The Romantic: The Real Life of Cashel Greville Ross — William Boyd novel
Real: The Romantic is William Boyd’s novel about Cashel Greville Ross, whose life spans the nineteenth century and takes him from County Cork and London to Waterloo, Zanzibar, Sri Lanka, Pisa and Ravenna. Its sweeping historical setting and changing roles—from soldier and farmer to writer, father and lover—make it a substantial character-led read, though customer feedback is mixed on pacing.
At a glance
- Follows Cashel Greville Ross through multiple roles and changing fortunes across the nineteenth century.
- The story moves across locations including County Cork, London, Waterloo, Zanzibar, Sri Lanka, Pisa and Ravenna.
- A 480-page English-language first edition published by Penguin.
Often bought together
Pros and cons
Pros
- The historical journey offers a wide-ranging setting across continents and major changes in the protagonist’s life.
- Customer feedback praises the story, character development, writing and integration of historical material.
Cons
- At 480 pages, this is a substantial read rather than a short novel.
Technical specifications
9 specifications| Publisher | Penguin |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 6 April 2023 |
| Edition | 1st |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 480 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0241994071 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-13 | 978-0241994078 |
| Dimensions | 13.1 x 3 x 19.8 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight listed | 337 g |
What to know before buying
- Customer feedback is divided on pacing, so readers looking for a consistently fast-moving plot may want to bear that in mind.
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers who enjoy sweeping historical novels following one character across places, relationships and changing roles.
- Readers interested in nineteenth-century settings and historical details woven into a fictional life.
Less suited to
- Readers seeking a short book or a plot that customer feedback indicates is uniformly brisk.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
56% 56% - 4 stars
31% 31% - 3 stars
10% 10% - 2 stars
2% 2% - 1 star
1% 1%
Customer feedback praises the compelling story, its integration of historical material, developed characters and writing, with some finding it absorbing from the outset. Reactions to pacing are mixed, and several readers say it feels slow. For a 480-page novel spanning many settings and stages of one life, that trade-off matters if you prefer a consistently brisk plot.
Positive themes
- Customers praise the engaging story and the way historical material is woven into the narrative.
- Feedback highlights character development and writing quality.
Mixed feedback
- Pacing receives mixed reactions, with several customers saying the novel lacks pace.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Romantic about?
It follows Cashel Greville Ross through a changing nineteenth-century life as a soldier, farmer, felon, writer, father and lover.
Where is the story set?
The listing describes a journey from County Cork and London to Waterloo, Zanzibar, Sri Lanka, Pisa and Ravenna.
How long is the book?
The listed print length is 480 pages.
What do customers say about the pacing?
Feedback is mixed. Some customers find the story compelling, while several say it lacks pace.
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