Halo 3 (Xbox 360)
Kingston Technology 2GB SD Secure Digital Card
Braun Oral-B EB17-8 Refill Pack
|
|
|
|
Standish | 
 enlarge | Author: Erastes
Publisher: P.D. Publishing, Inc.
Category: Book
List Price: £11.07
Buy New: £7.73
You Save: £3.34 (30%)
New (16) Used (4) from £6.00
Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 68825
Media: Paperback
Pages: 224
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6 x 0.6
ISBN: 1933720093
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9781933720098
ASIN: 1933720093
Publication Date: November 30, 2006
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
| |
| Similar Items:
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
Fine writing and good history... May 9, 2007
Ansley Vaughan (London, UK)
20 out of 20 found this review helpful
`Standish' is a sweeping, elegant book, about one man's journey of discovery and another's move through pain and loss to redemption. It's about a physical journey too; through the ballrooms and gaming houses of Europe and the stews and prisons of early nineteenth century London.
But for all the movement in the book, it has a still centre, the eponymous house, Standish, something which gives the story a depth and a grounding and provides a neat backdrop.
Ambrose Standish is a gentle, well-educated and bookish young man, whose life has been shaped by the loss, by his grandfather, of the ancestral home. His longing for his rightful place, and his sense of grievance is fuelled by the fact that he lives so near to the house that he can see it every day, although he has never entered it. And when the descendant of the interloper who acquired it, Rafe Goshawk, takes up residence, inevitably, sparks fly.
In the hands of a less skilled writer, this might have followed a familiar and trite romantic path. But Rafe, though everything a romantic hero should be, is far from typical. What we learn of his past makes him a highly complex and difficult man. Ambrose Standish, too, has to deal with the weight of his family history and of his uncertainties about the course his life has taken as well as the problematic discovery of his sexuality at a time when sodomy was punishable by death.
Throw into the mix a dastardly ex-lover, an adorable child, a saintly clergyman, a lovable Irish rogue and any number of well drawn minor characters, and what you have is a rattling good yarn.
And at the end, with two deeply attractive characters vying for our hero's attention, the reader is left on edge until, literally, the very last sentence. (Although I have to say that the self-sacrificing behaviour of both of these men was one of the few elements of the books which stretched my credulity just a little.)
The historical research in `Standish' is excellent. The sense of time and place is exceptional; the voice and tone echo some of the grand nineteenth century novels which this book resembles. But the prose is clear and limpid, the dialogue easy.
Erastes has written a novel which is equal to some of the best gay literature available today.
More than a simple work of romantic fiction January 9, 2007
S. Culfeather (UK)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful
Erastes spins a tale that is captivating and challenging and some surprise twists to the plot makes it hard to put down.
Standish is essentially the tale of the relationship of two men of very different circumstances and backgrounds and the twists and turns of their lives as they come to know each other. Set in an era when such love was not to be spoken of and ultimately punishable by death, the reader can expect to encounter some challenging and sometimes disturbing events unfold.
This is a well-written novel whose language is beautifully crafted. The characters have a realistic quality, complex in their expressions of feelings and actions with dialogue that you can really hear as you read. The historical detail is accurate and evidently well-researched but not in any way overpowering; it isn't a history lesson but rather adds flavour and realism to the plot.
The subject of homosexuality is introduced sensitively and is tastefully approached offering viewpoints from characters both in favour of and against such relationships. In fact, the story is written as to give the reader the opportunity to make up his own mind as to the morality of the situation; it is in its simplest form, a story of love in all its manifestations and it is easy to feel sympathy for the most unlikely of characters who appear during the course of the novel. Standish describes scenes of a sexually explicit nature but these are written in a way that allows the characters to explore their sexuality and does not lead the reader to feel they are indulging in selfish voyeurism; this is homosexual love described clearly but delicately and lovingly.
This is much more than a simple work of romantic fiction or historical prose. I like to read a book that leaves me thinking of the characters and of the themes or questions within it long after I have finished the last sentence. Standish is definitely one such book, worthy of more than one reading and Erastes an author to look out for.
Brilliant June 17, 2007
Lady Mol (England)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
I have always adored nineteenth century literature, and I'm also an avid reader of gay fiction (which I review on my own site). So to find a book that combines these two loves seemed too good to be true. It wasn't. This book lived up to all my hopes. It's incredibly well written, romantic and exciting. It's well researched and gives an excellent insight into attitudes to homosexuality in the early 1800s in England. Rafe Goshawk is a wonderful invention. He's gorgeous, sexy, intelligent and appears at first to be little more than a thoughtless seducer. As we learn more about his past we come to see him as a tragic figure, a perfect creation for this kind of romantic novel. He's Heathcliff - only gay. How much better can that be?
Classic bodice ripper romance novel.. gay style January 12, 2007
Mrs. Natasha Villion (London UK)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
I read a lot, but I have never read anything so breathtaking. You feel every breath taken in this book, the heartache, betrayal, love, power... yes even the sex.
It is a CLASSIC historical romance novel. It has all the ingredients to make you laugh, cry, tear your hair out, punch someone. (and it's about 2 guys.. go figure) If Johanna Lindsey wrote gay bodice rippers.. this would be it.
Don't take my word for it.. read it, live it, love it.
Just what this genre needs February 5, 2007
Mathilda (UK)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
There are simply not enough historical romance books with two male leads. This means that fans of this kind of yummy stuff often have to make do with whatever is out there. However, in this case, what is out there is a book that can compete with any mainstream historical romance going.
Seriously sexy with immaculate research and a lush writing style.
And two charismatic heroes! Delicious.
|
|
|
| |
