Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

Truly delightful. This is the third Tremain I've read (The Road Home, Trespass) and each is completely different but the one constant is really good, felicitous writing -- the kind that makes you look forward to getting back to your book, and staying up too late to read a few more pages. In Restoration, Tremain takes on historical fiction -- the Great Fire of London, the plague, and the sensual court of Charles II-- with a wry tone, great attention to atmosphere and no sentimentality.

Another great plus is the hero, Merivel -- it's been a long time since I read a book with such an engaging main character. In the beginning, the book has aspects of farce and is laugh out loud funnny. As our hero's fortunes change, the book is by turns sad, contemplative, and even redemptive.

The narrative is episodic. I read afterwards that it was inspired in parts by the diaries of Samuel Pepys. I realized that I had to give in to a fairly loose structure, and that's OK. But I did think that the book barely missed a 5 because of one too many loose ends that are simply passed by rather than tied up. There is now a sequel, Merivel, that will be available in the US in May and I can't wait!