Who doesn't love a Cinderella story, especially a Cinderella story based on actual events? Priya Parmar's book, Exit the Actress, takes readers back to the late 1600s to explore the world of a young Ellen "Nell" Gwyn. Through Nell's personal diary entries, letters between characters, and snippets from gossip editorials readers are whisked away, into the life and time of an oyster girl turned orange girl, who eventually rises in station to become an actress and finally a mistress to King Charles II of England.
An avid reader of historical fiction, I jump at the chance to experience a novice in authoring, especially when their book is based on a true story. As Forrest Gump compared life to a box of chocolates, I compare books to a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get, and I was thrilled to find this book to be an entertaining, quick read. The writing style is unique and each passage is filled with enough detail to submerge the reader into the historical era. A book is a success when the reader feels connected with the characters, and I definitely felt that way with Nell; I felt her happiness and disappointment, and was rooting for her throughout the story.
I'd recommend this book to those readers who enjoy stepping into another day and age. To those readers who are looking for a light, easy read to escape from the stresses of the day. To those readers who love history and seek to learn without digging though the facts of a nonfiction. This is a beautiful story, so if you are in need of a good read and a little fairytale, enjoy!
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