“Act of Oblivion” by Robert Harris
“Act of Oblivion” by Robert Harris
An historical novel that imagines one of the greatest manhunts in history: the search for two Englishmen involved in the killing of King Charles I and the merciless foe on their trail—an epic journey into the wilds of seventeeth-century New England, and a chase like no other.
1660 England. General Edward Whalley and his son -in law Colonel William Goffe board a ship bound for the New World. They are on the run, wanted for the murder of King Charles I—a brazen execution that marked the climax of the English Civil War, in which parliamentarians successfully battled royalists for control. Ten years on and the royalists are back in power and under the Act of Oblivion have tried the 59 men who signed the death warrant and found them all guilty of treason. Some have already been hung drawn and quartered but there are two,
Whalley and Goffe who have escaped to The New World. On the run and dependant on help from people with an award of £100 on their heads. Whalley and Goffe have to survive in an inhospitable, if magnificent, unknown wilderness and harsh weather conditions. The exceptional writing of Harris paints a picture of their surroundings. Living under a cellar in virtual imprisonment, having to develop survival skills, learning from and bartering with Native American Indians.
Fascinating story, great atmosphere- fear, danger, – incredible description- well researched, good pace, were comments heard during the discussion. Most of the group thought it was well researched and skilfully written. The incredible description of survival in caves and underground rooms for months on end in a very dark period in history. We were greatly helped to understand this period in history by Helen, one of our members. But none of us liked the ending which was imagined by the author and seemed implausible. .
A very enjoyable and thought provoking afternoon with our hostess Babs providing us with delicious cake. Overall the score was 8.5.