Restoration

By: Rose Tremain

Narrated by: Paul Daneman

Length: 13 hrs

Publisher's summary

From Rose Tremain comes the Booker Prize short-listed novel that “restored the historical novel to its rightful place of honor” (New York Times).

Robert Merivel, son of a glove maker and an aspiring physician, finds his fortunes transformed when he is given a position at the court of King Charles II. Merivel slips easily into a life of luxury and idleness, enthusiastically enjoying the women and wine of the vibrant Restoration age. But when he’s called on to serve the king in an unusual role, he transgresses the one law he is forbidden to break and is brutally cast out from his newfound paradise. Thus begins Merivel’s journey to self-knowledge, which will take him down into the lowest depths of 17th-century society.

©2013 Rose Tremain (P)2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Fantastic Story and rReader!!

I loved this fantastic story that takes place in the 16th Century. So rich with life lessons that could apply to us all. Humility and love.

very enjoyable

Excellent choice of narrator - he was very believable. Good character development. I really liked the ending

Unbearable narrator

I was pleasantly surprised with how much I was drawn into this story. The protagonist is extremely unlikely but sympathetic, and I found myself pleasantly intrigued and drawn in from the very beginning.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it past the narrator. When he’s just voicing the main character or the narrative prose of the story, his voice is perfectly pleasant and innocuous. But unfortunately when he voices any other character he is so annoying and hard to understand that I just couldn’t take it. I quit listening with about 10 hours left, in spite of enjoying the story itself, and being desperate for entertainment.

A flawed man trying to change and failing

Brilliantly written and narrated. The characters are all interesting, especially King Charles II. The protagonist's character arc and unique problems keep the story interesting. The negative reviewers missed the point of the book.

So much better than the 90s movie

I know, I know... most books ARE better than the films, and this is no exception. The film was ok, but it is not nearly as vibrant and reflective and really funny as the book. I listened to the sequel- Merivel right after because I wanted more of the main character's story. I recommend this, if you can!

Loved this story

I read a positive review and thought I would try the book. At first I wasn’t sure I liked it but the character Merrivill grew on me. Will definitely read another

Interesting

The narrator is spectacular. The story was interesting and weird. The narrator tell the story wonderfully.

Perfection

Wonderful book. Amazing narrator. I will be looking for some more Rose Tremaine. Especially if it’s narrated by Mr. Daneman.

A likable fool

In a literary landscape dominated by third-person perspectives, stepping into the shoes of Robert Merivel felt like a breath of fresh air with its first-person narrative.

Merivel is far from perfect – he's deeply flawed, often selfish, and occasionally vain. His life and the ways in which he chooses to live this life are so very far removed from my own we might as well be each other's opposites. Or so I thought. Despite his imperfections, there's an undeniable sad charm to him that makes him impossible not to root for. Merivel feels like a friend, flaws and all. He's the kind of person you want to shake some sense into at times, yet you can't help but feel deeply for. He is, at times, quite literally a dumb fool.

Merivel seeks validation in a world that can often feel indifferent. After his fall from grace, his longing is written with such poignancy that it's impossible not to empathize with Merivel's quest for acceptance. His growth lies mostly in trying to find self-acceptance and a purpose outside of other people's opinions of him.

There's a sense of faint hope that pervades throughout the story. It's not all sunshine and rainbows – far from it. But amidst the darkness, the turmoil and the drama, there's a glimmer of light that shines through.

The ending... could be considered a happy one; which was quite unexpected when I first began to read this book. Perhaps because so many historical fiction dramas ends in tragedy, I prepared myself for the worst. It felt like a fitting conclusion to Merivel's journey, offering a sense of closure that left me feeling both satisfied and genuinely hopeful.

In the end, 'Restoration' is a journey through several years in the life of a foolish man of his time. A journey worth taking.

As for the performance, 90% of the book is absolutely perfect and pleasant... But the voices of the secondary characters (aka anyone who isn't Robert Merivel or the King) is awful. Mumbling, whispering, almost cartoonish. Such a shame. Had the narrator just read the entire book WITHOUT doing any voices, it still would have been absolutely fine.

((P.S. Don't bother watching the 2011 film adaptation. Despite its strong casting, the characterization is very far removed from the depth the book has to offer.))

Unbelievably excellent

Truly one of the best books I’ve ever heard from Audible. Everything about is superb - highly recommended. I didn’t want it to end.