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See this item's eligibility during checkout.Children | Home » » » Royal Harlot: A Novel of the Countess Castlemaine and King Charles II | | | | | | | Description: | | London, 1660: Ready to throw off a generation of Puritan rule, all England rejoices when Charles Stuart returns to reclaim the throne. Among those welcoming him is young Barbara Villiers Palmer, a breathtaking Royalist beauty whose sensuality and clever wit instantly captivate the handsome, jaded king. Though each is promised to another, Barbara soon becomes Charles's mistress and closest friend, and the uncrowned queen of his bawdy Restoration court. Rewarded with titles, land, and jewels, she is the most envied and desired woman in England--and the most powerful. But the role of royal mistress is a precarious one, and Barbara's enemies and rivals are everywhere in the palace. | | | Product Details: | | | Author:
| Susan Holloway Scott | | Paperback:
| 384 pages | | Publisher:
| NAL Trade | | Publication Date:
| July 03, 2007 | | Package Length:
| 8.2 inches | | Package Width:
| 5.4 inches | | Package Height:
| 1.0 inches | | Package Weight:
| 0.5 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 22 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
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Gives Some Heart to a Vilified Woman of History...Dec 23, 2009
This is my second Susan Holloway Scott book, and I enjoyed it just as much as the first one I read (which was 'The King's Favorite'). I've come across Barbara Palmer in quite a few books, but never really knew her whole story. I always pictured her as a ruthless social climber who was a nag and a nuisance to the king. Turns out only half of that is true. The way Ms. Scott tells it, I believe now that Barbara truly loved Charles, and that Charles truly loved her back. She was absolutely a power-hungry woman who, in the beginning, only cared about herself, but when you see where she came from and how she was treated by her family, who else should she have cared about?
I was kinda surprised though at just how promiscuous she was. Especially even after she began her affair with the king. You would think that someone trying to advance herself as much as she was, she would show a little restraint, and not sleep with anything that moved...man or woman. However, on a different note, I was surprised to find out just how much she cared about her children. Whenever I come across her name in other books, they always mentioned the large brood she had with the king, but nothing else...like how they were raised, or who cared for them. Barbara was very protective of her children, and as she aged, everything she did to try and better herself, was done so her children would be taken care of.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I learned a lot about Lady Castlemaine and her relationship with Charles II. While she certainly wasn't the most likable woman in history, I don't think she deserves all the nasty things said about her. Was she a whore? Of course! She'd be the first to admit that, but was she an evil witch who controlled everything Charles II did, and was responsible for things like the plague and the Great fire? No! That's ridiculous. Anyway, if you're interested, I absolutely recommend this book. Learn a little more about the woman before you judge her. I gotta say though, while I now look at Lady Castlemaine in a different light, Nell Gwyn will ALWAYS be my favorite whore :)
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 A little overly sympathetic for my tasteNov 06, 2009
One of the hardest things to pull off as a writer is the unsympathetic protagonist, especially in a story written from a first-person point of view. Most writers who attempt it find themselves becoming more sympathetic to the character than a disinterested observer would think appropriate, which is probably why it's so uncommon. In fact, I can only think of two successful attempts: Shakespeare in Richard III, and Jean Plaidy in Catherine De Medici.
Unfortunately, Susan Scott is not as successful in her attempt to bring Barbara Palmer to life. In general the writing is excellent and the history usually sound, but the protagonist simply isn't as awful as the real thing was. I also question the choice of some of the secual encounters described; was Barbara actually bisexual, or was her relationship with Frances Stuart invented for some ulterior motive?
Even so, I sympathize with Scott. Here she is, having the goal of writing a series of novels from the viewpoint of the women of the Caroline court, faced with Barbara Palmer. Ugh. Who could blame her for pretending Barbara was someone else?
personal likes and dislikes about the bookOct 14, 2009
It is well written, the history is accurate, it kept my attention on every page.
I do not think that is was nessesary to dwell in detail on the sexual encounters which included very coarse language.
Those parts I skipped. They do not contribute to the overall informative, historically interesting, retelling of one of the most fascinating periods in the history of the U.K.
Because of the reasons mentioned I rate it 4 stars instead of the 5 I would like
THE WAGES OF SIN...Jul 30, 2009
Having read "Duchess: A Novel of Sarah Churchill" by this author and having enjoyed it, I decided to give this book by the same author a go. A work of historical fiction about Barbara Villiers, the mistress of King Charles II of England, it was a good choice, as I very much enjoyed it. Written in the first person, it is a good mix of historical fiction with a bit of romance. The characters come to life in this author's capable hands and draw in the reader.
Barbara Villiers, who later became the Countess of Castlemaine, was a strong willed, independent woman. A great beauty, as well as smart and saucy, she was notorious in her day as the favored mistress of the Merry Monarch, Charles II of England. Though married to another man, she bore the King quite a number of children and wielded a great deal of influence in his baudy Restoration court. With her privileged position as the King's mistress came much favor, and Barbara became a very wealthy woman in her own right, as a result of her liaison with the King, which was to last for many years. Alas, all good things must come to an end.
The book details the rise and fall of Barbara Villiers, from her rise as a young beauty with Royalist leanings, to her elevation in Court society when the Charles II returns to England to reclaim his thrown and is smitten with her. The intrigues of the Restoration court are laid bare, as are the religious divisions between Catholic and Protestants. Against this turbulent backdrop, the life and loves of Barbara Villiers are played out. Moreover, the reader should be aware that since this is a book about a royal harlot, there is quite a bit more overt sexual content in the book than one normally finds in most works of historical fiction. Notwithstanding this, those who enjoy the books of Jean Plaidy and Philippa Gregory will, undoubtedly, enjoy this book, as well.
 okayJul 07, 2009
Wasn't a very good book, but the seller was responsible in getting it here on time and in goo condition. Thank you
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