Adam Runaway

by Peter Prince

1721. George I is on the throne and Britain just emerging as the world's leading commercial power. Handsome young Adam Hanaway arrives in Lisbon, where his uncle is a merchant, hoping to restore the family fortune, devastated the previous year by his father's speculations on the South Sea Bubble. But almost nothing turns out as Adam planned. His family's welcome is cool and his rise to the top thwarted by his uncle's treacherous head clerk Bartolomeu Gomes. Nor is Adam, with his gaudy clothes and his young-man swagger, an immediate success with his uncle's fellow merchants. But there are plenty of compensations - perhaps too many! There is Maria Beatriz, a woman of great personal style and indeterminate age; the incomparably sweet Gabriella, whose innocence Adam unintentionally threatens, and Nancy, his deliciously charming young cousin. Adam is out of his depth, but happily so - until darker forces intervene. Expelled from his uncle's firm, Adam must clear his name, win his love, and make his fortune. Adam Runaway is a heady tale of love and death and money, written with great relish and suspense. Here is an unforgettable cast of characters and a magical backdrop - Lisbon, wealthy, cosmopolitan and under the shadow of the Portuguese Inquisition. Rambunctious, bawdy, tender and profound, this is a wonderful read.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Portugal, Historical

480 pages, Paperback

First published July 26, 2005

About the author

Peter Prince is a British novelist. He was born in England and studied in America. His first novel Play Things won the Somerset Maugham Award in 1973. He won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Limited Series or a Special for his work on the 1980 BBC miniseries Oppenheimer.

Reviews

[Joao · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad book however not very easy readable! It is indeed a slow book if you are not patient you'll put it aside easily! I have to say that being a Lisbon citizen and living in baixa where most of the book takes place what was quite a good fun reading it, particularly due to the fact that the author has a deep knowledge of Lisbon before the earthquake, the book is reporting the year of 1721. It is interesting to look at lisbon during this period, it was small town with narrow streets and alleys, very much like what is the district of Alfama today, which has not been recked by 1755 shake. Very interisting is the irony that the book shows in respect to religion and Portuguese culture, there is almost a Portuguese vs English culture, note the fact that the English had much more open society in respect to human rights, values, ethic and morality, the book tell us that the Portuguese (inquisition) were still burning heretics(mainly Jews) under the name of the catholic church, such thing was unthinkable to happen if you were born English. The book is sometimes brutal when the author describes the "autos de fè" that take place in Rossio, there no happy ending. I reckon the book is good for a reader interested in Portuguese history of the XVIII century, It is indeed the begining of the end of the Portuguese empire due in part to the monopoly of catholic church running most of the Portuguese political affairs, with the runaway of the Portuguese jews to Amsterdam or to London. Also interesting the south sea bubble that the book shows in the city of London, something similar to the bubbles that we sufered and that we sufering now. Other thing to note apparently the Portuguese since the XVIII century until today, have never been good at making business!...such a shame as we had had good teachers!

[Jasmyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

50. Adam Runaway by Peter Prince
Genre: Historical Fiction
Adam Hanaway, also known as Runaway since he tends to run away from confrontations, is trying to return his family's fortune. His father lost it all and then killed himself. Adam left London to go to Portugal and work for his uncle's import company. He is hoping to prove himself so he can eventually move up the chain of comman and help his mother and sister financially. While there he finds himself accused of fraud, falls in love, and is eventually involved in a dangerous scheme with the possiblity of making him a fortune.

The story itself was quite good, but it was a bit drawn out. While I enjoy reading a character's internal dialoge, there was a bit too much of it for my taste. It seemed a bit repetitive. He continually talked about how he was tired of be cowardly but never really tries to be any different. I did enjoy his relationship and interaction with his neightbors very much. They were the highlight of the book for me.

2/5

[Nay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story from start to finish! The first chapter, about Gomes, pulled me directly into the provocative setting of this time period.

Everything was well detailed to the point I felt like I was following Adam throughout the streets of Lisbon.

Particularly I liked how some chapters completely focused on other characters of the book, as if switching to other scenes of a movie so you got to see and understand more of each character and the part they were playing.

There were many twists and connections in this, which made for a fairly sad ending. But I liked how it all came together.

[Evie Polkadot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It took me quite a while to read as I struggled at times to 'fancy' it, but once I got myself into the mood to concentrate on it, I couldn't get through it fast enough.

It plugged in to every emotion at one point or another and was just simply a great - slightly odd - story. It really brings to life all the ideas we have about Georgian life being all about lust and fantasy!

I think I may have to read it again to refresh my memory though! :)

[Marian Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a book to speed through its a long slow read, and i must admit I almost gave up

The story really is about the coming of age of a young man Adam Hanaway. His father has committed suicide after financial ruin, so he decides to go to Portugal to make his fortune in his Uncles business hoping to restore his mother and sister back to some former semblance of the previous wealthier lives.

The story recounts the story of a naive young man through his exploits both good and bad in old Portugal and his homecoming back to England.

I am so pleased i stayed with this book, the whole story was completed and rounded up in the last chapters, some of which was very sad but left me very satisfied that i for once had read an intelligent well written book

[Clare · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit like Dickens in the style of writing, a bit like Hugo in the weaving of the tale and a bit like those movies which put in coarse dialogue and salacious scenes to garner an R rating. I kept reading hoping for the tale to take a more palatable turn. It did, for a while, but the feeling generated through most of the book is pretty dire.

[Nigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful long leisurely read that subtly draws you in and makes you care about its flawed characters stuggling to get on at a difficult time (1721). The central character is very much a young innocent abroad as he stumbles on Candide like through countless mishaps, misunderstandings and disasters. His personal narrative is beguiling and benefits from a self consciously retro styling. There are some telling insights into Anglo-Portuguese social and religious differences and life under the Inquistion. A fascinating and fulfilling read.

[Alethea · Rating 3 out of 5]

BEST PARTS:
Learning about Lisbon, and consequently about Portugal and England's influence there, was very interesting. The characters surrounding Adam Hanaway were endearing, deep, and multifaceted.

WORST PARTS:
The main character was at times lacking. I always prefer a central character you can sympathize with, but Adam seemed oftentimes without a guiding sense of morals or purpose. His acquaintances had to lend their depth TO him, as he seemed to simply be buffeted about by the waves of life.

REVIEW:
An intelligent book, and one worth reading for the historical lessons it offers, but I walk away slightly disappointed in Adam and his non-attempt to really take charge of his own life.

[Kimberly]

The story is okay it would be more interesting if it wasn't such a slow read. It has historic signifiance if it is in fact based on actual facts and events of the time. I couldn't finish it! It's just BLAH.....

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adam Hanaway moves to Portugal to join the family business and meets lots of characters while he learns the ropes. A fun bawdy romp in 18th century Lisbon.