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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
3/3.5
I discovered Georgette Heyer as a teen when I was twiddling my thumbs at my grandma's house. I can't remember when I first read Regency Buck, and while it is a fun read I wouldn't really recommend it as a first introduction to Heyer.
In this novel, Heyer gives full reign to her knowledge of the Regency era; while she regularly alludes to Beau Brummell, the Prince Regent, and the various royal dukes (his brothers) in her books, rarely do they make actual cameos—except perhaps in Regency Buck. The reader also gets vivid descriptions of the Brighton pavilion, "a mill," a cockfight, and a duel. If the reader is new to Heyer some of these detailed passages might get tedious (mostly the pavilion and the boxing match).
However, there is a fun mystery woven throughout as well as some frankly ridiculous antics by the heroine to flout her high-handed guardian. (Even as a teen I found Judith's stubborn rebelliousness obnoxious at times and I never really fathomed the attraction (except she's beautiful and rich so that's enough...
I discovered Georgette Heyer as a teen when I was twiddling my thumbs at my grandma's house. I can't remember when I first read Regency Buck, and while it is a fun read I wouldn't really recommend it as a first introduction to Heyer.
In this novel, Heyer gives full reign to her knowledge of the Regency era; while she regularly alludes to Beau Brummell, the Prince Regent, and the various royal dukes (his brothers) in her books, rarely do they make actual cameos—except perhaps in Regency Buck. The reader also gets vivid descriptions of the Brighton pavilion, "a mill," a cockfight, and a duel. If the reader is new to Heyer some of these detailed passages might get tedious (mostly the pavilion and the boxing match).
However, there is a fun mystery woven throughout as well as some frankly ridiculous antics by the heroine to flout her high-handed guardian. (Even as a teen I found Judith's stubborn rebelliousness obnoxious at times and I never really fathomed the attraction (except she's beautiful and rich so that's enough...
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First of all, according to GR, there are other Audley family books by Heyer? I guess I need to figure out which ones those are. Do any characters overlap or connect in any of her books?
Now to the review. Over all, I enjoyed this as much as I always enjoy Heyer. I love her wit, I love her sardonic, unlikely heroes, and I love her madcap heroines who unwittingly get themselves into trouble. I love the Regency world she creates and immerses you in. All of that is here in this book in spades.
One thing I'll give her extra credit for in this book is that she does a great job with the guardian-ward trope. That particular trope can go bad really fast, but she makes it work and work well - our hero quickly falls for the heroine, but for the entire length of time that she is his ward (about a year), he studiously avoids actively pursuing her or acting on his interest. Now, he refuses to grant permission for anyone else to marry her, but that's OK because she doesn't really want to marry any of them anyway and he knows that.
Heyer's heroes are an interesting breed - they often initially come across as impossible to love for one reason or another, but somehow she always manages to make us and the heroine fall for them, anyway. The Earl of Worth, our hero in this story, is no different. You really have to read to the end to get the fullest view of his character and the best understanding of all his actions throughout the story.
Also, this story is set in the really high echelons of British society - we are hobnobbing with Prinny here! These people live by different rules than us peons, so keep that in mind as you read.
Not my favorite Heyer, but not my least favorite, either. (That honor goes to Powder and Patch - ugh!)
Now to the review. Over all, I enjoyed this as much as I always enjoy Heyer. I love her wit, I love her sardonic, unlikely heroes, and I love her madcap heroines who unwittingly get themselves into trouble. I love the Regency world she creates and immerses you in. All of that is here in this book in spades.
One thing I'll give her extra credit for in this book is that she does a great job with the guardian-ward trope. That particular trope can go bad really fast, but she makes it work and work well - our hero quickly falls for the heroine, but for the entire length of time that she is his ward (about a year), he studiously avoids actively pursuing her or acting on his interest. Now, he refuses to grant permission for anyone else to marry her, but that's OK because she doesn't really want to marry any of them anyway and he knows that.
Heyer's heroes are an interesting breed - they often initially come across as impossible to love for one reason or another, but somehow she always manages to make us and the heroine fall for them, anyway. The Earl of Worth, our hero in this story, is no different. You really have to read to the end to get the fullest view of his character and the best understanding of all his actions throughout the story.
Also, this story is set in the really high echelons of British society - we are hobnobbing with Prinny here! These people live by different rules than us peons, so keep that in mind as you read.
Not my favorite Heyer, but not my least favorite, either. (That honor goes to Powder and Patch - ugh!)
This was the very first Georgette Heyer I read decades ago and I was intrigued by the very careful manners of Regency society---as well as its high-spirited heroine pitting herself against the alpha male.
Judith Taverner and her brother, Peregrine, are flouting their guardian’s will by coming to London; they are determined to enjoy themselves to the hilt. A chance encounter on the road sets the tone for Judith’s future relationship with her guardian and it’s will-he, nill-he for the next year as Lord Worth waits his guardianship out. Defying Lord Worth where she can, Judith yet takes comfort in the protection he offers even as she doubts his sincerity as Perry escapes death again and again.
Interesting contest of wills set against Regency England in London and Brighton as Heyer introduces us to the mores, styles, and values of the time. I am amazed at how well Heyer writes both the dialog and the content in the vernacular pulling one completely into the period. I rather like my version of the cover as well with her standoffish interest and his protective stance set in a drawing room; the cover of the version currently available is rather jokey.
Judith Taverner and her brother, Peregrine, are flouting their guardian’s will by coming to London; they are determined to enjoy themselves to the hilt. A chance encounter on the road sets the tone for Judith’s future relationship with her guardian and it’s will-he, nill-he for the next year as Lord Worth waits his guardianship out. Defying Lord Worth where she can, Judith yet takes comfort in the protection he offers even as she doubts his sincerity as Perry escapes death again and again.
Interesting contest of wills set against Regency England in London and Brighton as Heyer introduces us to the mores, styles, and values of the time. I am amazed at how well Heyer writes both the dialog and the content in the vernacular pulling one completely into the period. I rather like my version of the cover as well with her standoffish interest and his protective stance set in a drawing room; the cover of the version currently available is rather jokey.
This was ok- not my favorite Heyer. It had some mystery and intrigue which was fun, but I found most of the characters off-putting. “I love you so I’ll fight with you incessantly” isn’t my preferred couple-dynamic, in books or elsewhere. It did pick up in the last three chapters, but not enough to sway me into really liking this book.
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Heyer's first regency feels a bit like a guided tour through the social scene of the period -- a cockfight, a duel, a carriage race from London to Brighton -- with a bit of a mystery thrown in. In typical Heyer fashion, the hero is sullen but honorable, and always, always right, particularly when the heroine attempts to challenge his autocratic ways...
Very enjoyable. Featuring a guardian and his ward who instantly hate each other, a very silly younger brother who loves all sport and is terrible at driving, and some Oscar-Wilde-like lines by the "fashionable" characters. Not as comedic as some of Heyer's other novels (e.g., The Reluctant Widow, The Convenient Marriage).
Despite some weird comments on how the love interest constantly wants to "beat" the heroine, never asks her opinion on anything, and generally wants to be in charge of her life, it's another great Heyer novel to read on an airplane.
Despite some weird comments on how the love interest constantly wants to "beat" the heroine, never asks her opinion on anything, and generally wants to be in charge of her life, it's another great Heyer novel to read on an airplane.