Customer Reviews

The Bastard

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I read all the series in the Kent Family Chronicles ten years ago when I was a senior in high school. I could not put them down and was fascinated by what each generation of this family went through. At the time, I was studying American History and these books made everything click and placed it all in perspective. John Jakes is the one who inspired me to work towards my dream of a writing career and to pursue a degree in junior high or high school history. He is one of my very favorite authors. He makes history come alive and helps one to understand it all. The breathtaking romance and nail biting adventure and thrills are just the icing on the cake. I loved every book in the series, although the "Warriors" is my favorite and "Jeremiah", my favorite Kent family member. I look forward to rereading them all again soon.

This first book in the Kent Family Chronicles is a great opening to the series.Philippe Charbonneau, the illegitimate son of the Duke of Kentland and Marie, a Parisian actress, travels to England to find his father who signed a document acknowledging Phillipe as his son and entitling him to a share of his fortune.The Duke's legitimate son,Roger and the Duchess,Jane, prevent Philippe and Marie from seeing the Duke and hatch murderous plots against them,forcing them to flee to London.They are given shelter by a kindly printer and his family who teach Philippe the printing trade.Their whereabouts in London is discovered by Roger,forcing them to sail to the New World in fear for their lives.Marie dies during the voyage, leaving the young boy to arrive in Boston alone and friendless.He falls in with a group of American patriots who are fighting for the cause of American independence.Philippe realises that all thought of claiming his English heritage is futile and he becomes a "Son of Liberty",witnessing at first hand the Boston Tea Party and the beginning of the War of Independence.I can't wait to begin Book 2.

Just finished this book that was recommended by my mother. First of all, I could not believe how hard it was to find this book in the bookstore. It was out of print everywhere I looked. Mid-way through the book it was hard for me to understand that this book isn't still read by (a lot) people everyday. It is fast moving and extremely exciting. Plus, I have never learned so much about American History than by reading this book. It should be required reading in college history courses. High school would be fine too but some parents might be offended by the (although tasteful) sexual situations. Do yourself a favor and buy this book. I'll be very surprised if you do not buy "The Rebels" (the sequel) as soon as you finish.

I am now 36 years old and I never read the series when it came out, nor did I see the mini-series movie on tv. But I was inspired by the movie THE PATRIOT to read historical fiction of this era, so what else but John Jakes books would do! I was not disappointed. The history was woven well into the fictional story of Philip Kent. The romance and adventure were enthralling, and you almost believed that Philip met the characters thrown in like Ben Franklin and Sam Adams. An excellent book.... I can't wait to read the next one!.... and maybe all eight.

The title of this review is meant as a compliment on John Jakes being so well-known to readers of this genre and as a reference to his prolific output, although Jakes is far inferior to King as a writer.

John Jakes knowns how to write a book that keeps someone reading, which is the mark of a good storyteller. However, his books drive me nuts. His characters are everywhere at once, somehow knowing everyone famous or important in history and managing to take part in or at least witness the most influential historical events of whatever time they're living in: they'll be a participant in the Boston Tea Party, Lexington and Concord and the Boston Massacre, all three, for example. This book is no exception and in fact set the rule among Jakes' later works. The writing here is adequate and this story does move along in a good way, but there is just so much silliness to this creation that it insults a person's intelligence. Why does Jakes feel the need to set his cast down right into major events? Why can't he write about people who merely lived through great times intead of being set down right in them? All that said, there's nothing really "harmful" about anything John Jakes writes, including The Bastard, just unrealistic. I'll show you what I mean. In this book we are expected to swallow the fact the fictional main character here is, though illegitimate, the heir to an English Duke (not a country squire or baronet or even an Earl, no, a DUKE), that he saves the life of Lafayette, that he beats up an Anglican Bishop, gets his teeth done by Paul Revere, befriends Samuel Adams, is personally known by name to George Washington, etc etc etc. Come ON! I know it's fiction, but too much tips the scales and reminds someone that they're reading a book, and that's something a writer wants his reader to forget. Disbelief must be suspended. Okay, so anyway, Jakes doesn't suck but he's not great, either. His works aren't bad stories but they're not convincing. If they give a few hours of escape they've done their job, but I wish this author had corrected a few flaws and improved himself and his books by so doing.

I started with the North & South Trilogy and was deeply depressed when it was over. I deeply missed the characters and just didn't want it to end. Therefore, what could be better than a John Jakes story that takes 8 books to complete!! Once you read The books, you won't be able to stop until you read them all. This is a great book containing three different stories or stages surrounding the life of our first Kent -- Phillip. All of these stories collide for a finale that is as good as anything I have ever read. One of the best parts of this book is how Jakes uses Ben Franklin as the key character in bringing the story together. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. The story is superb and the history lesson makes you proud to be an American. I can't wait to start Book Two -- The Rebels!!

Though this novel is fictional and truly a romance, this novel is full of accurate historical information. It reminds us of what our founding fathers were truly fighting for (something that is forgotten today). I think that even if you're not into romance, this book would be interesting. I highly suggest every American read it, and other nationalities as well.

John Jakes is a wonderful author of historical fiction. This book reveals the problems of a family in Europe and what led up to their immigration to the colonies. The main character, Phillip Kent, never imagines that his path will cross with those who created problems for him in Europe, but it does. The plot presents a good amount of history mixed with the fictional Kent family. I can't wait to read the second in the series.

i'm reading this book on the tapes for the blind and find he is so good i have all i can to put the book down

I started with the North & South Trilogy and was deeply depressed when it was over. I deeply missed the characters and just didn't want it to end. Therefore, what could be better than a John Jakes story that takes 8 books to complete!! Once you read The Bastard, you won't be able to stop until you read them all. This is a great book containing three different stories or stages surrounding the life of our first Kent -- Phillip. All of these stories collide for a finale that is as good as anything I have ever read. One of the best parts of this book is how Jakes uses Ben Franklin as the key character in bringing the story together. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. The story is superb and the history lesson makes you proud to be an American. I can't wait to start Book Two -- The Rebels!!