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Summary: A Delightful Romp Through Restoration England
Review: I enjoyed this novel. I think the best feature is the excellent research on the time period -- I felt as if I was transported back to London during Charles II's reign -- I could almost see the sights and smell the pungent odors. The description of the Plague was well-done. Most of the time, however, I was a little irritated with the immaturity and superficiality that our heroine, Amber, displayed throughout the book, as well as her somewhat imbalanced obsession with Lord Carlton. Many times I wondered where the line between fact and fiction was drawn. Also, for being a favorite mistress of Charles II, there wasn't a lot on their interactions or relationship, although a lot of imagination went into recreating the relationship between Amber and Lord Carlton. I felt that the last few chapters were rushed and the intrigues and plots described therein rather confusing as a result. I am also curious about how much fact the ending of the novel was based in. I will definitely rent the 1947 movie version and will recommend it as a highly worthy "trash" novel to anyone who enjoys historical fiction as much as I do! I found it very worthwhile reading. Not recommended for someone who prefers the straight facts over fiction.
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Summary: One of my favorite books!!
Review: I first read this book when I was 13. I ddin't understand much of the context of the book, and skipped the chapters on King Charles. But I knew I loved it then. It was such a new experience reading the book at 29, because now I understand all of it. This is the the best book I have read so far about historical fiction. The research is impeccable.It is so fascinating! I especially apprecitate leaving out the details of Amber's sexual exploits. I reccomend this book to anyone. However, I was a little disappointed about the ending. It really left me hanging. Knowing the full details of Amber's life and then not knowing what happened to her. I would surely love to know if there was a sequel.
Rating: 
Summary: a sore excuse for a book
Review: This was, without a doubt, the WORST book I have ever read. I'd heard some good things about it, and the very beginning was fairly promising-- and then it started its rapid descent, and just kept going. I would rather burn my hair off than have to watch the movie version-- and I like my hair. The heroine was selfish, the narrative dull and at times it felt like I was reading a history textbook, when all I wanted to do was navigate my way through the cesspool that was Amber's FULL life story-- all of it-- to find a shred of the goodness that supposedly composed it.
It starts with the history of Amber's birth. Then she meets a man whom she becomes obsessed with. Then she moves out of her small-town existence, which she clearly thinks that she is better than, to London, only to become pregnant, get married and loose all of the money that the object of her obsession leaves her, along with his love-child. Then she winds up in prison. Then she escapes. Then she is in another form of prison. Next, she's an actress with a lover. Then he-- her obsession-- returns. Eventually, she gets married again-- and on it goes. It felt like 6000 pages of drivel and smut. I felt like I was reading it purely out of the hope that the selfish, beautiful and stupid heroine would demise. I still don't understand how this book was ever published-- perhaps the publisher had the same morbid hopes for Amber as I, or perhaps he purely wanted to introduce a heady dose of crap into collection of books that can be found on library shelves. I am ashamed that any taxpayer may have ever contributed to the purchasing of it.
Rating:
Summary: My namesake
Review: I was first introduced to this book in-utero. My mom read it while pregnant with me. I was told about it most of my life, but was only able to find a copy at age 20. I have since read it at least once a year and have gotten over being angry with my mother at having named me after a woman of ill-repute. I now realize that Amber did nothing any woman would not have done in order to survive and take care of her son while wooing the man she loves. A great read for anyone who believes in love and its healing powers, as well as the power of women.
Rating: 
Summary: I had fun
Review: I had fun reading it but I couldn't bring myself to like an empty headed gold digger heroine. In this regard the book is a bit dated but still fun to read.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Story
Review: This is the story of a silly woman and her wonderful adventures in London during the reign of King Charles. Ms Winsor takes her main character, Amber through adventures that fit so believably into her plot that it is no wonder this book has become a classic. She shows us parts of London that most authors only mention, the inside of the prision (not the tower of London, but where the commoners went), theaters from a courtisian's view, London during the plague, and what it was like to be a lady in waiting. This book is an inside looking out story about a farmer's daughter who wants nothing more than to be close to royalty and the love of one man. While it is known for being very risque, I found it tame by todays standards, and really nice to read.
Rating:
Summary: soapy trashy fun
Review: First, I disagree with the description on the back cover of the book, hailing this work as a "timeless masterpiece". OK, OK, it's a fun read and all, but it is at heart simply soapy trash set in Restoration England. It's really not all that different from lots of other books and movies about gold-digging girls. Nevertheless, you'll find this book hard to put down.
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Summary: History at its best
Review: This book was given to me by my mother who read it 20 years ago. It was as contraversial and shocking as it is today. I enjoyed the historical refrences surrounding London, and the rise of the monarchy to England once again. Amber is a provactive character that will leave you gasping at her actions more than once. I love the ongoing fire between Amber and her true love. This is truly history uncessored for all its scandal and romance. If you enjoy reading about history I recomend this book for you will reilish in London and all its scandal.
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Summary: Forever Amber
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book for its suspense and history. On the other hand, i despised it's heroine. This combination made it a compelling read and totally unexpected. A fun experience!
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Summary: The one that started it all
Review: I read forever Amber when I was 11 as an edition to my Franklin Library subscription my mother bought me. It changed my life. Although it was written by an American it began my love of all things Brit. The Restoration is my favorite period, and I went on to become an Anglophile because of this book. I have read it more than 12 times, and I pressed English roses between the covers in college. Lord Carlton, Charles II, and even disgustng Buckingham come across with such charm and masculinity - any woman wold be glad to get caught in their web of confusion.
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