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Clementina
A fictionalized story of the rescue of Maria Clementina Sobieska from imprisonment so that she could wed James Francis Edward Stuart, also known as Prince James, Prince of Wales (also known as The Old Pretender or The Old Chevalier).
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1901
3 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
A.E.W. Mason
217 books48 followersMajor Alfred Edward Woodley Mason (7 May 1865 Dulwich, London - 22 November 1948 London) was a British author and politician. He is best remembered for his 1902 novel The Four Feathers.
He studied at Dulwich College and graduated from Trinity College, Oxford in 1888. He was a contemporary of fellow Liberal Anthony Hope, who went on to write the adventure novel The Prisoner of Zenda.
His first novel, A Romance of Wastdale, was published in 1895. He was the author of more than 20 books, including At The Villa Rose (1910), a mystery novel in which he introduced his French detective, Inspector Hanaud. His best-known book is The Four Feathers, which has been made into several films. Many consider it his masterpiece. Other books are The House of the Arrow (1924), No Other Tiger (1927), The Prisoner in the Opal (1929) and Fire Over England (1937).
He studied at Dulwich College and graduated from Trinity College, Oxford in 1888. He was a contemporary of fellow Liberal Anthony Hope, who went on to write the adventure novel The Prisoner of Zenda.
His first novel, A Romance of Wastdale, was published in 1895. He was the author of more than 20 books, including At The Villa Rose (1910), a mystery novel in which he introduced his French detective, Inspector Hanaud. His best-known book is The Four Feathers, which has been made into several films. Many consider it his masterpiece. Other books are The House of the Arrow (1924), No Other Tiger (1927), The Prisoner in the Opal (1929) and Fire Over England (1937).
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 14, 2011
Completely contrary to what the terrible book cover conveys, this is a romance of the classical variety-a combination of swashbuckling action, adventure, love and honor.(Think Don Quixote, King Arthur, and The Three Musketeers all rolled into one.)
Although named for the female protagonist, Maria Clemenina Sobieska, who would become the consort of James Francis Edward Stuart (The Old Pretender), the story is told through the eyes of Chevalier Charles Wogan, an Irishman, poet, and devoted servant to the exiled king.
Although I thought I knew the truth of James and Clementina, history has made of her a disillusioned, dour, and pious figure. I don't think history has truly been fair to Clementina given the facts of her early life. Although a work of biographical fiction, the author has stayed very true to historical record, particulalry in regard to Wogan's famed rescue of the imprisoned Clementina as recorded by Wogan himself (by request of the Queen of France!)
The excitement of this tale truly left me breathless and in love with the knight-errant, Charles Wogan and rather sorry for the brave and faithful young woman who never quite became his queen.
Although named for the female protagonist, Maria Clemenina Sobieska, who would become the consort of James Francis Edward Stuart (The Old Pretender), the story is told through the eyes of Chevalier Charles Wogan, an Irishman, poet, and devoted servant to the exiled king.
Although I thought I knew the truth of James and Clementina, history has made of her a disillusioned, dour, and pious figure. I don't think history has truly been fair to Clementina given the facts of her early life. Although a work of biographical fiction, the author has stayed very true to historical record, particulalry in regard to Wogan's famed rescue of the imprisoned Clementina as recorded by Wogan himself (by request of the Queen of France!)
The excitement of this tale truly left me breathless and in love with the knight-errant, Charles Wogan and rather sorry for the brave and faithful young woman who never quite became his queen.
February 3, 2022
I love the way Mason writes detailed descriptions of objects, characters, and feelings. Also equally descriptive leading you into the mysterious scenarios of the plots and adventures along the way. Certainly held my attention!
I would have preferred that he had written the ending differently. But he chose it the way he did, and left me pondering.
I would have preferred that he had written the ending differently. But he chose it the way he did, and left me pondering.
April 20, 2021
What a wonderful surprise...historical fiction at its best....I laughed, gasped, sweated in tension and wept at love lost. Any time the Te Deim is chanted is guaranteed to be an adventure to remember.
February 2, 2018
Inspiring and beautiful
Sorry he didn't get the girl a very moving and exciting love story .Very well written and the story was Beautiful
Sorry he didn't get the girl a very moving and exciting love story .Very well written and the story was Beautiful
June 24, 2020
The best bits are in the middle, so to speak. After a slow start, we get stuck into an adventure story, after which the narrative is somewhat flat.
The author composes several quality action scenes. The fights are vivid and expertly drawn.
I like the title character very much. She’s an interesting and enchanting lady.
In all, I found this to be an entertaining story.
The author composes several quality action scenes. The fights are vivid and expertly drawn.
I like the title character very much. She’s an interesting and enchanting lady.
In all, I found this to be an entertaining story.
August 26, 2012
Completely contrary to what the terrible book cover conveys, this is a romance of the classical variety-a combination of swashbuckling action, adventure, love and honor.(Think Don Quixote, King Arthur, and The Three Musketeers all rolled into one.)
Although named for the female protagonist, Maria Clemenina Sobieska, who would become the consort of James Francis Edward Stuart (The Old Pretender), the story is told through the eyes of Chevalier Charles Wogan, an Irishman, poet, and devoted servant to the exiled king.
Although I thought I knew the truth of James and Clementina, history has made of her a disillusioned, dour, and pious figure. I don't think history has truly been fair to Clementina given the facts of her early life. Although a work of biographical fiction, the author has stayed very true to historical record, particulalry in regard to Wogan's famed rescue of the imprisoned Clementina as recorded by Wogan himself (by request of the Queen of France!)
The excitement of this tale truly left me breathless and in love with the knight-errant, Charles Wogan and rather sorry for the brave and faithful young woman who never quite became his queen.
Although named for the female protagonist, Maria Clemenina Sobieska, who would become the consort of James Francis Edward Stuart (The Old Pretender), the story is told through the eyes of Chevalier Charles Wogan, an Irishman, poet, and devoted servant to the exiled king.
Although I thought I knew the truth of James and Clementina, history has made of her a disillusioned, dour, and pious figure. I don't think history has truly been fair to Clementina given the facts of her early life. Although a work of biographical fiction, the author has stayed very true to historical record, particulalry in regard to Wogan's famed rescue of the imprisoned Clementina as recorded by Wogan himself (by request of the Queen of France!)
The excitement of this tale truly left me breathless and in love with the knight-errant, Charles Wogan and rather sorry for the brave and faithful young woman who never quite became his queen.
August 28, 2016
I had no idea what this book was about and it took me sometime to figure it out, but I'm glad I stuck with it. Kind of wonderful and kind of ... not. The romantic in me found the dedication of the hero to be quiet heroic, in a heart wrenching kind of way. A man who would go through all that for the woman he loves, knowing perfectly well that he won't get her at the end sounds like a decent guy, I wish he could have gotten the girl. Or at least something. The ending certainly was depressing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2010
Not being awfully familiar with the historical background for this book, I found it hard-going. It took me a long time to really get into the plot. The ending was somewhat sad, but really inevitable. Again, Mason does very well with portraying the inner life and emotions of his characters. He's also great at describing his settings.
April 8, 2016
Excellent adventure story partly based on historical facts - Wogan did rescue Clementina. Action packed - Wogan makes his way through Europe, fending off pursuers. Mason is rather forgotten nowadays but these are good fun, escapist and romantic novels
Want to read
November 22, 2015Free download available at Project Gutenberg.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews