Tesco Book Club

The Scandal of the Season
by Sophie Gee

a brilliant, witty modern love-story - set in 1711

August Book

We hope you enjoy these reader reviews of our Book club special editions, and remember to check back and add your own review when you've finished the book!

This was based on an incredible series of events in the early 18th Century. The author - who is an academic historian, fails to create a gripping story from the wonderful material - romance, greed and intrigue. She appears to be more interested in historical fact (legitimate) and putting irrelevant detail.
It would be very interesting to read a book by a good author on the subject. Whilst the topic was interesting, I found her style disappointing.
Susan Wright
Hertfordshire

A fabulous read that although takes a few pages to get going is worthwhile in the end. I enjoyed watching the relationship between Arabella Fermor and Robert Petre develop through the eyes of the poet Alexander Pope. However it is London 1711 and their relationship is not conventional, providing the scandal of the season from the title.
Alexander is in need of inspiration and it isnâ?Tt until the end of the novel that he sees the motivation for this most famous poem. You can tell the author has an interest in literature as well as history as both are excellently entwined within the novel. The writing style is great, Gee has made this time in history extremely readable and you forget at times you are reading about real events.
For me, the blurb lives up to its hype. As a bonus in the edition of the book that I have was an explanation of the sexual mores of the times. Donâ?Tt expect the 18th Century written by Jane Austen in this novel, as Gee explains this is set a lot earlier than she was writing and people had much more freedom.
Underlying the sizzling sexiness of the novel is treasonous plot against Queen Anne. Therefore there is a range of material to appeal to different audiences. For me it was reading about Alexander Pope, for others it might be the seductiveness of the period or the political plots and fears. I prefer the UK cover to the US cover in that the UK cover looks more of the times whilst the US cover appears modern in its interpretation. A super read, one I'm pleased I was recommended to read.
Samantha
Co Durham

When I chose this book for my holiday read I was simply looking for a novel in which I could escape into. In this book I found so much more. I was drawn into a world where social politics mixed with raw human emotions creates a bitter-sweet atmosphere. This combined with the use of historical characters made for a believable tale. I particularly liked the symbolism used throughout concerning Arabella. I felt, however, that the brevity of the ending was not in keeping with the rest of the novel. Despite this I found this to be a real page-turner!
Daisy
Cambridge

I very much enjoy reading historical novels especially when love, jealousy and reputations are on the line! The Scandal of the Season was a enjoyable read with Martha Blount stealing my heart. A beautiful read for the summer
Claire
London

Nothing like a good romp to read on your holidays. I really enjoyed this, thought it had all the right ingredients - intrigue, great characters, and a real insight into a world which looks glamorous from the outside but was just as full of pitfalls as normal life. Very Dangerous Liasions, too, I thought.
Sam
London

Such a fun book. Peope make out like this was a stuffy time period, but from this book you can see that it wasn't at all. Enjoy reading - I know I did!
Anonymous
Anonymous

We did Alexander Pope when I was at school but it was no way this interesting (or sexy). I've already lent my hardback to three girlfriends to read so far this summer (lots of time to read in the rain!).

Clever, fun and well-written. I can't wait to read what Sophie Gee does next.
Heather
Blackpool

I greatly enjoyed this romping historical tale of lust and scandal. It is wonderfully written and you will find yourself delighting in all the characters - even the not so nice ones! It is a great summer read for the beach or to take you away from the gloomy English weather. A joy from being to end.
Claire
London

I absolutely loved this book! I can't recommend it enough, it's a brilliant historical romp! If you like Philippa Gregory novels (this is better!) or are excited about the new TV series The Tudors then this is for you. It's a real page-turner with fantastic characters and also a book that teaches you lots about the period so you feel like you're learning something at the same time. The author is clearly an expert on the time so you know it's historically accurate too, and it features lots of real-life characters such as Jonathan Swift who wrote Gulliver's Travels. I can't wait for the author Sophie Gee to write another book.
Sara Louise Jamieson
Leatherhead

This is historical fiction at its very best. It is fun, pacy and unputdownable. The characters are all brilliant - even the ones that I disliked as people were beautifully written and so real. I urge everyone to read to this book on their holiday, on the train to work or wherever you can find to sit and enjoy it!
Claire
London

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