What is your favourite Georgette Heyer novel and why?
Closing date 7th October
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Friday, 30 September 2016
September Competition
To win a copy of Snowdrift, short stories by Georgette Heyer, just answer the following question in the Comments below:
What is your favourite Georgette Heyer novel and why?
Then send your answer to maryhoffman@maryhoffman.co.uk so that I can contact you if you have won.
Closing date 7th October
We regret that our competitions are open only to UK Followers
What is your favourite Georgette Heyer novel and why?
Closing date 7th October
We regret that our competitions are open only to UK Followers
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5 comments:
My favourite Georgette Heyer is 'Frederica', the first one I read as a teenager. In those days it was unusual to buy a book, most came from the library, but we were in a stationers one day, and my mother allowed my sister and I to buy one book each from a small revolving carosel. I chose Frederica, and my sister chose a book of St Trinian's cartoons, both of which we enjoyed and have to this day. This book started a love affair with Heyer's works, which supported me through many tough times. Like any prolific author, Heyer's work varies, and this is one of her classic domestic comedies, which I much prefer to to her crime-angled or non-regency books, so was an incrediby lucky first choice, as otherwise I may not have continued reading her!
Oh dear, what an impossible question! I love the slightly older heroines like Venetia who is resigned to living in the country and being a spinster or Frederica who is somewhat bossy and concerned with sorting out her family rather than her own life. Both are strong women well able to stand up for themselves. But then there is Jenny in A Civil Contract - plain, awkward and rich. And which book is it where the heroine is pretending to be a young lad? So many lovely stories and delightful heroines!
My first and for me most memorable and most loved book was Powder and Patch, I had read 'everything' and was staying at my grans when I asked if she had anything to read. Now I had read all of Arthur C Clark, lots of myths and legends and many adventures, so I wasn't holding much hope for a 'decent' read, my Grandma gave me 'Powder and Patch' and 'wuthering heights'. Can I just add I hated romance in any form!
I chose Powder and patch to read first as it had a picture on the cover and the other didn't! I sat and dropped into regency England without noticing, I walked the streets and watched behind fans, I made good choices and bad and swept in and out of massive rooms of decoration. I lived the story and when all came good at the end I almost felt upset to be at the end. I have gone on to read more of her work but that first read always takes me back to curled up on grans sofa, tuning out her TV turned too loud, while I travelled in time.
I have never been able to quite revisit the same effect since but I do read her works to unwind and to just enjoy reading.
Such a difficult question - how to pick? I have a very soft spot for Jenny Chawleigh in 'A Civil Contract', becauase she *isn't* a conventional heroine, and I love 'Frederica' because the family relationships between Frederica and her siblings, and Lord Alverstoke and his relations are such fun. And I do enjoy the later books where the heroine is 'past the age of falling in love'.
I love 'The Talisman Ring' for the relationship between Tristram and Miss Thane
But if I am limited to just one favourite I think it would be be 'Devil's Cub' because I love Mary Challoner, and the idea that the plainer, less showy, sensible and intelligent girl gets her man, and because every one of the supporting characters is so well drawn.
And the scene in which Mary explains to the Duke of Avon what has been happening is perfect. (and I confess, I have a soft spot for the Cub himself, although I am sure he would be far less appealing in real life!)
The first Georgette Heyer book I read was Royal Escape, and one night last week I sat past midnight to finish reading it again. That first time was in the 1940s. It was a good read, thrilling and moving. But it didn't 'grip' me. It was in later years when I lived near a large Library that I found another type of Heyer book, her Regency romances, which hooked me completely. As to my favourite: I love them all though some stand out -The Quiet Gentleman, Sylvester, The Unknown Ajax - but it is The Grand Sophy which captured me most. The first few pages make me smile and laugh, I picture it all in my mind as I read how she finds herself among the family and sees they need 'guidance', so sets about providing it in her own clever, thoughtful and devious, though never harmful, way. I find it uplifting and moving and funny and sad, but it all ends up in a very satisfactory manner. I started reading it again last week and although I know the story well I still smile. All being well, I will reach my 90th birthday this month and part of my thankfulness for all the happy years is reading all my Heyer books once again.
Posted on behalf of Chris Mitchell.
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