Reviews

Have many thoughts about this book, most negative. But the negatives are of a heavy nature. Like, did Heyer subscribe to some form of eugenics? And why are women portrayed as wanting nothing more than to be under the thumb of some man? So I will just say that I appreciated that the plot moved along well and while fundamentally, I was not with the romance in this, I was, however begrudgingly, endeared to Leonie and it did warm my heart to see her acquire a family that loved her.

One thing in this book’s favor is that the cast and family remind me of the Daracotts in Unknown Ajax. Except Avon is so miserly with information and doesn’t bring his family in on the playacting.

swissmunicipal's review

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5.0

I don't know how it took me so long to discover (or be introduced to) Georgette Heyer. This was a slightly longer read and the pacing was a bit slow for awhile, but it picked up around the half way mark and then I couldn't put it down.

I think many of Heyer's books have been abridged/updated to remove some of her more dated opinions, but the idea of noble/peasant bloodlines being important still reigned heavily in this and other of her books. It's not something I particularly care for, but it is important to the plot of this one.

covertocovergirl's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful informative medium-paced

4.5

caraway_and_rye's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny fast-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? No

4.0

luckygirlgwenice's review

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4.0

I daresay the plot deserves a 5 but it wasn't completely enough for me I think maybe because of a bit too much french.

roseice's review against another edition

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4.0

Heyer's writing is of a stunningly consistent quality; it seems to exist at a higher tier than much historical fiction, which is despairingly notable when I attempt to read other authors in the genre. I'm ridiculously fond of her dialogue, which is always worded so precisely and so wittily, and everything her characters say falls so perfectly into place. It's a delight to read such a meticulously-wrought work of art.

Weirdly, I loved the addition of French, too. Although what I understood of it was so minimal (and came, I gather, from living in Canada, where everything is written in both English and French. Don't ask me to try pronouncing it, though) it was a nice, authentic touch. I would genuinely love to study French, if I have the opportunity in the future. I was forced to take it in elementary school, back when I didn't appreciate the beauty of the language, haha.

Anyway, Heyer's characterisation is top-notch, despite coming almost entirely through the dialogue. This was a loveable bunch--Justin, Leonie, Rupert, Hugh, Fanny, etc. They're fun to hang out with. This novel is really not what I'd consider romance (actual romance, not smut), as basically nothing happens except the fostering of friendship and familial bonds for the majority of the story. And that works for me. Justin calling Leonie "infant," and his manner towards her, throughout the entire story really established him as an older brother figure, so the fact they married in the end was... squicky, but alas, those were the times.

All the same, Heyer is just fantastic. I wish I'd discovered her earlier.

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