Now that I'm back at work (and I'm grateful in these economic times) to have a job BUT I do desperately miss the long blocks of reading time that I used to have at my disposal. Instead of spending hours reading, I am now forced to snatch time to indulge myself. So as compensation, I am working my way through my Georgette Heyer bookshelf. These wonderful books are set in an easier time...Regency England....where the leading men are square jawed well dressed and wealthy and hide their powerful intellect behind a facade of elegant languor. They spend their days driving in the Park, 'on the strut' down Bond Street, blowing a cloud and trying to get a hit over Gentleman Joe's defenses at his boxing parlor and perfecting the folds of intricate neckties. Their boots are polished by their valets using a special mixture that always includes champagne, their horses are full-blooded and full of spirit. When called upon, these languid gentleman can be counted upon to come to the aid of their lady loves. Their ladies are resolute, lovely if not always beautiful, exquisite dancers, full of humor and strong minded and determined not to rely on their well dressed male counterpart. In most of Heyer's books, the female characters are frequently stronger and more expressive than the men. And while she never never never takes her readers into the bedroom, the passion and sex appeal of her couples leaps from the pages. Ms. Heyer is the natural literary offspring of Jane Austin and the grandmother of modern romance authors such as Nora Roberts. If you haven't read them, do yourself a favor and seek them out at your library. (And most of her books have been reissued in large size paperback form.) I however, cherish my original copies, dogeared pages, ripped covers and all. These books have travelled from my childish bedroom to my college dorm, to my first apartment, to my first home as a married woman and are always featured prominently in my bookcases. A word to the wise, since Ms. Heyers books are well researched and historically accurate as so slang (or cant to our well bred heroes) manners and mannerisms, and the picture of England they present is unbeatable and you actually may be prompted to do further research into English history. As a graduate student in History, one of my professors recommended Ms. Heyer's books as a source for social history of England in the period roughly covered by the American Revolution through the years right after the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo.
All of her books are good and a few approach sheer genius. Start with Fredericka, The Grand Sophy, Talisman Ring, Sylvester, These Old Shades, Friday's Child, and Cotillion.....then work your way through the rest of the titles....and then check out her mysteries.
If you can answer these questions, you're an honorary member of the Georgette Heyer club.
1) Who is Mr. Willis and what famous establishment did he preside over (hint, don't try to gain entry after 11p.m. and don't ever ever ever attempt to waltz once you've gained entry until you have the permission of one of the patronesses!)
2) What exactly is ton?
3) What is a barque of frailty?
Good luck and happy reading. I'm off to a cotillion at Lady Wilshire's home...suppose Prinny or one of the other Royals might be in attendance?
