Unfortunately, I couldn’t finish The Romantic. While the premise was intriguing and the prose well-crafted, I struggled to connect with the story. Despite moments of potential, I found my attention wandering, and it didn’t hold my interest enough to continue. This might appeal more to readers who enjoy slower, reflective narratives, but it wasn’t a fit for me.

I really enjoyed reading this book- a properly sweeping tale across the whole nineteenth century, narrated by a man who always seems to be just about in the right place at the right time to witness historical events, without it feeling forced. The sense I got from the novel was of the huge change oin history that happened over one lifetime, rather than re,emerging all the details of the main characters busy life!

I absolutely adored this book.
So beautiful and sad and romantic and moving.
Cashel is such an impulsive character, though.
He runs away at the first sign of trouble.
I kept waiting, in vain, for him to get out of his own way.

Beautiful book, pure escapism and joy. All his books are incredible but this one may be the best. I loved it and have given it to many friends

This engrossing novel traces Cashel's journey through the 19th century, where he lives romantically rather than practically. Boyd skillfully weaves his characters into historical events, maintaining their influence without altering history itself. I enjoyed Cashel's love affairs, empathized with his financial struggles, and admired his indomitable spirit. This story lingers with you long after you've finished.

The life story of Cashel Grenville Ross, living through the 19th century and some of history's most famous events. Cashel's life starts quietly enough in Ireland as an orphan being raised by his aunt, he begins a new life in Oxford. Cashel moves through history by chance - in running away from a family argument he accidentally heads to the battle of Waterloo, then while travelling Italy he happens to meet Shelley and lord Byron.

Cashel is a charismatic character. He's an enjoyable character to follow, things just seem to happen to him, he's in the right (or wrong) place at the right time. He has one real true love that haunts him throughout his life and affects many of his actions. It's a lifetime epic story well worth reading.

The Romantic is based on an autobiography by Cashell Ross., who lived his life to the full despite all the obstacles. As the title suggests, his decisions were more romantic than reasonable. None of his adventures were crowned with success., including his long-lost love. Nevertheless, a fantastic read. Will be reading more of Wiliam Boyd after this.

Thanks to @Netgalley for an advanced copy of this read.

William Boyd is a superb storyteller and I’ve always devoured his books. This is no different and as always written so well with details being so important. This is described as an epic and it really is.

I had such a good time travelling with Cashel. It felt as if I knew him somehow. I was invested and intruiged and absolutely absorbed in his story, always wanting things to go well for him....

I think the writing is absolutely mesmerising, its not flowery, but detailed and just so gripping.

I love a whole life tale and this was a great one; such a variety of stories within Cashel's life that I was completely attached to, including the characters in Cashel's life.

A sweeping but intimate historical fictional autobiography spanning the 19th century as an Irish born boy finds himself travelling the world, compelled by his particular view of what his life should be.

Cashel moves to Oxford when he is 10 years old and shortly after discovers secrets about his past which lead him to question who he actually is as a person. At 16 he leaves to join the army and begins a series of travels and endeavours which will take him around the world, meeting a wide array of people, one of whom turns out to be the enduring love of his life.

Poignant and beautifully written.

I received an ARC of this book via netgalley. I have struggled through this flat, turgid and frankly disappointing tale without ever really getting into any rhythm with the narrative. The characters did not speak to me wither. The reviews for this book surprise me - I must have had a spoiled copy because it, in no way, reflected what others are seeing.

I will have completely forgotten the storyline before the weekend

Cashel Grenville Ross lived in Ireland in the grounds of Stillwell Court until he was 10, when he moved to Oxford. His Aunt then became his mother and she had a further 2 children, twin boys Hogan and Buckley.
At age 16 he finds out who his parents really are and leaves home to join the Army. He is wounded at the Battle of Waterloo and ends up back at the family home in Oxford.
Throughout his life he makes rash decisions which he later regrets but he is widely travelled, having lived in Europe, India, America and Africa.
One man's life and travels in the 19th century, an interesting read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
The blurb on this book promised adventure throughout many countries as it follows the life of Cashel Greville Ross in a biographical fashion created from factual records of his life woven into an historical tale. The author is well-published implying success and popularity as a writer. I read over 25% of this rambling story, feeling progressively less engaged with the novel. I enjoy historical settings but this style of writing was too wordy and I didn't feel it delivered on the promise in the blurb. I kept waiting for a point to the events, some life - changing revelation or meeting but the book just seemed to go on and on like an uninteresting journal which included inappropriate American spellings of words.
I appreciate some other reviewers have enjoyed this author's work, and this book in particular, but it did not engage or entertain me.

The title is apt as it follows a gentleman whose personality and character is led my love and romance being his main success in life. A fictional autobiography- a domain in which Boyd is an expert at.
William Boyd is a favourite author of mine and this book did not disappoint

An enjoyable read, well written and entertaining. I'm a fan of William boyd's so wasn't surprised to enjoy another of his.

This was an easy read that I enjoyed in the typical style of William Boyd. We’ll written and intriguing

The Romantic tells the fictional biography of Cashel Greville Ross who was born as the nineteenth century opened and lived to the great age of 82. The opening premise is encouraging. The writer (Boyd?) discusses what makes a life and what is left after death and proposes to piece together the life of Cashel from the few documents which have now made their way into the hands of our contemporary writer. In the final pages we learn that Cashel himself had been working on his autobiography and it is presumably his manuscript and research papers from which the work presented to us has been developed. As a structure, it caught my interest immediately and as a fan of Boyd, I had high hopes for this book.

Sadly, I found it disappointing and underwhelming. The book is lengthy yet slight; the writing and characterisation shallow. Cash encounters some key events and people from the century and travels widely but rarely did I feel involved and I formed no attachment to Cashel himself. There were sections which I enjoyed. Cashel's early life and his time in America in particular. Occasionally I learned a little about life in nineteenth century Ireland or Italy or New England and about the technogical advances of the century. But I never felt I was there and reading as a detached observer didn't work for me.

I was a great fan of Any Human Heart. I wonder now if Boyd isn't just repeating the same old construction in different centuries. For me it's wearing thin.

The book describes the life of Cashel and the many adventures and experiences of his life. It goes from being born in Cork, to the battlefield of waterloo, farming in America and exploring in Africa. I enjoyed the inclusion of Zanzibar as it is a special place to me. This was a very interesting read and I will definitely be reading William Boyd's back catalogue.

Cashel is a good person and a true romantic.
The story starts in Ireland, Cashel is supposedly orphaned and goes to live with his Aunt, he is too young to remember his parents. His Aunt is a governess at a large house, which borders their cottage. They move to Oxford, his Aunt gives birth to twin boys and Cashel is entangled in a web of lies to keep the family safe, when he learns the truth about his birth, he leaves and joins the army.
Cashel's interest in music leads him to be a drummer, the description of the orders carried out by drum beats is fascinating, his regiment is chosen to go to the Battle of Waterloo, where he is wounded and sent to convalesce in Belgium, before reuniting with his family.
The book is full of his further adventures working with the East India company, rejoining the Army, a courtmarshall, a trip to find the source of the Nile and numerous others including an ill fated love affair.
This book is so involving and well described, the locations, the people and the historical references.
Thank you NetGalley and William.

I really enjoyed this book. The book is written in an autobiographical format and it fits the story very well. It focuses on on Cashel Ross who was born in Ireland and moves to England with his mother. The story pans out from his education at a private school where he excels and follows on with him joining the army in India. This leads him to an interesting lifetime of adventures and romantic attachments. I cannot recommend this book highly enough as it was an enjoyable read and I have placed it on my to read again shelf.