“The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose,” by Mary Hooper

“The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose,” by Mary Hooper, was one of the most disappointing historical novels I have ever read.

Book Cover of The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose by Mary HooperThe storyline is set in the seventeenth century. Eliza Rose is a fifteen-year-old girl who travels to London to find her father. Soon she is imprisoned for stealing a mouthful of pastry from a shop. When a woman gains her release from jail Eliza feels that her life is taking a turn for the better. Little does she realize, but everyone in London wants something from her. Eliza travels throughout London using a variety of disguises, but in the end it turns out to be harder that she thought to find what she really wants: a place where she can belong.

“The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose,” had a plot that could hardly be considered remarkable: the child of rich nobles grows up with a peasant family and then finally discovers her true family. This rather cliché plot forms the backbone of so many books that it almost gets tiring. Usually the author finds a good way to conceal it behind twists and turns in the storyline. Mary Hooper, however, reveals the truth in the book's first few pages, then tries to enliven Eliza's story using sex. From reading “The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose” one would think that nearly everyone in seventeenth century London was either a prostitute, a mistress, a pimp, or something in-between. Surely there must have been a better way to breathe life into a worn out plot.

Unfortunately, I would have to say that “The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose” was rather disappointing to me.

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Inkweaver Review 2008-09-30T08:43:00-05:00

21 replies so far. What are your thoughts?

Anonymous said...

i do not agree, i was rather fascinated by this book, finding it not predictable in the least, and i think Mary Hooper managed to deal with the so called "worn-out" plot very well. i consider the book an interesting, exciting novel with a perfectly unexpected ending, although you do get the feeling of every girl being a mistress or a pimp...nevertheless, a good read i can only recommend!

Anonymous said...

Yes, so do I. Exciting, good novel. Being professor of English Literature at Oxford, I can only agree to the previous comment and hope other people will enjoy it as much as I did!!

NathanKP said...

Thank you for your opinions. I'm glad that you enjoyed the book nonetheless.

Nathan

Anonymous said...

Since I still go to school and I am only fifteen, I do not know whether my opinion is as worthwhile as the ones stated before me, but I am just writing about the book in my English class and have to agree with Nathan, that the story line is predictable and rather tedious. Also, as a girl I do not agree with the fact that nearly every female character in the book is a prostitute or a pimp... Nontheless, I have read far worse books. Still, thank you Nathan, your blog helped me a lot in clas :)

NathanKP said...

Thank you very much for the excellent comment. I'm glad that I wasn't the only one who got the impression that "The Life and Times of Eliza Rose" was a little bit "predictable and tedious."

Thanks for stopping by,

NathanKP

Anonymous said...

thanks very much..it really helped me a lot





Raffles love nickhun

NathanKP said...

You are welcome!

Nathan

Anonymous said...

I loved this book and i couldn't put the book down. It is very interesting and always want to know what will happen next.

Anonymous said...

I'm a fifteen year old girl and I found this book quite disappointing as well. The plot line is slow and unoriginal, yes, but what I found the most irritating was the reactions of the characters to various events. When Elizabeth is put in jail she does not react to the horrors she sees in a very believable manner. I mean, if I were her, coming from her background, I would be absolutely horrified. All Eliza does is shed a few tears and moan about her hair! The same sort of thing happens when Eliza told she is to lie with Henry Monteagle - she seems almost nonplussed considering the circumstances. The conversation between Eliza and her father also feels contrived and I too do not like the way that 17th century women are portrayed. It was an ok book, some interesting parts, but I'm glad that others share my opinion on how much can be improved. Sorry to those who enjoyed it but I have read far better!

Anonymous said...

i rather enjoyed this book. i found it hard to put down. i am probably younger than the people above but i am entitled to my opinion. i recommend this book.

Anonymous said...

I agree. the end is unpredictable and very happy.I'm not saying all storys should end that way but it was the good kind of happy ending. I found myself smiling as i read the last chapter. I couldn't put it down and found myself reading every word. I loved this book and recommend it to anyone who needs a good book. Although it is catigorized as historical fiction it is far much more.

Anonymous said...

gay book

Anonymous said...

I am fifteen, but was a few years younger when I read the book. I felt some parts did not seem natural, as Eliza's reactions are a bit sull. However, the reason she lived with a peasant family was different, as she was not accidenlty swapped, but swapped purposely, because she was not a boy.The story line was intersting, but i would have liked it to be a bit more developed. It showed a negative side to the 17th century, which did exist behind the glamour. It is though loosely based on history, which gave it a good story line, as it was interesting. it had a few twists, but nothing that was greatly unpredictable. it was a sweet story more for younger readers. however there are books by mary hooper which i liked.there were aspects i enjoyed and others i felt could be improved. i feel if certain aspects were changed this book could be an excellent romantic novel people who enjoyed this book to I, Coriander, which is the first book I read in secondary school or The Red Necklace, both by Sally Gardner.

Anonymous said...

omg love this book. great storyline and unpredictabe ending. totally recommend

Anonymous said...

When i read this book i was 11. I read it for a report i had to do and found i loved it. i think it has a great plot line and is very interesting. i think that if you want to read a good book that you will enjoy you should read this. personally, i couldnt put it down.

Anonymous said...

i loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) <3

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