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3.31 AVERAGE
3.31 AVERAGE
Every now and then I read a book and can't decide whether it's absolutely brilliant or incredibly stupid. I've settled on the latter for this one.
I like the "Cinderfella" idea, but I don't think it was quite successfully pulled off. I never got a strong sense of the hero's character and the heroine was ridiculously immature. Actually, both of them were, which I guess is all part of the story.
Some of Heyer's trademark elements are here-namely, witty conversation and characters with more depth than they care to admit-but it's obvious her craft was still in development at the time she wrote this book.
I like the "Cinderfella" idea, but I don't think it was quite successfully pulled off. I never got a strong sense of the hero's character and the heroine was ridiculously immature. Actually, both of them were, which I guess is all part of the story.
Some of Heyer's trademark elements are here-namely, witty conversation and characters with more depth than they care to admit-but it's obvious her craft was still in development at the time she wrote this book.
Perhaps not my favorite Heyer. A little melodramatic for my tastes.
Light-hearted romance whose lexicon, romantic attitudes, and standards are all rather dated. Still amusing.
I've read about 20 Georgette Heyer books. I wasn't done with the first chapter of this before I said to myself, "I bet this is one of her early books." The first chapter was so unnecessary to the rest of the book and wandered about, when it could have been summarized in a couple paragraphs. Also a few times in the book a first person narrator injects herself in "I must say" in describing something, and it's just off.
I didn't think the characterization was that great. I didn't find Philip's complete mischaracterization of the polish his father wanted him to acquire as being believable at all. They even had a discussion specifically about that! I didn't find his decision to swing that far to have been believable with how his character had been written.
There's a good bit of French in this book, going beyond the few phrases here and there that the average person might understand. And to have an entire poem as part of the main text without any translation, when the book was written in a time without Google Translate? Unbelievable.
There were still some really good dialogue moments. I love Heyer's wit. There were some moments when the characters did really shine. And I appreciated the "clean" nature of her books as always. But I really found this book rather lackluster. I didn't dislike it, but I have no desire to read it again.
I didn't think the characterization was that great. I didn't find Philip's complete mischaracterization of the polish his father wanted him to acquire as being believable at all. They even had a discussion specifically about that! I didn't find his decision to swing that far to have been believable with how his character had been written.
There's a good bit of French in this book, going beyond the few phrases here and there that the average person might understand. And to have an entire poem as part of the main text without any translation, when the book was written in a time without Google Translate? Unbelievable.
There were still some really good dialogue moments. I love Heyer's wit. There were some moments when the characters did really shine. And I appreciated the "clean" nature of her books as always. But I really found this book rather lackluster. I didn't dislike it, but I have no desire to read it again.
Another quite amusing Heyer. I loved all the Georgian fop fashion descriptions and French phrases and the makeover storyline in this, and I would have given it 4 stars except that I really didn't like the ending.
One of the first books Heyer wrote this is a perfect example of her romances. From the very outset you know exactly what happy couple will end up together, but not until the very very end. Here we meet Philip Jettan, a young gentleman who has lived his whole life in the countryside. His father has, on occasion, asked him to go to town, but he finds all that rather boring. Prefering a simpler life.
Until a Mr. Bancroft turns up, in his very fine coat and red heeled shoes. Bancroft pays many a visit to local girl Cleone, and his polished manners, and polished nails, make Philip jealous. Eventually he even demands satisfaction, and loses in the ensuing duel. Upset by Cleone’s wishes that he act less like a clod-hopper and more like a gentleman, and by his own father’s agreeing with Cleone Philip, heads for his uncle’s, and then on to Paris.
When he returns to England he gives every impression of a painted puppy “from the powdered curls of his wig to the diamond buckles of his shoes” and heads off to woo his Mistress Cleone. Of course things don’t run smoothly, that would be fun, would it, and everyone seems to be at cross purposes before everything works itself out in the end.
It is a fun, quick read, although I’m too sure about Cleone’s desire to be mastered, and lets not get started on some of Lady Malmerstoke’s convictions. Still it is the language and dialogue used that is so very entertaining
Until a Mr. Bancroft turns up, in his very fine coat and red heeled shoes. Bancroft pays many a visit to local girl Cleone, and his polished manners, and polished nails, make Philip jealous. Eventually he even demands satisfaction, and loses in the ensuing duel. Upset by Cleone’s wishes that he act less like a clod-hopper and more like a gentleman, and by his own father’s agreeing with Cleone Philip, heads for his uncle’s, and then on to Paris.
When he returns to England he gives every impression of a painted puppy “from the powdered curls of his wig to the diamond buckles of his shoes” and heads off to woo his Mistress Cleone. Of course things don’t run smoothly, that would be fun, would it, and everyone seems to be at cross purposes before everything works itself out in the end.
It is a fun, quick read, although I’m too sure about Cleone’s desire to be mastered, and lets not get started on some of Lady Malmerstoke’s convictions. Still it is the language and dialogue used that is so very entertaining