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    Exit the Actress
    Exit the Actress
    Exit the Actress
    Audiobook15 hours

    Exit the Actress

    Written by Priya Parmar

    Narrated by Charlotte Parry

    3.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Exit the Actress marks the promising debut of historical fiction author Priya Parmar. Following her discovery selling oranges outside of Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, Ellen "Nell" Gwyn leaves behind a life of poverty to become a theatre star. Soon she is mistress to the libertine king Charles II. And though their love is true, gossip-mongers and court politics threaten to tear their romance apart. "This debut novel captures the glamorous world of the amoral court [of Charles II] and the struggle of the city."-Philippa Gregory, New York Times best-selling author
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateFeb 1, 2011
    ISBN9781449867010
    Exit the Actress
    Author

    Priya Parmar

    Priya Parmar is the author of one previous novel, Exit the Actress. She lives in London and Hawaii. priyaparmar.com

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    Reviews for Exit the Actress

    3.5/5

    57 ratings7 reviews

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    • 3/5
      2.75 starsAt the start of the book, it is 1662 and Nell is 12 years old. Her 14-year old sister is a prostitute (thanks to their mother, who is a drunk). Nell refuses to become a whore, so she finds her own path - she initially becomes an "orange girl" (selling oranges), then works her way up to an actress, then manages to become the king's mistress. I wasn't crazy about it. The premise sounded promising, but I probably would have been more interested in the story if it had focused more on Rose. I enjoyed the parts about Nell's family, but the acting and her life there, I just couldn't get interested in. Nor was I all that interested in King Charles II and her life as his mistress. The book was told in diary form, which I was fine with, but the book also included letters between Charles and his family (his mother and sister, as well as letters between the mother and sister), and other interludes like a society gossip column in the paper. To me, these interrupted the actual story, and I didn't really see the purpose behind them. I was surprised (but interested) to learn in the author's note at the end that almost all the characters in the book were real people, including Nell's fellow actors. Overall, though, I was disappointed.
    • 4/5
      Excellent historical fiction, bringing Nell Gwynn alive as a character
    • 1/5
      It's rare that I feel compelled to provide a review of this book, but I feel I must in this instance, both as a historian with an academic interest in the area and a voracious reader of historical fiction. Upon reading the initial description of this novel online, I was hopeful with some reservations about the way in which it was compiled. The idea of a storyline from memoranda is, in theory, a very good one. However, in practice, this wasn't the case. There was no continuity between the various articles used and often enough, these sections ran contrary to the main storyline or had no relevance to it whatsoever. Thus they became very grating, very quickly. This wasn't helped by the inappropriate language that Parmar chose to use. The modern day vernacular doesn't work in a novel set in the 17th century. In particular, the letters between Charles II and his various relatives was much, much too familiar. These letters sounded as they were written: like 21st century notes that had been foisted into a novel set four hundred years previously. Naturally, this language issue was transcribed into the main diary storyline as well. All in all, it ruined any sense of authenticity regarding the setting. It ensured that there wasn't even a vague sense of accuracy about the setting. This makes me question just how well Parmar did her research. Although she's gotten a lot of her dates in the right place (some are clearly nothing more than speculation), this is about the only place in which it's obvious she did ANY research about the period. The fullness and jollity of the Restoration Era was conspicuously absent from the book. She quotes and includes the usual Dryden, Rochester and Behn - but it's painfully clear she's not read anything to do with their lives, but has rather ushered them in out of necessity to bulk the novel up. Bad form. My other complaint lies in the fact that there was very little plotline. At all. It just seemed to rather predictably repeat the well-known life story of Nell Gwynn. Many other authors have done the same thing, but with much greater aplomb. The odd diary and memorandum format meant that the novel became almost entirely devoid of motion or dramatic progression. The story just kept coming and coming, but there was very little to further it on. It was almsot as if the author relied entirely upon just the fact the Nell was living to continue the book. When the ending eventually did arrive, it did so in an odd place. Like only half the story had been told, or that Parmar had gotten bored of writing and didn't wish to follow the story out until Nell's death. Thus, the reader leaves her just before the birth of her first child. There is SO much more life to Nell after this point. We lose a lot of Nell's possible personality with Parmar's writing style. Others like Diane Haeger, Susan Holloway Scott and Gillian Bagwell seem to strive to capture the witty personality that history records Nell as possessing. There's nothing of the sort here, and again, I think that is because of the odd choice in narrative format. It has taken me a very long time to get through this novel - over two months in fact - when I can usually get through a 400 odd page HistFic novel in a couple of days or less. I had to force myself to keep reading, despite the overall dullness, because I love this period so very much. I will not be revisiting this book, or any other that may be accredited to Ms Parmar in future. Although she clearly can write at reasonably high leve, I don't think she's suited to fiction.
    • 3/5
      An interesting novel by Priya Parmar. I was kind of skeptical at first as to whether I should pick up this book since its written in an entirely different format from novels that I usually read. I'm glad I did because it doesn't disappoint. It was different, no doubt, but still an intriguing and easy read. Best to be savored during rainy days or as a beach read. The characters were well-developed. I liked Nell enough but there were times when I could not quite tell what her goal seems to be. A girl who's appalled with the idea of following her sister's footsteps. A person who wants to love and be loved so badly - to the point of losing sight her initial principals. Even so, I do not blame her because she's brave enough to take chances and is only doing what she can to survive in this wretched and superficial world. Whatever her flaws are, it only adds to her character and does not impede the storytelling nor stop me from continuing. There are, after all, secondary characters to make up for it. The most memorable of the lot would have to be Teddy, the cross-dresser. He was frivolous and humorous at the same time. I would have liked to read more about him. As what has been stated in the author's notes, I too find it hard to believe Nell's alleged illiteracy. Surely, being an actress, or an exceptional one at that, wouldn't survive the harsh demands of the stage without a literate background. The author has also managed to capture the convivial and vibrant 17th century setting. It was beautiful in its description and anecdotes. Regardless of a few aspects that didn't wholly agree with me, I still recommend the book!
    • 4/5
      Nell Gwyn is perhaps one of my favorite scandalous ladies from British history. Not only group up from nothing a climb her way into the king's bed, but she did virtually all of it based on her personal wit and charm. Not only that, but she was the darling of the London stage for much of her career in a time where woman were still considered second-class citizens. The Restoration Court of Charles II is also a fascinating period to read about, with its lavish ways, mistress rivalry and Charles II's many liaisons.While I wouldn't say that Exit the Actress is my favorite novel of Nell, but its certainly one of the most beautifully written and uniquely presented. In author Priya Parmar's tale of the actress, Nell lands a job selling oranges to patrons at a local theatre. Happy that she does not need to resort to prostitution, Nell grabs the attention of the theartre's owners with her wit and charm that seems to cast a spell on patrons, which lands her a role in the company. As she grows into a well-loved actress, Nell eventually catches the eye of Charles II.Parmar succeeds in painting a fascinating portrait of the period, and of Nell -not just a witty woman, but a human woman who grows up onstage, deals with love and loss, and finds a life that she loves. The most interesting aspect of Exit the Actress, is the unique way that Parmar tells Nell's tale -through a unique collection of diary entries, letters, newspaper clippings, playbills and other items from the time that reveal other character's personalities while giving the readers a complete view of the period.A beautiful, moving drama, Exit the Actress is a beautiful portrait of Restoration England surrounding the fascinating life of Nell Gwyn. This is the perfect read for historical fiction buffs.
    • 4/5
      Exit the Actress recounts the tale of Nell Gwyn, Restoration actress and mistress to King Charles II. I love this period and Priya Parmar does an excellent job of portraying the details of daily life, such as beauty remedies and recipes for medicines as well as the politics of the royal court. I was a little disappointed that the novel ended when it did, I wanted to read more about Nell's life with Charles II! However, I definitely did enjoy this fictionalization of the illustrious seventeenth-century actress and I hope to read more by this author in the future.
    • 4/5
      To sum it up, I thoroughly enjoyed my plunge into Nell's life. I think I'm actually going to miss my adventures to 17th century London. Can't wait to see what the author, Priya Parmar, will do next.full review at windowseatreader.blogspot.com