The Royal Harlot: A Novel of the Countess Castlemaine and King Charles II by Susan Holloway Scott, Susan Holloway Scott
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(Paperback - Bargain)
- Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
- Pub. Date: July 2007
- ISBN-13: 9780641891496
- 384pp
- Edition Description: Bargain
- Other Formats:
- Paperback
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Synopsis
London, 1660: Ready to throw off a generation of Puritan rule, all England rejoices when Charles Stuart returns to reclaim the throne. Among those welcoming him is young Barbara Villiers Palmer, a breathtaking Royalist beauty whose sensuality and clever wit instantly captivate the handsome, jaded king. Though each is promised to another, Barbara soon becomes Charles's mistress and closest friend, and the uncrowned queen of his bawdy Restoration court. Rewarded with titles, land, and jewels, she is the most envied and desired woman in England--and the most powerful. But the role of royal mistress is a precarious one, and Barbara's enemies and rivals are everywhere in the palace.
Publishers Weekly
As in her popular Duchess, about Sarah Churchill, Scott captures in her latest historical romance the brilliance and hard beauty of Barbara Palmer (Lady Castlemaine), the Merry Monarch's most famous and enduring mistress. A young but far from innocent Barbara marries rich but proper Roger Palmer, whose Royalist politics set them on the path that will make her a famous courtesan and favorite of King Charles II. Lusty, bawdy and cunning, she's a fine match for the king, whose reign is portrayed as fraught with great expectations that go largely unfulfilled. Both Charles and his court are pleasingly debauched, and Charles, though well-intentioned, proves himself to be "a very poor king as kings went." Charles's court is frequently depicted in this genre, but Scott finds a careful balance in Barbara, not salvaging her as a sinner, but giving her something of a heart under all that reputation. (July)
Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information More Reviews and RecommendationsBiography
A graduate of Brown University, Susan Holloway Scott lives with her family in Pennsylvania.
Customer Reviews
Royal Harlot: A Novel of the Countess Castlemaine and King Charles IIby Anonymous
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September 25, 2008: England under Oliver Cromwell was a pretty dreary place - gone were the Maypole, the Christmas celebrations, or anything that smacked of fun. When his government toppled, England was only too happy to welcome back royalty - in this case, Charles II, a king whose 'loose' and lascivious court was certainly a contrast to the previous regime. Royal Harlot tells the story of the beautiful and ambitious Barbara Villiers, who outlasted most of the king's other mistresses, amassing great wealth for herself and her family. The author recreates the sense of the time and place beautifully. Be prepared for a few mildly naughty passages - after all, the lady WAS the king's mistress!
Royal Harlot: A Novel of the Countess Castlemaine and King Charles IIby Anonymous
Reader Rating:
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February 22, 2008: The Royal Harlot has all the ingredients of an excellent historical read -- an accurately depicted setting with excellent historical detail, fascinating characters who seem as real and convincing as their surroundings, an authentic feel, and the integration of all the elements with an exciting, interesting story. The characters, particularly Lady Barbara and King Charles II, dominate a compellling story--you don't always like them, you might not do what they do, yet you understand it, and you can't stop reading. Susan Holloway Scott is a gifted writer -- dialogue is crisp, the story moves fast, intensity is there, and quality is high. Royal Harlot and her other book, Duchess, are well worth the reading.
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