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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
A thoroughly entertaining tale. Tom is my fave-- seriously the best Heyer supporting character I've yet encountered-- but I also really loved the leads.
As always with Heyer though, I would've enjoyed a longer denouement... ;P
As always with Heyer though, I would've enjoyed a longer denouement... ;P
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed the writing style very much and I live my particularly copy, printed in 1958, only a year after the book's first publication.... :) As for the rest, it was a very interesting book. I had never read anything to do with Regency before and was pleasantly surprised. The witty banter kept me reading even when the plot itself was sort of slow and the vocabulary used certainly had me learning quite a few new words. Phoebe is a delight with her contradicting outspokenness and sense of propriety and I love reading about Sylvester's odd, sort of buried arrogance - his basic, inherent pride, by which he means nothing bad to you or me, but merely knows that he is better, but does not blame you for it because he knows it's not YOUR fault that you aren't educated or smart or rich and so forth. It is quite fascinating to read from his POV in contrast to Phoebe's regarding his personality and his actions. For example, SPOILER ALERT when Phoebe comes down to dine with him that first night at the Blue Boar and she is feeling self-conscious about her dress. END OF SPOILER ALERT
Also, I appreciated the secondary character development. SPOILER ALERT Ianthe and her husband become loads more prominent towards the end and there are small excerpts of different people's thoughts and POV as well throughout the book, such as that of Tom after Phoebe refused to marry him or Lord Marlow when Phoebe tries to make him tell Sylvester that she does not wish to marry him, or when Mr. Orde walks in on Tom, still in bed at the Blue Boar. END OF SPOILER ALERT
Yes, this book is a definite 4 stars. I really liked it, but didn't love it simply because I fancy myself a sci-fi fan and some of my favorite books have 5 stars and I just couldn't say that this book is quite as good as they. However, it is well-rounded and if you have not read Regency novels before, you should give them a try with this wonderful example by Georgette Heyer and find that you may actually enjoy it!
Also, I appreciated the secondary character development. SPOILER ALERT Ianthe and her husband become loads more prominent towards the end and there are small excerpts of different people's thoughts and POV as well throughout the book, such as that of Tom after Phoebe refused to marry him or Lord Marlow when Phoebe tries to make him tell Sylvester that she does not wish to marry him, or when Mr. Orde walks in on Tom, still in bed at the Blue Boar. END OF SPOILER ALERT
Yes, this book is a definite 4 stars. I really liked it, but didn't love it simply because I fancy myself a sci-fi fan and some of my favorite books have 5 stars and I just couldn't say that this book is quite as good as they. However, it is well-rounded and if you have not read Regency novels before, you should give them a try with this wonderful example by Georgette Heyer and find that you may actually enjoy it!
My dive into Georgette Heyer's work was long overdue. She has such a fun way of writing books, and her characters and stories are so very unique. It's quite refreshing since I had worn a little bored with regency novels of late. It's been gratifying to be drawn back into the genre that played a hand in the creation of my love for reading.
This novel is charming and even had me chuckling at some points. I love that Heyer uses atypical characters who do atypical (and even questionable) things, but everything still works out in the end.
Also, I listened to this as an audiobook read by Richard Armitage. Regency novels and Armitage's voice are perfectly suited to one another like bread and butter.
This novel is charming and even had me chuckling at some points. I love that Heyer uses atypical characters who do atypical (and even questionable) things, but everything still works out in the end.
Also, I listened to this as an audiobook read by Richard Armitage. Regency novels and Armitage's voice are perfectly suited to one another like bread and butter.
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Pretty sure Sylvester (the character) is supposed to be read as arrogant and stuck-up, but Phoebe is so incredibly unlikable that I honestly couldn't bring myself to blame him for any of it.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
The heroine bases a villainous character in her book on a Duke simple because of his alarming eyebrows and haughty expression. When he becomes her suitor, she runs away from home, only to have a carriage accident, and who should find her (etc. etc.).
Not one of her best. I was entirely unconvinced that they would fall in love, let alone have a happy marriage. Her childhood best friend, Tom, was a sweetheart though, and should have had his own book.
Favourite quote: "I was feeling miserably shy before I quarrelled with him, and there is nothing like quarrelling with a person to set one at one's ease!"
Content notes:the hero's twin brother dies before the beginning of the book, classism, xenophobia, references to past physical child abuse (whippings), ableism
Not one of her best. I was entirely unconvinced that they would fall in love, let alone have a happy marriage. Her childhood best friend, Tom, was a sweetheart though, and should have had his own book.
Favourite quote: "I was feeling miserably shy before I quarrelled with him, and there is nothing like quarrelling with a person to set one at one's ease!"
Content notes:
Forced conflict is such an annoying plot line - not a terrible book but not a great read.
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
So much better than Spring Muslin. I think Heyer managed to create a rather arrogant, self-absorbed hero (very much in the Darcy mould), and a headstrong, impetuous heroine without having either one come across as overly annoying or irritating. The secondary characters were wonderful as well - especially little Edmund with his Button, and Sir Nugent (the scene with him and his valet and the boots! Oh, wonderful).