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candacesiegle_greedyreader's review against another edition
5.0
So here I am in the dentist's office reading a large, serious-looking tome, snorting with laughter like an idiot. Or actually, rather like Freddy, the Prince of Wales and one of most misunderstood souls to ever stagger through the international spotlight. Freddy is an intelligent, thoughtful fellow, in grand physical shape with the best possible intentions who nonetheless manages repeatedly to make such a total idiot of himself in public that many--including those in his own family-are beginning to fear mental illness. Freddy is married to the beautiful Fredericka, who, we see, will be showered with accolades no matter what balderdash she utters. She and Freddy like each other, although he is involved in a thermonuclear affair with Lady Phoebe Boylingehotte and she with, well, others.
With the British monarchy in such jeopardy, a wizard appears to order Freddy and Fredericka on a quest to reconquer the United States, thus to prove their worthiness for the throne. Bearing capsules up their woo-woos with Alabama driver's licenses that identify them as Desi and Popeel Moffat (but wearing no clothing) the Prince and Princess parachute into Bayonne, New Jersey, ready to win the US back for the UK.
Mark Helprin's new novel is very funny, and it is easy to forgive him if it goes on a little long. Freddy and Fredericka will call upon the resources bred into them by generations of nobility as they cheerfully tackle one challenge after another, beset by such individuals as British newspaper publisher Lord Faintingchair, the Gypsy king Kitten the Tenth, and US Presidential candidate Dewey Knott. The names may have a Dickensian flavor but much of the dialogue smacks more of Monty Python and Abbott and Costello (the Desi and Popeel have such tortured accents that strange misunderstandings often ensue). You're left feeling that it's a shame the Royal family has so few opportunities to show what they're really made of. You will laugh out loud. This funny book is highly recommended.
by Candace Siegle, Greedy Reader
With the British monarchy in such jeopardy, a wizard appears to order Freddy and Fredericka on a quest to reconquer the United States, thus to prove their worthiness for the throne. Bearing capsules up their woo-woos with Alabama driver's licenses that identify them as Desi and Popeel Moffat (but wearing no clothing) the Prince and Princess parachute into Bayonne, New Jersey, ready to win the US back for the UK.
Mark Helprin's new novel is very funny, and it is easy to forgive him if it goes on a little long. Freddy and Fredericka will call upon the resources bred into them by generations of nobility as they cheerfully tackle one challenge after another, beset by such individuals as British newspaper publisher Lord Faintingchair, the Gypsy king Kitten the Tenth, and US Presidential candidate Dewey Knott. The names may have a Dickensian flavor but much of the dialogue smacks more of Monty Python and Abbott and Costello (the Desi and Popeel have such tortured accents that strange misunderstandings often ensue). You're left feeling that it's a shame the Royal family has so few opportunities to show what they're really made of. You will laugh out loud. This funny book is highly recommended.
by Candace Siegle, Greedy Reader
jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a while to get into this, but once I did, I really enjoyed it.
expatally's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first Mark Helprin book and it’s just as good the second time as it was the first. This book is why I read.
spauffwrites's review against another edition
2.0
Funny in some parts, ridiculous in others and slow moving toward the end. Just okay.
gjmaupin's review against another edition
4.0
Quite good. Goofy-yet-deeply-thoughtful in a nineteenth-century and Twain-y way, but obviously modern. Makes me want to find Helprin's Winter's Tale. Odd reading about Calfornia wildfires simultaneous to, well, California wildfires.
emilybryk's review against another edition
4.0
I started out thinking, hm, while this is hilarious and juvenile (but so am I), it's also a little troubling in terms of its portrayal of the deceased Princess Diana. Not because I'm a royal-lover (I'm not), but just because Fredericka is so unspeakably vapid (but pretty!). As things progressed, though, I saw where I'd gone wrong. The book is, at its core, a love story, and despite its flaws (Pha Kew?), it's about recognizing strength and beauty where one might have missed it in the past. Fredericka's a piece of that, just as underestimated as Freddy, albeit in different ways.
This is episodic, goofy Mark Helprin, not the (I think insufferably) precious Mark Helprin of A Winter's Tale (thank heaven), or even the deeply emotional Mark Helprin of A Soldier of the Great War. It goes off the rails occasionally and meanders every now and again. But why not? It's a ton of fun.
This is episodic, goofy Mark Helprin, not the (I think insufferably) precious Mark Helprin of A Winter's Tale (thank heaven), or even the deeply emotional Mark Helprin of A Soldier of the Great War. It goes off the rails occasionally and meanders every now and again. But why not? It's a ton of fun.
goodmorningidea's review against another edition
5.0
Incredible clever writing, hilarious characters and an adventurous plot that will keep you engaged and guessing.
marysaou's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
The tone of this book makes me think its target audience is someone who reads the New Yorker. There were plenty of plot lines and passages that I appreciated, but it was longer than needed and took a good while to get going.
charityjohnson's review against another edition
3.0
Light and silly fiction-a bedtime read. He had sections with some fabulous prose.