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mbenzz's review
3.0
Behind Henry VIII, Charles II is my favorite King. I've read many books about the 'Merry Monarch' and his gaggle of mistresses. Nelly Gwyn has always been my favorite mistress of any monarch...even over Anne Boleyn (Nelly was just FUN!). I expected to love this book for two reasons...first, it's written in diary form, which is a favorite of mine, and second, all the wonderful reviews that are written here. Unfortunately, I was a little let down.
I think what I was most surprised about was just how much time was spent on Nelly's pre-mistress years. I understand that what happens between the ages of 12 and 18 are very important when it comes to shaping Nelly's character and personality, but those are certainly not the most interesting years of her life. She doesn't begin her affair with Charles until almost 60% of the way through the book...I was starting to get bored.
I also felt that this book was seriously lacking Nelly's famous wit. I was VERY disappointed to find that the book ended before Charles began his affair with his last serious mistress, Louise de Kérouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth. Nelly and Louise were like oil and water, and Nelly was at her wittiest whenever they were together. I understand that Ms. Parmar chose to spend more time accentuating Nelly's personal inner feelings, and less time on how she was seen through the eyes of others (something she couldn't really do since this was all personal diary entries), but in doing so I feel that we lose some of what made Nelly such a fun little sprite.
Overall I think this was a decent read. Not my favorite, but certainly not a waste of time. If you've never read the story of Nelly Gwyn or Charless II, I'm not sure I'd recommend starting here, only because there is a LARGE cast of characters and it would be very easy for someone new to this story to get lost. If you are familiar with Nelly and her tale, then I say sure, give this a go. While the diary format can be a little stretched at times (some entries were just way to heavy in dialogue and scene descriptions, or written at strange times, like she carried this diary EVERYWHERE...it sometimes came off as unbelievable and forced), it gives Nelly a very human and personable feel. Not a favorite of mine, but not a dud either. I'd give this author another go.
I think what I was most surprised about was just how much time was spent on Nelly's pre-mistress years. I understand that what happens between the ages of 12 and 18 are very important when it comes to shaping Nelly's character and personality, but those are certainly not the most interesting years of her life. She doesn't begin her affair with Charles until almost 60% of the way through the book...I was starting to get bored.
I also felt that this book was seriously lacking Nelly's famous wit. I was VERY disappointed to find that the book ended before Charles began his affair with his last serious mistress, Louise de Kérouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth. Nelly and Louise were like oil and water, and Nelly was at her wittiest whenever they were together. I understand that Ms. Parmar chose to spend more time accentuating Nelly's personal inner feelings, and less time on how she was seen through the eyes of others (something she couldn't really do since this was all personal diary entries), but in doing so I feel that we lose some of what made Nelly such a fun little sprite.
Overall I think this was a decent read. Not my favorite, but certainly not a waste of time. If you've never read the story of Nelly Gwyn or Charless II, I'm not sure I'd recommend starting here, only because there is a LARGE cast of characters and it would be very easy for someone new to this story to get lost. If you are familiar with Nelly and her tale, then I say sure, give this a go. While the diary format can be a little stretched at times (some entries were just way to heavy in dialogue and scene descriptions, or written at strange times, like she carried this diary EVERYWHERE...it sometimes came off as unbelievable and forced), it gives Nelly a very human and personable feel. Not a favorite of mine, but not a dud either. I'd give this author another go.
deeerj's review
4.0
A lighter and easier to read historical fiction novel than most that are set in restoration England, Exit the Actress recounts the story of Nell Gwyn, who rises from orange seller to actress to mistress of King Charles II. The story is told through diary entries, playbills, letters gossip columns, etc. The format was a little confusing at first but I grew to enjoy the variety. It is easy to fall in love with Nell and cheer for her optimistic, practical, fiery personality.
paige1947_'s review
4.0
Very good. Love story of King Charles II (of England) and actress Nell Gwyn. Rather sad in parts but also humorus
sabregirl's review
5.0
This book was wonderful and lovely. I can't believe I wanted this long to read it. When it first came out I had thought it would be a good book to get but didn't get it until much later in the year. The prologue made me a little worried about how the book would be (I try not to look a head and see anything about the book) and thought it would be in script format. Silly me. The diary entries were a wonderful idea to get Ellen across to the audience. The only bad thing about having her as the narrator is it doesn't show is exactly how or why Ellen becomes the best actress of her time. Ellen is very modest with what she is and doesn't show us anything of her popularity other than she was popular. Suppose I'll just have to find another book not from the point of view of Ellen. But I liked the intercepting letters of Charles II, his sister and his mother. Plus the gossip blurbs and the occasional recipe.
cosmicbookworm's review
I enjoyed the story. Given that Nell Gwynn was supposed to have been illiterate it is a bit ironic that most of the story was supposedly told through her diary.
lingfish7's review
3.0
3.5 stars rounded down. I enjoyed this story but it was a bit draggy at times. I felt like I could only read about 40 pages at a time without wanting to do something else and come back to it.
I loved the main character Ellen’s independence, wit, intelligence, and kindness. I learned so much about 17th century England through this book! I appreciated the author’s attention to detail and history to include so many historical facts and events surrounding the fictional narrative.
I loved the main character Ellen’s independence, wit, intelligence, and kindness. I learned so much about 17th century England through this book! I appreciated the author’s attention to detail and history to include so many historical facts and events surrounding the fictional narrative.
bookshy's review
3.0
2.5 stars
This one was good, but a bit dull. For the first half of the book there was little conflict, and mostly just say to day living. I do feel that a lot of the daily struggles of women during this time period were glossed over, or just explained ineffectually.
This author has potential, but this novel didn't really do it for me.
This one was good, but a bit dull. For the first half of the book there was little conflict, and mostly just say to day living. I do feel that a lot of the daily struggles of women during this time period were glossed over, or just explained ineffectually.
This author has potential, but this novel didn't really do it for me.
cmurph93's review
1.0
DNF. I thought the premise was really interesting, but I didn’t like the diary entry style.