first half of this book is one of the funniest i have read; the main character Merivel is a total fop, very witty, i was laughing out loud, loved it, and the next part of the book, as Merival begins his own 'restoration' is moving in a totally different way. there can't be that many hilarious historical literary novels, i'd put this book in my all time top ten and would love it if someone could recommend something similar ( )

Superb book - historically acurate and beautifully written. Highly recommend!

I am not entirely convinced that I think this worth rating as high as 2 stars! On the other hand I have written more than usual for a review so it must have made me think!!

The promise of the cover note does not materialise in this strangely presented series of tableaux in the life of a wannabe courtier of Charles II. The book portrays the ugliness of Court society, the inequality between rich and poor, women and men, the sick and the healthy, the educated and those unable to access the formal education of the day.

It's saving grace is that it portrays the interesting developments of the period in medicine and the lamentable attempts to care for the mentally ill ... infact as an essay on the contrasting lifestyles of the haves and have nots and their access to healthcare it would probably have worked rather well.

I found the central character (Merivel) particularly odious and difficult to believe in ... maybe that is just an "act of oblivion" on my part ... far to many euphemisms for his sexual activity ?

I was disappointed in this book which could have been so much richer in its contexual detail! For me it didn't truly hit either "historical" or "fiction" tags. ( )

A cynical view of Charles II era told by an anatomy student, after the civil war and Cromwell government. ( )

Just read the dark stuff about the religious wierdos and you'll do fine. The rest is just too tedious, althought the film is worse.