1. Along the Way > Likes and Comments

1. Use this thread for general comments while you read "along the way" or to discuss topics not covered by other threads.

The reign of Charles II is a very interesting one, which is why I was so keen to read this book. I find this period more interesting than the Tudor era, even though it's less well-known. It's a shame that what weakened this dynasty was its excessive dependence on the France of Louis XIV, and that the Protestant-controlled parliament limited the King's power, preventing the misdeeds of Titus Oates from being stopped.

I recommend this novel on this topic "An instance of the fingerpost".

I think after this novel there will be very few left for me to read by Robert Hugh Benson, perhaps only "Richard Raynal Solitary".

What is "Oddsfish"? The word just seems to be dropped into the text with no meaning.

Jill wrote: "What is "Oddsfish"? The word just seems to be dropped into the text with no meaning." According to my research, the novel's title, and the use of the word "oddfish" is derived from King Charles II's favored exclamation, "Odd's fish!".

For more insight into this author's opus, may I suggest the following article written by Ann Happlegarth, on Robert Hugh Benson and his novels, published by the Catholic World Report in 2015: https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2...
"The title of Oddfish (1914), Benson’s last historical novel, is derived from King Charles II’s favorite epithet, “Odd’s Fish!” (a socially acceptable version of the profane oath “God’s Face!”). ...etc..."

The article talks about all of Benson's novels, so there might be some left to read later on.

I was also surprised to learn an interesting fact about our two previous popes regarding Robert Hugh Benson: "Both Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI (when he was Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger) have encouraged Catholics to read Lord of the World, Msgr. Robert Hugh Benson’s 1907 novel that eerily predicted the state of the world at the beginning of the 21st century."

I am currently reading both Oddfish and Lord of the World (a tall order for myself, I do admit).

Did anyone else have trouble keeping all the historical characters straight?
I found the dramatic ending hard to believe.
No contemporary monastery would accept a candidate fresh from this kind of life and tragedy (something like marrying on the rebound)!
Sad that the King's tendency to mistreat those he loves is regarded as a "womanly" trait.
I don't understand why Roger doesn't have it out with Tom for betraying him. Or why he doesn't simply go get a priest himself.

I am currently reading Chapter II, "The Balance Sheet of the Life of Charles II: Success Without Intention and Intention Without Success." It is very well done and realistically portrays these two historical figures.

To be honest, it couldn't have been easy to convert someone so sensual, selfish, hedonistic, and so given to pleasure. Perhaps Charles II isn't Herod the Great, but he could easily be Herod Antipas.

What I didn't know was that Prince Rupert was still alive. I thought he'd be dead by now. But here he is, doing chemistry experiments. I confess that I like the Stuart era more and more than the Tudor era, by a long shot. Even though England doesn't seem as powerful under the Stuarts.

I'm really looking forward to seeing two characters—I don't know if they'll appear—Titus Oates and Godfrey Berry. I want to see what Robert Hugh Benson has to say about these two historical figures.

I have some Larousse history books, and when I saw the portrait of James II, I found him imposing and magnificent. It was certainly the perfect image for a king.

This isn't a spoiler, just my own deduction. Let's see if I guessed it, but knowing Benson as I think I do, I have a feeling Roger Mallock won't marry his cousin Dorothy. I get confused with the family relationships. It seems the cousin's daughter must be a second cousin; I thought she'd be a second niece :-)

It's curious; there's another novel in which a ghost also appears—I'm referring to Maurice Baring's "Robert Peckham" Both the protagonist and his sister see a ghost, which could be a premonition of the tragedy to come. I wonder if Maurice Baring was inspired by, or borrowed this device from, Robert Hugh Bensonin "Oddsfish!" for "Robert Peckham."