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Long Live the King
This is a story of love, intrigue and adventure in a European court. In this story Mrs. Rinehart combines mystery, heart interest, and excitement of her past successes into a story that will be hailed as the most interesting of all her stories.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1917
22 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Mary Roberts Rinehart
550 books427 followersMysteries of the well-known American writer Mary Roberts Rinehart include
The Circular Staircase
(1908) and
The Door
(1930).
People often called this prolific author the American version of Agatha Christie. She is considered the source of the phrase "The butler did it," though the exact phrase doesn't appear in her works, and she invented the "Had-I-But-Known" school of mystery writing.
Rinehart wrote hundreds of short stories, poems, travelogues, and special articles. Many of her books and plays were adapted for movies, such as The Bat (1926), The Bat Whispers (1930), and The Bat (1959). Critics most appreciated her murder mysteries.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Ro...
People often called this prolific author the American version of Agatha Christie. She is considered the source of the phrase "The butler did it," though the exact phrase doesn't appear in her works, and she invented the "Had-I-But-Known" school of mystery writing.
Rinehart wrote hundreds of short stories, poems, travelogues, and special articles. Many of her books and plays were adapted for movies, such as The Bat (1926), The Bat Whispers (1930), and The Bat (1959). Critics most appreciated her murder mysteries.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Ro...
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 1, 2016
Rather fun. Full review to follow.
November 27, 2012
Well worth the effort to find and read. it's free as well. A Ruritanian Romance that was recommended to me. I am on a writing kick to create some Ruritanian fiction.
The book opens with the tale through the eyes of a near ten year old boy so we at first think that this will be a childrens tale. It has many elements of such, but then there are adventure elements as well for an adult to appreciate also.
As with some Ruritania tales, the rest of true Europe is obscured, but we have a neighboring enemy that has grown weary of war and wants to see diplomacy prevail. That does not mean that the suspicions of centuries has disappeared.
Along with these external forces on our happy little kingdom, all is not happy as the age of Lenin in the world outside has become reflected in this country as well. Radicals who wish to be ruled by themselves rather than by educated and dedicated professionals. We clearly see in retrospect that many who have taken to revolutionary tactics were not dedicated to helping all the people, but using the people as a means to helping themselves. That lesson can be seen in this story as well.
All in all, the elements are here, and though written with young people in mind, with a little more effort, if it had been written for adults it might indeed have received perfection from me. A younger person will find this rereadable and enjoyable all their lives.
The book opens with the tale through the eyes of a near ten year old boy so we at first think that this will be a childrens tale. It has many elements of such, but then there are adventure elements as well for an adult to appreciate also.
As with some Ruritania tales, the rest of true Europe is obscured, but we have a neighboring enemy that has grown weary of war and wants to see diplomacy prevail. That does not mean that the suspicions of centuries has disappeared.
Along with these external forces on our happy little kingdom, all is not happy as the age of Lenin in the world outside has become reflected in this country as well. Radicals who wish to be ruled by themselves rather than by educated and dedicated professionals. We clearly see in retrospect that many who have taken to revolutionary tactics were not dedicated to helping all the people, but using the people as a means to helping themselves. That lesson can be seen in this story as well.
All in all, the elements are here, and though written with young people in mind, with a little more effort, if it had been written for adults it might indeed have received perfection from me. A younger person will find this rereadable and enjoyable all their lives.
April 3, 2012
Right after I finished reading "K," which I found delightful, I decided to try another by this author. Judging by the title, I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. I loved the author's portrayal of the lonely little heir to the throne, and his interactions with--and his concerns for--those who ordered his life.
January 28, 2011
This could have been a sweet story, if Miss Rinehart had shortened it by 100+ pages. I have a number of her books downloaded on my kindle. I will try one more and see if this mistake is a one shot deal.
July 18, 2021
A very readable and charming Ruritanian tale. The story takes place in the small fictional kingdom of Livonia. The king is very old and ill, and since his son was killed years ago in a terrorist attack, the next in line for the throne is his grandson, Crown Prince Ferdinand William Otto, a 9-year-old boy.
Livonia is brimming with political instability and conspiracy. There are those who want to do away with the monarchy when the current king dies, and the only thing in their way is the young prince. The prince's older cousin, Princess Hedwig is to be married to the king of neighbouring Karnia, the traditional enemy of Livonia, in the hopes of securing a commercial treaty and peaceful coexistence, but she is in love with a young lieutenant who is attached to the Crown Prince’s suite.
Prince Otto is a nice kid, but he has a rather joyless life, filled with safety measures, serious governesses, tutors and aunts, and lacking any friends of his same age. We follow these and other characters, both in the palace and among the common people, as the king's health deteriorates and the future of the kingdom comes to a head.
When one thinks of Ruritanian romances one thinks of love affairs and swashbuckling adventures, and there is a fair amount of that. No sword fights, though. The book was written in 1917 and there are automobiles and guns. Even though the young prince is one of the viewpoint characters, and there's also another child character, an American boy whose father manages the newly-built scenic railroad in the main park of the capital city, this is written for adults, and the characters have their own complex psychology and motivations. Some of the villains, at least the ones we get to know, are not completely evil, but their actions are a result of their own history and feelings.
I thought the book might have been shortened a little bit without being the worse for it, but I was always entertained by this old-fashioned story. I cared for the fate of the characters and even shed a tear or two. It is quite well-written, in the style of other Ruritanian romances like The Prisoner of Zenda, but perhaps this one is more thoughtful and less action-oriented.
4.5 stars, rounded up.
Livonia is brimming with political instability and conspiracy. There are those who want to do away with the monarchy when the current king dies, and the only thing in their way is the young prince. The prince's older cousin, Princess Hedwig is to be married to the king of neighbouring Karnia, the traditional enemy of Livonia, in the hopes of securing a commercial treaty and peaceful coexistence, but she is in love with a young lieutenant who is attached to the Crown Prince’s suite.
Prince Otto is a nice kid, but he has a rather joyless life, filled with safety measures, serious governesses, tutors and aunts, and lacking any friends of his same age. We follow these and other characters, both in the palace and among the common people, as the king's health deteriorates and the future of the kingdom comes to a head.
When one thinks of Ruritanian romances one thinks of love affairs and swashbuckling adventures, and there is a fair amount of that. No sword fights, though. The book was written in 1917 and there are automobiles and guns. Even though the young prince is one of the viewpoint characters, and there's also another child character, an American boy whose father manages the newly-built scenic railroad in the main park of the capital city, this is written for adults, and the characters have their own complex psychology and motivations. Some of the villains, at least the ones we get to know, are not completely evil, but their actions are a result of their own history and feelings.
I thought the book might have been shortened a little bit without being the worse for it, but I was always entertained by this old-fashioned story. I cared for the fate of the characters and even shed a tear or two. It is quite well-written, in the style of other Ruritanian romances like The Prisoner of Zenda, but perhaps this one is more thoughtful and less action-oriented.
4.5 stars, rounded up.
July 27, 2022
Entertaining listening 🎶🔰
Another will written British 🏰 fantasy family relationships adventure thriller novel by Mary Roberts Rinehart about a king 👑 who is dying and the little Prince who is the future king. The bad 👎 guys are planning the little Prince not becoming the king. The characters are interesting and will developed. I would recommend this novel to readers of historical novels. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa as I do because of eye damage and health issues. 2022 👑🏰😤⌚
Another will written British 🏰 fantasy family relationships adventure thriller novel by Mary Roberts Rinehart about a king 👑 who is dying and the little Prince who is the future king. The bad 👎 guys are planning the little Prince not becoming the king. The characters are interesting and will developed. I would recommend this novel to readers of historical novels. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa as I do because of eye damage and health issues. 2022 👑🏰😤⌚
November 14, 2018
I love Rinehart but I just could not read it any longer.
December 27, 2020
For some reason I read the author’s biography and thought her a very Interesting person. Her life does not seem to reach the story though.
September 2, 2013
I would give this 2 1/2 stars. This was my least favorite of the pre-1920 novels of Mary Roberts Rinehart. It's a Ruritanian tale with an unclear focus. There's the requisite princess who is supposed to marry against her heart's desire, the noble-but-socially-beneath-her young man who is supposed to save the day, and there's the Prince who may not ascend to the throne if his enemies have their way. In short, it has many of the elements of Anthony Hope's The Prisoner of Zenda, but the point of view nearly ruins the whole thing--because a good share is told from the third-person-limited point of view of a nine-year-old boy. But since he cannot be privy to a crucial share of the plot machinations, the p.o.v. keeps changing. It makes for a strange reading experience, and I don't think it works well. Still, I read the whole thing to find out how all the complications would be resolved, and in that I wasn't disappointed.
August 10, 2010
It took me awhile to read this -- political intrigue -- in two fantasy countries in Europe -- revolutionaries wanted to do away with a kingdom for a republic -- a plot to kidnap the Crown Prince -- all in all, I'm not sure if I enjoyed it. I definitely will not read it again.
December 21, 2010
Fun, but dated sort of old-fashioned romance and adventure about the heir to a mythical European kingdom and the various intrigues around the palace. I liked it, but I skimmed quite a bit. Reminded me of The Prince and the Pauper.
June 28, 2011
Definitely not all of her books were written equal.
July 19, 2011
I didn't enjoy this book of Mary Roberts Rinehart as much as I've enjoyed other books of hers that I've read.
September 8, 2011
This book brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion.
January 8, 2013
I started this ebook back in December of 2012, and I had a hard time getting into the book, not my kind of book, it wasn't bad just not my cup of tea is all..
January 16, 2015
Young crown prince Ferdinand William Otto is thrust into the role for which he was prepared, despite the intrigues of terrorists and treasonists.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews