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Post by The Poetic Protégée on Nov 22, 2005 14:44:45 GMT -5
I just can't get enough of the Restorian era, or of Lord Rochester, so I've been doing a lot of reading on both subjects when I've had time. I thought I would post books I recommend for anyone who wants to know more but doesn't know where to start (the list will inevitably get much longer!).
The Poems:
There are lots of books with the Earl's poetry in out there. The one I have with me at the moment is the Everyman's Poetry book entitled 'Lord Rochester'. Your local library might have an anthology of his work, that's where I got mine. Do be aware that the content will not be PG-13 like this site, however, wouldn't want anyone reading it without being prepared! If I come across a particularly good anthology or one with poems I haven't read I'll be sure to post it.
Biographies:
'So idle a rogue ~ The life and death of Lord Rochester' - Jeremy Lamb Review below!
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Post by The Whimsical Writer on Nov 30, 2005 13:23:43 GMT -5
Do Amazon have this book do you know as couldn't find it when I did a search the other day?
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Post by The Whimsical Writer on Nov 30, 2005 13:24:15 GMT -5
Anyone know what the Germaine Greer book is like? Have a lot of time for her.
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Post by The Poetic Protégée on Nov 30, 2005 13:31:22 GMT -5
Here you go Whimsy dear: So idle a rogueNo idea what the Germaine Greer book would be like but I'd love to find out...so if you read it before me, let me know ;D
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Post by The Poetic Protégée on Dec 11, 2005 9:17:08 GMT -5
I finished 'So idle a Rogue'! ;D Ah, twas a brilliant read. It was certainly interesting to see all sides of the Earl's life analysed and talked about in such detail. Thought I'd pick out a few of my favourite bits and post them here: 1) This is some advice given by a Miss Hobart to a Miss Anne Temple, one of the royal maid's of honour, who the Earl was attempting to seduce - "Lord Rochester is, without contradiction, the most witty man in all England; but then he is likewise the most unprincipled, and devoid even of the least tincture of honour: he is dangerous to our sex alone, and that to such a degree, that there is not a woman who gives ear to him three times but she irretrievably loses her reputation. No woman can escape him, for he has her in his writings...he applauds your taste, submits to your sentiments, and at the very instant that he himself does not believe a single word of what he is saying, he makes you believe it all." 2) When another of the maids, Miss Goditha Price, spread rumours about one of the Earl's young mistresses it was said that she drew upon herself 'the most dangerous enemy in the world' in the Earl, who responded by writing verse upon verse of viscous satire about her which made her a laughing stock. 3) The Earl often succumbed to 'sad intervals and severe reflections', which reminds me of the part of the film where Lord Rochester's favoured mistress tells him she believes him to be a man who pretends to like life more than he does. 4) During a time when his mother and wife were continually at odds (a somewhat typical mother in law relationship ) Lord Rochester was bitten by a dog on the street and to it he said contemptuously, "I wish that you were married and living in the country." The book goes into a lot of detail about how and why the Earl came to rely so heavily on drinking, and why he could not stop. It's very entertaining and really, really interesting so if you get the chance, please read! ;D
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Post by The Dependable Deliverer on Dec 17, 2008 10:52:33 GMT -5
Oh smeep i've just started a brand new thread for So Idle a Rogue.. so sorry Jay!
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Post by The Poetic Protégée on Dec 17, 2008 14:36:18 GMT -5
That's alright, DeeDee! We can continue the discussion in the thread you created and if anyone else reads another book they can post the info here
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