bobbo49's review against another edition
3.0
Well written, sometimes laugh out loud funny, satire on British royalty and tradition, as well as on the American political scene. Too long for a "fun" read, though, and sometimes just silly rather than clever.
stenaros's review against another edition
4.0
I got this book from a booklist at the library, one of those "if you like this, you might like this" sort of things. I can't find what the "this" was that led me to the book, but I quite indeed like this book and I'm thankful for the list for steering me to it.
In an alternate present, the Prince of Wales (Freddy, son of Phillipa, not Charles, son of Elizabeth) is sent by the mysterious Mr. Neil to travel incognito with his glamorous wife to conquer the United States of America. The book skewers everything: the British press, the American press, the monarchy, the parliamentary system, the constitutional form of government, political campaigns, etc. etc. etc.
It's also quite generous with its use of words. The "sending of Freddy to conquer the USA" is first breached on page 170, all that comes before is establishing background. Halprin is clearly not worried about electronic age readers attention spans as he often takes more than five pages to set up a hilarious scene, which results in the reader working for the laughter, but many funny moments. There are also several touching scenes, one of which brought tears to my eyes, which was unfortunate as I was riding the Max train at the time.
For a busy person who only has time now and again to dip into this book, I would say, don't bother. But if you have the time to put into it, this is a very rewarding read. Perhaps it will do for your next vacation, no?
In an alternate present, the Prince of Wales (Freddy, son of Phillipa, not Charles, son of Elizabeth) is sent by the mysterious Mr. Neil to travel incognito with his glamorous wife to conquer the United States of America. The book skewers everything: the British press, the American press, the monarchy, the parliamentary system, the constitutional form of government, political campaigns, etc. etc. etc.
It's also quite generous with its use of words. The "sending of Freddy to conquer the USA" is first breached on page 170, all that comes before is establishing background. Halprin is clearly not worried about electronic age readers attention spans as he often takes more than five pages to set up a hilarious scene, which results in the reader working for the laughter, but many funny moments. There are also several touching scenes, one of which brought tears to my eyes, which was unfortunate as I was riding the Max train at the time.
For a busy person who only has time now and again to dip into this book, I would say, don't bother. But if you have the time to put into it, this is a very rewarding read. Perhaps it will do for your next vacation, no?
ljacoby's review against another edition
It was silly and had interesting concept, but it was so long and the jokes were a little corny.
dairine's review against another edition
5.0
This is picaro at its sharpest and finest. I'm truly beginning to love the genre, and Helprin was a pleasant surprise.
leighnonymous's review against another edition
5.0
Let it never be said that Mark Helprin does not love, or believe in the spirit of, America. Reading this will make you proud to live in such a country, regardless of feelings towards one's fellow countrymen. There were certainly places where Helprin could have trimmed verbosity.
This is all at once a satire of the British monarchy, a fairy tale, a Horatio Algeresque story, and an entertaining piece of fiction about a man and a woman who learn to love each other. Several passages in this almost moved me to tears, not only because of their truth and beauty, but because I felt as if Helprin was in my mind. And the reactions of the other characters made me feel as if he'd pulled the scene from my life.
None of us are born to be kings or queens. This is something one must earn and sitting on one's figurative laurels will never get one there. If there is one thing to take from this book it is this: read, study, and strive to be a cultured and better person and the world is yours; nothing can stop you. Seek out new experiences and make wise decisions; nothing can stop you. Strive to reach such an understanding and such a love of epic proportions with another person that your bond is stronger than anything else; nothing can stop you.
I was hesitant to finish this book because not only did I want to believe that it continued indefinitely, but because I knew that putting it down would then place the onus upon me to become as educated, confident, and great a person as both Freddy and Fredericka became. And having read the last page, I know that it is not only within me to do that, but that I will.
This is all at once a satire of the British monarchy, a fairy tale, a Horatio Algeresque story, and an entertaining piece of fiction about a man and a woman who learn to love each other. Several passages in this almost moved me to tears, not only because of their truth and beauty, but because I felt as if Helprin was in my mind. And the reactions of the other characters made me feel as if he'd pulled the scene from my life.
None of us are born to be kings or queens. This is something one must earn and sitting on one's figurative laurels will never get one there. If there is one thing to take from this book it is this: read, study, and strive to be a cultured and better person and the world is yours; nothing can stop you. Seek out new experiences and make wise decisions; nothing can stop you. Strive to reach such an understanding and such a love of epic proportions with another person that your bond is stronger than anything else; nothing can stop you.
I was hesitant to finish this book because not only did I want to believe that it continued indefinitely, but because I knew that putting it down would then place the onus upon me to become as educated, confident, and great a person as both Freddy and Fredericka became. And having read the last page, I know that it is not only within me to do that, but that I will.
opusfra's review against another edition
4.0
A book that loses itself in its own beauty at times, full of awe at the wonders of humanity while seeking to find the king or queen in all of us. We learn the difference between birthright and duty, insanity and individuality and, most importantly, we learn that royalty is a state of mind as much as a part of the bloodstream. The book is fine satire and occasional farce, worth reading but not a turning point.
anatomydetective's review against another edition
3.0
This book could have been twice as amusing if it were half the length. The first half was pretty well paced and amusingly satirical, but the second half just dragged, especially since the conclusion was obvious.
persey's review
2.0
This was interminable. Brilliant flashes, moments of high humor, beautiful descriptions were lost in a morass of stupid puns, repetitive jokes, and riffs prolonged beyond any possible interest. Similarly, Inventive and antic action was undermined by a tedious setup and long conclusion. There was a good book in here, but it needed to be edited down to half its size and lose the worst of the gags. Pha-Kew wasn’t funny even the first time.
lshaner's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so much fun to read. Lots of ridiculous word play and even more ridiculous situations. Not something to read next to a sleeping person, it was impossible not to laugh out loud. As the story progresses it leans away from farce into a more serious story about monarchy, America and love. I may not agree with Helprin about what Kingship means, but this is a delightful ride.
gobblebook's review against another edition
4.0
Very amusing and often surprisingly poignant. Very British in it's use of language and Wodehouse-like humor. Has some interesting food for thought about the British monarchy and its role in the modern world, and what it means to be a king. Has the age-old theme of the transforming power of love. However, sometimes it was so ridiculously outlandish that my suspension of disbelief got skewed, and it has a tendency to ramble. Definitely some brilliant laugh out loud moments, and some poignant moments, but also some okay-is-this-over-yet moments.