Rose Tremain is a new author for me, but I’ve been meaning to try one of her books for a long time. Her 1989 novel Restoration seemed like my sort of book and knowing that I need to read the sequel, Merivel: A Man of His Time, for my Walter Scott Prize project gave me the motivation to pick it up and start reading. It also counts towards my Ten from the TBR project, which has been sadly neglected this year!
Restoration is set in 17th century England in the years following the restoration of the monarchy; the title refers not just to the time period but also to the personal restoration of a man’s self-respect and his place in the world. That man is Robert Merivel, a glovemaker’s son and trained physician who, near the beginning of the novel, obtains a position at the court of Charles II as surgeon to the king’s spaniels. Merivel is quickly swept away by the fun and frivolity of the court, making himself popular by playing the fool and entertaining the king.
It’s not long, however, before the king comes to Merivel with a request for help. Charles requires a husband for one of his mistresses, Celia Clemence – someone who will be a husband in name only, giving Celia a form of respectability while the king continues his affair with her. Merivel agrees to marry her and at first is delighted with the country estate in Norfolk which he is given as part of the deal. Everything is going well until Celia comes to join him there and Merivel discovers that he is falling in love with his wife…something he has been strictly forbidden to do.
Restoration is narrated by Robert Merivel himself and I found him both a fascinating and a frustrating character, more anti-hero than hero. Irresponsible and immature, you get the impression he is stumbling through life from one disaster to another, with no clear purpose in sight – and yet, despite his flaws and his failures, you can’t help feeling for him as he falls out of favour with the king. While I can’t say that I actually liked Merivel, he is an engaging narrator and his story is told with such an appealing mixture of humour and sensitivity that I was captivated by him and hoped that he would find a way to restore his fortunes.
Rose Tremain’s lively writing style perfectly suits the time period in which the novel is set. I always enjoy reading about the 1660s and I liked the contrast here between the descriptions of Merivel’s life as a country gentleman, his adventures at court and his time practising medicine in London. Merivel is in London during the Plague and the Great Fire, which are both vividly recreated. However, there is a long section in the middle of the book set in an asylum run by Merivel’s Quaker friend, Pearce, and I found my attention starting to wander during these chapters. I could see the importance of this section to the plot and to Merivel’s personal development, but I struggled to feel any interest in the new characters we meet at the asylum and I thought the whole episode went on for far too long.
Overall, though, I was impressed with this book and with my first experience of Rose Tremain’s writing. I’ll be interested to see how Robert’s story continues in Merivel, which I’m hoping to start soon.
She Reads Novels 
Last summer I watched the adaptation of the book, a 1994 film with Robert Doeney Jr. as Merivel.
I haven’t seen the film but I would love to watch it now that I’ve read the book.
I’m glad you enjoyed Restoration — I really liked it, not so much the sequel. I still haven’t read anything else by Rose Tremain, but her new one, The Gustav Sonata, looks good.
Yes, The Gustav Sonata does sound good. I’m going to read Merivel first then I’ll start exploring her other books.
I only vaguely remembered this novel from when I read it in the 90’s, I think. I remember not liking it very much, probably because of the Merivel’s character. He hasn’t changed much in Merivel. It’ll be interesting to see what you think of that when you get to it.
I brought Merivel home from the library yesterday so I should be reading it soon.
I hope you like it.
Ooh! I’ve wanted to read this for ages – it’s just my time period – but never got round to it. Thanks for the push 🙂
I hope you enjoy it! I think you probably will, if you’re interested in the time period. 🙂
The plot and time sound to my taste.
That’s great – it sounds like the perfect book for you. 🙂
Excellent review, as always. I will get to Rose Tremain in My Big Fat Reading Project, but her first novel was in 1976, I am just nearing the end of my 1962 list, so it will be awhile. But it is great to have a review from a reader I trust.
Your Big Fat Reading Project sounds like a great way to discover new authors. I hope you like Rose Tremain’s books when you get to them.
I read this years ago, and I remember liking it, but not so much that I rushed out to get the sequel. Maybe you’ll tempt me!
I wasn’t planning to read the sequel immediately, but I saw it on the library shelf just a few hours after writing this review so of course I had to pick it up and bring it home. 🙂
Hi Helen, I really enjoyed Restoration too. The sequel became a bit monotonous in my view. I like Rose Tremain’s style and sensibility. The Road Home is an interesting novel about an Eastern European’s migrant experience in the UK and Tresspass stayed with me long after I finished it; uncomfortable and powerful about a broken family.
I’ve just started to read Merivel, so it’s too early to say what I think of it. I’m definitely interested in trying some of Rose Tremain’s other books, though. The Road Home and Trespass both sound interesting.