Publication
Sourcebooks Casablanca, c 1970
Collection
Status
Available
Description
Classic Literature. Fiction. Romance. Historical Fiction. HTML: Bestselling queen of Regency Romance, Georgette Heyer, in her inimitable style, explores the lengths to which a gentleman must go to avoid scandal when confronted by a very young runaway lady. A young and lovely runaway alone on the road to London Miss Charity Steane is running away from the drudgery of her aunt's household to find her grandfather. Not expecting her visit, the old gentleman is not in London but is away in the country. A scandal broth in the making When Viscount Desford encounters a lovely waif searching for her grandfather, he feels honor bound to assist her; but dashing about the countryside together, the Viscount must prevent his exasperating charge from bringing him ruin upon herself...and him. In the end, his best idea is to bring Charity to his lifelong best friend, Henrietta, which is when the fun and surprises really begin... Praise for Georgette Heyer: "It all begins when a chivalrous and rich young gallant takes pity on a pathetic poor relation in a neighboring family. Before long he is so entangled in his efforts to help her that every step he takes leads to some hilarious new confusion. The romantic conclusions are not what you may expect, but that adds to the fun."�??Publishers Weekly "Georgette Heyer is unbeatable."�??Sunday Telegraph "My favourite historical novelist�??stylish, romantic, sharp, and witty. Her sense of period is superb, her heroines are enterprising, and her heroes dashing. I owe her many happy hours."�??Margaret… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member ctpress
The naive and simpleminded 16-year old Charity is living with her wicked aunt and one day have had enough of being treated as a slave - so she runs away - but on her way to London, she meets Ashley Carrington, Viscount Desford, and he pities her destitute situation and decides to help her find a
The story starts quite well, but then in the second half gets a little too silly and at places rather long-winded. Also the two main characters are left out of the story for a long time in the second half and Ashleys brother are in the forefront - I would have liked a little more time with Charity as she's a funny and endearing girl.
This is my first Heyer, so I can't compare it to her other novels, but I like Heyers style of writing - it reminded me of Wodehouse in it's tone and humor - sparkling and refreshing - and also the very british slang - one sense immediately that nothing can go really wrong - all things will be mended and straightened out and hero and heroine united. It just plain entertaining and well written.
Audiobook. Wonderful narration by Daniel Philpott.
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place to stay - and he turns to his old and dear friend Hetta for help - so Charity can stay with Hetta and her family. That decision leads to one misundertanding after another and numerous family entanglements. What are Desfords intentions towards Charity? And Hetta? The story starts quite well, but then in the second half gets a little too silly and at places rather long-winded. Also the two main characters are left out of the story for a long time in the second half and Ashleys brother are in the forefront - I would have liked a little more time with Charity as she's a funny and endearing girl.
This is my first Heyer, so I can't compare it to her other novels, but I like Heyers style of writing - it reminded me of Wodehouse in it's tone and humor - sparkling and refreshing - and also the very british slang - one sense immediately that nothing can go really wrong - all things will be mended and straightened out and hero and heroine united. It just plain entertaining and well written.
Audiobook. Wonderful narration by Daniel Philpott.
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LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
Ashley Carrington, the Viscount Desford, was in no hurry to get married, whatever his irritable father, the Earl of Wroxton, had to say about it. But when he came to the aid of an unhappy young runaway by the name of Cherry Steane on the road to London, he soon found himself embroiled in an
As noted in my review of Heyer's Lady of Quality, the author's later novels are heavily indebted to her earlier work - one might almost say that they were inferior copies of more entertaining fare. Such is certainly the case with Charity Girl, published in 1970, and bearing a striking resemblance to Sprig Muslin. Both feature eligible gentlemen (Viscount Desford and Sir Gareth Ludlow) who come to the aid of taking young runaways ("Cherry" Steane and Amanda "Smith"), whom they place in the home of a trustworthy "older" female friend (Miss Henrietta Silverdale and Lady Hester Theale). Both also feature the hero's realization that he is actually in love with said "friend," and while neither could be described as terribly involving, Sprig Muslin has at least the benefit of coming first, and being (as much as is possible in a Georgette Heyer novel), original. As one of my online friends remarked in another review, couldn't Georgette Heyer have done better than this?
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adventure that demonstrated how little he knew his own heart...As noted in my review of Heyer's Lady of Quality, the author's later novels are heavily indebted to her earlier work - one might almost say that they were inferior copies of more entertaining fare. Such is certainly the case with Charity Girl, published in 1970, and bearing a striking resemblance to Sprig Muslin. Both feature eligible gentlemen (Viscount Desford and Sir Gareth Ludlow) who come to the aid of taking young runaways ("Cherry" Steane and Amanda "Smith"), whom they place in the home of a trustworthy "older" female friend (Miss Henrietta Silverdale and Lady Hester Theale). Both also feature the hero's realization that he is actually in love with said "friend," and while neither could be described as terribly involving, Sprig Muslin has at least the benefit of coming first, and being (as much as is possible in a Georgette Heyer novel), original. As one of my online friends remarked in another review, couldn't Georgette Heyer have done better than this?
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LibraryThing member TrishNYC
Viscount Ashley Desford meets Charity(aka Cherry) Steane at a gathering while visiting his aunt. The next day as he returns to his London, he encounters her walking on a lonely road and seeing the peril that she could fall into takes her to his best friend Henrietta(Hetta) Silverdale's house. So
All the main characters were very likable and even the baddies give the reader a chuckle. One of the biggest problems with this book is that I believe that the novel may have benefited from being shorter because there were parts of it that I was not bored with but certainly not interested in. A prime example of this is when Desford sets off to find Cherry's grandfather. The long descriptions of the journey there and back were somewhat tedious and I was impatient to hear more about the main characters not about road travels, broken wheels and horses going lame. Another part of the story that was not as well handled was the romance between the two lovers(sorry I will not tell who these are, you will have to find that out yourself). Not enough time was spent developing that story line and the reader is left to fill in their back story. By the time they get together, you are happy for them but its hard to feel very invested because you are not given the opportunity.
It wasn't all that I thought it was going to be but it was not bad at all. Something tells me that this book is not Georgette Heyer at her best. All in all an entertaining read.
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begins a comedy of errors and misunderstandings as Desford tries to find Cherry's grandfather and avoid scandal. All the main characters were very likable and even the baddies give the reader a chuckle. One of the biggest problems with this book is that I believe that the novel may have benefited from being shorter because there were parts of it that I was not bored with but certainly not interested in. A prime example of this is when Desford sets off to find Cherry's grandfather. The long descriptions of the journey there and back were somewhat tedious and I was impatient to hear more about the main characters not about road travels, broken wheels and horses going lame. Another part of the story that was not as well handled was the romance between the two lovers(sorry I will not tell who these are, you will have to find that out yourself). Not enough time was spent developing that story line and the reader is left to fill in their back story. By the time they get together, you are happy for them but its hard to feel very invested because you are not given the opportunity.
It wasn't all that I thought it was going to be but it was not bad at all. Something tells me that this book is not Georgette Heyer at her best. All in all an entertaining read.
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LibraryThing member Darla
This is my fourth Heyer. I liked it better than Beauvallet, about the same as Cousin Kate and not quite as well as Sylvester (#13). Although now that I look back at what I wrote about Sylvester, I'm not sure I'm really feeling the Heyer-love. In general, they've been nice, pleasant stories, but I'm
Viscount Desford's family had intended a match between him and Henrietta Silverdale, but having grown up together, they're instead best friends. And now she has (the very bland) Cary Nethercott as a suitor (who's definitely not good enough for her).
So when Desford rescues Cherry Steane, who's run away from her aunt's cold charity (read: servitude), only to discover that the grandfather to whom she was running is out of town, who better to care for the girl than Hetta?
It's a bit of a comedy of errors with Desford running all over the country chasing after Cherry's grandfather, and friends and family alike assigning him motives for doing so. And there's an interesting and potentially dangerous twist, too.
I really wasn't sure what to expect from this. Perhaps it's obvious to everyone else, but until nearly the very end, I didn't know that the romantic hero & heroine were Desford and Henrietta. Because so much of the story was about Cherry, I thought she must be the heroine, and it just didn't fit. So I spent most of the book slightly confused and wondering what Desford saw in Cherry besides her youth and prettiness.
On the other hand, I liked that it confounded my expectations--yes, I know I'm contrary--I've been told that before. No doubt on a re-read, I'd pick up more on the signs between Desford and Hetta.
I did enjoy all the characters, but it left me feeling a little spoiled or jaded maybe, that I had trouble fully enjoying a story without knowing where it was going. Something to think about.
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not overwhelmed by their wonderfulness. Could be the older style, could be I'm not reading them in the context of when they were written (1970 for this one--I was 9. I'd probably have loved it then, if I'd been allowed to read it.), or could be I just haven't read the best ones.Viscount Desford's family had intended a match between him and Henrietta Silverdale, but having grown up together, they're instead best friends. And now she has (the very bland) Cary Nethercott as a suitor (who's definitely not good enough for her).
So when Desford rescues Cherry Steane, who's run away from her aunt's cold charity (read: servitude), only to discover that the grandfather to whom she was running is out of town, who better to care for the girl than Hetta?
It's a bit of a comedy of errors with Desford running all over the country chasing after Cherry's grandfather, and friends and family alike assigning him motives for doing so. And there's an interesting and potentially dangerous twist, too.
I really wasn't sure what to expect from this. Perhaps it's obvious to everyone else, but until nearly the very end, I didn't know that the romantic hero & heroine were Desford and Henrietta. Because so much of the story was about Cherry, I thought she must be the heroine, and it just didn't fit. So I spent most of the book slightly confused and wondering what Desford saw in Cherry besides her youth and prettiness.
On the other hand, I liked that it confounded my expectations--yes, I know I'm contrary--I've been told that before. No doubt on a re-read, I'd pick up more on the signs between Desford and Hetta.
I did enjoy all the characters, but it left me feeling a little spoiled or jaded maybe, that I had trouble fully enjoying a story without knowing where it was going. Something to think about.
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LibraryThing member books_ofa_feather
Several people have suggested that I read her books and I thought it was about time. Heyer is a modern Jane Austen author, modern in the sense that she lived in modern times (1902-1974), but she wrote Regency Era Romance. The Charity Girl was a pleasant read, not heavy and certainly not boring. My
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only 2 complaints are that I felt I needed a lingo dictionary to better understand the characters peculiar phrases and at one scene the characters go round and round (beat the bush!) to the point where I was wanting to jump inside the pages to do some very loud shouting. Georgette Heyer has my vote for read worthy books and I’ll definitely read more in the future. Show Less
LibraryThing member exlibrisbitsy
While this book may start off slow and shaky, by the end Heyer has her footing again and the plot and characters sparkle. In Charity Girl a Viscount named Desford meets a young woman named Charity, “Cherry” for short, hiding away upstairs at a ball. She was foisted off on these relatives by an
Now things look really bad. Desford is now in a position where he has an unattended young girl who has run away in his carriage and no family for her to go to. That's when he hits upon the idea of taking her to his best friend Henrietta out in the country to have her watch the girl in respectability while he tries to track down her grandfather. That's when the story really takes off and all sorts of twists and turns follow as Charity settles in caring for Henrietta's shrewish mother and Desford sets off going from town to town searching for the missing grandfather.
I thought the beginning of this novel started off a little shakily. I guess I'm picky in my romances, I like to know who the couple is that I'm rooting for up front, but that turned out to be impossible as you don't know for sure until about half way through the book. Once that is cleared up the story picks up nicely from there. There are all of Heyer's hallmarks, last minute plot twists, snappy and amusing dialog, sparkling female characters, and trouble makers that make your blood boil.
After a beginning that has Charity sparkling about half way through the author suddenly reduces her to a silly chit with more beauty than sense. Along with that she is portrayed as loving, wait for it, regency romance novels. The moment that was revealed was the moment that the plot started to turn and I thought it was half hilarious, half outrageous. Charity chatters on with Henrietta's mother, and anyone that will listen, about the plot twisty romance novels that she loves to read and makes herself ridiculous by so doing. A writer of regency romance makes fun of a reader of regency romance in a regency romance? I think only Heyer could pull that off. I heard before that she never thought much of the readers that enjoyed her work and after reading scenes like that I do start to wonder!
The book still finishes wonderfully even after all of that. I loved the wit shown by the Desford and Henrietta. I liked the barbs and jokes that were scattered throughout, even the ones pointed squarely at me. But, most of all, I really did like Charity even if she ended up being reduced to a silly girl by the end. I still loved her character from the opening pages. If you don't mind unexpected pairings and a surprising romance that twists and turns, or being considered a silly wigeon for enjoying such, then you will love Charity Girl.
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absent father and is treated more like glorified help then a poor relation in need. Naturally she ends up running away to London in a search for her grandfather. Desford finds her on the road to London and, after hearing her story, decides she would be better off with her grandfather and so gives her a lift. Unfortunately they arrive in London just to discover that her grandfather is out in the country and no one knows where or when he will be back.Now things look really bad. Desford is now in a position where he has an unattended young girl who has run away in his carriage and no family for her to go to. That's when he hits upon the idea of taking her to his best friend Henrietta out in the country to have her watch the girl in respectability while he tries to track down her grandfather. That's when the story really takes off and all sorts of twists and turns follow as Charity settles in caring for Henrietta's shrewish mother and Desford sets off going from town to town searching for the missing grandfather.
I thought the beginning of this novel started off a little shakily. I guess I'm picky in my romances, I like to know who the couple is that I'm rooting for up front, but that turned out to be impossible as you don't know for sure until about half way through the book. Once that is cleared up the story picks up nicely from there. There are all of Heyer's hallmarks, last minute plot twists, snappy and amusing dialog, sparkling female characters, and trouble makers that make your blood boil.
After a beginning that has Charity sparkling about half way through the author suddenly reduces her to a silly chit with more beauty than sense. Along with that she is portrayed as loving, wait for it, regency romance novels. The moment that was revealed was the moment that the plot started to turn and I thought it was half hilarious, half outrageous. Charity chatters on with Henrietta's mother, and anyone that will listen, about the plot twisty romance novels that she loves to read and makes herself ridiculous by so doing. A writer of regency romance makes fun of a reader of regency romance in a regency romance? I think only Heyer could pull that off. I heard before that she never thought much of the readers that enjoyed her work and after reading scenes like that I do start to wonder!
The book still finishes wonderfully even after all of that. I loved the wit shown by the Desford and Henrietta. I liked the barbs and jokes that were scattered throughout, even the ones pointed squarely at me. But, most of all, I really did like Charity even if she ended up being reduced to a silly girl by the end. I still loved her character from the opening pages. If you don't mind unexpected pairings and a surprising romance that twists and turns, or being considered a silly wigeon for enjoying such, then you will love Charity Girl.
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LibraryThing member jmaloney17
This is a pretty good Heyer. Not in my top five, but what one would expect from a Heyer novel.
LibraryThing member shazzerwise
My first Heyer, and I'll admit I enjoyed it quite a bit, though I've been told it's not one of her better works.
LibraryThing member byroade
Probably my least favorite Heyer Regency. It's somewhat slow moving and the romance is not worked out well at all.
LibraryThing member kaulsu
2005: Childhood best friends slow to recognize their love for one another. Heyer dialog and characterizations at its best.
2007: This book is tiresome because the spark of witty dialogue between the protangonists is nearly silent due to the plot.
2007: This book is tiresome because the spark of witty dialogue between the protangonists is nearly silent due to the plot.
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
A fun romp of a regency romance. Viscount Desford rescues Charity (Cherry) Steane from a life of servitude with her relatives and lands his childhood friend Henrietta Silverdale with her while he trys to find a better situation for her. With typical Georgette Heyer humour and light touches, along
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with an excellent sense of place and time this one is going to take a proud place on my shelves as one to revisit. Show Less
LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
I had the strongest feeling of déjà vu while reading Charity Girl by Georgette Heyer. I realized quite quickly that this was because this book is remarkably similar to Sprig Muslim which I read about five years ago. Since I read and enjoyed that book first, this one weighs in as the lesser read
The plot is of a young runaway girl coming under the protection of Viscount Desford. In order to protect her reputation, he takes her to his lifelong friend, Henrietta Silverdale who takes the young girl under her wing. In the confusion and entanglements, Desford finds he is looking at Henrietta in a new way. As for the young runaway, she too, finds a happy ending.
I have always found Georgette Heyer books to be clever, witty, stylish and romantic, I just wasn’t expecting this one to be recycled from an earlier story.
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of the two. Charity Girl was originally published in 1970, while Sprig Muslin debuted in 1956. Why Ms. Heyer chose to repeat one of her plots I don’t know, but I was definitely disappointed.The plot is of a young runaway girl coming under the protection of Viscount Desford. In order to protect her reputation, he takes her to his lifelong friend, Henrietta Silverdale who takes the young girl under her wing. In the confusion and entanglements, Desford finds he is looking at Henrietta in a new way. As for the young runaway, she too, finds a happy ending.
I have always found Georgette Heyer books to be clever, witty, stylish and romantic, I just wasn’t expecting this one to be recycled from an earlier story.
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LibraryThing member Helenliz
Another fun read. Desborough is an eligible Viscount who is the perfect gentleman. He comes across young Cherry Steane at a local party hosted by her aunt, she's not at the party, but is peering down the stairs trying to see the ball goers. Her cousin is the beauty and Cherry is downtrodden in
Next day, Desborough finds Cherry having run away from her aunt's and takes her up in his carriage. The tale of woe she tells means that he ends up taking her under his wing. From here on in, his well ordered life sort of falls apart. Cherry's relations are most unsuitable and don't want to have her on their hands (well not unless they can make something out of her) and Desborough disapproves. He ends up lodging her with Hetta, a friend from childhood who, it was once mooted, he should marry. There are a fair few twists and turns and highly unlikely events, but it's all good fun. Maybe it's the season, but I was put a little in mind of Cinderella in the fate of Cherry, it even resolves itself and you are sure they will live happily ever after. Lovely.
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order to let Lucasta shine. Next day, Desborough finds Cherry having run away from her aunt's and takes her up in his carriage. The tale of woe she tells means that he ends up taking her under his wing. From here on in, his well ordered life sort of falls apart. Cherry's relations are most unsuitable and don't want to have her on their hands (well not unless they can make something out of her) and Desborough disapproves. He ends up lodging her with Hetta, a friend from childhood who, it was once mooted, he should marry. There are a fair few twists and turns and highly unlikely events, but it's all good fun. Maybe it's the season, but I was put a little in mind of Cinderella in the fate of Cherry, it even resolves itself and you are sure they will live happily ever after. Lovely.
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LibraryThing member SueinCyprus
Georgette Heyer's historical fiction is my 'comfort reading'. This is one of my all-time favourites. The story is about a nice, unassuming Viscount who befriends a young girl in all innocence when he sees her peeping through the bannisters at a dance.
Before long he's involved in a chase around the
Desford, the Viscount, is a likeable hero; I was also very taken with his close friend Henrietta - Hetta - whom he frequently asks for advice. Some of the minor characters are amusingly caricatured, but they make the story all the more enjoyable in my opinion.
It's fast-moving with humour, action, and the usual cleverly written and satisfying conclusion. It's over six years since I last read it, and although I remembered the basic outline of the plot, there was plenty to enjoy afresh. Highly recommended to anyone who likes light historical fiction.
Before long he's involved in a chase around the
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country, suspected of having abducted her, when all he wants is to find her paternal grandfather. Desford, the Viscount, is a likeable hero; I was also very taken with his close friend Henrietta - Hetta - whom he frequently asks for advice. Some of the minor characters are amusingly caricatured, but they make the story all the more enjoyable in my opinion.
It's fast-moving with humour, action, and the usual cleverly written and satisfying conclusion. It's over six years since I last read it, and although I remembered the basic outline of the plot, there was plenty to enjoy afresh. Highly recommended to anyone who likes light historical fiction.
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LibraryThing member wealhtheowwylfing
Viscount Desford is titled, wealthy and smart, but no woman has yet caught his eye. Then he encounters Charity, a young lady whose parents were the despair of society and is now living on her aunt's sufferance. Desford is moved by her unhappiness, and sets out to find her grandfather, who he hopes
SPOILERS: Luckily for everyone, the adventure of finding Charity's grandfather leads Desford to realize that he is in love with his old friend Henrietta. I didn't get a good feel for any of the characters, and there wasn't a great deal of plot. This was enjoyable, but compared to Heyer's other books, lackluster.
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will take charge of her. Everyone fears that Desford will fall for the penniless, unconnected Charity, who has nothing to offer Desford but a good heart and "taking" ways. SPOILERS: Luckily for everyone, the adventure of finding Charity's grandfather leads Desford to realize that he is in love with his old friend Henrietta. I didn't get a good feel for any of the characters, and there wasn't a great deal of plot. This was enjoyable, but compared to Heyer's other books, lackluster.
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LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
Nothing wrong with it, nothing exciting. Very similar to another Heyer (ah, it's Sprig Muslin), though this time the wandering girl who makes the hero and heroine realize they're in love and always have been is far less obnoxious - boring, a bit, but very sweet, not like the spoiled brat of the
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other book (I forget which one, I read it relatively recently though). I quite like most of the characters here - the (of course) handsome, intelligent, independent hero, his crotchety father and lovely (mentally and physically) mother, his young but reasonably sensible brother, the sensible and intelligent heroine, the wandering girl (that's Charity), and even the hero's valet and groom who are very loyal to him and very jealous of each other. Oh, and the nice-but-dull suitor who provides the final answer to the puzzle. The heroine's mother, Charity's aunt, cousins, and grandfather, and Charity's father (who deserves a mention all to himself) are appropriately nasty and occasionally useful despite that. Enjoyable, not particularly memorable. I don't think I'll bother to keep it (or Sprig Muslin); I'm glad I read it, but not interested in rereading. Show Less
LibraryThing member SandyAMcPherson
Amusing but a little too similar to 'Sprig Muslin' for my liking. Entertaining scenarios as the two [eventual] lovers discover their depth of feeling for each other. Some tedium in passages that didn't particularly add to the main theme, such as [Spoilers] Desford's ill-fated travels to find
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Charity's (Cherry Stean) grandfather. More development of the backstory could have been included to characterize the relationship of Henrietta and Desford. Show Less
LibraryThing member justchris
[Charity Girl] begins with Viscount Ashley Desford making a summer visit to the family estate in Hertfordshire, where his father, Earl of Wroxton, is laid up with gout and exceedingly grumpy. From there, our hero proceeds to his aunt's house party in Hampshire. He accompanies her to a country ball
The day after the ball, Desford heads for London in his curricle. He encounters Cherry running away from home. Treated as a despised servant and accused by her maternal aunt of attempting to steal Desford from the beauty, she decides that she'll have better luck with her estranged paternal grandfather in London, who disowned his son before Cherry was born. Concerned what could happen to an innocent teenager on her own, he gives her a ride, but alas, her grandfather's house is closed up. Now what to do? The only option he sees is to track the old man down and meanwhile leave Cherry with his childhood playmate and lifelong friend Henrietta Silverdale, who still lives at home with her mother at the neighboring estate of Inglehurst Place. He's annoyed to see that Hetta is being courted by Cary Nethercott, a new neighbor who recently inherited yet another nearby estate.
A comedy quest ensues. Who ends up with whom? Is Cherry really an orphan? No one's heard from her disreputable father for years. Will her grandfather refuse to take her in? Has Desford fallen for the pretty little innocent? Will Hetta finally get married? What could go wrong? What misunderstandings ensue? It's a standard Regency rom-com from Heyer.
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hosted by Lady Bugle whose daughter is the local beauty. Taking a timeout in the hall after waltzing with the beauty to check his appearance, he encounters Charity Steane, known as Cherry, the poor cousin living with Bugles, who is spying on the ball from the stairs. And thus the adventure begins.The day after the ball, Desford heads for London in his curricle. He encounters Cherry running away from home. Treated as a despised servant and accused by her maternal aunt of attempting to steal Desford from the beauty, she decides that she'll have better luck with her estranged paternal grandfather in London, who disowned his son before Cherry was born. Concerned what could happen to an innocent teenager on her own, he gives her a ride, but alas, her grandfather's house is closed up. Now what to do? The only option he sees is to track the old man down and meanwhile leave Cherry with his childhood playmate and lifelong friend Henrietta Silverdale, who still lives at home with her mother at the neighboring estate of Inglehurst Place. He's annoyed to see that Hetta is being courted by Cary Nethercott, a new neighbor who recently inherited yet another nearby estate.
A comedy quest ensues. Who ends up with whom? Is Cherry really an orphan? No one's heard from her disreputable father for years. Will her grandfather refuse to take her in? Has Desford fallen for the pretty little innocent? Will Hetta finally get married? What could go wrong? What misunderstandings ensue? It's a standard Regency rom-com from Heyer.
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LibraryThing member 2wonderY
I’m not done with it yet, but I have two words: Dysfunctional families!
Sheesh!
I am enjoying it and caught on to the twist fairly early on.
Done. Except for the awful slang at the front of the book, very satisfying.
Sheesh!
I am enjoying it and caught on to the twist fairly early on.
Done. Except for the awful slang at the front of the book, very satisfying.
LibraryThing member PhilSyphe
What I like in most books by this talented author is her character interaction and use of witty dialogue – elements sadly in short supply in this lacklustre tale.
The character Charity – aka Cherry – was my favourite cast member, but her appearances are too few.
Lots of extended third-person
Similar to Ms Heyer’s “My Lord John”, this tome features many slang or archaic words and phrases that are not likely to be known to the average reader from the time this book was first published and onwards. For example, “shuttlehead”, “lobcock”, and “rabbit-sucker” are a few among many terms that mean nothing to me. It’s all well and good for an author to be authentic to the period that they’re writing for, but they should consider that the average reader does not wish to pause every few sentences to spend time wondering/looking up the meaning of defunct words or phrases.
As much as I like this author’s works in general, this one falls flat. The story has little to offer and certain information is repeated too often. Would’ve rated this one star had it not been for the occasional flash of humorous dialogue that Ms Heyer was an expert at creating.
The character Charity – aka Cherry – was my favourite cast member, but her appearances are too few.
Lots of extended third-person
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narrative slows the pace down. The info these passages offer would’ve been better dramatized. Similar to Ms Heyer’s “My Lord John”, this tome features many slang or archaic words and phrases that are not likely to be known to the average reader from the time this book was first published and onwards. For example, “shuttlehead”, “lobcock”, and “rabbit-sucker” are a few among many terms that mean nothing to me. It’s all well and good for an author to be authentic to the period that they’re writing for, but they should consider that the average reader does not wish to pause every few sentences to spend time wondering/looking up the meaning of defunct words or phrases.
As much as I like this author’s works in general, this one falls flat. The story has little to offer and certain information is repeated too often. Would’ve rated this one star had it not been for the occasional flash of humorous dialogue that Ms Heyer was an expert at creating.
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LibraryThing member JBD1
Not the most exciting or funny of Heyer novels, but generally amusing just the same, and perfectly enjoyable.
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
9781402213502
Original publication date
1970