Gillian Bagwell

Copy received from the publishers as part of Librarything's August Early Reviewer batch.

This was an enjoyable and easy read, introducing us to a 10 year old Nell Gwynn, just as she is starting out in the local brothel and gives a view of her progressing through society until she becomes one of King Charles II's mistresses.

This is Nell's story, so there is little court intrigue beyond jockeying for position with the other mistresses (and the Queen), and the right of succession when the matter show more of Charles' health comes under threat. As a mistress not living in the palace she (and therefore we) often hear things second hand, and that is dealt with fine - I've read enough historical/Royal fiction recently to be a little jaded of all the backstabbing and manipulation found in some other in-palace stories.

Especially later, the story can jump months at a time, which is not a bad thing, as the story moves along at an appropriate pace. At near 400 pages, it's good not to be bogged down with unnecessary prose over unhelpful or uninteresting plot lines.

Some of the story (especially in the first half, before she comes mistress) is .... not for the young or the too easily offended. Nell worked for several years in a particular line of business, which had to be represented, and Gillian has written this well, especially for a debut novel (no "wooden spoon for bad sex scenes" eh?) show less

I love it when a book introduces me to a person or a piece of history that is brand new to me. When you stop to consider all that has gone past so little has really been recorded. And yet within that little there are still stories waiting to be told. Historical figures, famous in their lifetimes that are now lost to history's back shelves because of more transcendent figures like Henry VIII or Catherine de Medici. But without some of these lessor known players history's course might have show more changed greatly.

The September Queen tells the story of Jane Lane, a young woman who already 25 is unmarried. For this time period (1651) was almost unheard of. She is being courted but longs for adventure and boy does it find her! This book, while fiction is base deeply in the historical record. The life of Charles II and his escape from England and his restoration to the monarchy is probably one of the more documented events in English history.

Jane was going to visit a friend who was pregnant and about to deliver her baby. In order to travel any distance over 5 miles in the days of Cromwell's rule a pass was required. Jane's trip coincided with Charle's advent to her home and need to escape. Her pass was for her and a manservant so Charles dressed in that role and off they went. History proves the escape successful since Charles did return as Charles II but this is Jane's story, not Charles although the rogue does tend to run things.

Ms. Bagwell presumes that Jane and Charles became lovers during their flight. Given Charles' reputation for sleeping with just about anything in a skirt there is probably some truth to it but there is no documented record of it. The love story rang true at the start but I do wonder at any man having that level of control over a woman for so many years and with so many other women along the way. The novelized Jane comes across as somewhat starry eyed and blindly in love with a man who really took away the best years of her life. She knows in her head that he is a pig but her heart won't let go. Sorry Charles, you ARE a pig.

The book is well written and a good mix of history and fiction. These were very difficult times in England and one wrong word would get a person imprisoned. Jane had to flee her homeland and spent 9 years in exile for helping the king. For this her reward at his restoration was far less than he granted many others. I feel he truly wronged her in more ways than one. I was left with an overwhelming feeling of wanting to slap Charles' face for the way he treated her.And being left with that kind of passion at the end of a book is a good thing if you ask me. It's the kind of passion that sends me off to learn more about the people I've just "met." I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of a woman famous in her time but mostly lost to history who, with undeniable courage helped to keep the monarchy alive in England. show less

This is the second book I’ve read about Nell Gwynn, the mistress of King Charles II. I like the character, the reason I keep reading the books about her, but for whatever reason, I can’t come to love these books; I like them but not love them. Maybe I like the real life person too much and want all of these fictional ones to live up to her. She was known as an incredible comic and was a well-known stage actress adored in her lifetime. I’m wondering if what I know of her real life has show more become too mixed up with the fictional one for me.

Nell Gwynn is recovering from another beating from her mother when she realizes this is the day the king will return to England. She celebrates the king’s return with several men but unfortunately it doesn’t end happily for her. Needing comfort, she seeks out her sister Rose at the whore house where she works. Nell is taken on as another girl and begins earning her keep as many women without other means do. She does her best to stay safe but things aren’t easy for her. She finds her escape in a regular customer but what she really wants is to be part of the theatre life. She manages to get herself and Rose jobs selling oranges to theatre patrons and does eventually convince others to teach her to act. Nell becomes a hit on stage known for her comedic abilities but when her affair with a fellow actor comes to an end, she sets her sights on the king and the position of mistress.

I love historical fiction and the 17th Century is a rich time period. I can’t fully explain the draw but it’s there. And I can also say that these royal affairs are always fun; the backstabbing courtiers, the intrigue, and antics always amuse me. This one didn’t satisfy on the regular level though and honestly, I think it was too much sex. Yes, I said that and now feel very prudish.

When you’re reading a book about a royal mistress you expect certain things, a lot of sex for one. This one was brutal in some places and I don’t know about you but forced sex scenes, even when reading about a woman working as a whore, aren’t appealing even if expected. It didn’t ruin the story for me but it did cause me to approach it with a quick eye. I skimmed several passages here and there.

The story also felt as if it were being told in snippets. A paragraph here and there and a year passed. While it worked in some cases --- I didn’t need extended explanations of Nell and Rose’s time at the brothel or Nell’s sexcapades with several men --- I did want more when it came to her being the king’s mistress. That’s when I felt it moved to fast. I wanted more of the court, the jewels, the presents, the people...

But, all in all, I thought this was still a good read. It moved fast, was entertaining, and if you’re looking for some bawdy historical fiction, this one fulfills completely on that level. show less

As a long-time fan of historical fiction, I've become pretty familiar with many of the fascinating "faces" of British history, such as the famous Nell Gwyn. By now, I've even read two or three books dedicated to Nell, which time telling the same basic story, but with their own twists and approach. Out of all these books, even those written by most established writers in the genre, I think that debut author Gillian Bagwell's The Darling Strumpet is, without a doubt, the best portrayal of Nell show more Gwyn's story out there.

Young Nell has lived a hard life. Raised under the hard hand of an unloving and abusive mother, she's been waiting for the day that she becomes old enough to make her own way in life. The day finally comes when Nell joins her sister Rose's brothel, but soon finds that life as a whore isn't as easy as it seems. Through happenstance Nell becomes involved in the theater, where she quickly becomes one of the most popular actresses of the time and the darling of London. It isn't long until she captures the attention of King Charles II, a king famous for his large collection of mistresses.

Bagwell has a rich and descriptive voice that is both well-researched and fascinating to read. She manages to balance high-quality storytelling and great pacing (which tends to be a re-occurring issue in the historical genre) with wonderful characterization and wonderfully rich historical detail. From the very beginning I was completely drawn into Nell's world. I understood her problems, I sympathized with her horrors, I cheered with her triumphs, and I desperately wanted her to find a better life.

Her rise from a virtual nothing to the mistress of King Charles II is depicted is such amazing detail here that it makes all the other Nell books I've read pale in comparison. In particular, Bagwell does an excellent job of weaving Nell in with all of Charles' other mistresses, whom she finds herself constantly keeping tabs on and battling in order to keep her place in Charles' bed and his heart.

Darling Strumpet is a triumph among historical novels, and, finally gives Nell the voice that she deserves. One of the best historical fiction novels I've read so far this year. show less