Georgette Heyer: One of my favorites
Sep. 16th, 2005 10:26 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dangermousieAnyone else on my friends list a fan of Georgette Heyer?
For those who don't know who she is, GH was an English author who wrote largely in the first half of 20th century. Most of her books were set in Georgian and Regency periods. They are lovely comedies of manners, a 20th century version of Jane Austen. The poor woman is responsible for the usually awful Regency Romance genre, but you shouldn't hold it against her, any more than you should blame Tolkien for the abysmal fantasies populating the B&N shelves. Her novels, while usually having some sort of a romance in there, are much more about societal mores and comedies of manners (yes, I used that phrase again). They make me giggle in delight. Her books will not have impassioned declarations in the rain (characters who go in the rain are likely to catch colds, after all), duels to the death (mostly), or sex (kissing is the most you are going to get). What they will have are wonderful characters you fall in love with who are flawed nontheless (and not because their father abused them as a child), great descriptions of period minutia, and an understanding of love (if it enters at all) as based on compatibility and friendship. And they are hilarious.
So, I heartily recommend her. Here (in no order) are my 10 favorites (this is rather expanded from a heyer comm post):
1 Venetia: The first time I read this, I stayed up till 4am because I did not want to put it down. This is one of the most beatiful, natural, romantic books I've read. Venetia Lanyon is managing her brother's estate in Yorkshire in his absence. There is not much to do. At least not until she strikes a friendship with Damerel, a neighboring landowner, with a (deserved) reputation as an unscrupulous womanizer up to his ears in debt. She knows about but is uninterested in his "prowess." She does like the fact that he knows what she is quoting from and shares her sense of the ridiculous. This book has one of the most grown-up approaches to relationships I've read (and descriptions of nature). Venetia is excited because she's found a friend: someone to laugh with. And to me that is what love is really about.
2 Unknown Ajax: This is one of the funniest books I've ever read. The old Earl has finally sent for his heir, an unknown Major named Hugo Darracott. The weekend from hell (but not for the reader) follows, as a whole cast of funny fascinating characters try to intimidate/evaluate/deal with Hugo. Hugo himself is rather amused and unflappable. Hey, after Waterloo this isn't so bad. This is just a perfect perfect book and if I had to marry one of Heyer's characters, it would be undoubtedly be Hugo.
3 Devil's Cub: I want Vidal. Dominic, Marquis of Vidal that is. This is one of her earlier books, and thus much more "romantic." I was in love from the first scene when he shot the highwayman and just left it on the road because what one earth would he do with it? Heyer's heroes might be amoral, or haughty, or bored, but they are never without a sense of humor. Vidal is not a nice person, and not because of a childhood trauma (his parents love each other and him). But boy is he attractive! Plus, he has one quality that Heyer seems to have valued above anything else: honesty.
The plot: Vidal has to leave England for a time because he's killed a man in a duel. Never a man to leave alone, he asks one of the Challoner sisters, the silly beautiful Sophia, to go with him. But, this being Heyer, he takes the wrong sister, the well-bred, strong Mary instead. To say more would be to ruin it, but Dominic/Mary are so my OTP. And not just because in one scene, which is really too good to spoil, Heyer mocks and shatters a romance cliche that drives me mad. This is a sequel to "These Old Shades" (another book on my list) that dealt with Dominic's parents.
4 Friday's Child: probably my very favorite Heyer, this is really a story about a young man's maturity because of being forced to take care of his wife and deal with grown-up responsibilities. Put this way it sounds rather dull, but it's one of the funniest books I've ever read, populated with some amazing characters. There's Ferdy, someone who is a Regency version of Bertie Wooster. There's George Wrotham, a Byronic young man whose friends have gotten used to dealing with high-flown romantic fits and temper. There's the Dowager Countess, a steely hypochondriac. There's Isabella, a beautiful and pragmatic young lady with quite a few eligible suitors who finds herself, surprisingly, attracted to Wrotham. But the real reason I love the book is the protagonists: Anthony Verelst (Sherry) and Hero Wantage (Kitten). I don't know why I love them so. Maybe it's because in any other book, with any other author, they would be background, comic relief, while George and Isabella work their way through their tempestuous courtship. Not all of us are tormented, or intellectual giants, or full of dark past.
This book starts with a marriage, which is unusual even for Heyer. Sherry, who is someone who is not a dummy but not an intellectual, who is good-natured enough but rather thoughtless and a bit selfish, and who is not given to maturity and reflection marries Kitten, who has always hero-worshipped him, on an impulse (he needs his inheritance, long story). If this was a romance, Kitten would silently pine for him and then he would angst for hours. But Kitten is happy, because even his careless kindness is more than she has ever gotten. And Sherry is not given to self-reflection. Nontheless, this book is a sheer delight as Sherry grows up and discovers all sorts of things about himself, including a strong streak of honesty and love for his wife, something Kitten always felt for him. And yet this book is not in the least maudlin or high-flown. Neither turns into a protagonist of a romance, or is "reformed." Anyway, enough about the book. Go read it.
5 Sylvester: Heyer does Pride and Prejudice. Sylvester is the haughty Duke looking for a potential bride. One of the canditates is Phoebe Marlow who has written a Gothic novel (anonymously of course) and has made him the villain. Of course they meet and in the meantime become friends which is a minor problem. This is a funny, light, delightful book that I adore and reread probably the most often of all her books.
6 The Talisman Ring: This is a mystery and an adventure wrapped all in one (and of course is very funny). The whole thing revolves around a talisman ring the presence of which can clear or condemn Ludovic Lavenham, an impetuous young man accused of murder. There's Ludovic himself (who I adore). There's his "sober" cousin Sir Tristram. There's Eustasie de Vauban, Sir Tristram's potential bride who wants a "lover and a house in town" and when Sir Tristram understandably objects to the former says "fine. Can I have a house in town?" There's Sarah, someone who takes Ludovic and Eustasie under her wing, and her brother Sir Hugh, someone who is very found of cards and liquor. It's a priceless book...
7 Faro's Daughter: Heyer does screwball. If it wasn't for their 18th century outfits, Max Ravenscar and Deb Grantham could have been sipping cocktails in one of the 1930s classics. Yet another book that is twice as much fun on rereads, Max wants to buy Deb off from marrying his cousin. She might have no intention of marrying the boy in the first place, but she is annoyed at his assumption she is for sale and decides to teach him a lesson. Soon their "war" escalates and...
Guuuuuh. So good.
8 These Old Shades: This is her second or third period novel, and about as close to high drama as Heyer ever got. It's set in 1750s France and England. The Duke of Avon "picks up" a page named Leon on the streets of Paris. Avon is not NICE. He really is not. He is a dangerous person, and not in a shallow "he will not harm an innocent" way. But Leon is fanatically devoted to him, as Avon pulled him out of the gutter. But it's not really Leon, is it? Of course not, it's Leonie, one of my favorite Heyer heroines ever. Avon wants the page to use him to avenge himself on an old enemy, but something else entirely happens...
This is one of those books that really glows on multiple rereads. Leon starts the book an abject scrap of humanity, on her knees to Avon. And slowly through the book she matches her will against him more and more until at the end? Let's say the thought of Avon on his knees is...yummy.
9 Frederica: This is a really indescribable comedy of manners. So I won't describe it. Just read it.
10 Black Sheep: As the book that hooked me on Heyer, this will always have a warm spot in my heart. But it's a good book in and of itself. Set in Bath and deals with Abby, a fashionable spinster, and Miles, an unfashionable nabob.
For those who don't know who she is, GH was an English author who wrote largely in the first half of 20th century. Most of her books were set in Georgian and Regency periods. They are lovely comedies of manners, a 20th century version of Jane Austen. The poor woman is responsible for the usually awful Regency Romance genre, but you shouldn't hold it against her, any more than you should blame Tolkien for the abysmal fantasies populating the B&N shelves. Her novels, while usually having some sort of a romance in there, are much more about societal mores and comedies of manners (yes, I used that phrase again). They make me giggle in delight. Her books will not have impassioned declarations in the rain (characters who go in the rain are likely to catch colds, after all), duels to the death (mostly), or sex (kissing is the most you are going to get). What they will have are wonderful characters you fall in love with who are flawed nontheless (and not because their father abused them as a child), great descriptions of period minutia, and an understanding of love (if it enters at all) as based on compatibility and friendship. And they are hilarious.
So, I heartily recommend her. Here (in no order) are my 10 favorites (this is rather expanded from a heyer comm post):
1 Venetia: The first time I read this, I stayed up till 4am because I did not want to put it down. This is one of the most beatiful, natural, romantic books I've read. Venetia Lanyon is managing her brother's estate in Yorkshire in his absence. There is not much to do. At least not until she strikes a friendship with Damerel, a neighboring landowner, with a (deserved) reputation as an unscrupulous womanizer up to his ears in debt. She knows about but is uninterested in his "prowess." She does like the fact that he knows what she is quoting from and shares her sense of the ridiculous. This book has one of the most grown-up approaches to relationships I've read (and descriptions of nature). Venetia is excited because she's found a friend: someone to laugh with. And to me that is what love is really about.
2 Unknown Ajax: This is one of the funniest books I've ever read. The old Earl has finally sent for his heir, an unknown Major named Hugo Darracott. The weekend from hell (but not for the reader) follows, as a whole cast of funny fascinating characters try to intimidate/evaluate/deal with Hugo. Hugo himself is rather amused and unflappable. Hey, after Waterloo this isn't so bad. This is just a perfect perfect book and if I had to marry one of Heyer's characters, it would be undoubtedly be Hugo.
3 Devil's Cub: I want Vidal. Dominic, Marquis of Vidal that is. This is one of her earlier books, and thus much more "romantic." I was in love from the first scene when he shot the highwayman and just left it on the road because what one earth would he do with it? Heyer's heroes might be amoral, or haughty, or bored, but they are never without a sense of humor. Vidal is not a nice person, and not because of a childhood trauma (his parents love each other and him). But boy is he attractive! Plus, he has one quality that Heyer seems to have valued above anything else: honesty.
The plot: Vidal has to leave England for a time because he's killed a man in a duel. Never a man to leave alone, he asks one of the Challoner sisters, the silly beautiful Sophia, to go with him. But, this being Heyer, he takes the wrong sister, the well-bred, strong Mary instead. To say more would be to ruin it, but Dominic/Mary are so my OTP. And not just because in one scene, which is really too good to spoil, Heyer mocks and shatters a romance cliche that drives me mad. This is a sequel to "These Old Shades" (another book on my list) that dealt with Dominic's parents.
4 Friday's Child: probably my very favorite Heyer, this is really a story about a young man's maturity because of being forced to take care of his wife and deal with grown-up responsibilities. Put this way it sounds rather dull, but it's one of the funniest books I've ever read, populated with some amazing characters. There's Ferdy, someone who is a Regency version of Bertie Wooster. There's George Wrotham, a Byronic young man whose friends have gotten used to dealing with high-flown romantic fits and temper. There's the Dowager Countess, a steely hypochondriac. There's Isabella, a beautiful and pragmatic young lady with quite a few eligible suitors who finds herself, surprisingly, attracted to Wrotham. But the real reason I love the book is the protagonists: Anthony Verelst (Sherry) and Hero Wantage (Kitten). I don't know why I love them so. Maybe it's because in any other book, with any other author, they would be background, comic relief, while George and Isabella work their way through their tempestuous courtship. Not all of us are tormented, or intellectual giants, or full of dark past.
This book starts with a marriage, which is unusual even for Heyer. Sherry, who is someone who is not a dummy but not an intellectual, who is good-natured enough but rather thoughtless and a bit selfish, and who is not given to maturity and reflection marries Kitten, who has always hero-worshipped him, on an impulse (he needs his inheritance, long story). If this was a romance, Kitten would silently pine for him and then he would angst for hours. But Kitten is happy, because even his careless kindness is more than she has ever gotten. And Sherry is not given to self-reflection. Nontheless, this book is a sheer delight as Sherry grows up and discovers all sorts of things about himself, including a strong streak of honesty and love for his wife, something Kitten always felt for him. And yet this book is not in the least maudlin or high-flown. Neither turns into a protagonist of a romance, or is "reformed." Anyway, enough about the book. Go read it.
5 Sylvester: Heyer does Pride and Prejudice. Sylvester is the haughty Duke looking for a potential bride. One of the canditates is Phoebe Marlow who has written a Gothic novel (anonymously of course) and has made him the villain. Of course they meet and in the meantime become friends which is a minor problem. This is a funny, light, delightful book that I adore and reread probably the most often of all her books.
6 The Talisman Ring: This is a mystery and an adventure wrapped all in one (and of course is very funny). The whole thing revolves around a talisman ring the presence of which can clear or condemn Ludovic Lavenham, an impetuous young man accused of murder. There's Ludovic himself (who I adore). There's his "sober" cousin Sir Tristram. There's Eustasie de Vauban, Sir Tristram's potential bride who wants a "lover and a house in town" and when Sir Tristram understandably objects to the former says "fine. Can I have a house in town?" There's Sarah, someone who takes Ludovic and Eustasie under her wing, and her brother Sir Hugh, someone who is very found of cards and liquor. It's a priceless book...
7 Faro's Daughter: Heyer does screwball. If it wasn't for their 18th century outfits, Max Ravenscar and Deb Grantham could have been sipping cocktails in one of the 1930s classics. Yet another book that is twice as much fun on rereads, Max wants to buy Deb off from marrying his cousin. She might have no intention of marrying the boy in the first place, but she is annoyed at his assumption she is for sale and decides to teach him a lesson. Soon their "war" escalates and...
Guuuuuh. So good.
8 These Old Shades: This is her second or third period novel, and about as close to high drama as Heyer ever got. It's set in 1750s France and England. The Duke of Avon "picks up" a page named Leon on the streets of Paris. Avon is not NICE. He really is not. He is a dangerous person, and not in a shallow "he will not harm an innocent" way. But Leon is fanatically devoted to him, as Avon pulled him out of the gutter. But it's not really Leon, is it? Of course not, it's Leonie, one of my favorite Heyer heroines ever. Avon wants the page to use him to avenge himself on an old enemy, but something else entirely happens...
This is one of those books that really glows on multiple rereads. Leon starts the book an abject scrap of humanity, on her knees to Avon. And slowly through the book she matches her will against him more and more until at the end? Let's say the thought of Avon on his knees is...yummy.
9 Frederica: This is a really indescribable comedy of manners. So I won't describe it. Just read it.
10 Black Sheep: As the book that hooked me on Heyer, this will always have a warm spot in my heart. But it's a good book in and of itself. Set in Bath and deals with Abby, a fashionable spinster, and Miles, an unfashionable nabob.
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no subject
Date: 2005-09-16 02:34 pm (UTC)"He has a face like a fish!"
"If you had ever seen my cousin, you would understand."
He glanced down at her, but said nothing.
"He has a wet mouth!" said Miss Creed despairingly.
"That settles it," said Sir Richard, shutting his snuffbox. "I will escort you to your childhood's friend".
I also like Convenient Marriage. I left the Georgette Heyer discussion list because they attacked Vidal and called him a rapist. Hmph
no subject
Date: 2005-09-16 02:43 pm (UTC)Convenient Marriage is delightful. Horry is so much fun and Rule is like Alverstoke, only kind.
I left the Georgette Heyer discussion list because they attacked Vidal and called him a rapist. Hmph
*boggles* Ummm, don't you actually have to rape someone to be a rapist?
Also, don't even get me started on bringing 20th century attitudes to 18th century (as in she said she'd go with him and proven to him she is a slut). What I love most about Heyer is that it doesn't feel you are reading about contemporary people playing dress-up. Avon would totally cut down anyone who is not an aristocrat and harly would think there is merit outside the upper classes? Yay. He is an 18th century aristocrat, of course he'd think that way. Vidal would assume that a woman who is "beneath him" and got into his carriage in the middle of the night is not virtuous but just playing hard to get? Yay, he's an 18th century man, what else will he think? Alverstoke would no more marry out of the upper classes than he would put a dress on and saunter down the street? Of course. And I don't think any of these are flaws: they are part of that society and who they are...
Unless I am getting senile, Vidal did not rape anyone in DC. He got pissed at Mary and started walking up to her to grab her and she shot him and that was the end. And after that, he's hellbent on marriage because she's proven she's respectable. Argh. Vidal is one of my favorites. He is flawed and has the devil's temper, but he is hardly an evil monster.
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Date: 2005-09-16 03:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-16 02:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-16 02:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-16 02:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-16 02:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-16 02:42 pm (UTC)Venetia is also a favourite of mine, but I'd probably have to include "The Grand Sophy" (Charles Rivenhall is prototype alpha male, and I never lose the desire to cheer when Bromford and Eugenia get their come-uppance) and "Sylvester" because Phoebe is just wonderful. And Sylvester, too. And the adorable nephew with his silly beautiful mama and her foppish new husband.
I adore "These Old Shades" and "Devil's Cub", too; Leonie is one of the most original characters in any romance. There's also the older "Simon The Coldheart", which is the book that comes closest to schmalz while showing how nicely she can write a slightly different style of romance. I probably should always add "Bath Tangle" for the mess the hero, heroine and their particular adjuncts find themselves in. Extremely witty storytelling.
(And evidently, Ms Heyer shared my alpha-male kink. I reread "Regency Buck" tonight and "Arabella" and had to admire Worth and Beaumaris all over again, though the plight of Arabella leaves me lacking similar admiration for her.)
no subject
Date: 2005-09-16 02:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-16 02:52 pm (UTC)Oh yes. Though some of her best (IMO) such as "Friday's Child" and "Cotillion" don't involve alphas...just ordinary young men. But much as I adore Freddy and Sherry, it's her alphas I'd want in a fantasy world...
I reread "Regency Buck" tonight and "Arabella" and had to admire Worth and Beaumaris all over again, though the plight of Arabella leaves me lacking similar admiration for her
Arabella is one of those books I like but have problems with. Mainly because of Arabella herself: she is just not that interesting. And of course, I think Beaumaris/Arabella is one of her rare mismatched couples. I just don't see them living smoothly and happily together.
Regency Buck is actually one of the ones I like a bit less: Judith makes me want to smack her, which is a rarity with Heyer heroines.
I never lose the desire to cheer when Bromford and Eugenia get their come-uppance
Oh, yessssss!
Leonie is one of the most original characters in any romance
I must admit to using "pig person" on occasion. She is a great combination of utter spitfire and yet complete loyalty to Avon (while still trying to wheedle her way...and succeeding). She is someone who worships him but is not in the least blind to his past or a silly fool. And that is exactly what he needs. Plus, Avon and Leonie get about the most romantic scene in Heyer, IMO.
Sylvester is just priceless. I adore both Sylvester and Phoebe (and what a great movie the book would make) but Edmund takes the cake :)
Bath Tangle is great.
no subject
Date: 2005-09-16 02:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-16 02:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-16 02:53 pm (UTC)I'm looking at their Unknown Ajax, as I hadn't ordered it previously and it is, of course, not available here. *sighs*
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Date: 2005-09-16 02:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-16 02:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-16 02:56 pm (UTC)Of course, I have a hardback of DC as well :P
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Date: 2005-09-16 03:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-16 03:03 pm (UTC)Oh yes. But I think poor Vidal is hellbent on, for once, behaving like a gentleman. I think the thing that I like best about that scene is that he is holding her tightly and then she struggles to get he hands free and he immediately lets her go (And then she half laughs/half cries and throws them around his neck). Because Vidal has actually learned...and for someone like him that is...wow.
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Date: 2005-09-16 02:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-16 03:04 pm (UTC)If you can't find it, I can email you a soft copy of it. I own about 3 copies in hardback, but I'm in Beijing right now so it would be hard to loan it to you ;) Umm my page dedicated to the book is here. It's spoilery so maybe just read the first few paragraphs? :)
no subject
Date: 2005-09-16 04:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-16 03:10 pm (UTC)Which has a link to the Online Gutenberg version of the book.
Sorry Dangermousie, I steer my thoughts back to Heyer!!! I'll give you Vidal, I've always liked Sylvester the best. He's so .... full of love but so repressed.
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Date: 2005-09-16 11:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-16 11:40 pm (UTC)I LOVE it when Barney rescues her from the train. *sniff* It's full of snark, too which is so cute.
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Date: 2005-09-16 03:01 pm (UTC)I joined Book of the Month Club at one point because they offered a five volume set of her works, including "These Old Shades" which I love for the reasons you've outlined.
Love my Heyer, drama, romance, comedy of manners, whatever.
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Date: 2005-09-16 03:05 pm (UTC)Yes, I love TOS...so perfect.
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Date: 2005-09-16 09:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-16 09:19 pm (UTC)Love Heyer
Date: 2005-09-17 09:39 pm (UTC)My first Heyer was probably These Old Shades from my mother's bookshelf. I loved Avon and Leonie, and of course the sequel with Vidal and Mary Challoner. I actually still have both book, since I grabbed them when we were dividing books after selling my childhood home :).
Re: Love Heyer
Date: 2005-09-17 09:40 pm (UTC)Re: Love Heyer
Date: 2005-09-18 12:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-18 02:15 am (UTC)