Wow! This was such a great book. It may be hard to find, but it is so worth it. I bought it after reading FOREVER AMBER also by Kathleen Winsor. I loved FOREVER AMBER so much that I wanted to read all of her other books. This was the first one I read.

It is very different than FOREVER AMBER in that it follows several people through their lives rather than one. Having read three of Kathleen Winsor's novels so far she doesn't appear to be an author that follows a formula. One thing that she is good at, though, is that she shows the intricacies of human emotions. Sure someone might be in love with someone, but sometimes love borders on a fine line with hate, as do other emotions. She creates very complex characters.

This book is very in depth about the human psyche. It follows the lives of several people for about 20 years. It takes place during the second half of the 19th century in Montana and New York City. I learned so much about this time period as well as what life was like "out west". She has great historical details. It is a bit slow at times, but you still can't put it down. This is not a book that ends happily ever after, or that ties everything up in the end. It is as real as real life. The characters are multi-faceted with multitudes of various feelings. I just cannot describe how good this book is. It's been about a year since I read it and I still think about often. Excellent!

I found this book to be one of the best books I have ever read. It is extremely long and sometimes a bit slow, but overall a great piece of writing. Winsor is a good novelist and it is obvious that she spent years researching history to accomplish such a mammoth novel. It is available through Amazon's rare and used book site.

I found this book in grandma's basement and thought " hey it'll keep me busy for a while" It was suprisingly good. The storylines move at just the right pace, and the unexpected happens, just as the expected never occurs. Good book - a must read, especially for collectors

Calais is my favourite all-time read!

The story of Arlette Morgan and Anthony De Forest and the journey of their lives in a world of theatre and film. The quote on the back cover sums up what I percieved from this tale - "Apart they are superb, together they are sensational". I hope I got that the right way around from memory...

I have read this book many times over the years and every time I read it I find something more that I either missed or hadn't interpreted the same way before.

A book that allows a reader to believe in a world where emotions are allowed to be powerful and influence the lives of the characters in a way that is certainly not the norm in my life!

The literary and theatrical references abound and are so well researched and details that if you have an interest in either, it can be indulged.

I recommend "Calais" to anyone who likes a compelling read about people and the human psyche rather than a plot focussed on activities and environmental descriptives.

In summary - a classic.

Jacintha was originally one of 3 novellas within The Lovers. The first and best, it was a Victorian dream of Hell seen through the eyes of a woman of quality of that era. Her most erotic fantasies are realized through the auspices of the Devil. She never learned in life what real lust could be, and how a woman can fall under its spell until right and wrong no longer have a meaning. I was in my teens when I first found this book and have never forgotten it. It would be lovely to see it republished, just to see the differences in reader reaction between then, the 50s when this was written, and the reader of the new millenium. It would be laughable if it were not so sensual. Think of Hell as a huge hotel complex set in Yellowstone National Park of the 1880s, where living trappers and Indians pass through. Any huge hotel with endless corridors always reminds me of Hell and Jacintha. Try it (if you can find it) and you'll be glad you did.

Amber St. Clare is my all-time favorite romance character--even moreso than Scarlett O'Hara. Sure, Amber's unscrupulous at times, but she's not afraid to go after what she wants. She is definitely not a wimp, unlike so many modern-day romance heroines. Never, EVER did Amber really cave to a man's will. She might do it for a while, but only for as long as it suited her (or to ultimately gain the upper hand).

The historical detail in this book is astounding. No history book has ever made the period so gloriously alive, warts and all. Few books provide a better understanding of the Restoration, of the way its people thought, lived, dressed, ate--everything.

One other thing that I liked about the book was the sexuality without the gory details. I read this book nearly 20 years ago, and I can STILL remember the veiled reference to a night Amber spent with the Duke of Buckingham. No details were provided, just that even Amber was disgusted with what happened (which means it must have been really perverted). It was left to the imagination what really happened, which is much more effective than spelling it all out. I can't say that I remember ANY sex scene from a modern romance novel, not even the one I finished this morning. After a while, they're all pretty much the same--and they're boring.

For those who clamor for a sequel, one was written, but I can't remember the name of it (I found it in a South Dakota library about 15 years ago). Amber followed Bruce to America, and I believe she finally got him. The main problem with the book, as with Winsor's other subsequent efforts, was that it just didn't live up to Forever Amber. There is something about this book that is simply magical.

I thought I'd read beautiful and memorable historical fiction in The Tea Rose, The Crimson Petal and the White, and Slammerkin. However, Forever Amber took my breath away. This beautiful novel centers on a rather courageous woman's struggles to get through one of the most difficult times a young woman could face...

Pregnant and poor in the mean streets of London, sixteen-year-old Amber St. Clare does whatever is possible to improve her situation. The era -- Restoration England -- doesn't facilitate things for Amber. But with her charm, wit and, more important, beauty, Amber becomes the mistress of Merry Monarch, Charles II -- i.e., one of the most powerful men of that time period. From then on, Amber has the most luxurious and erotic experiences of her life. Little had she known that this new life would lead to greater surprises...

The novel has the sort of beautiful language that is rare in historical fiction. Hers is a lyrical voice that drips with sensual prose. The historical references are as exquisite as they are insightful. I couldn't put this book down. And, as mentioned earlier, it exceeds the other historical novels released as of late. Forever Amber is one of the best literary revelations I've had all year!

I first read this book when I was 14. It captivated me then and still does. I've lost count how many times I've read it; I read this first copy literally to shreds!

The historical accuracy and detail interwoven with the story of Amber St. Clare is astounding...Ms. Windsor's research is impeccable. This book made me love all things English and awakened in me an interest in the British monarchy throughout history. My dearest wish is to visit England and London some day and to visit the sites mentioned in the book.

I do have to admit I was severely disappointed with the ending of the book. If there was a sequel, I would appreciate knowing the title because I would love to read it. And for those who may be interested in viewing the movie, don't bother. This book cries out to be made into a mini-series!

Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

If you are looking for a light-hearted, romantic tale - this isn't the book for you! The cover says that it is "an erotic tale of bittersweet kismet" and that pretty much sums it up. Robert and Arabella is a dark love story filled with eroticism and superstitions. It takes place in the 1400 century and begins with a princess meeting and falling in love/lust with a travelling gypsy. She ends up fleeing the castle with him and the remainder of the book is told with them running for their lives. This is a well-written book and I probably would have given it more than 3 stars if it was more my type of reading material. It's worth reading though and is a nice change from the usual happily-ever after love stories.