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Summary: The most wonderful Historical Romance of all time.
Review: I initially read Forever Amber at the age of 15 after borrowing the book from a friend. Years later I was able to get hold of a publication for myself and since then the book has become torn, tattered and discoloured at the many times I have read it. I am very much interested in the English Restoration period which has Amber's story interwoven into this period of time. I become so involved in Amber's love for Bruce and her determination and need to better her station in life, even at the risk of losing her own soul, that I actually feel I am transported back into that period of time. On a visit to London, I made sure I paid a visit to all the historical places mentioned in the book, which made the story come to life. Forever Amber takes pride of place in my bookshelf. I have never lent it out for fear of losing it forever. I simply love it and wish there was a sequel made.
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Summary: Mixed opinions
Review: I read this book in a matter of days, and at times, I couldn't put it down.....at others, I couldn't keep myself interested in the various details....I did find myself re-reading parts because I got confused with who was whom.....sometimes a person would be referred to by their first name and sometimes by their title and I didn't readily catch on that they were one and the same person.....a family tree of sorts would have been helpful as an introduction in this book, as would a glossary for terms of that time period. One reviewer mentioned than Radclyff's first love was Amber's mother - how did I miss that??????? And is that true? And why did the author end the book the way she did.....at the mention of Lady Carlton's death, my first thought, was, "well, we just kill 'em off at a moment's notice when convenient, don't we?" and I didn't find her sudden death even plausible - now I know why....but I was waiting the whole book for Lord Carlton to find out Amber's backgroud was of nobility, not yoemen farmers, but that never materialized. And I truly thought Amber would "come around" and in the end, realize she was truly meant to be with the Earl of Almsbury - that didn't happen either.....I read this book every moment I got, and then, in the end, thought, "hmmmmmm, all that, for that!"......I was left just a bit disappointed. But I would probably still read the sequel if it exists.
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Summary: FOREVER AMBER
Review: This is a great historical story. It is accurate and extremely entertaining in its entirety. Fictional characters and real historical figures are mixed naturally into the plot quite easily and develops around the life of the lead female character.There were many times when I did not really like Amber herself and I thought the ending was somewhat unsettling. But, I enjoyed the description of Restoration London and life in the 17th Century. I would highly recommend buying this book to get the feel for yourself!
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Summary: Current romance writers could learn something from this book
Review: Amber St. Clare is my all-time favorite romance character--even moreso than Scarlett O'Hara. Sure, Amber's unscrupulous at times, but she's not afraid to go after what she wants. She is definitely not a wimp, unlike so many modern-day romance heroines. Never, EVER did Amber really cave to a man's will. She might do it for a while, but only for as long as it suited her (or to ultimately gain the upper hand). The historical detail in this book is astounding. No history book has ever made the period so gloriously alive, warts and all. Few books provide a better understanding of the Restoration, of the way its people thought, lived, dressed, ate--everything. One other thing that I liked about the book was the sexuality without the gory details. I read this book nearly 20 years ago, and I can STILL remember the veiled reference to a night Amber spent with the Duke of Buckingham. No details were provided, just that even Amber was disgusted with what happened (which means it must have been really perverted). It was left to the imagination what really happened, which is much more effective than spelling it all out. I can't say that I remember ANY sex scene from a modern romance novel, not even the one I finished this morning. After a while, they're all pretty much the same--and they're boring. For those who clamor for a sequel, one was written, but I can't remember the name of it (I found it in a South Dakota library about 15 years ago). Amber followed Bruce to America, and I believe she finally got him. The main problem with the book, as with Winsor's other subsequent efforts, was that it just didn't live up to Forever Amber. There is something about this book that is simply magical.
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Summary: Wow!
Review: Of course I am going to read it if it says it was banned in Boston of all places in 1944. It is over 900 pages long---I only read books that long every 7 years or so! But----let me reassure you, there are NO slow or dull parts. Its almost funny how refreshing each new intrigue in 900 pages can be.
The story reads like a story written nowadays---however, your imagination is left in full force. There are no graphic descriptions, except for parts about the Plague. The sex and violent scenes are left up to you; oh gentle reader. Also, there is no sequel; the story of Ambers birth is never resolved (does it need to be?) and it is only a slice of her life--say about 10 years.
The point is---nah---gosh, this is a good book. Its about England in the time of King Charles and the 17th century. What a horrible time to be alive and be a conservative! It reads like a modern novel also partly because the time period was just as scandalous then as it is now. Barring a plague and a great fire in the city of London.
Look, its good. They made a movie out of it, right? :)
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Summary: Writen with timeless style, excellent book
Review: Like another reviewer here, i read Forever Amber a long time ago, i think in the mid 70's. The book i read was OLD and falling apart, i can't even remember where i got it from. I loved it, though, it was my first historical romance and nothing i've ever read since has compared to it. Very real and emotional, everything you could ask for in a book of it's type. I'd forgotten about it and was nosing around online after watching a tv special about Charles II when i stumbled here. I've ordered a new copy, the old book is long gone (it fell apart, the last chapters were lost and i threw it away).
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Summary: A Must Read
Review: When I finished Forever Amber, I rushed to buy the sequel the moment I reached the last page. I was dismayed to find a sequel was never written. I have never read historical novels before, and almost did not buy Forever Amber assuming I would not care for it. I read it in 3 days - I could NOT put it down. If you like Scarlet O'Hara, you will find traces of her in Amber. She is strong, she can be ruthless, as well as foolish. I found myself cringing at times, maybe because I could see myself doing the same things in pursuit of true love, not to mention true obsession. Amber is unforgetable, and next winter I will pick this book up once again to visit her again.
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Summary: MY LETTER FROM KATHLEEN WINSOR
Review: I read FOREVER AMBER back in April of 1967. I was 26 years old. I never read a book that affected me the way this book did! When I finished reading it, I actually felt as if something was missing from my life, because she made the characters come alive and I missed reading about them. I felt I had to write to Kathleen Winsor and ask her if she was ever intending to write a sequel. In a letter dated May 27,1967 she wrote as follows: Dear Mrs. Bolton, I was pleased to receive your nice letter about FOREVER AMBER. No, I have not considered writing a sequel. That is a very long book, after all, and I have no more to say on the subject. She goes on to answer a question I had asked her about Amber and Bruce. I cannot write what she wrote. I would ruin the story for those who have not read the book.
For those of you who have wondered if a sequel had ever been written, I have now answered that question for you. I still have my copy of the book with the letter inside. And now I think I will pick that book up and get back in that beautiful story again!
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Summary: Wildly Addictive
Review: A friend of mine recommended "Forever Amber" to me. I can honestly say that otherwise, I would not have read it. Thank God she did tell me about how amazing it was...this is NOT a story to be missed! I could not believe that this was written back in 1944...it felt so fresh and not at all old fashioned.
I thought that the authors writing style was brilliant. The book is mainly about the life of a girl called Amber St. Clare. The thing about Amber is that she is not easy to like..in fact..I was appalled by her often, but at the same time I found myself admiring her determination, rooting for her, and pitying her as well. The book goes on for 972 pages and at the end of it all I actually wanted MORE. The descriptions were so vivid that I felt like I could see, smell, TASTE London as it was in the 1660s. I am so happy to have experienced this tale. I plan to look for more of Kathleen Winsors work and I wholeheartedly recommend this book to any lover of Historical Fiction.
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Summary: Very well written
Review: I would rate this book's contents to a PG or maybe a PG-13. The subject of the book is adult (about Amber and her affairs), but there are not any explicit descriptions of the affairs. The story is one of a gorgeous and sensual county girl, seventeen-year-old Amber, who falls in love with Bruce, a passing soldier. She goes to London with him, determined to make her way up in the world. She is passed from man to man, the mistress of important men. She marries several men, therefore inheriting great fortunes, leaving her immensely wealthy. As she becomes Mistress to the King of England, she is granted several titles, working herself up to being a Duchess. Too late, she realizes all she has - the title, wealth, beauty - is all unimportant and not worth it, empty. Through the years she has embittered all of her friends in the royal Court against her including her lovers. She is desperately in love with Bruce - who she has loved since he brought her to London as a girl. Bruce despises her now because of whom she has become. The ending is very melancholy - she is hated by everyone and she is tricked to leave England, to a false expectation of being with Bruce. This book's feel, though the plots are not the same, is of Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. The sense at the end of loss and missed opportunities of the characters to be happy and fulfilled in one another. The book was very well written - capturing the depravity, selfishness, and emptiness of Amber.
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