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3.31 AVERAGE
3.31 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
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
Aka Powder and Patch. First read probably 40 years ago, so the last chapter new to me. Heyer not yet at formidable best
I love Georgette Heyer, and this book was a lot of fun, very light and comedic. Set earlier than many of her books, in the mid-eighteenth century, and partially in pre-revolutionary France, Powder and Patch had a slightly different feel than her many Regency romances. I especially enjoyed her description of the men's clothing.
This is the third book GH wrote & she completed it in an incredible three weeks! I've always been all over the place with this novel.There are a lot of things I like about it but the assertion by the author that woman want to be mastered (um, no we don't!) And until I read the (awful) [bc:Why Shoot a Butler?|311134|Why Shoot a Butler?|Georgette Heyer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320460145s/311134.jpg|3419882] I thought this was GH's least likeable heroine & that Philip (one of GH's "sweet" heroes) really deserved better.
But I've now been marrieda life time over thirty years to a lovely fellow who takes no interest in his appearance so I do have some sympathy for Cleone's desire for Philip to smarten himself up a bit!
A lot of readers complain about Heyer (born 1902) spraying some of her books with French phrases. I'm reading [bc:Katherine Mansfield: A Biography|3608337|Katherine Mansfield A Biography|Jeffrey Meyers|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1467423543s/3608337.jpg|181805] and the New Zealand born Mansfield (birth date 1888) uses French phrases through quite a few of her personal letters. Likewise Nancy Mitford (born 1904)in her chatty [bc:Madame de Pompadour|25231966|Madame de Pompadour|Nancy Mitford|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1427494198s/25231966.jpg|1756305] Maybe this was a common practice for well educated early 20th century women? Previous readings of both this book & Madam de Pompadour it was never a problem for me, as I took French in High School. Sadly my French is all but forgotten, but I managed to work out all the French except for a few lines of Philip's rondeau. (but I did struggle reading Madame de Pompadour!)
I love the quite beautiful descriptions of the clothing - probably the most detailed description of men's clothing in any of GH's Georgian novels. & I do think Philip's French friends would have been a lot of fun to hang out with.
A member of the Georgette Heyer Fans Group (HJ) found the original ending (an extra chapter) to this book on a blog.
http://www.shelaghlewins.com/other_stuff/cleone.php
Without giving too much away, I prefer the 1923 Mills & Boon outcome for such a very young couple. Undoubtedly this is the best Mills & Boon I have ever read! But finishing at Chapter XIX like the 1930 Heineman has it was neater.
Lets call it a draw!
But I've now been married
A lot of readers complain about Heyer (born 1902) spraying some of her books with French phrases. I'm reading [bc:Katherine Mansfield: A Biography|3608337|Katherine Mansfield A Biography|Jeffrey Meyers|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1467423543s/3608337.jpg|181805] and the New Zealand born Mansfield (birth date 1888) uses French phrases through quite a few of her personal letters. Likewise Nancy Mitford (born 1904)in her chatty [bc:Madame de Pompadour|25231966|Madame de Pompadour|Nancy Mitford|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1427494198s/25231966.jpg|1756305] Maybe this was a common practice for well educated early 20th century women? Previous readings of both this book & Madam de Pompadour it was never a problem for me, as I took French in High School. Sadly my French is all but forgotten, but I managed to work out all the French except for a few lines of Philip's rondeau. (but I did struggle reading Madame de Pompadour!)
I love the quite beautiful descriptions of the clothing - probably the most detailed description of men's clothing in any of GH's Georgian novels. & I do think Philip's French friends would have been a lot of fun to hang out with.
A member of the Georgette Heyer Fans Group (HJ) found the original ending (an extra chapter) to this book on a blog.
http://www.shelaghlewins.com/other_stuff/cleone.php
Without giving too much away, I prefer the 1923 Mills & Boon outcome for such a very young couple. Undoubtedly this is the best Mills & Boon I have ever read! But finishing at Chapter XIX like the 1930 Heineman has it was neater.
Lets call it a draw!
lighthearted
fast-paced
i probably missed a fair bit of context because i didnt care to translate all the french in this
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Not much romance going on. More character development especially for the male Phillip. It is alright.
Fun and a little absurd. I enjoyed the "fopitization" (I just made that word up) of Philip and the exploration of how sometimes what we think we want isn't really what we want. Heyer is the mother of modern romance, and it shows. A fun read.
Do you know who Phillip is? DO YOU!?!?
I just realised this myself, so let me tell you. You know how Heyer lives to reuse characters? It's one of my favourite things to see reoccurring characters (they come under different names but are so recognisable) and even better to see them star in THEIR OWN STORY.
Well this one takes the cake. Phillip is none other than Leonie's double in these old shades. You know, the one who should have lived Leonie's life but got swapped at birth with her, yes! The clod hopping son that was not red headed as he ought stars in this book, AND gets a makeover!
I just realised this myself, so let me tell you. You know how Heyer lives to reuse characters? It's one of my favourite things to see reoccurring characters (they come under different names but are so recognisable) and even better to see them star in THEIR OWN STORY.
Well this one takes the cake. Phillip is none other than Leonie's double in these old shades. You know, the one who should have lived Leonie's life but got swapped at birth with her, yes! The clod hopping son that was not red headed as he ought stars in this book, AND gets a makeover!