Forever Amber (Rediscovered Classics)

This is really a quick read despite being nearly 1000 pages. I read it twice as I was so fascinated with the historical setting of this fictional book. If you like romantic sagas, set in a dynamic time period, with a protagonist that you love to hate then this is the novel for you. It is an easy beach read and similar to "The Other Boleyn Girl." I found myself immersed in the story but you're not going to find any award-winning prose. Enjoy!

I chose this rating because even though the book was lengthy, it always kept me interested and wanting more. what I liked most about the book was its detailed description of what life was like at the time, for rich and poor. I felt the detailed descriptions of the homes, clothes, and neighborhoods were fantastic. History should always be this easy to read.

Forget contemporary bodice rippers and go back to this classic romance novel. it carries you ack to the bawdy era of Charles II and Restoration England as you follow the adventures of that most amoral of literary heroines, Amber St. Claire

A wonderful trip back in time. I love how Kathleen researched the customs, dress, language, and historical facts and built them in so smoothly. Can't believe I waited this wrong to read this classic.

My favorite all time book. I never read books twice and loved it even more the second time around. Kathleen Windsor makes you feel as if you are right there. Her written words are descriptive and filled with the emotion of the characters.
I may even read this again!!!

if you enjoy historical novels with lots of drama, color, and action, Forever Amber is for you. you'll feel as it you are actually living in London during the restoration period. it's compelling, colorful and naughty enough to keep you turning the pages.

I was first introduced to Forever Amber sometime in the 1940's. My Mom had received it from her book club. As a curious preteen, it didn't take me long to sneak it to my bedroom. Then again it crossed my path when I was in my 20's. Even though I knew how it ended, I kept hoping Bruce would find out that Amber was a lady of quality. As I'm getting on in years, I'm going back to some of my favorites and have enjoyed Forever Amber as much as I did in those early years. It's truly a treasured classic.

No, Forever Amber does not have car chase scenes are dragons. It does have mystery, intrigue, beautiful English countrysides, royalty, and ill-fated romances. I'm not a huge fan of romance novels but I am always up to broaden my reading horizon. I'm glad I bought this book.

I started reading this book at age 13 as recommended by my mother who loved it. Over the years I have read it perhaps ten times. I am now 66. It stands for me as one of the best written and wonderful stories ever for those of us that enjoy history, great characters and colorful lives. I cannot recommend it more highly.

I first read Forever Amber about 1969, at my mother's urging. I couldn't put it down- staying up all night reading. After 40 years, it gets better with every rereading. I love the historical aspect of life in the 1600's, the court of Charles II, the Great Fire, and the plague. Amber is a fighter and a survivor. The love she has for Bruce Carlton is unforgettable. Her rise from country girl to one of the most powerful women in the English court is great reading. This book has it all- romance, suspense and mystery.

This classic, "oldie but goodie" will never go out of style. The life, times and court of King Charles II was rife with many crossovers from all segments of society. This cynical yet glamourous tale, outlines the ascent of a beautiful, obscure country girl's ascent to become mistress to the King Charles II of England.

Many believet his novel was loosely based on the real life mistress of Charles II, Nell Gwynn.

This was one long book to read. It was fascinating and I could never guess how things would turn out from one moment to the next. It was a classical case study of a narcissistic personality disorder. The lead character, Amber, was obsessive toward her first love object, Bruce, and could never accept his rejection of her. In addition to being a classic narcissist she exhibited a moderate amount of antisocial personality disorder where she lacked a conscience towards others except when it served her purposes. Amber was greedy, ambitious, emotionally immature, and would do whatever it took to advance herself in society. Although she was only 26 years old when the book ended, people like her usually end up squandering all their money and die old and alone with few or no friends and extreme remorse over a life that was not well spent.

Amber has always been one of my favourite novels since I discovered it over forty years ago. It is worth reading again and again. Amber is a good love story that also fascinates you with seventeenth century England morals and manners.

If you like historical romance, this is a must read. Amber is very much like Scarlett O'hara. Some times you just want to strangler her. I do wish there was a sequel. I can't help but wonder what happens to the characters.

In my opinion this book is the females "Catcher in the Rye". I've read and re-read it several times over the years and looked for several years to replace it when I loaned mine out and never got it back in 1980. I started reading it again as soon as I received it and still find it hard to put down once I pick it up. The only thing I'm unhappy with has nothing to do with the content but that the book I have now is a new paperback and mine was a well worn hardback. My first book was like a part of me as I'd had it for 32 years and it was a well worn book when it was presented to me. I learned not to loan out keepsakes.

"Forever Amber" was wonderful. It made me laugh and it made me sad. This young naiive girl went forward on her convictions which was so unusual back in that era. She followed not rules or regulations and most of the ladies of the time were appalled at her behavior and it bothered her not. Very enjoyable read and I highly recommend it.

I liked the main storyline of Amber however I had a hard time with the history/government part of the book. Not so interesting to me. I liked, even though Amber was a harlot, that all the details were left out other than it was implied. Made for a clean read though I don't condone the lifestyle. My reason for reading it was out of curiosity since that is where the name "Amber" came from and I am an Amber. I loved the ending. It almost made me want a sequel. Almost.... It was witty and surprising. I wouldn't read it again cause it's too long and slow but I'm glad I read it once. I would recommend it to anyone who likes the classics.