Restoration

Rose Tremain’s Restoration is the story of Robert Merivel, a physician living in 17th century England. The book chronicles Merivel’s fortunes as they rise and fall (and rise again) during the reign on King Charles II. I really enjoyed the book because I thought Tremain’s Robert Merivel was one of the most believably human characters I’ve ever come across, brimming with contradictions. He’s a man who is ruled by his appetite for debauchery, yet strives to make his life mean something. He is capable of deep self-delusion, yet at times shows an endearing ability to examine his own faults.Rose Tremain’s writing puts us right in the middle of Restoration England’s (many times unpleasant) sights, smells and tastes. Historical fiction is never so satisfying to me as when an author skillfully establishes the context through which characters actions can be understood. Tremain does this wonderfully. Through Merivel’s eyes we see life back as it was back then, a time when, whether rich or poor, good health and good fortune hung precariously from the thinnest thread. We follow Merivel's journey from obscurity to a place at the court of King Charles II. The king becomes the sun around which Merivel’s life orbits and a good portion of the book revolves around his obsession with staying in the His Highness’ good graces. Merivel’s tribulations begin when he decides to surrender his dignity so that he may hold the king’s approval.A movie based on this book was made in the nineties which told Merivel’s story as one of a linear journey from dissolution to absolute redemption. The book’s story is not that one. While Merivel’s trials do transform him into someone who defines his worth according to something other than his standing at Whitehall Palace, the journey is uneven. At the end of the book Merivel remains a complicated bundle of contradictions, which is what makes him such a very good read.

Good writing always draws me in and Ms. Tremain did a fine job. Her vocabulary and her sense of tone and mood during the reign of Charles II felt credible and convincing to me. She most definitely swept me along in a vivid and continuous dream of everything from food to clothing to manners to furnishings to sex. I appreciated what she said in the afterword about Merivel (main character) sort of co-developing himself as she wrote the book, and that her original plans for him had to be changed. I did find him a little bit pathetic, and this is often difficult for me as a reader -- it can literally make me put down or toss a book. I mean, I felt him to be painfully tragic at times. I felt anxious that his foolishness would cast him into complete darkness by the end, but kept going because I loved the writing and because it seemed to me that the theme of restoration would indeed save him -- which it did. A good book.

This book is a story about a man who's gaudy, promiscuous and down right awful. I loved him. He makes for a great read. Roberts charecters ( because he has two sides) remind you that we all are human and desire to be great despite our flaws. Reading his story as he comes into his own is so telling to human nature , you can't help but root for him.

Brilliantly written and very poignant. Tremain paints a loveable portrait of an anti-hero with all the foibles and failings of a tragic but somehow relatable character. A very enjoyable read.

See above for my review of this historical fiction taking place in 17th century England. Characters are all developed so much that one has great empathy.

This book takes some amazing turns, while simultaneously highlighting many of our contemporary world. It also is delicious in its depiction of Restoration England.

Excellent writing & a great uplifting story!

A great read. Rose's prose is so classy and enjoyable that ordinarily that would be enough. But the wonderful wrap-up at the end comes as a great surprise and you realize that you have been reading an ageless testament on how to live one's life. And the setting is the return of the monarchy after Britain's dreary and disliked experiment as a republic. Enjoy this great book.

A real page turner!

About 12 hours long - really enjoyed this whilst driving and touring in France. Its intelligent well written and well read - its also quite bawdy so perhaps not for maiden aunts/uncles