Forever Amber

By: Kathleen Winsor

Narrated by: Elizabeth Jasicki

Length: 42 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Abandoned pregnant and penniless on the teeming streets of London, 16-year-old Amber St. Clare manages, by using her wits, beauty, and courage, to climb to the highest position a woman could achieve in Restoration England - that of favorite mistress of the Merry Monarch, Charles II. From whores and highwaymen to courtiers and noblemen, from events such as the Great Plague and the Fire of London to the intimate passions of ordinary - and extraordinary - men and women, Amber experiences it all. But throughout her trials and escapades, she remains, in her heart, true to the one man she really loves, the one man she can never have. Frequently compared to Gone with the Wind, Forever Amber is the other great historical romance, outselling every other American novel of the 1940s - despite being banned in Boston for its sheer sexiness. A book to listen to again and again, this edition brings back to print an unforgettable romance and a timeless masterpiece.

©1944 Copyright 1944 by Kathleen Winsor; Copyright renewed 1971 by Kathleen Winsor (P)2020 Audible, Inc.

Still stands the test of time..

Written in 1944..I can see why it has had such lasting appeal, and acclaim. The writing style is truly timeless. It‘s atmospheric (1655) and Amber is a very interesting character. She goes through a lot of character development but not necessarily to her betterment.

Amber is quite unlikeable and extremely avaricious but never quite satisfied by what she has. She‘s always seeking. Bruce is callous but honest about it. This is a rowdy/bawdy tale. A great window into the social mores common in Restoration England. The historical research is very good. A great cast of characters. The last few chapters and the ending were slightly disappointing.

Memories

I read this book as a teenager and the passion between Amber and Lord Carlton was so intense. As an older person it didn’t resonate the same to me but I enjoyed the narration and would recommend if you want a jaunt down memory lane.

Great story!

The story line moves in this book. Enjoyable. Maybe a sequel? Ends in a memorable way.

everything

it was captivating and entertaining so good, what more can I say totally enjoyed it

This is NO Gone with the Wind

I can’t deny this book is remarkably detailed and vivid with its way of capturing the Stuart count of Charles II during the Restoration and meeting the individuals I hade studied as a lover of English history. But as the book went on, taking us through the Great Fire, the plague and threatened invasions, I started to grow less involved with the plight of Amber and Bruce. By the book’s conclusion, I just wanted to say “There. I got it done. Now let’s never talk about it again. Oh and 20th Century Fox did a movie version with Linda Darnell. It didn’t drag and the ending was more…fitting.”

Because more and more I was growing exhausted by the continual court plots, by Amber and Bruce’s on again off again. Of both of their grasping for personal power in their own little ways. Of their jealousies, their nastiness, of supposedly loving one’s wife by continuing to play around behind her back. I’m the end, as the finale played, I only thought about the mire compact finale of the movie, without all the damnable plots of this. I could only say “a pox on all their houses” and glad it was finally over.

Amber and Bruce right deserve one another. Neither of them are nice, and Bruce alleged he is so much better than Amber - God forbid he marry her - but he’s more than weak enough to hop in her bed while declaring his love for his wife. Amber did claw her way into the halls of Whitehall and the King’s chamber, but she becomes as scheming and duplicitous as those around her. These are NOT sympathetic people, no matter their fine clothes and ruches.

In the end, I only really liked two peripheral characters: the Quern, Catherine of Braganza and Princess “Minette” the King’s sister. We see how difficult it must have been to be Queen, be hated and despise, and unable to have children while your husband forces you to accept his mistress as one of your ladies, or his women bear healthy children. Minette is like many princesses - she us used as a pawn for politics, and lives in France, wife to the Sun King’s homosexual brother who hates her. It’s a rough life for both Catherine and Minette, but after a while, I wanted to return to their stories, not Amber, not Bruce.

I’m glad I finally “read” it. I’d seen the movie years ago and wondered how much was cut. But I can sort of see see why the movie doesn’t resonate like Gone with the Wind. The book might be as well researched, but in the end, I don’t care if I ever see Bruce, Amber or the court of Charles II again. A book should never be a chore to complete. It should be a delight. I’m sorry this wasn’t.

The narration however gets a chef’s kids. She was convincing in voicing so many characters male and female and I’m impressed.

I just wish there was a sequel!

The book was so engaging, the characters so interesting, but the end was abrupt and leaves the reader hanging.

5 Star Audio

A great historical fiction romance story set in the London in the 1600s. Amber leaves her home on a farm at 16 and travels to London with her one true love. She has many romantic adventures including with Charles II. She survives a debtors prison, the plague and the great fire of London.p

Very long and sometimes tedious

I was in love with the movie which got a lot of the book in it. Luckily I had seen it so the descriptions of the people, costumes and places were seeable in my mind. The only thing I didn't like is the ending...

A Fun Story

This book is about a very beautiful and vein ambitious young girl in 17th century England. The reader brought this book to life and I enjoyed every bit of it.

Loved this book and now the audio!

I read this book so long ago and was captivated by the saga and love story. The pain and triumphs and ultimately the ending that is so fitting for Amber! So many things to love and hate about the characters and storyline but that is in fact what can create a classic!

Narration was so good capturing voices, dialects and gender. Definitely felt true to what could have been the time period!