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Historical Duo #1
Playing the Jack
In 1785 a runaway orphan is picked up by a group of travelling players led by the mysterious Jack. With Fat Annie, largest woman on earth, and a troupe of dwarf acrobats, Sprat soon learns the tricks of the trade...
Later, snatched from the streets of London, a new arrival at a notorious brother is taught some very different tricks...
But even Sprat cannot play charades for ever...
Colourful, fast-moving, original and above all readable.
Later, snatched from the streets of London, a new arrival at a notorious brother is taught some very different tricks...
But even Sprat cannot play charades for ever...
Colourful, fast-moving, original and above all readable.
695 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
13 people are currently reading
330 people want to read
About the author
Mary Brown
9 books71 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
September 24, 2007
I love, love, LOVE this book and have read it numerous times. I recommend it to everyone I meet, and even some people I don't meet, causing many of them to consider taking out restraining orders so I will leave them alone.
November 3, 2008
I'm deleting my review and pasting this perfect description from amazon reader, Lisa Jensen:
Mary Brown's vivid and ripping romantic adventure has justifiably become a cult favorite among thinking women everywhere. In rural England of the early Napoleonic era, teenage runaway Zoe, disguised as a boy, is discovered in a ditch by a ragged troupe of traveling performers. Taken in and educated in stagecraft, cunning, and the school of life, eager young Zoe is spellbound by the troupe's leader—wily, enigmatic, flamboyant Jack, a complex, and conflicted man at war with himself who harbors as many secrets as Zoe herself. From the rollicking start of their relationship on the road, Zoe evolves through a few more incarnations (including boudoir seductress), while the oh-so-fallible, yet noble-hearted Jack drops a few masks of his own, on their way to a climax full of skullduggery and redemption. Lively dialogue, deeply faceted characters who never stop growing, and a riveting pas de deux between well-matched romantic partners make this an unforgettable classic.
Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/sylt...
Mary Brown's vivid and ripping romantic adventure has justifiably become a cult favorite among thinking women everywhere. In rural England of the early Napoleonic era, teenage runaway Zoe, disguised as a boy, is discovered in a ditch by a ragged troupe of traveling performers. Taken in and educated in stagecraft, cunning, and the school of life, eager young Zoe is spellbound by the troupe's leader—wily, enigmatic, flamboyant Jack, a complex, and conflicted man at war with himself who harbors as many secrets as Zoe herself. From the rollicking start of their relationship on the road, Zoe evolves through a few more incarnations (including boudoir seductress), while the oh-so-fallible, yet noble-hearted Jack drops a few masks of his own, on their way to a climax full of skullduggery and redemption. Lively dialogue, deeply faceted characters who never stop growing, and a riveting pas de deux between well-matched romantic partners make this an unforgettable classic.
Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/sylt...
July 21, 2014
I found this book over a decade ago at a library sale - a paperback buried in a bin. I picked it up and started reading and literally couldn't put it down.
Twelve years later it remains on my shelf and comes out every year or two to be read and enjoyed again.
While I don't usually read this genre, I love the voice, the protagonist, the unique world these characters live in. And Jack! Oh, my lovely, lovely man Jack.
Mary Brown - who are you? And did you ever write anything else???
Twelve years later it remains on my shelf and comes out every year or two to be read and enjoyed again.
While I don't usually read this genre, I love the voice, the protagonist, the unique world these characters live in. And Jack! Oh, my lovely, lovely man Jack.
Mary Brown - who are you? And did you ever write anything else???
October 6, 2012
This is one of my all time favorite books. I love everything about it. I stumbled into it at the city library a few years ago (literally, someone had left it in the middle of the aisle) and am so glad I chose to check it out.
I checked it out every year following until I was able to get my hands on an affordable paper back copy. Got to love out of print books!
Playing the Jack is different from Mary Browns other works. The writing is more solid, the subject matter seems to be more thought out. And, overall, the writing is better.
The story follows the main character who has been thrust out of their home away from an abusive cousin. The main character is an orphan, and luckily picked up by a traveling side show right when they are the brink of death. Playing the jack follows Sprats adventures with the side show and all the many other adventures that unfold for them, until sprat discovers who they really are.
If you haven't read it, I highly suggest you do.
And, now, I am going to go read it again!
I checked it out every year following until I was able to get my hands on an affordable paper back copy. Got to love out of print books!
Playing the Jack is different from Mary Browns other works. The writing is more solid, the subject matter seems to be more thought out. And, overall, the writing is better.
The story follows the main character who has been thrust out of their home away from an abusive cousin. The main character is an orphan, and luckily picked up by a traveling side show right when they are the brink of death. Playing the jack follows Sprats adventures with the side show and all the many other adventures that unfold for them, until sprat discovers who they really are.
If you haven't read it, I highly suggest you do.
And, now, I am going to go read it again!
March 25, 2014
Mary Brown's vivid and ripping romantic adventure has justifiably become a cult favorite among thinking women everywhere. In rural England of the early Napoleonic era, teenage runaway Zoe, disguised as a boy, is discovered in a ditch by a ragged troupe of traveling performers. Taken in and educated in stagecraft, cunning, and the school of life, eager young Zoe is spellbound by the troupe's leader—wily, enigmatic, flamboyant Jack, a complex, and conflicted man at war with himself who harbors as many secrets as Zoe herself.
From the rollicking start of their relationship on the road, Zoe evolves through a few more incarnations (including boudoir seductress), while the oh-so-fallible, yet noble-hearted Jack drops a few masks of his own, on their way to a climax full of skullduggery and redemption. Lively dialogue, deeply faceted characters who never stop growing, and a riveting pas de deux between well-matched romantic partners make this an unforgettable classic.
From the rollicking start of their relationship on the road, Zoe evolves through a few more incarnations (including boudoir seductress), while the oh-so-fallible, yet noble-hearted Jack drops a few masks of his own, on their way to a climax full of skullduggery and redemption. Lively dialogue, deeply faceted characters who never stop growing, and a riveting pas de deux between well-matched romantic partners make this an unforgettable classic.
September 28, 2016
I discovered this book in the library when I was very young and I must have taken it out a dozen times. Over the years I forgot the title and the author, but parts of the story always stayed with me and I finally tried to look it up again. I got excited when I finally found it and paid a disgusting, foolish amount to get my hands on a tattered, musty-smelling library copy, but re-reading it made me happy so life is good.
The story is divided into 4 parts and it's the first half (1 & 2: Sprat and Zoe) that I fell in love with. Zoe is a nice young orphan who gets swept up into a traveling circus. At first she's pretending to be a boy named Sprat and she's bossed around by the leader of the motley troupe, Jack. This must be the book that kickstarted my lifelong fondness for cross-dressing heroines and traveling caravans- there has never been another that did it all so well, so perfectly. They have fun adventures: playacting, fortune-telling, being on the road. Jack & Sprat's relationship is full of crazy antics and intense conflicts, like when Sprat rescues an abused dog or later on when Jack gets mad that Sprat's flirting with girls. The side characters were great too! I adored Annie, the world's fattest lady, and her big rivalry with another fat lady for the title of world's heaviest was all kinds of awesome.
Jack was something special. He wasn't your generic hero at all- he wasn't handsome or rich and powerful. As the leader of a traveling troupe, he had to be crafty and manipulative- a consummate showman. He was thrifty and sneaky and practical. He was quite physical with Sprat when he thought she was boy, and even afterwards he was still pretty heavy-handed whenever he thought she needed a lesson. I loved the way the book handled their sexual interactions; it wasn't magical or overblown so much as it was realistic (and pretty hot for when I read it as a pre-teen, heh). I liked that Jack is about as unromantic as you can get, and he only tries to keep from taking advantage of Sprat to a certain point and then shrugs and says to hell with it. Their first time in bed together, although they didn't actually have sex and Jack left her "mostly" still a virgin, may or may not have been an awakening for young me.
Frankly, I wish the first part went longer. Everything changes too soon, just as Jack and Sprat start getting into a deeper relationship. The next part (Gemini) of this book was so strange... It was like an entirely different book. I didn't understand it as a kid so I skipped it. Upon re-reading it as an adult, I still find no pleasure in the this section at all; it's like some weird blur that doesn't quite fit with the first part. Zoe leaves Jack and the circus, joins some depraved brothel specializing in child prostitution, and ends up being framed for murder by an incestuous bitch. Throughout her whole time here, Zoe acts like a very slow-minded, innocent, gullible idiot, which is disappointing because you'd think she'd have learned to be a bit sharper after living with Jack.
So if you're like me, I'd advise you to skim over the whole Gemini section. The last part (Esther) gets much better. It doesn't recapture the magic of the first half, but it does become interesting in a very Bronte way. Actually it is very strongly reminiscent of Jane Eyre, with Zoe going to live as a paid companion in a large, dark estate with a locked-up madwoman. There's a fire, attempted murder, tragedy, gothic secrets revealed, etc. Personally, I loved Jane Eyre so I found this melodramatic section to be quite enjoyable, although again an unexpected departure from the lighter, adventurous tone of the first half.
Jack & Zoe's reunion was both satisfying and unsatisfying. I can't complain because the way they finally came together was charming, except I wanted to see more of them together. It was in keeping with Jack's character, the way he tried to get her to come back to him but lost his temper and stormed away. I adored his imperfections, and the fact that he's not a romantic person so he doesn't say sweet things or sweep her off her feet. Instead he just acts like his pragmatic, sarcastic self and ends up fighting with her. His next attempt was perfect, but too short! Mary Brown pls. Why no epilogue! I wanted more Jack & Sprat. A few (hundred) more pages wouldn't have been awful.
So I saw there was a second book in this "Historical Duo" thing and got hyped, but further investigation showed that Jack and Sprat aren't really featured in it. Apparently getting some good deets on that book is a quest on par with searching for the Holy Grail. Maybe one day I'll get my hands on it, but I don't really need it because I have my own copy of Playing the Jack now and can just re-read the first and last parts as many times as I want. Great book despite that weird middle section; it's on my treasures shelf.
The story is divided into 4 parts and it's the first half (1 & 2: Sprat and Zoe) that I fell in love with. Zoe is a nice young orphan who gets swept up into a traveling circus. At first she's pretending to be a boy named Sprat and she's bossed around by the leader of the motley troupe, Jack. This must be the book that kickstarted my lifelong fondness for cross-dressing heroines and traveling caravans- there has never been another that did it all so well, so perfectly. They have fun adventures: playacting, fortune-telling, being on the road. Jack & Sprat's relationship is full of crazy antics and intense conflicts, like when Sprat rescues an abused dog or later on when Jack gets mad that Sprat's flirting with girls. The side characters were great too! I adored Annie, the world's fattest lady, and her big rivalry with another fat lady for the title of world's heaviest was all kinds of awesome.
Jack was something special. He wasn't your generic hero at all- he wasn't handsome or rich and powerful. As the leader of a traveling troupe, he had to be crafty and manipulative- a consummate showman. He was thrifty and sneaky and practical. He was quite physical with Sprat when he thought she was boy, and even afterwards he was still pretty heavy-handed whenever he thought she needed a lesson. I loved the way the book handled their sexual interactions; it wasn't magical or overblown so much as it was realistic (and pretty hot for when I read it as a pre-teen, heh). I liked that Jack is about as unromantic as you can get, and he only tries to keep from taking advantage of Sprat to a certain point and then shrugs and says to hell with it. Their first time in bed together, although they didn't actually have sex and Jack left her "mostly" still a virgin, may or may not have been an awakening for young me.
Frankly, I wish the first part went longer. Everything changes too soon, just as Jack and Sprat start getting into a deeper relationship. The next part (Gemini) of this book was so strange... It was like an entirely different book. I didn't understand it as a kid so I skipped it. Upon re-reading it as an adult, I still find no pleasure in the this section at all; it's like some weird blur that doesn't quite fit with the first part. Zoe leaves Jack and the circus, joins some depraved brothel specializing in child prostitution, and ends up being framed for murder by an incestuous bitch. Throughout her whole time here, Zoe acts like a very slow-minded, innocent, gullible idiot, which is disappointing because you'd think she'd have learned to be a bit sharper after living with Jack.
So if you're like me, I'd advise you to skim over the whole Gemini section. The last part (Esther) gets much better. It doesn't recapture the magic of the first half, but it does become interesting in a very Bronte way. Actually it is very strongly reminiscent of Jane Eyre, with Zoe going to live as a paid companion in a large, dark estate with a locked-up madwoman. There's a fire, attempted murder, tragedy, gothic secrets revealed, etc. Personally, I loved Jane Eyre so I found this melodramatic section to be quite enjoyable, although again an unexpected departure from the lighter, adventurous tone of the first half.
Jack & Zoe's reunion was both satisfying and unsatisfying. I can't complain because the way they finally came together was charming, except I wanted to see more of them together. It was in keeping with Jack's character, the way he tried to get her to come back to him but lost his temper and stormed away. I adored his imperfections, and the fact that he's not a romantic person so he doesn't say sweet things or sweep her off her feet. Instead he just acts like his pragmatic, sarcastic self and ends up fighting with her. His next attempt was perfect, but too short! Mary Brown pls. Why no epilogue! I wanted more Jack & Sprat. A few (hundred) more pages wouldn't have been awful.
So I saw there was a second book in this "Historical Duo" thing and got hyped, but further investigation showed that Jack and Sprat aren't really featured in it. Apparently getting some good deets on that book is a quest on par with searching for the Holy Grail. Maybe one day I'll get my hands on it, but I don't really need it because I have my own copy of Playing the Jack now and can just re-read the first and last parts as many times as I want. Great book despite that weird middle section; it's on my treasures shelf.
February 20, 2014
A phenomenal beginning had me turning the pages quickly in disbelief at how wonderful this book is. The writing is fluid and beautiful, and on a sentence level, Mary Brown never puts a foot wrong. She specializes in unique descriptions, elegant turns of phrase, and witty dialogue. The world-building is some of the best I've seen, and her research is immaculate. But in the middle of the book, the plot takes the heroine away from the traveling circus and into a sordid subplot involving a London child brothel. The material makes for a jarring change from the light tone of the book up to that point, and the heroine's actions in that period are often questionable and, in my opinion, out of character. Even after the London interlude ends and she moves on, the story takes too long to wrap up. The first part of the book has its own aimless charm, but after a while, that fades as we begin to wonder exactly what all of this is adding up to. The only real ongoing plot seems to be the romance, yet those characters are rarely together on the page after the mid-point. The first half of the book is probably the best historical fiction I've ever read, so I was a bit disappointed that the latter half of the book couldn't live up to its promise. The second half isn't bad, but it's a letdown from the first half. Despite my criticisms, I recommend this book. It's truly the kind of book that sweeps you away to another time and place, and those are hard to come by, especially these days.
December 16, 2024
Bought this on a whim from a used bookstore and it sat on my shelf for a bit. After reading it I have no idea why I waited so long, I adored this from page 1
October 24, 2014
My favorite book, ever, and one I return to every few years to re-read. My personal copy was a library edition shipped abroad from London almost 15 years ago. I'm glad to see this book is more widely available.
I don't want to give much of the plot away, as I came to this narrative intentionally blind (I'm a big fan of the author), but I will say this: if you are up for a whirlwind adventure with sweeping romance and a protagonist you can root for who grows across the pages, this is the book for you!
I don't want to give much of the plot away, as I came to this narrative intentionally blind (I'm a big fan of the author), but I will say this: if you are up for a whirlwind adventure with sweeping romance and a protagonist you can root for who grows across the pages, this is the book for you!
March 27, 2011
This is one of those books I just keep going back to. In fact, it's about time I did it again - might buy my own copy instead of borrowing my mother's!
There's something I just love about travelling players and heroines who start off as heroes (my favourite Georgette Heyer had the same theme, maybe I read it at an impressionable age!) and this one has magic and a dashing but flawed hero....
Good stuff, big but not demanding!
There's something I just love about travelling players and heroines who start off as heroes (my favourite Georgette Heyer had the same theme, maybe I read it at an impressionable age!) and this one has magic and a dashing but flawed hero....
Good stuff, big but not demanding!
February 25, 2014
For years this was my favourite book of all time. Although I've matured more as a reader and other books have taken its place, this book --Jack and Sprat's story-- has always maintained a very special place in my heart. I make sure to read this every one or two years. Absolutely love it!
September 1, 2017
DNF
I found this book to be horrifically boring and dated. On top of that, the writing style didn't appeal to me. Characterization is poor, and the plot is predictable in the extreme. Maybe if I'd read it 20 years ago it would have seemed more interesting.
I found this book to be horrifically boring and dated. On top of that, the writing style didn't appeal to me. Characterization is poor, and the plot is predictable in the extreme. Maybe if I'd read it 20 years ago it would have seemed more interesting.
January 29, 2014
Favorite book of all time! Adventure, romance, deception, intrigue - it has it all!
September 29, 2007
Very good. Set in late 18th century England. Great story, plenty of twists. Kind of like the Quincunx in that lots of the awful things of that period of time happened to the protagonist, but at least it had a happy ending and made the reader seem smart, as we figured out what was going on much sooner than the protagonist, for the most part. Highly recommended read, but better if read in a short time frame. I had to start over after months had passed, as I needed some of the pieces that I’d lost of the plot.
August 16, 2011
Sorry, I did not like this one. I couldn't even finish it. When I could continually guess what was going to happen next, I couldn't read any farther. The main character frustrated me to no end. Can anyone be that dumb? Yes, I guess so, since we consider Wrestlemania and the Kardashians entertainment.
The only reason this didn't get a one was that the narrator was coherent.
The only reason this didn't get a one was that the narrator was coherent.
November 21, 2013
I really wanted to love this book, and at the beginning,I did! However, I honestly feel this book just needed some more old fashioned editing. The 200 pages after Sprat leaves the road could have been cut with no real change to the story. It was an enjoyable read, but I don't think I'll be rushing to reread this one.
September 19, 2008
Good book - good storyline.
Back Cover Blurb:
A novel about a young runaway travelling around England in various disguises. She turns her hand to a number of trades to survive. It is a tale of a band of travellers, a story of a brothel and many more adventures.
Back Cover Blurb:
A novel about a young runaway travelling around England in various disguises. She turns her hand to a number of trades to survive. It is a tale of a band of travellers, a story of a brothel and many more adventures.
March 16, 2009
I first read this book when I was in 8th grade, have re-read it periodically and it's probably time for another read. No great literature here, but a good story.
September 26, 2011
Loved this book, just my kind of story. A rip-roaring tale with enough twists and turns to keep you eagerly entranced until the very last page.
June 18, 2012
SO BORING. I couldn't get past the circus beginning. I did not see even the slightest hint of all the amazingness that goodreads reviewers were gushing about. So disappointing.
July 5, 2020
What a stunning novel. Why hadn't I picked it up sooner? Because of the horrid cover! I stayed up til 1:30 am today reading it. I loved Jack and Zoe's dynamic, but the second half wasn't nearly as good as the first. Basically from the time she ran off and got forced into the brothel to the time she stayed with Ms. Jestyn was rather lackluster. I missed Jack & Jill scenes! And it was kind of predictable in the second half. But such a unique story and the most memorable historical romance I have read!
April 27, 2024
A book I've read dozens of times and which still astounds me with the writing and the cleverness of the story...or rather three very different stories which come together in perfection just as the reader is wondering what is going on.
I don't know if Mary Brown has written any other books, but cannot believe they could improve on this.
I don't know if Mary Brown has written any other books, but cannot believe they could improve on this.
July 28, 2020
This is my favourite book of all time I have read & reread it many many times. Each time I finish it it’s like saying goodbye.
It’s extremely well written you feel like you live through the experiences of the main character.
It’s extremely well written you feel like you live through the experiences of the main character.
January 27, 2022
The first time I read this book it was a soft back edition. The cover illustration was of a dusty road and a caravan I'm the distance. As such, I had no idea Sprat was Zoe and the revelation shook me to my very core and since then the book has remained my favourite.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2025
I originally read this book close to 40 years ago. I have always enjoyed the story with its clever plot. Because of this book, I learned to swear in French and about the effects of advance Syphilis. It's a fun read and I am glad to now have a copy in my permanent library.
October 26, 2017
I read this on holiday years ago and and really enjoyed it. I reread it a couple of years later and didn't like it half as much, but it's not bad if you enjoy historical novels.
November 25, 2023
One of my favorite books ever.
Want to read
March 15, 2024Source: review of the share of sevens book. Thinking woman’s romance/hist fiction.
June 27, 2024
Fantastic..a great big book but filled with adventures
December 29, 2024
3.5 stars. It’s a good story, with some very dated elements that I didn’t like, though they were period appropriate.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews