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vanityclear's review against another edition
5.0
I read a little bit around the publication of this book, in 1989. While the novel is great on its own, it takes on a special depth when you realize that (1) its setting in the 1660s was intended as a commentary on the absurd opulence of the 1980s, (2) historical novels were by that point in a romantic rut and were pooh-poohed by most critics (rightly or wrongly I can't say); Restoration restored the genre and paved the way for Hilary Mantel to find a publisher for A Place of Greater Safety more than ten years after she'd finished it.
I also find it excruciatingly funny that most critics swooned over Tremain's realistic portrayal of a man's inner world, when the opposite is rarely commented upon.
I also find it excruciatingly funny that most critics swooned over Tremain's realistic portrayal of a man's inner world, when the opposite is rarely commented upon.
catelam's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
bel017's review against another edition
1.0
Seems more to me that it's about the damage of falling in love with the wrong person, rather than the dangers of excess, but I'm not enjoying it at all and have missed big chunks out of it (skipped from roughly pg 50 to 100, read a couple of chapters then skipped several more then did that again) so it's fair to say that I may be wrong. It's the first book I can recall that I've skipped pages of (other than to avoid a violent scene or similar) but I feel guilty for missing several book club books so really want to finish it, I've read that at the end he becomes a better person so hopefully the end is better than the beginning.
... So glad I didn't finish this. The descriptions given at book club weren't encouraging. there needs to be a 'didn't finish' option in the set shelves.
... So glad I didn't finish this. The descriptions given at book club weren't encouraging. there needs to be a 'didn't finish' option in the set shelves.
ocritchley94's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
bumblethebee's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
captainfez's review against another edition
5.0
A Booker Prize contender, Restoration follows the journey of Robert Merivel, a medical student-cum-lord who is made useful to Charles II of England - first for his spaniel-saving qualities, and then for his buffoonery and willingness to provide extramarital cover.
The world of court is recreated extremely well. The grasping for favour, the bonds of the pecking order - all is vibrantly constructed. The desire for position, preferment is palpable.
The characterisation is rich. Charles II is a dick, albeit one with a touch of heavenliness, while Merivel and his associates are vividly drawn. There's a touch of Hogarth about the way the gourmand's baser desires are indulged, always offset by his contemporary Pearce, all black rigidity and judgement.
Reading Restoration put me in mind of Peter Carey's Oscar and Lucinda: the relationship between Merivel and Pearce strongly reminded me of the arm's-length love between Oscar and Theophilus Hopkins. The rigidity of faith held against excesses of the physical plane, embodied in a relationship.
Given its 17th Century setting, it's fitting that this is something of an alchemical story: a tale of transformation from shit into gold in a crucible of loss, heated by the Great Fire. There's more to it than this, obviously, but the trip taken from student to dilettante to man is engrossing and affecting. Excellent stuff.
The world of court is recreated extremely well. The grasping for favour, the bonds of the pecking order - all is vibrantly constructed. The desire for position, preferment is palpable.
The characterisation is rich. Charles II is a dick, albeit one with a touch of heavenliness, while Merivel and his associates are vividly drawn. There's a touch of Hogarth about the way the gourmand's baser desires are indulged, always offset by his contemporary Pearce, all black rigidity and judgement.
Reading Restoration put me in mind of Peter Carey's Oscar and Lucinda: the relationship between Merivel and Pearce strongly reminded me of the arm's-length love between Oscar and Theophilus Hopkins. The rigidity of faith held against excesses of the physical plane, embodied in a relationship.
Given its 17th Century setting, it's fitting that this is something of an alchemical story: a tale of transformation from shit into gold in a crucible of loss, heated by the Great Fire. There's more to it than this, obviously, but the trip taken from student to dilettante to man is engrossing and affecting. Excellent stuff.
emmafwhitworth's review against another edition
4.0
I found this to be a very touching and absorbing read with a well-built world and a real feeling of the passage of time. It perfectly encapsulates the era with its extremes of excess and restraint. A very moving character study and a love letter to an under-appreciated period of history.
fern17's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
abookishtype's review against another edition
3.0
Normally, I ignore forewords, introductions, prefaces, and afterwords, but I’m glad that I read Rose Tremain’s notes about the writing of Restoration when I finished the book. I’m not used to an author explicitly telling me what they were thinking...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type.
kbaxter21's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25