I’m a long-time fan of Robert Harris’s work and have read all his previous novels. I trust him to deliver a good story, whether it’s set in a completely fictitious world or based on historical fact as here. His writing is unobtrusive and plunges you straight into the story’s time and place, in this case 1660s New England and London after the restoration of Charles II to the throne.
Most of the dramatis personae are real historical figures, from the king himself to his minister Sir Edward Hyde (later the Earl of Clarendon) and Edward Whalley and William Goffe, colonels in the parliamentarian army under Cromwell who had been among those involved in the execution of Charles I – the regicides. I like the injection of a fictitious if necessary character into a fictional reconstruction of historical events; in this case we have Richard Nayler, a clerk to the privy council who is tasked with tracking down the regicides still at large. His motivation is transparent: his arrest and imprisonment by parliamentarian soldiers kept him from his wife and child who are now lost; Whalley eventually twigs the connection.
Regardless of famous subject, Harris does what he’s so good at and engages the reader within a couple of pages. It’s well-balanced too: we see that among both Catholics and Protestants there are good people doing what seems right to them. But whatever your thoughts about the death of Charles I, it’s hard not to feel some sympathy for Whalley and Goffe as they pick up their belongings and flee for their lives once again.
Harris’s writing is unfussy and doesn’t get in the way of the story. That said, it’s not without some evocative imagery: I found it easy to imagine how bleak a New England winter might be. I can’t help but think that he had one eye on a film adaptation as he wrote this, not least in the pacing – exactly halfway through Nayler is just inches from his prey only to retreat. I didn’t know the fates of the regicides and the suspense is held right to the last page.

Robert Harris is one of my favourite authors, so a new book by him is always something to look forward to. This one sounded particularly interesting, dealing with a manhunt that takes place in 17th century New England, a setting Harris has never written about before.

The men being hunted are Edward Whalley and his son-in-law William Goffe, both of whom had been colonels in Oliver Cromwell’s New Model Army, fighting for the Parliamentarians against Charles I’s Royalists. When that war ended in a Parliamentarian victory, Whalley and Goffe, along with fifty-seven other men, signed the death warrant that led to the king’s execution. Oliver Cromwell then ruled as Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland until his death in 1658.

Harris’ Act of Oblivion begins in the year 1660, just after Parliament invites the former king’s son to return from exile and take the throne as Charles II. With the monarchy now restored, attention turns to punishing the regicides who were responsible for Charles I’s beheading. Most of these are either already dead or are quickly caught and brought to justice, but several – including Whalley and Goffe – have disappeared, seemingly without trace. Richard Nayler, secretary of the Regicide Committee, is the man tasked with tracking them down.

Part of the novel is written from the perspective of Nayler and part from the points of view of Ned Whalley and Will Goffe. This means that the reader knows from the beginning exactly where Ned and Will have gone – they have crossed the Atlantic to America, to build new lives for themselves in the like-minded Puritan colonies of Massachusetts and Connecticut. When Nayler arrives in pursuit, however, the two regicides are forced to move from one hiding place to another, never able to relax, knowing that they could be betrayed by anyone at any time.

If, like me, you come to Act of Oblivion with no knowledge of what happened to Whalley and Goffe (both real people), then I would strongly advise against looking up the details until you’ve finished reading. It’s better not to know and be kept in suspense wondering whether or not they’ll be caught. However, the book wasn’t quite as exciting as I’d expected based on others I’ve read by Robert Harris; although some of the ‘chase’ sections are very gripping, a lot of time is also spent on a memoir Whalley has been writing about the events of the Civil War and his relationship with Oliver Cromwell, and I felt that this slowed the pace down a lot.

Whalley and Goffe are real historical figures, as I’ve said, and so are most of the others we meet in the novel, including not only Charles II, the future James II and the Lord Chancellor, Edward Hyde, but also many of the governors, magistrates and ministers of the colonies in which they seek refuge. Richard Nayler is fictional, although Harris states that he’s sure someone like Nayler must have existed in order to carry out the hunting down of the regicides. I found Whalley and Goffe quite difficult to identify with (particularly Goffe, a religious zealot and Fifth Monarchist who believes that Jesus will return to form a new kingdom on earth in the year 1666), so I actually found myself on Nayler’s side a lot of the time, which probably wasn’t the author’s intention!

The pages of this novel are packed with history, but what I found particularly interesting was the portrayal of life in the recently founded colonies of Connecticut, Massachusetts Bay and New Haven. New Haven’s role in sheltering the two regicides was apparently one of the reasons why that colony was never given a royal charter allowing it to become a state like the other two. The people of New Haven also follow a stricter set of Puritan laws than Whalley and Goffe had been used to in England and it’s interesting to see how differently the two men react to this, with Goffe feeling that he has found his spiritual home while Whalley begins to have doubts.

Act of Oblivion is not my favourite Harris novel, then – I think, for me, An Officer and a Spy and the Cicero trilogy will be hard to beat – but it’s still a very good one.

This was a great historical fiction book. I have always admired Harris's style of bring true historic events to life with a few embellishments here and there. Making this story exciting to read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. This book had a fantastic medium pace that contained some great atmosphere and tension. And plenty of unexpected events. I found it very interesting that in one American state you could only travel a few miles a day. Its is a fantastic way of learning history if you take what is said with a pinch of salt. I still feel fatherland is his best book. But this book is not far behind. I definitely recommend reading this book if you love great controversies in history. It covers a very controversial time in Britain when characters have to escape Britain to avoid being sent to death. I have always found this time in history especially in respect to Oliver Cromwell and religion. 

Many thanks to the author and publishers for creating this wonderful thrilling story. I will definitely be looking out for more books by this talented author. 

The above review has already been placed on goodreads, waterstones, Google books, Barnes&noble, kobo, amazon UK where found and my blog today https://ladyreading365.wixsite.com/website/post/act-of-oblivion-by-robert-harris-penguin-randon-house-4-stars either under my name or ladyreading365

I have always enjoyed Robert Harris . His historical research is second to. none. The linking of this to a novel is very time consuming and exacting as the timeline has to fit the narrative.
Although well written and factual it seemed a little dull. There is plenty to learn about this period of our history though.
It is informative.

1660-Colonel Edward Whalley and his son-in-law Colonel William Goffe have crossed the Atlantic to the colony of America, looking for safe haven. They are two of the men who put their name to the document that allowed the regicide of the King of England, Charles the First.
Charles the Second, his son has been restored to the throne and he wants vengeance. He appoints Richard Nayler, a highly dedicated and diligent man who will leave no stone unturned and will not rest until justice has been done and every man is hanged for his part in this heinous act.
This becomes the ultimate game of cat and mouse, but which side will prevail?
One of the most intriguing books I’ve read in a long time. Showing life in the new world, Puritans living life along side the native tribes of America, coupled with life in a paranoid England and the disasters of the plague and the great fire of London. This might be Robert Harris’ best book to date.
A very special piece of writing by a master of the craft. Simply outstanding.

I got Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris from NetGalley for a fair and honest review.


Robert Harris Latest novel Act of Oblivion, is set after the return of the English monarchy after the rule of the Commonwealth by Oliver Comewll and the hunting down of the people involved with the trial and beheading of Charles I.

Act of Oblivion is what is called an old fashioned page turner that had me gripped as a reader from the start, not only the time period, which has always been such an interest to me.

Add to this the engaging characters such as those that existed historically and in the mind of Robert harris all added to the flavour of the book. Making this old pursuit style novel, had me both wanting the hunt to fail and succeed at the same time.

While Act of Oblivion like most novels of this type has moments of tense action which is the least as a reader you should suspect.

What took the novel from an average to an above average novel was the way that the writer Robert Harris allowed himself to look into the minds of the people involved tn the story,

Particullay General Edward Whalley, the elder of the two fugatives, who as he grew older started to examine his role in the execution of Charles the 1st and his beliefs started to change but in a way that seemed believable to his character.

The other main character in the novel i want to quickly examine is Naylor the hunter in this pursuit novel, While Nayler did not exist in real life with his history and development throught the book he really became a main stay of the story.

For me Act of Oblivion is almost the perfect novel of its type with both a griping story and a writer on top of his craft this is definitely one for you to read

My knowledge of the restoration of the monarchy is mainly as a background to studying restoration comedy for English A level and I knew, and gave very little thought, to the more grizzly aspects of retribution and revenge against those individuals who had signed the death warrant of Charles I. This story follows the hunt for those individuals, with a particular focus on Edward Whalley and William Goffe, who leave their families and flee to America, where they seek refuge with puritan sympathisers to their cause. The book is impeccably researched and has terrific attention to the historical detail and key events from the period, but is also well-plotted and compelling to read.

With thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

I must be one of the few people who have never read a Robert Harris novel but I have always wanted to so I was delighted to be given this opportunity.

Act of Oblivion is set in the 17th Century and follows the story of the manhunt for the men who signed the death warrant of King Charles I. It is mainly focused on General Edward Whalley and Colonel William Goffe, father and son-in-law and two of the signatories of that warrant. They crossed the Atlantic to America to escape the justice that was handed down to them - that they were guilty of murder and should be hung, drawn and quartered.

While I have called this a story and while Harris makes it clear that much of the events, thoughts and conversations are fictional, it is based on fact. Most of the characters who appear existed in real life. Harris must have done a huge amount of research and that really shows in the book.

It also reads much like a thriller and while I feel like some of the "chase" got a bit repetitive, I was still very invested in finding out the end of the story.

I would definitely recommend this book, particularly to fans of historical fiction. And I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read it.

This latest Robert Harris book ( a mighty fine writer) follows the escaping regicides Edward Whalley and William Goffe - his son in law - in 1660 who were involved in the murder of King Charles 1. They decide to find refuge in the recently founded America which must have been a brave decision leaving behind families?

Religion plays a huge part when they landed as they had to seek refuge amongst the sympathetic Puritans in the Cambridge Massachusetts, New Haven and Boston areas.

The book brings to life the fact that they are now fugitives being doggedly pursued by Richard Naylor, Secretary of the regicide committee of The Privy Council. He sets about trying to find all those deemed responsible for the King's murder -all 59 of them under the Act of Oblivion. There is plenty of action in this tale; realising how life must have been hard with the constant worries about being found, keeping a low profile, hardly any news from England and suffering from lack of a decent meal. Mr Harris describes all this really well at the same time bringing in the Great Plague and subsequent Fire of London. Sadly, he also takes us readers into the treatment of the local Indians ('savages') at the hands of the 'white men'.

I loved it all, especially having just watched a BBC documentary about Charles 1. A joyous book, definitely 5 stars.

Thanks to Net Galley and Random House UK for the chance to read and review.

A spectacular story that packs the punches right form the beginning! I wasn’t sure I would like this book but I could hardly put it down
This won’t be the last book I read by this author

With the restoration of the monarchy and Charles II back on the throne the Act of Oblivion pardons those involved in the revolution with the exception of the 59 men who signed the death warrant of Charles I . Robert Naylor is the man tasked with finding and bringing these men to justice and his relentless hunt takes him to Europe and America. The novel concentrates on the hunt for Colonel Edward Whaley and his son-in-law Colonel William Goeffe who have escaped to the puritan colonies in America. I knew little of this hunt and I loved this book for the intricate details of the times and lives of the characters both the fugitives and the families that they left behind. An meticulously researched book resulting in a great historical read and one I would highly recommend. Many thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review.

In 'Act of Oblivion' by Robert Harris it is 1660 and Oliver Cromwell has died. Along with his death have gone attempts to replace the monarchy and Charles II is now on the throne. Consequently, the 50 men who signed the warrant for the execution of Charles I, and the people involved in carrying out the order, are being rounded up and executed for their crime. The person in charge of this is Richard Nayler. He has a particular reason to hate some of Cromwell's colonels and pursues two of the regicides Colonel Edward Whalley (Cromwell's cousin and childhood friend) and his son in law Colonel William Goffe with full force and determination, causing them to flee in search of a safe home.

Harris writes very eloquently and believably about the period and about the locations in which the novel is set. Whilst Nayler is completely fictional (the only character created by Harris), he is well rounded and believable and his particular motivations and psychology adds a great deal to the story. The divisions in society at the time, and the futility of the attempts to change things are all too apparent. I found myself very strongly on the side of the regicides and caught up in the action of the man hunts. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

Impeccably researched, full of drama and with Harris’s trademark narrative skill; this novel taught me so much about a period of English history I was very unfamiliar with.
It was a tad overlong in places where I endured the monotony of waiting to be found along with the regicides, but a little judicious skimming took care of that for me, if not gif poor Ned and Will!

Can Robert Harris do no wrong?
Certainly not in my eyes - he's not written anything resembling a bad book in his career!
I love books about the English Civil war, so this was an instant 5 star review for me - Robert Harris writes a pulse poundingly gripping plot that places the reader in this dangerous, unstable world

A fascinating historical novel, so well researched and well written I found it difficult to separate fiction from fact. The characters are vividly drawn and the exciting, twisty plot kept me enthralled and want to research the history of this remarkable period further. Highly recommended 4 stars

Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris

Charles the First is beheaded. Charles the Second has returned to the throne. It is time for justice, if not revenge for this act of regicide. Those responsible must be tracked down and face the judgment of law. The punishment of the time so viscerally brutal, makes the ensuing chase more desperate and immediate.
The protagonists, using all the strength and guile they possess, cling on to the goal of realising their ambitions.

In the early 1990’s, I read a book which changed my attitude to reading. It was a book whose story and story telling was so compulsive, that I had to keep reading books, in the hope that I might relive that fulfilled experience. That book was Fatherland by Robert Harris. Now 30 years later we have been reunited across the pages by another, meticulously researched, piece of historical writing.

My first thought on starting this book was that it was really long, but I soon got caught up in the sweeping tale of revenge and fugitives focussing on England and America. Robert Harris really brought this period of the 17th century to life with the downfall of the King, then Oliver Cromwell and its effect on the people of the country. The importance of religion was also highlighted and I was really interested in the idea of 1666 being the year of the Second Coming. So much research and information, but most impressive was that the author managed to write a very readable thriller without becoming a textbook.
Thank you to netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book

Colonel Edward Whaley has fled to America with his son in law Colonel William Gough in 1660 to escape capture after being found guilty of high treason.

Brilliant novel with strong characters who must hide for years to evade capture and stay alive. A story of hope and faith at a time of hardship and where mercy cannot be hoped for if captured. Enjoy.

Based on a true story, this is a really interesting piece of historical fiction. Very well written, with lots of twists and turns along the way.

I came to this book having never read any of Robert Harris’ previous works. And I am very pleasantly surprised at how much I loved reading his latest book.
In “Act Of Oblivion”, the writing, quite literally, transports the reader back to the 1600s. As readers, we clearly witness the plague, the great fire of London and the harshness of long sea voyages, life on the run, and survival because they are created for us in vivid colour.
I loved this book, and thank Robert Harris and NetGalley for the opportunity of reading it before publication.