Joining a group of men who work at an asylum for the insane, Merivel learns that there are deeper concerns in life than the hedonism of his life at court, and he develops genuine affection for several of the kindly Quaker men with whom he works. When he transgresses the society's rules, however, he is cast out from there, too, ending up in London at the time of the Great Plague and eventually the Great London Fire.

Painting vivid pictures of Merivel's life--at court, at the asylum in Whittlesea, and in the neighborhoods of London--author Rose Tremain brings the age, its customs, its science, and its social structure to life. The years of 1664 - 1666 are especially difficult, and as Merivel lives through the horrors of the Plague and the panic of the Great Fire, which Tremain recreates with the drama they deserve, the reader can see Merivel becoming less a fool and more a human. Like the restoration of the king to the throne, Merivel's "restoration" to dignity takes place after a period of dark reflection and self-examination, and both Merivel and the country learn from their travails.

Tremain develops Merivel's personal transformation with sensitivity, finesse, and much ironic humor, and when, at last, he is noticed again by the court, his understanding of himself and his role in the world is far more profound than it was before. Depicting the personal and the philosophical turmoils of these early Restoration years with a historian's eye for detail and a detached observer's sense of wit, Tremain illustrates the contradictions of this period realistically and often with dark humor. A fine historical novel, Restoration transcends its period, offering observations, themes, and lessons for the present day. Mary Whipple


Do the homework   May 31, 2005
 16 out of 28 found this review helpful

Historical novels don't have to be full of history, but what they do have should be right. That's not just to mollify the pundits, but because the point is to imagine how the real past worked in human terms. An unreal past is something else. She has a Quaker in 1647 and at Cambridge: There were none so early, and when there were they couldn't go to Cambridge, which like Oxford was reserved for Anglicans, or people who didn't mind saying they were. She has a JP ride out in January to appoint Merivel as Overseer of the Poor. Overseers were elected by the vestry (committee of parish householders)at Easter, and usually from among the householders - not squires like Sir Richard. The description of the overseer's duties is a travesty. These are not mere passing details, but plot devices and for me the story loses interest as it departs from facts which it wouldn't have been difficult to check out.


Excellent Historical Novel   March 7, 2005
 7 out of 9 found this review helpful

I had never read any Rose Tremain before this book - however, this one has definitely given me a taste for more. The characterisation is exquisite - the main character was a lovable rogue, who eventually manages to make good with his life.
Based around the mid 17th century, this novel is an enjoyable romp through the adult years of an aspiring social climber who eventually sees the light and finds his true path in life. Its written at a nice pace, and provides an good fictional insight into life 350 years ago.