He took a while to reply. By the time he spoke the men had gone inside. He said quietly, 'They killed the King.' The best historical fiction combines a gripping plot with meticulous research - leaving the reader inspired to learn more about the real-life protagonists. And the latest release from Robert Harris once more proves his mastery of the genre Soldier As the German poet and philosopher Novalis remarked more than two centuries ago, novels arise out of the shortcomings of history. Harris sets out to plug the gaps in the record, and succeeds remarkably well. He’s writing fiction, but he treats the few available facts and the more plausible theories with respect, and skilfully extrapolates from them.

Act of Oblivion - Penguin Books UK Act of Oblivion - Penguin Books UK

Every quarry needs a hunter. Harris counterbalances Whalley and Goffe with Richard Nayler, the fictional secretary to the regicide committee of the privy council, who has a powerful personal reason to want them dead. Meanwhile in London, Frances, Goffe’s devoted wife and Whalley’s daughter, provides another viewpoint. The novel’s narrative structure moves to and fro between them, ultimately leading to a brisk if slightly implausible conclusion. Act of Oblivion is an epic journey across continents, and a chase like no other. It is the thrilling new novel by Robert Harris. I seriously enjoyed listening to this book. My only negative comment is that it was perhaps a little too long, as I did find my interest and attention wane during the mid stages of the narration. A few days of listening to several other, less note-worthy titles, ensued and I was ready to resume listening to Act of Oblivion to the end.Like in An Officer and a Spy, Robert Harris has taken a little known historical episode and written a lengthy novel about it - and, like that other novel, Act of Oblivion is unfortunately really boring. Harris's books are always supremely readable - he has practically trademarked the term 'master storyteller' Alex Preston, Observer

Act of Oblivion - Penguin Books UK

My knowledge of 17th century English history doesn't go much beyond the basics. Before reading this book I was unaware of the scope of the hunt for the "regicides", the men who were responsible for the beheading of Charles I as part of Cromwell's rise to power. Edward Whalley and his son-in-law William Goffe, officers in Cromwell's army, escaped from England to America, thus avoiding the ominous fate that awaited those who were captured in England or on the continent. Act of Oblivion: A Novel is a fictionalization of their lives, and those around them, after they landed in Boston. Harris certainly seems to have done his research and he brings the time period to life convincingly enough with lots of detail. You know how sometimes people say they learn more about history through reading historical novels than actual history books? I can see people saying that about Harris’ historical novels like this one. So this is a negative review, however 3 stars are given. The pluses were the writing style was excellent, it wasn’t a drag to read to the point of grumbling, sighing, or eye-rolling. It had just enough to read large sections at a time. I почти никак не бяха засегнати, а малкото препратки бяха с размера и с вълнуващия стил на бележка под линия.Colonel Edward Whalley and his son-in-law, Colonel William Goffe, cross the Atlantic. Having been found guilty of high treason for the murder of Charles the I, they are wanted and on the run. A reward hangs over their heads - for their capture, dead or alive. Over half the Regicides have since died but, of the remaining survivors, two names are highest on the most wanted list: Edward Whalley and William Goffe, who are suspected to have fled to the New England colonies across the Atlantic. Richard Nayler is appointed by the Crown to hunt down these men and bring them the King’s justice. And so the chase begins - will Whalley and Goffe get away with it? I. Убийствата на крале не са нещо нечувано за 17-ти век, но официална смъртна присъда над едноличен владетел, обнародвана и приведена в изпълнение публично, ��езспорно е прецедент. В рамките на 11 години Англия е република. Посланието на надделелите през тези 11 години пуритани, наред с останалото, за първи път в Европа ясно и категорично заявява, че кралете не са над закона, важещ за техните поданици. И че властта на кралете не се дава от Бога, напук на официалната теза. A lot of the book is a cat and mouse game, as Ned and Will have to scurry from one hiding place to another. Much of their time is spent in wilderness conditions. They also encounter various examples of religious fanaticism. In England, their family does not have an easy time of it since they refuse to give up the location of the two fugitives. They also have to cope with a plague and fire. This book is a sweeping saga set in the 1600s about the hunt for two (real) men, William Goffe and Edward Whalley, who signed the death warrant of Charles I, and their life in hiding in America. Richard Nayler is the fictional hunter of the “regicides.” The hunt begins in 1660 upon restoration of Charles II, son of Charles I, to the throne of England after the ousting and death of Oliver Cromwell. The titular Act of Oblivion pardoned the past treasons committed against the Crown, with the exception of the regicides. The two fugitives are related by marriage – Whalley is the father-in-law of Goffe. Whalley is also cousin to Oliver Cromwell. The families are the two men also feature in the narrative.

Act of Oblivion: A Novel by Robert Harris, Paperback | Barnes Act of Oblivion: A Novel by Robert Harris, Paperback | Barnes

Harris is a master of historical fiction, a compelling author who brings to life the recent and ancient past Justin Warshaw, TLS Robert Harris is one of my favourite authors, so a new book by him is always something to look forward to. This one sounded particularly interesting, dealing with a manhunt that takes place in 17th century New England, a setting Harris has never written about before. Few writers combine history, politics and excitement of a thriller as enthrallingly as Robert Harris does. Sunday Times I have been waiting for most of my life for Robert Harris to write a novel that is not gripping, insightful and entertaining. I am waiting still Ben Macintyre, The Times He took a while to reply. By the time he spoke the men had gone inside. He said quietly, “They killed the King.”

BookBrowse Review

All of the characters in the book were real people with one exception: Richard Nayler, the chief regicide hunter. Harris has filled in gaps in what we know of the personalities of the principals and the events of their lives from 1660 onward. A masterclass in storytelling, so enthralling that if you'd disembowelled me whilst I was reading this book I doubt I'd have noticed! Daily Express Pacy and tense, and the pungently evoked past offers up some shrewd present-day parallels Mail on Sunday