I doubt those of us who love Heyer would have forgotten her books, but it is hard to remember all the individual titles since she was a very prolific writer. Heyer not only wrote Regency romances, but 18th century ones (the era of powdered wigs) as well and also some rather good mysteries. (If you're not into romances, then for goodness' sake read the Heyer 'contemporary' mysteries, they're wonderful and are readily available in re-issues.)
The main thing I love about Georgette Heyer's historical romances (besides the topnotch characterizations and intriguing plots) are the good manners. These British societies of the past thrived on societal strictures (okay, occasionally inane strictures to be sure), but I'm convinced it was the insistence on good manners that helped keep everyone in line.
I'm of the opinion that there's nothing like a well-written romance novel to fix whatever ails you. The Regency romance was invented for the doldrums of winter. When you've read one too many mysteries and need a change of pace from murder most foul, the Regency is a perfect alternative. (Although there are occasionally some fancy dressed fops up to no good in these books, if anything as sordid as murder occurs, it's off the page and usually far, far away.)
A CIVIL CONTRACT (1961) is, for all intents and purposes, one of the best (if not the best) marriage of convenience stories ever written (I think I know whereof I speak since I've read a million of 'em). In this book I recognized many plot contrivances and twists of romantic fate that other writers would go on to 'borrow' for their own 'm.o.c.' plots over the years.
While Harlequin and Signet and the rest of 'em were/are publishing Regencies and other historical romances on a monthly basis - books I unashamedly gobbled up then and occasionally now - the authors, I realize, had lots to thank Georgette Heyer for. It was Heyer who set up the formula for these stories, a formula which even now is followed pretty rigidly. (Well, it was probably Jane Austen who perfected the original formulation, but you know what I mean.) Never mess with perfection.
Why? Because the reader expects certain things to happen in these sorts of books and hell has no fury like a thwarted romance reader.
A CIVIL CONTRACT is not strictly a 'romance' as we typically think of them. There's more here than may, at first glance, meet the eye - keen social observation for one thing: the occasionally unpalatable mix of marriage, social standing and the harsh realities of economics. Money is at the heart of the story of Miss Jenny Chawleigh - daughter of a very wealthy 'Cit' who, at the urging of her ambitious father, marries the financially strapped Viscount Lynton thereby saving his family home and lands. Though the 'm.o.c' motif is one which usually leads to romantic entanglements between the two main characters who remain unaware of said 'entanglement' until the happy ending - in this case, Georgette Heyer has given her likable characters a more realistic 'happy enough' ending.
Captain Adam Deveril, honorable officer and gentleman, one of the Duke of Wellington's men, must leave the field of battle when his father, the Viscount, is killed in an accident. Deveril inherits the family title and thus, since he is the only son, cannot risk being killed himself even if the battle to oust Napoleon is still on-going.
Unfortunately for Deveril, his feckless father was a wastrel who gambled away the family fortunes. Without money Deverill will be forced to sell off everything he owns, including the much beloved family home. Not only that but he is now unable to offer for the beautiful woman of his dreams since she, not to put too fine a point on it, must marry money as well though her family is in less straitened circumstances than Deveril's.
Enter Jonathan Chawleigh, one of Georgette Heyer's more vividly inspired and likable creations - an enormously rich but vulgar 'working man' with multiple dealings in the City and a rather plain daughter whom he wishes to see advance in society. Chawleigh, having hoped for an Earl, settles for a Viscount.
The daughter turns out to be the best thing that ever happened to Adam Deveril, though it takes him a long while to realize this. And while she may not be the love of his life, it turns out that the 'love of his life' was not especially suited to the life Adam would have wished to live. After all, a man must be comfortable to be happy. Very wise of Heyer to note this.
I have two other Heyers to recommend, books I've just finished reading during my own personal Georgette Heyer Mini-Read-A-Thon:
THE CONVENIENT MARRIAGE (1968) is set in the years before the Regency when men were wearing heels, jeweled frock coats and both sexes wore white wigs piled high and Marie Antoinette was still Queen in France - the grumbling of the 'lower classes' still fairly subdued.
Horatia Winwood, a daring seventeen year old chit of a girl devises a plan to save her older sister from a forced marriage to the Earl of Rule. The plan works better than the impulsive girl had hoped and therein lies the tale. Lots of fun, good manners, a duel, a kidnapping and a terrific love story.
A LADY OF QUALITY (1972) Set in the city of Bath, in the last days of the Regency, this is the story of twenty nine year old Annis Wychwood, beautiful, rich, outspoken and independent. Having refused all offers of marriage (she values her independence too highly), she is quite content to remain 'on the shelf' in charge of her own life.
But fate has other plans. Due to a series of haphazard circumstances, Annis is put temporarily in charge of a naive young girl on the run from her suffocating family and eager to sample the delights of society. The girl comes complete with a forbidding guardian (don't they always?) who is rumored to be the 'rudest man in Bath.'
Though, admittedly, both main characters are not as likable as many of Heyer's other inventions, it is still fun to read about their trials and tribulations - you know how it goes with the path of true love. As is usual with Heyer, the vibrant secondary characters almost steal the show.
Since we're expecting snow over the weekend, it will be a perfect time for me to settle in with a bunch of Georgette Heyers, cups of tea and some serious snacking.
Care to join me?
Also, don't forget to check in at Todd Mason's blog, Sweet Freedom to see what other Forgotten or Overlooked Books other bloggers are talking about today. Todd is doing the hosting duties for Patti Abbott this week.
That first cover is so lovely. I've only read one Heyer and didn't love it, but I've heard such great things, I know I'll try another. Thanks for the reminder. I do love these sorts of mannered British novels.
ReplyDeleteHeyer has had such a following that at sf and fantasy conventions in the '70s, as cf cons were just starting up and romance cons hadn't arrived yet (I believe), there were Heyer Teas (pun very much intended by them)....
ReplyDeletePicky, I recommend THE TALISMAN RING by Heyer. It is hilarious. The kind of book that should definitely be turned into a play or light opera. It would be fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI didn't read her until the past few years, Todd. For the longest time I never read any of the Heyer books. But now I'm making up for lost time.
ReplyDeleteWell, I can join you in the tea and heavy snacking, but as for the reading, I'm slogging through Barbara Kingsolver's latest book Flight Behavior and also reading the no. 4 in the Precious Ramotswe series, on which I'm now hooked.
ReplyDeleteLove Heyer--she wrote one of my all-time favorite historical romances, The Conqueror, about the marriage of William the Conqueror and Matilda of France. I didn't find her mysteries quite as good, they almost verge on camp--but perhaps that's a 21st century perspective.
ReplyDeleteKathy: I tried reading Kingsolver a while back but never really got into her books.
ReplyDeleteI do like the Precious Ramotswe series and I must go back and read some more one of these days.
Deb, I love Georgette Heyer whatever she writes. Since I didn't discover her work until just a few years ago I have the fervor of the new found convert. Ha.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love Georgette Heyer but haven't read these titles...yet! It's my goal to read all of her books -- one day. About two years ago, I went to a Georgette Heyer tea sponsored by a book store in Arizona and was attended by authors Lauren Willig and Stephanie Barron and it was a delightful discussion of all things Heyer. And I learned her name is pronounced "hair" -- not "higher." Learn something new everyday! :)
ReplyDeleteGood choice, Yvette! To me, Georgette Heyer is an author who is both forgotten and unforgotten. The first because I have never read her books, the second because I have never forgotten her as an author, ever meaning to read her work at some point or other. I believe her books are humourous too.
ReplyDeleteI started reading Georgette Heyer when I was a teenager thanks to the large collection in our local library.
ReplyDeleteI recommend 'Royal Escape', 'My Lord John' which is an unfinished work, and one set in the French revolution but whose name I cannot remember! I have the first two in my own book collection.
PS
Hair not higher - I never knew that!
Oh Joanne, I would love to attend something like that. A Georgette Heyer tea sounds divine. And you got to meet two wonderful authors to boot.
ReplyDeleteI admit freely that as a late convert I am MAD about Heyer. :)
Most of her books are rather funny, Prashant. Especially in the often inane dialogue of the times and in the actions of the secondary characters. Not unintentionally funny by the way. Heyer meant to amuse.
ReplyDeleteI mean to read all (or at least, most) of Heyer (Hair's) books, Kirk. I seem to like to read them in a bunch. :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorites so far are: THE TALISMAN RING, SYLVESTER OR THE WICKED UNCLE, THE GRAND SOPHY, THE CIVIL CONTRACT and THE CORINTHIAN.
I'm adding your recommendations to the list.Thanks.
Yvette, I'm glad you also enjoy Heyer's mysteries, which are really a lot of fun. She sets up what appear at first glance to be stereotypical...and then deliberately breaks the mold so that we see a very different character from what we expected.
ReplyDeleteI've only read a few of her mysteries, but I'd recommend "Envious Casca" as one of her best - a country house, marvelous characters, a good locked-room mystery - and a really wicked sense of humor!
I've read them all, Les. And enjoyed them. They are a lot of fun and I think if she'd concentrated on mysteries she would probably have been considered one of the best practitioners - don't you?
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