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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
My first Heyer novel...but not to be my last.
I. Loved. This. Book. Loved it.
I think--no, I know--this is the first book that I've read in quite some time in which I had a goofy grin plastered on my face the entire time. Sophy is a delightful heroine and the remaining cast of characters were equally as well written. (I must admit to a certain fondness for Augustus Fawnhope. He was the source of many of my laugh-out-loud moments.)
The story...I don't know if this will make sense, but reading this book was a lot like watching a really good BBC period mini-series, you know? I was so absorbed by the story and the surroundings were so exquisitely described that I felt that I was a part of the story. Heyer really made the regency era come to life.
I. Loved. This. Book. Loved it.
I think--no, I know--this is the first book that I've read in quite some time in which I had a goofy grin plastered on my face the entire time. Sophy is a delightful heroine and the remaining cast of characters were equally as well written. (I must admit to a certain fondness for Augustus Fawnhope. He was the source of many of my laugh-out-loud moments.)
The story...I don't know if this will make sense, but reading this book was a lot like watching a really good BBC period mini-series, you know? I was so absorbed by the story and the surroundings were so exquisitely described that I felt that I was a part of the story. Heyer really made the regency era come to life.
[3.5] I think this book was fun but the romance was lacking fr fr. I loved Sophy but you don't get the sense that she and Charles actually love each other especially not from her side. I did chuckle at this book though many a times because of the sheer comedy of Sophy scandalizing all of her relations/London as a whole.
I have read this book so many times that I have lost count. Sophy has always been my favorite Heyer heroine. What is there not to like? A vibrant, determined, ruthless 20-year-old girl who runs circles around everyone else. She is always one step and one plan ahead.
I think I first fell in love with her when I read this:
"'Very bad business,' said Mr. Wychbold. 'Nothing to be done, though.'
'That,' said Sophy severely, 'is what people always say when they are too lazy, or perhaps too timorous, to make a push to be helpful! I have a great many faults, but I am not lazy, and I am not timorous[...]".
Sophy is never shy when it comes to being helpful. She shines not only as an example of a wonderful lady of her time, but she is as actual and worthy of imitation in any epoch.
It could be argued that she might sometimes be just TOO much. Too intelligent, too ready, too courageous, too determined. Just over the top. But it isn't something that genuinely bothered me. On the contrary, sometimes it is refreshing to follow such a heroine and see how all the dominoes align.
The rest of the cast is as masterfully drawn as I have been used to in all Heyer books. This book is and will remain one of my favorite reads—a delightful, purely fun romp to be enjoyed at any time.
I think I first fell in love with her when I read this:
"'Very bad business,' said Mr. Wychbold. 'Nothing to be done, though.'
'That,' said Sophy severely, 'is what people always say when they are too lazy, or perhaps too timorous, to make a push to be helpful! I have a great many faults, but I am not lazy, and I am not timorous[...]".
Sophy is never shy when it comes to being helpful. She shines not only as an example of a wonderful lady of her time, but she is as actual and worthy of imitation in any epoch.
It could be argued that she might sometimes be just TOO much. Too intelligent, too ready, too courageous, too determined. Just over the top. But it isn't something that genuinely bothered me. On the contrary, sometimes it is refreshing to follow such a heroine and see how all the dominoes align.
The rest of the cast is as masterfully drawn as I have been used to in all Heyer books. This book is and will remain one of my favorite reads—a delightful, purely fun romp to be enjoyed at any time.
Fun, light, escape reading that takes place during Regency era England.
Austen-type story that is very character driven, lots of dialogue and a strong female character who is smart, witty, unconventional, out-spoken, and who tries to help solve everyone's problems. Sophy is very likable, as was this book.
Austen-type story that is very character driven, lots of dialogue and a strong female character who is smart, witty, unconventional, out-spoken, and who tries to help solve everyone's problems. Sophy is very likable, as was this book.
"I find it a marvellous circumstance, cousin, that no one has yet strangled you!"
A few years back, I discovered Heyer and read a few of her regency novels. The Grand Sophy is one of her best, less of a romance and more a comedy.
Sophy is a vivid protagonist, full of intelligence, world experience and energy. Really, she has the makings of a monster and yet remains likeable. She comes into the lives of her aunt and cousins like a whirlwind and it is hilarious to witness how she manipulates them, often without their knowledge. The rest of the cast is very colourful too, memorable, and full of quirks, if a little stereotyped. Sophy's father is hilarious and his relationship and indeed confidence in her is unusual and refreshing. In one instance however, Heyer goes down the wrong path, in the portrayal of the evil money lender. This felt jarring, especially since the novel was written in 1950 and the author should have known better.
Apart from this 'faux pas' (for want of a better word), Heyer excels in her dialogue and indeed the orchestration of her scenes, many displaying perfect timing for maximum effect, and offers us a very entertaining and funny read.
A few years back, I discovered Heyer and read a few of her regency novels. The Grand Sophy is one of her best, less of a romance and more a comedy.
Sophy is a vivid protagonist, full of intelligence, world experience and energy. Really, she has the makings of a monster and yet remains likeable. She comes into the lives of her aunt and cousins like a whirlwind and it is hilarious to witness how she manipulates them, often without their knowledge. The rest of the cast is very colourful too, memorable, and full of quirks, if a little stereotyped. Sophy's father is hilarious and his relationship and indeed confidence in her is unusual and refreshing. In one instance however, Heyer goes down the wrong path, in the portrayal of the evil money lender. This felt jarring, especially since the novel was written in 1950 and the author should have known better.
Apart from this 'faux pas' (for want of a better word), Heyer excels in her dialogue and indeed the orchestration of her scenes, many displaying perfect timing for maximum effect, and offers us a very entertaining and funny read.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Gostei bastante das personagens e de como Sophy quebrava estereótipos, não sendo uma mulher com história de vida e comportamento esperado, para uma senhora da época.
Entendo a comparação com Jane Austen, no entanto, não me surpreendeu e achei um pouco previsível.
Entendo a comparação com Jane Austen, no entanto, não me surpreendeu e achei um pouco previsível.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes