Synopsis
In his new novel, the bestselling author of Munich and V2 tells the story of the greatest manhunt of the seventeenth century.
'From what is it they flee?'
He took a while to reply. By the time he spoke the men had gone inside. He said quietly, 'They killed the King.'
1660, General Edward Whalley and Colonel William Goffe, father- and son-in-law, cross the Atlantic. They are on the run and wanted for the murder of Charles I. Under the provisions of the Act of Oblivion, they have been found guilty in absentia of high treason.
In London, Richard Nayler, secretary of the regicide committee of the Privy Council, is tasked with tracking down the fugitives. He'll stop at nothing until the two men are brought to justice. A reward of £100 hangs over their heads - for their capture, dead or alive.
Act of Oblivion is an epic journey across continents, and a chase like no other. It is the thrilling new novel by Robert Harris.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Cornerstone
- ISBN: 9781529160321
- Number of pages: 592
- Dimensions: 197 x 129 x 37 mm
- Weight: 405g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
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Historical fact and fiction meet in a manhunt
Act of Oblivion takes us back to the 17th century. Charles I has been put to death and, as the fickle world of politics, church and monarchy ebb and flow, ... READ MORE
Fast paced and packed with detail
Robert Harris has done it again; woven a riveting tale around real people and events in a realistic reimagining of history. The title is taken from an Act... READ MORE
Outstanding book
I was fortunate to be able to read this book through NetGally prior to publication.
This is an outstanding book, exceptionally well researched, although ... READ MORE
Well imagined version of events
Robert Harris has done it again; woven a riveting tale around real people and events in a realistic reimagining of history. The title is taken from an Act... READ MORE
Gripping Historical adventure
Robert Harris is a master story teller and in this book he recreates the escape from justice of two of the regicides culpable in the execution of Charles I... READ MORE
Act of Oblivion. Robert Harris.
Well-crafted and researched account of an action I was unaware of. The fiction is finely realised and informative. Great attention to detail in relation to... READ MORE
Vintage Harris
Robert Harris has brought us another epic novel, every bit as good as Fatherland and Pompeii. The narrative drive is relentless. His research sits lightly ... READ MORE
Roundheads on the run...
Covering the largely unknown story of the fate of those Parliamentarians who signed the execution warrant of Charles I, Harris brilliantly narrates the pur... READ MORE
A nail-biting game of cat and mouse
I’m a long-time fan of Robert Harris’s work and have read all his previous novels. I trust him to deliver a good story, whether it’s set in a completely fi... READ MORE
Is this really fiction
What a brilliant book, read in one session just could not put down. Just too good to be classed as fiction
A rich and compelling examination of a fascinating chapter of English history
Set shortly after the Restoration, Act of Oblivion focuses on the pursuit by the new government of anyone who had a hand in the execution of Charles I, and... READ MORE
very readable thriller
My first thought on starting this book was that it was really long, but I soon got caught up in the sweeping tale of revenge and fugitives focussing on Eng... READ MORE
excellent historical novel
This was my latest book club read. As usual with Robert Harris the book is a very good read. Set after the Restoration it deals with the hunting out and ex... READ MORE
Act of Oblivion another Robert Harris winner.
Great read, learnt about a part of our history I new little about and at the same time enjoyed the story.
A historical thriller!
I must be one of the few people who have never read a Robert Harris novel but I have always wanted to so I was delighted to be given this opportunity.
Ac... READ MORE
A fabulous 17th century manhunt
With the restoration of the monarchy and Charles II back on the throne the Act of Oblivion pardons those involved in the revolution with the exception of t... READ MORE
A master of historical fiction delivers another triumph.
In 1649, Charles I was found guilty of treason, having tried to raise an army against the Parliamentarians. 59 men, later known as the Regicides, signed h... READ MORE
Simply outstanding.
1660-Colonel Edward Whalley and his son-in-law Colonel William Goffe have crossed the Atlantic to the colony of America, looking for safe haven. They are t... READ MORE
A thrilling rollercoaster of regicide and fanaticism merging fact and fiction after the civil war
A story the like of which has left this lifetime bookworm totally speechless: a mixture of fact and fiction read in the week King Charles 111 came to the t... READ MORE
A Great Read !
It is just that, a great read and it is a long book too which merely adds to its pleasure of a read. Thoroughly recommended to both young and old !
Time & money well spent
Bought for myself after listening to a few chapters on BBC podcast but missing out on the rest as I was too slow!
So pleased I spent the money and bought... READ MORE
Another Great Read!
Once again Robert Harris has delivered a colourful thrilling read. I could not put it down. I also listened to it on Audible and that was also great.