Royal Harlot: A Novel of the Countess Castlemaine and King Charles II
Format: paperback
ISBN:
9780451221346 (0451221346)
Publish date: July 3rd 2007
Publisher: NAL Trade
Pages no: 380
Edition language: English
Really should be 3.5 stars.Definitely more scandal (which I like in my historical fiction). Felt a little like it was just plodding along the entire time.Overall, though, I enjoyed it.
This books was a lot more racy than I expect historical fiction to be, by it was very enjoyable, and pretty compulsively readable. The only sad thing about it was that halfway through I remembered my British history and spoiled the ending for myself.
Barbara Castlemaine has come down through history with a rather unsavory reputation. The author here has decided to delve into the story, and gives a good background on as to why a woman would choose to be a king's mistress. It's entertaining and well-written and I came away with actually liking her...
I don't know how historically accurate this novel is, but I really enjoyed it. It read quickly and the main character, Barbara Palmer, seemed true to her time rather than a modern woman plunked in Restoration-era England. In fact, despite being a hard woman to like at times, I liked her and felt sad...
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