The first 200 pages dragged on for a long time, but the last 120 made it worth it.
It's not Diana, but it was still a fun read till the end.

[The Devine Ms Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read most of Delderfield's book. As usual this is a good story.
Why it's not a favourite is the extensive history of the French Revolution; a lot of names and a lot of different issues was hard to keep track of who was on what side and why. The first 160 pages is background. The rest of the book is the story. Surprising and nice ending made the book a worthwhile read.

[Marcy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoy historical fiction... but not when it reads like a history textbook. Way, way too much exposition! It doesn't really start till nearly the end. The main character has quite an adventure... eventually... but not soon enough to save the book.

[Margareth8537 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read, rather in the Baroness Orczy vein

[Kate Millin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not by Enid Blyton but by R F Delderfield


The storyteller is a very naive boy despite the horrific times he is living through in the early French revolution. Thank good was for a sensible woman to organise him.
Tranquility was a word unknown in the 1700's. On one side of the channel was a country firmly in the grip of aristocratic and patrician government, and on the the other a country whose old systems had been clawed down by the thirsting advocates of revolution.

Young David Treloar left his desolate home on the Devonshire coast and made his way to France….

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can hardly go wrong with a Delderfield. A young man from England is forced to go to Paris during the French Revolution. The best thing about this book was that it takes place in the same area of Paris where we had just finished staying.