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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
[Cross-posted to my blog: http://paquetdevie.blogspot.com/2015/06/review-cotillion-by-georgette-heyer.html]
Cotillion is the third Georgette Heyer that I've finished, even though chronologically I read it before The Talisman Ring. It's also probably one of my favorite romance novels, quite simply because the hero is one of the best heroes I've had the pleasure to read.
The plot started out fine. Kitty Charing is a penniless orphan cared by the wealthy curmudgeon Matthew Penicuik. Mr Penicuik declares he would bestow his massive fortune to any of his nephews who married Kitty. Naturally, his great-nephews came scrambling to his home to offer for Kit's hands. There's the Reverend Hugh Rattray, a handsome but droll and strict reverend. There's the Earl of Dolphinton, an Irish peer who's kind of strange in the head. Both of them offered to Kit - Hugh, due to pity and Dolph due to his overbearing mother - but they are both rejected by Kit since she's insulted by their offers and anyway she's waiting for Jack Westruther, Uncle Matthew's and Kitty's favorite. But he doesn't arrive when Uncle Matthew calls for him, because he feels that he'll marry Kitty anyway sooner or later, so why not make it later? He still wants to have some fun and he dislikes the old man to force his hand so. Humiliated and disappointed, Kitty sets off to run away but on his way he meets The Hon. Freddy Standen, one of Uncle Matthew's great-nephews. Freddy is the heir to a viscountcy and is independently wealthy himself, so he doesn't need to answer Uncle Matthew's summons, but he goes there anyway since on his letter to him Uncle Matthew doesn't disclose his true intentions. When dining in an inn, he encounters the distressed Kit. Hatching a scheme, she begs him to be pretend to be engaged to her. The reason that she told him was that she wanted to go to London and Uncle Matthew wouldn't allow her to go if she weren't engaged. An ulterior reason is ostensibly to make Jack jealous. So the pretend-couple sets forth to London.
I've told you before that Pretend Lovers are one of my favorite tropes. But this book is glorious for other reasons. because Freddy Standen is such a great and atypical hero in romance.
You see, Georgette Heyer and romance novels in general have two kind of flavors for a hero: the dashing wealthy rake who's very much in the petticoat line and the older smarter (but still dashing) heroes, What I like about Freddy is that he's neither of those. Freddy is wealthy, but he's neither a nonesuch or a rake or a dashing hero or very much in the petticoat line. He's a dandy, the Pinkest of the Pinks, and he cheerfully admits that he's not very clever or sardonic. Everybody likes Freddy; he's everyone's friend. And although he doesn't do much dashing rescue to maidens from odious gentlemen, he's sweet and he has address, which is very useful if you want to get out of a dreaded social engagement without offending anybody. I like what Kitty said in the end: Freddy might not be the typical heroes in the novel who snatches maidens from a mansion all willy-nilly, but no one is like that, and if Kitty meets that kind of hero in real life, she would think of him as very odious indeed! Freddy might not have any accomplishments, but he has some thing better than an accomplishment: a kind heart.
Freddy undergoes a lot of character development in this book. When the novel starts, he seems like a scatterbrained ditz, although I can see that he's a sweetie deep inside since he agrees to Kitty's scheming just so that she won't cry. Freddy's a bit lazy in the beginning, in my opinion, but as the novel progresses, he begins to take a more active role. Freddy doesn't think of himself highly at first but Kitty manages to make him see himself in a different light. His and Kitty's exploits made him realize that he can actually do something meaningful in the world.
Kitty, on the other hand, also learn some lessons in the ways of the ton, But I think the biggest lesson she's had is how she manages to see Freddy for the good man that she really is. As she becomes more acquainted with Jack, she realizes how odoriferous his behavior really is and how they're not really suited in the end after all. I also enjoy seeing Kit blooming into a confident woman by wearing clothes that she likes and fits her instead of the plain and dowdy gowns that she's had when living with the miserly, penny-pinching Uncle Penicuik.
Cotillion, at its heart, is a character-driven novel. There's not much in the way of plot (or romance) but the humor and overall sweetness makes up for it. It's a good book for a first-time foray into Georgette Heyer or a comforting palate cleanser after reading a particularly depressing historical novel.
Cotillion is the third Georgette Heyer that I've finished, even though chronologically I read it before The Talisman Ring. It's also probably one of my favorite romance novels, quite simply because the hero is one of the best heroes I've had the pleasure to read.
The plot started out fine. Kitty Charing is a penniless orphan cared by the wealthy curmudgeon Matthew Penicuik. Mr Penicuik declares he would bestow his massive fortune to any of his nephews who married Kitty. Naturally, his great-nephews came scrambling to his home to offer for Kit's hands. There's the Reverend Hugh Rattray, a handsome but droll and strict reverend. There's the Earl of Dolphinton, an Irish peer who's kind of strange in the head. Both of them offered to Kit - Hugh, due to pity and Dolph due to his overbearing mother - but they are both rejected by Kit since she's insulted by their offers and anyway she's waiting for Jack Westruther, Uncle Matthew's and Kitty's favorite. But he doesn't arrive when Uncle Matthew calls for him, because he feels that he'll marry Kitty anyway sooner or later, so why not make it later? He still wants to have some fun and he dislikes the old man to force his hand so. Humiliated and disappointed, Kitty sets off to run away but on his way he meets The Hon. Freddy Standen, one of Uncle Matthew's great-nephews. Freddy is the heir to a viscountcy and is independently wealthy himself, so he doesn't need to answer Uncle Matthew's summons, but he goes there anyway since on his letter to him Uncle Matthew doesn't disclose his true intentions. When dining in an inn, he encounters the distressed Kit. Hatching a scheme, she begs him to be pretend to be engaged to her. The reason that she told him was that she wanted to go to London and Uncle Matthew wouldn't allow her to go if she weren't engaged. An ulterior reason is ostensibly to make Jack jealous. So the pretend-couple sets forth to London.
I've told you before that Pretend Lovers are one of my favorite tropes. But this book is glorious for other reasons. because Freddy Standen is such a great and atypical hero in romance.
You see, Georgette Heyer and romance novels in general have two kind of flavors for a hero: the dashing wealthy rake who's very much in the petticoat line and the older smarter (but still dashing) heroes, What I like about Freddy is that he's neither of those. Freddy is wealthy, but he's neither a nonesuch or a rake or a dashing hero or very much in the petticoat line. He's a dandy, the Pinkest of the Pinks, and he cheerfully admits that he's not very clever or sardonic. Everybody likes Freddy; he's everyone's friend. And although he doesn't do much dashing rescue to maidens from odious gentlemen, he's sweet and he has address, which is very useful if you want to get out of a dreaded social engagement without offending anybody. I like what Kitty said in the end: Freddy might not be the typical heroes in the novel who snatches maidens from a mansion all willy-nilly, but no one is like that, and if Kitty meets that kind of hero in real life, she would think of him as very odious indeed! Freddy might not have any accomplishments, but he has some thing better than an accomplishment: a kind heart.
Freddy undergoes a lot of character development in this book. When the novel starts, he seems like a scatterbrained ditz, although I can see that he's a sweetie deep inside since he agrees to Kitty's scheming just so that she won't cry. Freddy's a bit lazy in the beginning, in my opinion, but as the novel progresses, he begins to take a more active role. Freddy doesn't think of himself highly at first but Kitty manages to make him see himself in a different light. His and Kitty's exploits made him realize that he can actually do something meaningful in the world.
Kitty, on the other hand, also learn some lessons in the ways of the ton, But I think the biggest lesson she's had is how she manages to see Freddy for the good man that she really is. As she becomes more acquainted with Jack, she realizes how odoriferous his behavior really is and how they're not really suited in the end after all. I also enjoy seeing Kit blooming into a confident woman by wearing clothes that she likes and fits her instead of the plain and dowdy gowns that she's had when living with the miserly, penny-pinching Uncle Penicuik.
Cotillion, at its heart, is a character-driven novel. There's not much in the way of plot (or romance) but the humor and overall sweetness makes up for it. It's a good book for a first-time foray into Georgette Heyer or a comforting palate cleanser after reading a particularly depressing historical novel.
Kitty Charing can inherit a fortune from her irascible great-uncle Matthew when she marries one of her cousins. Kitty is not wholly averse, if the right nephew proposes. Unfortunately, Kitty has set her heart on Jack Westruther, a confirmed rake.
To make him jealous and to see a little more of the world, Kitty convinces cousin Freddy Standen to pose as her fiance. In London with his family, she hopes to render the elusive Jack madly jealous.
New friends embroil her in their romantic troubles, sprinkling witty banter with Parisian phrases. Her French cousin, Camille, a professional gambler, has won the heart of Olivia, in turn the object of Jack's dishonorable intentions. Doltish cousin Lord Dolphinton has fallen for a merchant's daughter in conflict with his mother. Kitty herself wonders who is really right for her.
I've just read this for the zillionth time and it still makes me laugh out loud. Wonderful!
To make him jealous and to see a little more of the world, Kitty convinces cousin Freddy Standen to pose as her fiance. In London with his family, she hopes to render the elusive Jack madly jealous.
New friends embroil her in their romantic troubles, sprinkling witty banter with Parisian phrases. Her French cousin, Camille, a professional gambler, has won the heart of Olivia, in turn the object of Jack's dishonorable intentions. Doltish cousin Lord Dolphinton has fallen for a merchant's daughter in conflict with his mother. Kitty herself wonders who is really right for her.
I've just read this for the zillionth time and it still makes me laugh out loud. Wonderful!
Freddy Standen is a very different kind of hero than those in the other Georgette Heyer books I've read, but I wound up liking him so much in spite of his not exactly being an intellectual giant. He's such a nice guy and seeing him step up and take responsibility for those he cares about was sweet and fun. It took me a while to get into this one, but once I did I really enjoyed it.
It was good enough. I never did get used to Freddy's style of speaking. His use of regency slang without even a glossary in the back was hard to make out.
I enjoyed this much more this time around - enough to give it an extra star.
I had never read Georgette Heyer so I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I picked up Cotillion. The story started out a little confusing for me because of all the names introduced. Sometimes characters are referred to by their first name and other times their last names and it got a little complicated. The confusion didn't last long and once I got past it I enjoyed this novel a lot. The writing was unique and the dialogue made me laugh out loud at times. The characters are a little annoying at the beginning (mostly the main female) but they don't take long to grow on you. The characters' interactions with each other seemed to be genuine. I did feel the story was slightly all over the place at the end but this didn't prevent me from having a good time. I look forward to reading other books by this author.
I LOVED this book! The story was funny and it had twists I was not expecting. The ending was so precious!! It was a joy to read :).
Is this the best book I read this year or what? Absolutely brilliant and beautiful!
Freddy is my favorite Heyer hero to date. How delightful to see the steady, there-for-her man earn the love of the (also delightful) heroine, Kitty, instead of the gamester rake.
Roses are red…
When curmudgeonly old miser Matthew Penicuik suffers a particularly bad episode of gout, he thinks it’s time to decide who will inherit his considerable fortune once he’s gone. Not that any of his relatives believe him to be in any danger, hypochondria being another of his endearing qualities. Many years earlier, he had taken in Kitty Charing, the orphaned daughter of a friend, and he wants to be sure she’ll be provided for. So he hits upon the infamous notion of announcing that he will leave all of his money to whichever of his great-nephews marries Kitty, and invites them all to come for a visit – and to propose to poor Kitty. Everyone assumes Jack will be the lucky man – not only is he Great-Uncle Matthew’s favourite, but Kitty has had a crush on him since she was a schoolroom miss. But Jack’s pride won’t let him dance to Great-Uncle Matthew’s tune and anyway he’s not ready to get married, being too busy womanising all over town, so he refuses to come. In a fit of pique, Kitty persuades her cousin, the Honourable Freddy Standen, to pretend to become engaged to her and take her to London for a month on the pretext of meeting his parents…
Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances are my idea of literary chicken soup – they’re what I turn to if I have a cold or a fit of the dismals or, as now, hit a brick wall with some of the stuff I’ve been reading. She writes with such humour and the books are generally light and frothy fun. The heroes are usually rich, often proud and always handsome. The heroines are always strong, usually feisty and spirited, and would never dream of marrying for anything other than love. In fact, they are all variations of Darcy and Lizzie, and the road to true love is always as convoluted as in Pride and Prejudice, but stripped of the serious side of that book. Heyer is fun and romance, pure and simple, and the inevitable happy ending in no way diminishes the pleasure of the journey.
Cotillion is my favourite of all Heyer’s romances. Kitty is such a likeable heroine – kept countrified and dowdy all her life, she discovers the joys of clothes-shopping, hairdressing, learning to dance, and is soon able to stand her ground with the best of them. Freddy’s friends and family have always considered him nothing more than a fashionable young man about town – a Bertie Woosterish figure – but as he has to pull Kitty out of one scrape after another, he shows a level of intelligence and competence no-one ever suspected he possessed. The supporting cast is the usual Regency line-up of fops and dandies, grande dames and put-upon companions, flirts and innocent young misses, out-and-outers and Pinks of the Ton. The assorted great nephews vying with varying degrees of enthusiasm for Kitty’s hand add an extra level of humour to the book. And then there’s Jack – all charming exterior and wicked interior.
Will Kitty realise Freddy’s superior worth before it’s too late? Will Freddy begin to reconsider his bachelor ways? Will Kitty’s friend Olivia marry the old roué Sir Henry Gosford for money or find a way to marry the gorgeous Chevalier d’Evron for love? Will Great-Uncle Matthew ever recover from his gout? And will I read this book again and again and again? Entertaining, mood-enhancing fun to brighten up the greyest day!
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When curmudgeonly old miser Matthew Penicuik suffers a particularly bad episode of gout, he thinks it’s time to decide who will inherit his considerable fortune once he’s gone. Not that any of his relatives believe him to be in any danger, hypochondria being another of his endearing qualities. Many years earlier, he had taken in Kitty Charing, the orphaned daughter of a friend, and he wants to be sure she’ll be provided for. So he hits upon the infamous notion of announcing that he will leave all of his money to whichever of his great-nephews marries Kitty, and invites them all to come for a visit – and to propose to poor Kitty. Everyone assumes Jack will be the lucky man – not only is he Great-Uncle Matthew’s favourite, but Kitty has had a crush on him since she was a schoolroom miss. But Jack’s pride won’t let him dance to Great-Uncle Matthew’s tune and anyway he’s not ready to get married, being too busy womanising all over town, so he refuses to come. In a fit of pique, Kitty persuades her cousin, the Honourable Freddy Standen, to pretend to become engaged to her and take her to London for a month on the pretext of meeting his parents…
‘You think I’ve got brains?’ he said, awed. ‘Not confusing me with Charlie?’
‘Charlie?’ uttered Miss Charing contemptuously. ‘I daresay he has book-learning, but you have—you have address, Freddy!’
‘Well, by Jove!’ said Mr Standen, dazzled by this new vision of himself.
Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances are my idea of literary chicken soup – they’re what I turn to if I have a cold or a fit of the dismals or, as now, hit a brick wall with some of the stuff I’ve been reading. She writes with such humour and the books are generally light and frothy fun. The heroes are usually rich, often proud and always handsome. The heroines are always strong, usually feisty and spirited, and would never dream of marrying for anything other than love. In fact, they are all variations of Darcy and Lizzie, and the road to true love is always as convoluted as in Pride and Prejudice, but stripped of the serious side of that book. Heyer is fun and romance, pure and simple, and the inevitable happy ending in no way diminishes the pleasure of the journey.
‘I daresay Freddy might not be a great hand at slaying dragons- but one has not the smallest need of a man who can kill dragons!’
Cotillion is my favourite of all Heyer’s romances. Kitty is such a likeable heroine – kept countrified and dowdy all her life, she discovers the joys of clothes-shopping, hairdressing, learning to dance, and is soon able to stand her ground with the best of them. Freddy’s friends and family have always considered him nothing more than a fashionable young man about town – a Bertie Woosterish figure – but as he has to pull Kitty out of one scrape after another, he shows a level of intelligence and competence no-one ever suspected he possessed. The supporting cast is the usual Regency line-up of fops and dandies, grande dames and put-upon companions, flirts and innocent young misses, out-and-outers and Pinks of the Ton. The assorted great nephews vying with varying degrees of enthusiasm for Kitty’s hand add an extra level of humour to the book. And then there’s Jack – all charming exterior and wicked interior.
Upon Mrs Scorton’s reappearance, she found herself confronted, not by the fool of his family, but by the Honourable Frederick Standen, a Pink of the Pinks, who knew to a nicety how to blend courtesy with hauteur, and who informed her, with exquisite politeness, that he rather fancied his cousin was tired, and would like to be taken home. One of the uninvited guests, entering the box in Eliza’s wake, ventured on a warm sally, found himself being inspected from head to foot through a quizzing-glass, and stammered an apology.
Will Kitty realise Freddy’s superior worth before it’s too late? Will Freddy begin to reconsider his bachelor ways? Will Kitty’s friend Olivia marry the old roué Sir Henry Gosford for money or find a way to marry the gorgeous Chevalier d’Evron for love? Will Great-Uncle Matthew ever recover from his gout? And will I read this book again and again and again? Entertaining, mood-enhancing fun to brighten up the greyest day!
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