King's Favorite: A Novel of Nell Gwyn and King Charles II by Susan Holloway Scott
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(Paperback)
- Pub. Date: July 2008
- 448pp
- Sales Rank: 117,234
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Product Details
- Pub. Date: July 2008
- Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
- Format: Paperback, 448pp
- Sales Rank: 117,234
- ISBN-13: 9780451224064
- ISBN: 045122406X
Synopsis
The acclaimed author of Duchess and Royal Harlot returns with the unforgettable story of a king's last love and London's darling...
BR>Nell Gwyn has never been a lady, nor does she pretend to be. Blessed with impudent wit and saucy beauty, she swiftly rises from the poverty of Covent Garden to become a sensation in the theater. Still in her teens, she catches the eye of King Charles II, and trades the stage for Whitehall Palace—and the role of royal mistress.
Even though she delights the king, she must learn to negotiate the cutthroat royal court, where ambition and lust for power rule the hearts of all around her. For beneath her charm and light-heartedness, Nell has her own ambition—to become no less than the king's favorite.
Publishers Weekly
Scott's (Royal Harlot) fictionalized account of the colorful and remarkable life of Nell Gwyn, mistress to King Charles II, gives the two a lovely mutual affection. Nell, raised in a brothel, senses she's destined for better things, and before her mother can sell her virginity to the highest bidder, she procures her own protector. Selling oranges at the Theater Royal is the next step on Nell's career path, and here she catches the eye of the king, who loves women, but does not bed young girls like Nell, who is just 13. As time passes, Nell rises to her natural role as a comic actress (in Restoration England, one step up from a whore) and has no qualms about using sex to rise yet higher. As her lovers grow in rank, she keeps the ultimate prize of the king's love in mind. Nell's life makes a lively story, but for all the wit and cleverness, the bawdy humor doesn't always translate into contemporary laughs. Just as affection, here, doesn't translate into security for Nell. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. More Reviews and RecommendationsBiography
Susan Holloway Scott is a graduate of Brown University.
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Great book for fans of English history!by trekfan
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March 16, 2009: Charles II was the Merry Monarch, and his reign was exciting, eventful and in constant turmoil. His favorite mistress (one of many!) was the lowly born actress Nell Gwyn. This fast moving story shows the glamour and tragedy of the times, from Nell's front row seat. The style is a little light and frothy, with some fairly detailed sex scenes, but is a quick and fun read. Highly recommended!
Not your'e usual historical novelby Anonymous
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March 01, 2009: I picked this up on the chance I would enjoy it as when I was a child my mother put me in a fancy dress costume parade and I won first prize. Yes, I was Nell Gywne, and yes I had the basket of oranges and threw them out to the audience, and that was about all I knew of the lady, she was so much more than that, yes, the mistress of the King, and yes a famous actress to boot. But she was also a schmeing self gratifying, mover and shaker of her day.Even if you don't like or approve of her methods, you can't help but like her by the end of the book. Ms. Scott certainly captured the essence of the time, and of the main charecters. The book held my attention from begining to end, and now I want more about the life and times of Nell and Charles
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