Wildish by Robert Parry
Posted By Claire on May 15, 2013
Robert Parry’s latest historical novel, Wildish, is set in the 18th century, in Georgian England, a period I have never studied in depth. This made me slightly wary of reading it because I like to have enough knowledge to be able to figure out what is fact and what is fiction. However, my worries were unfounded because this novel concentrates on a fictitious character, and his friends, rather than a real historical character. There are real characters and events in it, for example, Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite uprising, but the focus is on the character and his quest “to be transported to the heavens themselves” by a harem of women.
Matthew Wildish is a poet and Master Wig-maker on a mission. He enjoys life to the full, but wants more. He has had many women in his life, and has feelings for his best friend’s wife, but he is convinced that he can reach a higher plane with his plan. He must try and build his harem while avoiding the man-eating Lady Snatchal, whose fall from a horse, she explains, has made her have an insatiable sexual appetite, and while repairing a very special wig for Lord Snatchal. All that, while being a good friend to Sam, helping damsels in distress and gathering intelligence for the King – phew! By the end of the novel, Wildish has had an incredible journey fraught with danger and has discovered the true meaning of love. The tag line of the novel is “A story concerning different kinds of love” and that is spot on. The story covers friendship, sex, the love one has for one’s country, family love and true love. The story is also rather ‘saucy’ at times and has some rather humorous moments. Wildish does get himself into some tricky situations!
I was intrigued by the start of the book, when Wildish starts planning his quest for love, and I loved his character, but I must admit to struggling with the middle of the book. I got a bit lost with the history and wondered where the story was going, but then it picked up and grabbed me once more. I was hooked by the last third and although I wanted to know what would happen to Wildish and his friends I also didn’t want the magic to end. If you do get bogged down in the middle, keep reading, it’s worth it!
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