ISBN: 9780340530443

Synopsis Robert Merivel abandons his medical studies for the vibrant Court of Charles II, where he finds unexpected favour with the King and serves as a ‘paper groom’ to the youngest of the royal mistresses. But by falling in love with her, Merivel violates the one rule that will cast him out from his new found paradise. Driven to work in a Quaker Bedlam, he must endure a yet more painful fall from grace before he can achieve spiritual and social restoration.

Bookclub Review A Historical fiction set England 1660’s onwards and as the group pointed out (with relief) the historical content was accurate! All the characters were well developed and believable although most agreed unlikeable. The book contains hugely philosophical questions; draws parallel theme between Quaker life versus the absurd aristocratic life of the 1600’s. The group’s opinion ranged from; loving and raving about the author to gaining appreciation for the talent of the author but not actually liking the story. We unanimously agreed that this is a book that gets you to think and will leave you thinking about the story for many years to come! The group scored 4 out of 5 ! Not bad.