European Royalty discussion

Please discuss Parts III and IV here.

I've just passed the Plague section, and Winsor really knocked it out of the park with the atmosphere of London, bringing it down to Amber's apartment as a microcosm of the whole epidemic. Bruce's & Amber's callous (dis)regard for the 2 nurses, the drudgery, the hopelessness, the will to live, the dog-eat-dog mindset that took over, the party 'til you're dead attitude...just everything. Though Neil Hanson's non-fic book about The Great Fire of London dwelt only briefly on the plague run-up to the fire, he also described the London social atmosphere quite well.

Also....Mrs. Maggot.....*shudder* I was as hunkered down in the bed as Bruce was.

I could NOT put the book down through the Plague section. But it's disappointing to see not even that could change Amber character or Bruce's refusal to marry her.

I loved this part of the book, it had me on the edge of my seat and I could not put it down either! The toughness of Amber's character really came out during that ordeal. I was so mad at Bruce for leaving her after all she did for him, and he for her.

Jenny wrote: "I was so mad at Bruce for leaving her after all she did for him, and he for her. "

I think that's what bugged me most of all about the book - the two of them didn't seem human, but manipulative monsters to one another "just because." She had to be horrible to keep driving him away and he had to be horrible to make her still want him because he wasn't staying. It was an artificial construct that just kept going and going... I still loved the book, but I do think that the characterizations could have been improved just a wee tad.

The plague section kept me hanging on every word. Too bad that Amber didn't grow up with it. And get over Bruce. Come on already! I really really want both of them to mature and move on.

I'm getting closer to that. Just started part II and she's married herself to 'ole Samuel, much to his family's chagrin. I seem to recall that Bruce has a most inappropriate relationship with her step-daughter.

I did soooooo want to slap her up one way and down the other for what she did to the Captain.

Question - and I hope someone has this issue and can answer the question. What painting/model is the cover based on?

I found it on AmazonUK - the back cover says it's Diana Kirke, Later Countess of Oxford, c. 1665-1670, painted by Sir Peter Lely. Considering Amber has Lely paint her portrait, it's a pretty cute choice of a cover! :)

Thanks Karla. Interesting, the other cover we see now is also done by Lely. I'm not spitting out the name though, as I posted a trivia question on that.

Soooo, back to the plague. I've just got past Mrs. Spong's demise. What do you all think about Amber's wish to not help her. Lack of Christian Charity or just desserts?

I think I would call it determination to survive.

Good job Karla on finding the painting!