Almost two months ago I finished reading my first Georgette Heyer's novel, These Old Shades. I've seen her name flying around a few blogs and heard she wrote some great romance/historical fiction mostly from the Regency England era as well as other eras. I think These Old Shades is from the Georgian Era...but who's counting.
So I was intrigued. Apprently she really researched the history in her novels and she has a huge fan base. There's even a whole website devoted to her and her work.
Anyway, so when I found a copy of These Old Shades at the Mid-Manhattan Library book sale for seventy-five cents...well...obviously it was fate. That and really what quality item can you get for seventy-five cents these days.
Well, I have to say I love her writing. Oh great writing! If you've been wanting some good historical fiction, romance a la Austen-style, check out Heyer's work.
But maybe check out a different one than These Old Shades if it's your first. I've been hearing great things about her book An Infamous Army. But moving on...
Here's the synopsis from the book:
Justin Alastair, the coldhearted Duke of Avon, had revenge in mind as he plucked a flamehaired urchin off the Paris streets. For Avon suspected the truth about his delicately handsome page—that "Léon" was really Léonie and none other than the wicked Comte de Saint Vire's legitimate daughter, deprived of her heritage by the comte's dastardly desire for a male heir. The duke's plan was simple: parade Léonie in front of his enemy and have his adoring, innocent ward reclaim her birthright, destroying her true father in the process. But the duke hadn't expected Léonie's breathtaking transformation or the tender emotions she awoke—and he'd already set his dangerous scheme in motion.…
Haha...yeah. It's a bit weird. So I'm not sure how I feel about the whole older man attracted by girl who's in the disguise of a boy. I mean, there's Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and then there's just weird. So while I will definitely try another Georgette Heyer book and I love her writing style...maybe try a different one than These Old Shades. That said, Leonie was quite a character and you can't help liking her. And I did like it. But it's still weird.
And just because I like book covers I found a few alternatives than the one I have pictured above. Although I'm a bit disappointed. They are a bit boring. Well the second one is just creepy. Although the last one is kind of cool. What do you think?
Have you read a Georgette Heyer novel? Do you like her stuff? Which one would you recommend a newbie read?
Also Reviewed by:
