Act of Oblivion

A Novel

De: Robert Harris

Narrado por: Tim McInnerny

"A galloping adventure.” — The Wall Street Journal

From the bestselling author of Fatherland, The Ghostwriter, Munich, and Conclave comes this spellbinding historical novel that brilliantly imagines one of the greatest manhunts in history: the search for two Englishmen involved in the killing of King Charles I and the implacable foe on their trail—an epic journey into the wilds of seventeenth-century New England, and a chase like no other.

'From what is it they flee?'

He took a while to reply. By the time he spoke the men had gone inside. He said quietly, “They killed the King.”

1660 England. General Edward Whalley and his son-in law Colonel William Goffe board a ship bound for the New World. They are on the run, wanted for the murder of King Charles I—a brazen execution that marked the culmination of the English Civil War, in which parliamentarians successfully battled royalists for control.

But now, ten years after Charles’ beheading, the royalists have returned to power. Under the provisions of the Act of Oblivion, the fifty-nine men who signed the king’s death warrant and participated in his execution have been found guilty in absentia of high treason. Some of the Roundheads, including Oliver Cromwell, are already dead. Others have been captured, hung, drawn, and quartered. A few are imprisoned for life. But two have escaped to America by boat.

In London, Richard Nayler, secretary of the regicide committee of the Privy Council, is charged with bringing the traitors to justice and he will stop at nothing to find them. A substantial bounty hangs over their heads for their capture—dead or alive. . . .

Robert Harris’s first historical novel set predominantly in America, Act of Oblivion is a novel with an urgent narrative, remarkable characters, and an epic true story to tell of religion, vengeance, and power—and the costs to those who wield it.

©2022 Robert Harris (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Gripping read

Always enraptured by Harris’ writing, this was stupendous. I really understood the research that went into this, and he gave the characters (in my amateur opinion) very reasonable human reactions to what we actually know of them. He made each a dynamic, complicated person—something we could all try to understand these days. Though I am frustrated by Will’s actions in chapter 32, despite thinking it’s what he would do!

Tim’s narration was flawless. I’m not sure I would listen to this book without it (in that case, physical reading!). Had me on the edge of my seat.

Historical Fiction at it’s best

Very well researched and a tremendous adventure story With the exception of the two main character it is hard to like the Restoration characters nor the regicides and some of their helpers. Maybe there is no way or reason to like the Restoration court. This is a magisterial tour de force and very informative as well as be vivid It is easy - sometimes too easy - to visualize the scenes painted in the novel. Well worth the effort but exhausting.

The tenacity of all the main characters

I enjoy the camaraderie of two regicides. The generosity and deep religious belief of the Puritans, who helped the main characters avoid capture.

Fantastic and compelling

I loved the story. Yesterday’s heroes can be tomorrow’s villains. A story of England and America, Faith and hatred. This story has it all. I couldn’t put it down…

Very enjoyable

The story is very engaging, although the last third could have been a little shorter. Narrator is excellent.

What a tale! Historical fiction at its greatest

I cannot think of an historical fiction book that I have enjoyed as much. The story, the characters, the narration, all come together

Excellent Fictionalization

Harris presents interesting and plausible imaginings of the many elements of this story which are not known to history, and brings the story to a satisfying conclusion. There are some attempts to create suspense, which probably work best if you don't know the actual historical outcome.
Not so much a criticism as a warning about the narration: anyone familiar with Whalley Avenue and the Judges' Cave at West Rock in New Haven, Connecticut may be annoyed by the pronunciation of Whalley as "Wally." I realize that that pronunciation (or perhaps, "Worley") is favored in some places, but it's "WAY lee" in New Haven, and there's reason to believe that the judge would have used that pronunciation. Since the people of New Haven thought enough of Whalley to name a major thoroughfare after him, it seems likely that they would get his name right. Also (as Harris mentions twice in the story) three whales appear on the Whalley family coat of arms. It seems most likely that the family made that choice because they have a WHALE-ee name.

Fantastic

Fantastic writing, making for a gripping story. I knew nearly nothing about this era of English/Colonial history, so I’m grateful for new understanding. And the insights into the puritan mindset, though fictional, was great food for contemplation.

Brilliant reader, fabulous book

The performance is so well-done that several times as I listened, I wondered if the reader made an excellent book into something extraordinary. So glad I listened to Act of Oblivion; it is a treasure.

Spotlight on a little known era

My only criticism is that the villain was one dimensional and a bit boring. No redeeming qualities whatsoever.