History of a Pleasure Seeker - Softcover

A hugely accomplished novel - the story of Piet Barol, a young, provincial Dutchman and the social and sexual adventures he embarks upon in belle epoque Amsterdam. (THE INDEPENDENT)

Richard Mason's new novel - elegant, upholstered and, for all the sex, well-behaved - is part of a trend... for historical novels that seem not only set but written in the past - modern tracings, skilfully done, of old tropes, old forms. (ADAM LIVELY THE TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT)

a masterpiece. Like Henry James on Viagra. Not only gripping as hell, but brilliantly arranges that the imagined world of Maarten and Jacobina's household sits entirely within Amsterdam of the belle epoque. I thought Piet was wonderfully drawn - rogueish and yet wholly sympathetic. (Alex Preston, author of This Bleeding City)

A sharply written story of love, money and erotic intrigue pulsing behind the staid canal fronts of nineteenth century Amsterdam. Mason's hero is amoral but irresistible. I was gripped till the very last page. Thank God there's a sequel (Daisy Goodwin)

Mason tells his story with humour, charm, fine attention to detail and a healthy dose of eroticism. (INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY)

Upstanding stuff. (THE INDEPENDENT)