They Were Defeated

by Rose Macaulay
They Were Defeated cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Historical Fiction
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  • ID: 6907
  • Added: 2025-12-05
  • Updated: 2025-12-05
  • ISBN: 9781842125229
  • Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
  • Published: 2002-01-01
  • Reviews: 3

They Were Defeated begins with a harvest festival in 1640, but the idyllic rural scene is quickly overshadowed by the threat of a witch hunt. Rose Macaulay masterfully weaves together the lives of real poets like Robert Herrick with a cast of fictional characters, bringing to life a period of immense turmoil in English history. The story is a rich tapestry of tragedy, comedy, and beauty, centered around the life of the heroine Julian. /n/n Published in 1932, this novel is Rose Macaulay's only historical fiction work and is celebrated as her greatest success. The narrative skillfully captures the drama and unrest of the era, making it a compelling read for those interested in historical fiction and the interplay of real and imagined lives.

Reviews
The Storygraph · 2023-01-01
beautiful 4.20

They admired the novel's tragic yet beautiful portrayal of the 17th century, noting the author's lifelong passion for the era. They found the historical details and character interactions compelling.

This reviewer was struck by the novel's tragic yet beautiful portrayal of the 17th century. They appreciated the author's deep passion for the period, which shone through in the historical details and character interactions. The story's setting in Devon and Cambridge was praised for adding a unique geographical dimension. The reviewer also highlighted the compelling content and the way the author blended real and fictional characters to create a rich narrative.

Quick quotes

    A book of tragedy and great beauty.

    The author's lifelong passion for the seventeenth century is evident.

    The historical details and character interactions are compelling.

LibraryThing · 2023-01-01
compelling 3.80

They deduced that the author had scholarly talents and that academia slighted her because of her sex. They found the novel to be a compelling exploration of the 17th century.

This reviewer found the novel to be a compelling exploration of the 17th century, highlighting the author's scholarly talents. They noted that the story's setting and characters provided a rich and immersive experience. The reviewer also deduced that the author's talents were slighted by academia due to her sex, adding a layer of historical context to the appreciation of the novel. The tragic and beautiful elements of the story were particularly praised.

Quick quotes

    The author had the disposition and talents of a scholar.

    Academia slighted her because of her sex.

    A compelling exploration of the 17th century.

Goodreads · thorold · 2017-11-01
great 4.00

They praised the novel's blend of historical accuracy and engaging storytelling, highlighting the author's deep passion for the 17th century. They appreciated the mix of real and fictional characters, which added depth to the narrative.

This reviewer was captivated by the historical setting and the author's ability to bring the 17th century to life. They noted that the inclusion of real poets like Robert Herrick alongside fictional characters created a rich and immersive experience. The tragic and beautiful elements of the story were particularly highlighted, showing the author's deep passion for the period. They also mentioned that the novel's setting in Devon and Cambridge added a unique geographical dimension to the narrative.

Quick quotes

    A tragic and beautiful historical novel that brings the 17th century to life.

    The mix of real and fictional characters adds depth to the story.

    The author's passion for the period is evident throughout the novel.

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