A review by cashmereweekend
Venetia by Georgette Heyer

lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This was my first Georgette Heyer experience, and I found it got off to a slow start. The characters are engaging, though, and I was surprised by the tone of the writing. It's very 'of its era' - and by that I mean you can tell exactly when it was written. A lot of effort clearly went into researching the period in which it's set, but this slows the pace down a bit. As a scholar of Regency and Georgian literature I was surprised at how much language was shoe-horned in here that the likes of Jane Austen weren't using in their writing. At times that could get a bit repetitive. 

About two thirds of the way through the pace definitely picked up, and the plot thickened as it became a lot more twisty and turny. It's definitely more Bridgerton than Austen.

I'm not sure I felt satisfied by the ending - it was fine but I think I needed more. I often do with more contemporary novels so maybe that's just me! 

Overall, an unexpected read but I'm glad I did dip by toe into Georgette's world. 
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