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bhnmt61's review against another edition
3.0
This was a re-read for me, after having read it and disliked it thoroughly four or five years ago. I kept hearing people say it is their favorite Heyer, their favorite historical romance, their favorite beach read, etc so I decided maybe I should try it again. I did like it much better this time--it is probably the best written of all the Heyers I've read, and it is beautifully plotted and hangs together perfectly. But I dinged it one star for the gratuitously awful Jewish moneylender in the middle (typical of her time, but that doesn't mean I have to like it), and another star because I'm not a fan of farce, and this novel--as well-written and perfectly conceived as it is--never really moves out of the realm of farce. We do get to see Sophy as more than just a mischievous manipulator during the long section where she cares for her seriously ill younger cousin, but other than that, we never see her with her guard lowered in the entire novel. Does she love Charles? Did she just think it would be a lark to marry him? Did she agree to marry him just because she knows she would make a better wife than the odious Eugenia? who knows? Lord knows the Rivenhalls needed their world shaken up, and Sophy is just the person to do it. If you don't mind slapstick/farce, it works just fine--it is fun to read and there are several laugh out loud moments. If it had ended with Sophy just being the crazy cousin who is going to visit for three months every year and throw the house into chaos, it would have been a perfectly valid light-hearted summer read. But in order to really believe these two had fallen in love, I would have needed a bit more vulnerability and honesty between the main characters. Since that seems to be exactly what everyone else loves about this novel, don't mind me, I'm just the curmudgeon in the corner.
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
One of Heyer's Regency romances.
The Story
Sir Horace must post off to Brazil for some sort of diplomat-thing and his daughter, Sophia, must stay in England and look after Sancia, his fiancée. And the Rivenhalls are about to find out that Sir Horace's "dear little soul...not an ounce of vice in her" is not exactly what they had expected.
For Sophy isn't one to sit back and watch other people's lives fall apart when, with just a bit of a push and some courage, one can help them through the muddle. Lord knows, the Rivenhalls have plenty of problems with Lord Ombersley's debts, Charles' taking on the management of the family and its fortunes...as well as his so-very-saintly fiancée, Hubert's youthful problems, and poor Cecilia's love affair with the beautiful, but ineligible, poet.
The Characters
I think Sophy is the woman we all want to be. Confident, caring, and completely herself "without an ounce of vice in her" while Eugenia Wraxton embodies all that is unChristian with her tattling and overbearing strictures on what's proper.
Charles Rivenhall is a man teetering on the edge. Overwhelmed with his father's careless waste of the family money. Desperate to bring things back to rights, he's easy prey for someone like Miss Wraxton. It takes a Grand Sophy to open his eyes and bring joy back to the Rivenhall family.
My Take
Not Heyer's usual style, The Grand Sophy, is just that. Grand. Sophy is larger than life and with an open, realistic view on life which drives everyone around her nuts if only because it's so unexpected of the women of her time and station. She's an excellent example of the Christian ideal in her acceptance and trust in people. Not that Sophy is naive, for she is well aware of type and plans well for it.
Read it and laugh. Laugh your way through Sophy's approach to life.
The Story
Sir Horace must post off to Brazil for some sort of diplomat-thing and his daughter, Sophia, must stay in England and look after Sancia, his fiancée. And the Rivenhalls are about to find out that Sir Horace's "dear little soul...not an ounce of vice in her" is not exactly what they had expected.
For Sophy isn't one to sit back and watch other people's lives fall apart when, with just a bit of a push and some courage, one can help them through the muddle. Lord knows, the Rivenhalls have plenty of problems with Lord Ombersley's debts, Charles' taking on the management of the family and its fortunes...as well as his so-very-saintly fiancée, Hubert's youthful problems, and poor Cecilia's love affair with the beautiful, but ineligible, poet.
The Characters
I think Sophy is the woman we all want to be. Confident, caring, and completely herself "without an ounce of vice in her" while Eugenia Wraxton embodies all that is unChristian with her tattling and overbearing strictures on what's proper.
Charles Rivenhall is a man teetering on the edge. Overwhelmed with his father's careless waste of the family money. Desperate to bring things back to rights, he's easy prey for someone like Miss Wraxton. It takes a Grand Sophy to open his eyes and bring joy back to the Rivenhall family.
My Take
Not Heyer's usual style, The Grand Sophy, is just that. Grand. Sophy is larger than life and with an open, realistic view on life which drives everyone around her nuts if only because it's so unexpected of the women of her time and station. She's an excellent example of the Christian ideal in her acceptance and trust in people. Not that Sophy is naive, for she is well aware of type and plans well for it.
Read it and laugh. Laugh your way through Sophy's approach to life.
pin's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A solid 4.5 star read for me!
What a fun time I had!
A lot of the writing style reminded me of Jane Austen’s stories which is in part due to its setting though Georgette definitely has a style mainly focused on entertainment maybe comparable with Julia Quinn though without the “spicy” scenes. The mention of “farmer George” certainly elicited a smile from me.
Overall I read through the book within a day and that is always a sign of a very good time.
I look forward to reading more of Georgette’s works for sure and would highly recommend reading The Grand Sophy to anyone who want a historical, romantic fiction novel with a headstrong female main character!
What a fun time I had!
A lot of the writing style reminded me of Jane Austen’s stories which is in part due to its setting though Georgette definitely has a style mainly focused on entertainment maybe comparable with Julia Quinn though without the “spicy” scenes. The mention of “farmer George” certainly elicited a smile from me.
Overall I read through the book within a day and that is always a sign of a very good time.
I look forward to reading more of Georgette’s works for sure and would highly recommend reading The Grand Sophy to anyone who want a historical, romantic fiction novel with a headstrong female main character!
gauriraut's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
Sophy oh Sophy! I simply adore you. I have never found a more delightful, lovely, funny, mischievous and warm hearted character who jumps off the page such as The Grand Sophy.
Much can be and has been said about Heyer's writing, so I won't comment on that. Just know that I am now a loyal fan.
Apart from the ending which I felt was a bit rushed, and for which I haven't given a perfect score, I immensely enjoyed this book. Can't wait to read through GH's entire catalogue.
Sophy oh Sophy! I simply adore you. I have never found a more delightful, lovely, funny, mischievous and warm hearted character who jumps off the page such as The Grand Sophy.
Much can be and has been said about Heyer's writing, so I won't comment on that. Just know that I am now a loyal fan.
Apart from the ending which I felt was a bit rushed, and for which I haven't given a perfect score, I immensely enjoyed this book. Can't wait to read through GH's entire catalogue.
megan_elizy's review against another edition
4.0
This will teach you more than you ever wanted to know about horse-drawn vehicles. And you will love every second of it. Instead of rolling your eyes and saying “of course she can”, Sophy is the rare breed of impossibly perfect FMC who will make you cheer when you find out she can shoot a gun better than any man. Yes, I know the love interest is her first cousin, but even that couldn’t ruin the delight of this book.
iris456's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
katenetz's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Fun, funny, and supremely enjoyable.