Can anyone think of historical novels (not necessarily written recently) which are set in the Restoration, or more generally in the reign of Charles II?

So far I can only think of Ackroyd's Hawksmoor and Tremain's Restoration... It's tempting to add in the rest of Europe, but I want to compare like with like if possible.

Thanks.

Emma

Maybe not the kind you're looking for Emma but Jean Plaidy is one of my favourite historical novelists. I've read most of her books.

There is a 3 in 1 volume about Charles II on Amazon.



<Added>

Aha, maybe you're not actually looking for a book about Charles II - note to self read posts more carefully in future!!!

<Added>

And of course there's Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor which I read more then a dozen times.

Why are none of my suggestions high-brow ?????

I hadn't thought of Plaidy - Heyer's Charles II book is the worst she ever wrote by a long way (which she knew, and so suppressed it) and though Plaidy doesn't do it for me, I'd be interested to see if she handles is better. I only know Forever Amber by repute - didn't realise it was this period!

Emma

Jean Plaidy did a trilogy on Charles II.

I rather like Georgette Heyer's book - but agree it isn't her best

Recent films that might help are The Libertine and Stage Beauty.

Must be more books?

Sarah

<Added>

sorry - people already said that! Will go edit. Now.

There is a list of 17th Century novels here but how many of them deal with the Restoration I don't know.

<Added>

I mean novels written about the 17th Century not in it!

Heavens, what a lot! That's terrific, Eve, thank you.

Emma

'The Vizard Mask' by Diana Norman. Probably not regarded as a literary novel but some marvellous passages including a haunting section about set in a brothel during the plague. I loved it though it is very disturbing in places.

Naomi

Not come across that: I'll look it out,thank you!

And though when it comes down to close reading I find there's more worth saying about more literary texts, genre books are absolutely brilliant when you want to talk about zeitgeist, and the society it's written in (as opposed to about), which, among other things, I do.

Emma

Would An Instance of The Fingerpost be one?

Or is that Reformation?

Great book, anyway.

Thanks, Cea. I've got that on my shelves, unread, but I know it came highly recommended - I'll have a look.

Emma

I loved "Myself, Christopher Wren" when I was about sixteen...

Emma, it's great. I particularly liked the structure - four perspectives of the same event and only in the last one do you find out what truly happened.

Yes, I think it was recommended to me when I was on my parallel narrative kick. I love things like that: I read Fingersmith almost indignant at the sheer bravado - cheek, even - of the first and third sections being exactly the same story told from two different points of view.

Emma

What a fabulous list, Eve.

'Lord Rochester's monkey' by Graham Greene - I have to read this!

Thanks for sharing

Sarah

Again, not literary - but Forever Amber is fantastic!