The Romantic

A Novel

By: William Boyd

Narrated by: Kobna Holdbrook-Smith

Length: 17 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

From the award-winning, internationally best-selling author, a beguiling romp of a novel, at once intimate and panoramic, about the adventures and misadventures of a nineteenth-century everyman

"Picaresque, big-hearted and moving, this is Boyd at the top of his game."—The Guardian

One man, many lives . . . Cashel Greville Ross experiences more of everything than most, from the rapturous to the devastating, from surprising good luck to unexpected loss. Born in 1799, Cashel seeks his fortune across the turbulence of multiple continents, from County Cork to rural Massachusetts, from Waterloo to Zanzibar, embedded with the East Indian Army in Sri Lanka, sunning himself alongside the Romantic poets in Pisa. He travels the world as a soldier, a farmer, a felon, a writer, even a father. And he experiences all the vicissitudes of existence, including a once-in-a-lifetime love that will haunt the rest of his days. In the end, his great accomplishment is to discover who he truly is—which is the romance of life itself, and the beating heart of The Romantic.

©2023 William Boyd (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

["“An absorbing tale.... Panoramic, transporting.... Engrossing.... Cashel Greville Ross [is] another of Boyd’s marvelous ‘whole life’ creations.... Throughout the book, Boyd is superb at integrating period detail.” —Charles Finch, New York Times Book Review

“A rambunctious, swashbuckling tale, told with panache by a master storyteller.... Surrender to this fine novel’s spell...it will vicariously supply more than enough thrills for anyone.” —The Observer

“Boyd’s back, baby.... Pure, joyful escapism.” ―The Times

Excellent book highly recommend.

Enjoyed reading the book. Fantastic and interesting character development, historical context. A great love affair plagued by the realties of the time.

Read the Author's Note first, not in the audiobook

After I finished listening to The Romantic, I read several reviews, some of which mentioned an Author's Note which sets out some context for the book. That note is omitted in the audiobook and is worth reading first; it's available in the Kindle sample and should take just a few minutes to read. It's not that you can't make sense of the book without it – you can – but it gives a bit more of the writer's intention to read it before starting chapter 1, as the author intended.

This story has a ring of truth.

This novel is rich in detail, about characters, with a plausible plot, numerous locations, languages and it is exquisitely read.

Great story & awesome narrator

The book spans decades, crosses oceans, involves families & complex family members, heartache, drama, passion & lessons about good & poor choices. Narrator was excellent; historical story line & interesting characters. Highly recommended.

One man, many lives

This is a sweeping tale about one man’s complicated, fascinating life, his trials and triumphs. I loved the main character, Cashel, and didn’t want his story to end. Of all of the novels I’ve read this year, this has been my favorite.

I found the narrator’s voice soothing.

Where is the character development?

Ordinarily, I love William Boyd’s work, but I kept wondering why he wrote this book? To illustrate his knowledge of Waterloo and nineteenth century European capitals? The history of the discovery of the source of the Nile? All of these are interesting subjects. His main character is not, and he breaches the key tenet of good books: character development. His protagonist continues to make stupid decision after stupid decision—why? We never learn. Read his other better books for more insight.