I didn't like it as much as Band Sinister or the Charm of Magpie series, but it was a lovely romance nevertheless with 2 very like3,5 stars upped to 4
I didn't like it as much as Band Sinister or the Charm of Magpie series, but it was a lovely romance nevertheless with 2 very likeable and relatable MCs. ...more
My name is Melinda and I have finally caved in and read a Bridgerton novel.
This is one of those books that pops up again and again and again in your My name is Melinda and I have finally caved in and read a Bridgerton novel.
This is one of those books that pops up again and again and again in your thread, either loved or reviled by your friends, discussed and talked about and you are on the fence about it.
- Shall I read it? But I'm sure I'm going to hate it. - No, I won't read it. Based on the cover blurb this will be average at best and of course factually totally inaccurate. Anyways, my GR friend X hated it. - Well, but my GR friend Y praised it. - Hmm, it's one of those books I can get in my local library in Hungarian. - But there are so many other books to read. - Maybe, one day. - Oh, look, they made this Netflix series based on the books and everyone and their wives, hubbies, children, exes, cats, dogs and hamsters are talking about them. Even the fish in their tanks are sending morse codes and discuss. - Oh look at those pretty gifs with the actors. - awwww, I don't know what to do!
24 years are passing (hold my beer, Hamlet! ...more
The heroine was less level-headed than I expected and I found her constant righteous indignation outbursts rather tiring, but I 3,7 stars rounded up.
The heroine was less level-headed than I expected and I found her constant righteous indignation outbursts rather tiring, but I loved Lord Carlyon. :)...more
A hilarious, lovely and touching LGBTQ "retelling" of Georgette Heyer's Venetia.
I did not much care about the original book (it is the one I like the A hilarious, lovely and touching LGBTQ "retelling" of Georgette Heyer's Venetia.
I did not much care about the original book (it is the one I like the least among GH's novels, though I will eventually give it another chance) and I enjoyed this rendition much better. The "sinister" bunch were all loveable (very much in the vein of Regency Oscar Wildes) and had a great sense of humour. While Guy was a bit so-and-so, Sir Philip was marvelous (thankfully not resembling Damerel at all, meaning that I did not find him repulsive at all) and Amanda was also a great character. The consequences of her becoming an author of Gothic novels made me laugh and laugh....more
3,5 stars rounded down, because I just did not see the point of introducing the new character of the seamstress, it was both useless and boring. On th3,5 stars rounded down, because I just did not see the point of introducing the new character of the seamstress, it was both useless and boring. On the other hand, I really liked how Jane's father and co. were brought in, as that brought some novelty and a good promise and real resolve for a difficult situation.
Otherwise the story of the small Regency town of Ivy Hill and it inhabitants just flows on in the sedately and leisurely fashion it did in books 1 & 2, though finally all main story threads are resolved and to satisfaction at that.
Once again, I appreciated the fact that the audiobook was available for free in my Audible subscription. Narrator Elizabeth Jasicki did a good job of it, though her style is as slow as the book itself, so adjusting the speed button may be required, if you are going for the audio. :)...more
Same rating as for Book 1, The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill, 3,5 stars rounded up to 4 and mostly the same impressions and enjoyment.
I really liked to read Same rating as for Book 1, The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill, 3,5 stars rounded up to 4 and mostly the same impressions and enjoyment.
I really liked to read about how a subscription library is opening in the village.
The scope and space widens a bit as we are treated to more appearance of the gentry families of the neighbourhood and there are quite a few references to Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion.
A nice, cosy, character-driven Regency-story with a protracted narrative, which still works if you happen to be in the mood f3,5 stars rounded up to 4
A nice, cosy, character-driven Regency-story with a protracted narrative, which still works if you happen to be in the mood for it.
As mentioned, the plot is superslow and stretches over to the end of the book and beyond. Quite a few storylines remain unresolved and you need to read books 2 and 3 to find out about them, but at the end I found myself caring about what was to happen to the characters and wanting to go on to book 2 right away.
It is also very easy on the "romance" side, if any of the relationships can be called that at all, but I did not mind. I found the realistic human approach and the absence of rakish aristocrats and heaving bosoms rather refreshing, though connecting to the characters was a bit hard at first as a result of the very slow-moving plot. It is tagged as Romance MPG, but I think women's fiction would be a much fitting term for it. As for "Christian Fiction", I think the religious aspect fits rather naturally into the Regency period, so it did not struck me as anything outstanding.
If you want a classic comparison (it is stretching it a bit, I know), I would say it is more Elizabeth Gaskell/Cranford - style than Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer. Or if it is Jane Austen, then it is Highbury without Emma and Mr Knightley around (although there is a Sir Timothy Brockton as lord of the manor, but with only slight appearances).
Currently all 3 books are included in my Audible subscription for free, so I am moving on to book 2 right away....more
A very slow-going, cosy, undemanding and relaxing Christmas read which I actually enjoyed much more than I expected.
It is a type3,33 nice, cosy stars
A very slow-going, cosy, undemanding and relaxing Christmas read which I actually enjoyed much more than I expected.
It is a type of slice-of-life a la Regency fiction, with no grating blunders as to the time period (though the all-inclusive skating-party is a close shave) and you can overlook the smaller ones. Nothing much is happening with a nice, understated romance, low-angst, smoothly solved issues, sympathetic characters and a good narrator.
Happy Endings are all around guaranteed. (... well, apart from most of the geese, of course. They come to a sad, but predictable fate, but the most deserving survive.)
If the characters were a bit better drawn, with more layers, I would have given the book 4 stars, but while Stephanie Laurens writes quite nice characters, she is no league with D.E. Stevenson, Elizabeth Fair or Margery Sharp, so they are more types.
Currently the book and all its instalments are included in the Audible+ catalogue as free listens and I will at least try the next one in the series....more
I loved the idea of this book, but unfortunately not the actual one.
After a promising beginning and despite very strong secondary characters2,5 stars
I loved the idea of this book, but unfortunately not the actual one.
After a promising beginning and despite very strong secondary characters who easily stole the show from the main ones, I ended up being bored and could not wait to finish the story....more
Slightly elevated to 4,33 stars from mere 4-stars on rereading.
While it is very enjoyable in itself and contains all the elements fo which I love and Slightly elevated to 4,33 stars from mere 4-stars on rereading.
While it is very enjoyable in itself and contains all the elements fo which I love and appreciate Georgette Heyer's writing, compared to my favourite novels by her (A Civil Contract, The Grand Sophy and The Nonesuch), it doesn't manage to reach quite those heights. But considering that it was on the 3rd re-read, I realised that The Grand Sophy belongs with my favourite books, this may still have a chance at some points to become even more appreciated.
It is still included as #4 in my top 5 Heyers, which is a good place to be. ...more
4,5 stars rounded up because I enjoyed the hell out of this book despite the bit OTT misunderstanding and the abrupt ending.
With this review, I also 4,5 stars rounded up because I enjoyed the hell out of this book despite the bit OTT misunderstanding and the abrupt ending.
With this review, I also crown Sir Waldo as my (so far) favourite Heyer hero.
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I think my original meeting with Heyer books started on a rather Pride and Prejudice-y note. I tought her books "tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt ME."
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As an Austen fan, I should have known better, right? Right.
Plus this provides me with a great opportunity to generously scatter Colin Firth, Bridgerton and Tom Hiddleston (wrong time period, but who could resist?!) gifs throughout my review.
And by this time I am absolutely ready to be continuing with a Heyer-reading spree, including giving all her formerly read books a second try:
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And I am like:
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Sir Waldo Hawkridge (despite the rather ridiculous surname) is an epitome of suaveness: courteous, elegant; gracious and sophisticated.
Once again, wrong dress and period, but you get my mental image, I guess. :)
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He is referred to as a Corinthian, who (and I am quoting from https://janeausten.co.uk/blogs/uncate... ) "This term described the well dressed athlete. A Corinthian was a man who...generally excelled in all the sporting pursuits including fencing, single-stick, boxing, hunting, shooting and tooling his carriage--usually a curricle--preferably with the kind of skill that would see him admitted to the Four-Horse Club. He would also be a man of good character, addicted to all forms of sport, at home with all classes and able to cut a dash at Almack's or blow a cloud with the roughest pugilist at Cribb's Parlour."...more
--------------------------------- Original Review:
Before I picked up this book, I was in a MOOD and a certain state Opinion unchanged on re-reading. :)
--------------------------------- Original Review:
Before I picked up this book, I was in a MOOD and a certain state of mind. It is when I know I should be reading something very-very specifically suited to my needs, but have no idea what these are. Yeah, I hate it, for I know that unless I find A BOOK to fit said mood/mindset, I would go on like this
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and like this
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But then I read Emilia's absolutely awesome review of A Civil Contract and just knew that I have to try it, even though books by Georgette Heyer had not previously transported me to places of pure literary delight (well, apart from The Grand Sophy, but that is a different story altogether - yet to be written), only to mild entertainment. But obviously, I have reached the point in my reading history where this is to change and I will give books by Heyer (new and already read) another chance and we begin our relationship anew.
But before I go on, I still need to pay hommage to Emilia and to her aforementioned review. I agree with her in all the points she raised and also find it hard to write a review of my own without copyright infringement. But I will try. If you read both reviews and find I did steal: it is owing to her strong influence. :)
I read my first Heyer books in 2019 (Venetia, Frederica, The Grand Sophy) and I did not fall in love with any of them. It must have been due to some false expectations (although in Venetia's case also some personal disgust with Damerel). For some reason I kept searching for romance and chemistry, which I did not find. I should have known better and now I do. After I reread Sophy for the 2nd time, I came to love Heyer's characterisation, the dynamics between her creations and humour and found the absence of "romantic" love very refreshing.
It was the same for A Civil Contract. The relationship between the main couple (heroine-hero are just not fitting titles for them) was so good: REAL, RELATABLE and UNROMANTIC and it was just what I needed.
It was also with this book that I realised just how accurate Heyer's grasp was on the Regency era whether it was military history, manners, fashion, housekeeping and what have you. Since then I have started reading her biography (Georgette Heyer: Biography of a Bestseller by Jennifer Kloester, so I know that yes, she did a great amount of research with her books that can easily be called academic, so
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As one of my pet peeves in historical romance books is the sad fact that most authors haven't got the slightest clue about the eras they choose to write about or think it necessary that they should, I appreciate the effort Heyer put into her books as well as the fact that they DO manage to transport me back to a kind of Regency that feels authentic.
Quoting from Jennifer Kloester's GH biography (Chapter 33): "Since first writing about the Regency in 1935, Georgette had built up a personal library of some 2000 volumes with many general reference books and dictionaries of biography, phrase, slang, dialect, place names, Latin, French, Spanish and English. She had collected a range of history books , texts about specific subjects such as snuffboxes, coaching inns, the military, London, etiquette and clothing. Fore details of life in the period and it slanguage she favoured primary sources over secondary and owned works by most of the 18th and early 19th century diarists. Other contemporary books about Regency life included The English Spy, The Hermit in London , memoirs of the Court of England during the Regency, Harriet Wilson's autobiography and Georgette's own particular favourite: Pierce Eagan's Life in London, a treasure trove of Regency argot and etiquette. ... Jane Austen was a vital source and Georgette regularly sought inspiration, vocabulary and phrases from her favourite author's letters and novels. Georgette's extensive knowledge of Regency Fashion cam mainly from studying contemporary magazines including "La Belle Assembly", "The Ladies Monthly Museum", The Gentelmen's Magazine" .... She also read contemporary books about hunting, sports, postal system, household management and expenditure. She kept all the useful details in reference notebooks, compiled alphabetical lists of slang terms and popular expressions, gathered colloquial phrases.
I also loved that the book itself gives a bow, or at least a polite and kind nod to Sense and Sensibility.
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And it is not in copying the plot point blank, but by highlighting Austen's ideas and "messages" and proving how universal and true to life they are. We are shown how by indulging in exaggerated sensibilities people can do harm both to themselves and to others and how phony and tiresome this behaviour may be even in the eyes of one's loved ones. It also advocates the "simple joys of life" as opposed to grand passion, but not in any didactic and spoonfeeding way. Through the character of Lady Julia (the embodiment of these sensibilities), Heyer manages to make her point quite brilliantly. I was super impressed with the way we are introduced to Julia through Adam's lovelorn eyes and then how by degrees we are led to realise what is behind the beautiful and beguiling facade. It is extremely well done.
Koestler writes in her biography that Heyer “had hopes of writing a new kind of novel, but was unsure about it. She thought the book would be neither farcical, nor adventurous and would depend on success whether I can make the hero ‘as charming as I believe he was. And also, of course, if I can make a quiet story interesting.’ She wanted “A Civil Contract” to be quite different from previous books and planned to set the story in 1814 to 1815 with the culminating point the financial panic in London over Waterloo.
In my eyes, she managed to make the story interesting and intriguing and the "hero" of the story Adam, besides having personal charm, also has integrity, honesty and is quite considerate of the feeling of others even if he does not like them.
The story starts when Adam, an officer under the Duke of Wellington in the Peninsula Wars, has to return to England after his father's death. The old chap has left the family in financial ruin. Adam -now a Viscount- is determined to clear his name and his father's debts and is even willing to sell his inheritance (his seat in the country). He also has to realise that these are not the only sacrifices he has to make: he also has to give up his dreams of marrying the love of his life, the beautiful, sylph-like Lady Julia. Julia's family is on the most friendly terms with Adam, but her father tells him that there is no way he can consent to their marriage. However, to help Adam out of his financial difficulties, he sends Mr Jonathan Chawleigh, an honest, but vulgar and fabulously wealthy businessman from the City to him. Mr Chawleigh has an offer to make: Adam marries his plain, but well educated daughter, Jenny and makes her a viscountess. In return, Mr Chawleigh will take care of his financial problems. Adam is both repulsed and entertained by the offer and is determined to refuse, but in the end the marriage comes through and a new life awaits both of them full of pitfalls.
I do not mean to spoiler how it all goes, but GH builds up the relationship dynamics between all the characters beautifully. It is fascinating to watch the characters interact with each other and see how they are navigating the waters. But whether they are determined to change (Jenny) or reluctant (Adam) or unaware that they are changing (Mr Chawleigh), change they do, if not in character, but certainly in awareness and reevaluating ideas and principles as they go along.
All characters -main and supporting- are superbly done, but GH was right in fearing that Mr Chawleigh would outshine them all (‘he continually tried to steal the whole book and had to be firmly pushed off the stage’). They way he and Adam interact is as fascinating to watch as Adam's relationship is evolving in certain directions both with Julia and Jenny.
Adam's sister, Lydia is another awesome character and I loved her storyline.
The plot of what happens before and after Waterloo is very exciting and made the whole Regency-feel more authentic.
I loved the book from start to finish and will reread it soon.
I have listened to the audiobook narrated very well by Dominic Thorburn....more
"You could not shock her more than she shocks me; Beside her Joyce seems innocent as grass. It makes me most uncomfortable to see An English spinster of the middle class Describe the amorous effects of "brass," Reveal so frankly and with such sobriety The economic basis of society."
- W. H. Auden, Letter to Lord Byron (1936)
On this particular rerererererere....-read I actually did some counting and found that Miss Jane Austen and I are celebrating the 35th Anniversary of me reading Pride and Prejudice for the very first time!
This in turn brings happy memories and makes me feel so old, but of course I am heading her advice
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and I am deeply grateful for all the pleasure, support, strength, experience and wisdom (ha!) JA gave me over those years.
So to be AUSTEN-tatious about it, I decided to throw a party and our star performer is Beyonce....more
It was nice enough and entertaining enough and georgetteheyerish enough, but I was still unimpressed.
It's thanks to Phyllida Nash's excellent narratiIt was nice enough and entertaining enough and georgetteheyerish enough, but I was still unimpressed.
It's thanks to Phyllida Nash's excellent narration that I am giving it 3 stars.
I think the book very much hinges on whether you like Lady Denville or not. I did not dislike her, but was not enamoured by her either, so her taking center stage was a dampener. ...more
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