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A Certain Want of Reason
Lucia Wright needs a holiday. After years of caring for her "eccentric" younger brother and sister in the country, she accepts a friend's invitation to spend a few weeks enjoying the season in London only to find that life among the city's elite may be even crazier than at home. Lord Edmund Rutherford needs an escape. Sworn since childhood to a woman he cannot abide, he finds himself trapped by the strictures of society and the expectations of those around him. The solution seems simple feign madness and be sent away for a short period, encouraging his intended bride to end their long engagement, thereby securing his freedom. Lucia and Edmund are thrown together by chance, and while he should be the last man on earth she would find appealing, Lucia becomes fascinated by the gentleman who seems rational to no one but her. Together they are forced to weather a madhouse, the vengeful scheming of a woman who wants Edmund's title at all costs and a world that appears to have lost all reason.
278 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2007
7 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Kate Dolan
16 books7 followersaka K.D. Hays.
After coming east from Chicago to attend college at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, Kate Dolan grew attached to the region and never moved back. She holds an interdisciplinary degree in English, history and drama and a law degree from the University of Richmond School of Law, and has written professionally for over ten years in a variety of fields. Currently living in a suburb of Baltimore, she is ideally positioned to drag her husband and two children to visit an endless array of historical sites. She also volunteers as a living historian in order to teach and learn more about everyday life in early America.
After coming east from Chicago to attend college at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, Kate Dolan grew attached to the region and never moved back. She holds an interdisciplinary degree in English, history and drama and a law degree from the University of Richmond School of Law, and has written professionally for over ten years in a variety of fields. Currently living in a suburb of Baltimore, she is ideally positioned to drag her husband and two children to visit an endless array of historical sites. She also volunteers as a living historian in order to teach and learn more about everyday life in early America.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 3, 2015
What I liked:
This book made me laugh out loud multiple times! So many hilarious situations and ridiculous banter back and forth- particularly between the "insane" hero and his servant, and also with Geoffrey.
Lucia had a commendable loyalty towards her siblings, given the difficult circumstances, and she truly loved them. Their relationship was really sweet.
The plot was fast-paced and this book is definitely a page-turner! I read over half of it last night.
The hero realizes the selfishness and deceit of his plan when he is faced with the consequences of his actions, and is truly repentant and seeks to make things right, truthfully.
What I didn't like:
The few cuss words throughout. *sighs* Honestly, this gets on my nerves in any book! :P
The references to being unfaithful in the event of an unhappy marriage, and that no one seems to find anything wrong with it. (Even the hero, , states that he will remain faithful to her, as long as she remains faithful to him. What type of true hero is that?)
And then there's Miss Newman...she was...horrible. Most talk of tolerating unfaithfulness was done by her, as well as a good deal of flirting- with.every.one.- and loads of manipulation. She made a very well-played villain, but was also uncomfortably amoral.
Also, there was some minor-but-distracting lack of editing throughout.
The plot was super intricate and came together well, and I really enjoyed the first half of this book especially; lots of wit and humor. However, I had some serious issues with certain characters and different situations in the second half.
This book made me laugh out loud multiple times! So many hilarious situations and ridiculous banter back and forth- particularly between the "insane" hero and his servant, and also with Geoffrey.
Lucia had a commendable loyalty towards her siblings, given the difficult circumstances, and she truly loved them. Their relationship was really sweet.
The plot was fast-paced and this book is definitely a page-turner! I read over half of it last night.
The hero realizes the selfishness and deceit of his plan when he is faced with the consequences of his actions, and is truly repentant and seeks to make things right, truthfully.
What I didn't like:
The few cuss words throughout. *sighs* Honestly, this gets on my nerves in any book! :P
The references to being unfaithful in the event of an unhappy marriage, and that no one seems to find anything wrong with it. (Even the hero, , states that he will remain faithful to her, as long as she remains faithful to him. What type of true hero is that?)
And then there's Miss Newman...she was...horrible. Most talk of tolerating unfaithfulness was done by her, as well as a good deal of flirting- with.every.one.- and loads of manipulation. She made a very well-played villain, but was also uncomfortably amoral.
Also, there was some minor-but-distracting lack of editing throughout.
The plot was super intricate and came together well, and I really enjoyed the first half of this book especially; lots of wit and humor. However, I had some serious issues with certain characters and different situations in the second half.
September 7, 2015
So this lord pretends to be mad in order to avoid hurting his mother's feelings by breaking his childhood engagement to a psychopathic bitch.... Uh huh. Given the zillions of Regency Romances that have been written, it's true, there are now very few original plots left. But possibly one of the reasons no one else has used this particular plot is because it's the loopiest, stupidest one left on the shelf.
But I know, I know - you don't read these things just for the plot - and indeed there are some very attractive things about the rest of the book. I liked the heroine's uncomplaining sense of responsibility for her two siblings, and there could have been an terrific book written about her (?autistic?) sister's effect on social gatherings. The initial stages of developing the H/h acquaintance were also nicely drawn. I've some quibbles though about whether, socially, it would be quite as acceptable as the author suggests for the heroine to disguise herself as a nun and climb out of windows in order to stay, unchaperoned, at an inn. Just a smidgim on doubt on that one.
It's just that the hero's jaw-dropping stupidity (oh, alright - read it and find out what the chump does) overwhelms anything else.
But I know, I know - you don't read these things just for the plot - and indeed there are some very attractive things about the rest of the book. I liked the heroine's uncomplaining sense of responsibility for her two siblings, and there could have been an terrific book written about her (?autistic?) sister's effect on social gatherings. The initial stages of developing the H/h acquaintance were also nicely drawn. I've some quibbles though about whether, socially, it would be quite as acceptable as the author suggests for the heroine to disguise herself as a nun and climb out of windows in order to stay, unchaperoned, at an inn. Just a smidgim on doubt on that one.
It's just that the hero's jaw-dropping stupidity (oh, alright - read it and find out what the chump does) overwhelms anything else.
December 3, 2017
A Maddeningly Fine Novel
A Certain Want of Reason by Kate Dolan is a witty and urbane novel set in early 19th Century England that is a worthy successor to Jane Austen’s bright works of arch romance. Our heroine Lucia Wright is trapped by the madness of her fantasist brother Geoffrey and her obsessive sister Helen. Both Geoffrey and Helen manifest their lunacies in delightfully humorous ways, the brother constantly hurling himself into awkward situations while the sister indulges in obtuse investigations and calculations (like when she notes that the heroine in an opera wrung her hands 37 times in Act I). Lucia’s sense of responsibility for her siblings does not prevent her from being charmingly bemused by their actions as is her best friend Eugenia.
As a romantic foil, Lord Edmund Rutherford also has issues with insanity, but in his case he feigns madness in an effort to get out of his impending marriage with the beautiful but coldly manipulative Jeanne, for as Dolan slyly notes, “If only Jeanne had not grown up to be … herself.” The dueling madness of Edmund and Geoffrey makes for some very funny scenes as Dolan deftly juggles the plots elements and punctuates the shenanigans with much droll and clever commentary. Oh, there are so many pleasures in A Certain Want of Reason, from Mr. Groves’ role-playing with delusional acres at the Shady View asylum to Lady Rutherford’s wickedly disarming pragmatism.
I laughed many times reading A Certain Want of Reason. If you want a witty, entertaining carriage to deliver you to another time, pick up Kate Dolan’s terrific novel. She takes the reader through many madcap situations with rare sense of style and charm.
A Certain Want of Reason by Kate Dolan is a witty and urbane novel set in early 19th Century England that is a worthy successor to Jane Austen’s bright works of arch romance. Our heroine Lucia Wright is trapped by the madness of her fantasist brother Geoffrey and her obsessive sister Helen. Both Geoffrey and Helen manifest their lunacies in delightfully humorous ways, the brother constantly hurling himself into awkward situations while the sister indulges in obtuse investigations and calculations (like when she notes that the heroine in an opera wrung her hands 37 times in Act I). Lucia’s sense of responsibility for her siblings does not prevent her from being charmingly bemused by their actions as is her best friend Eugenia.
As a romantic foil, Lord Edmund Rutherford also has issues with insanity, but in his case he feigns madness in an effort to get out of his impending marriage with the beautiful but coldly manipulative Jeanne, for as Dolan slyly notes, “If only Jeanne had not grown up to be … herself.” The dueling madness of Edmund and Geoffrey makes for some very funny scenes as Dolan deftly juggles the plots elements and punctuates the shenanigans with much droll and clever commentary. Oh, there are so many pleasures in A Certain Want of Reason, from Mr. Groves’ role-playing with delusional acres at the Shady View asylum to Lady Rutherford’s wickedly disarming pragmatism.
I laughed many times reading A Certain Want of Reason. If you want a witty, entertaining carriage to deliver you to another time, pick up Kate Dolan’s terrific novel. She takes the reader through many madcap situations with rare sense of style and charm.
February 11, 2017
Lord Rutherford makes the rather rash decision that the only way to get out of an arranged marriage with a young lady he dislikes is to pretend to be mad. His antics brings him into Lucia Wright's sphere, a young lady who knows quite a lot about dealing with those who have 'a certain want of reason.'
I'm going to admit, this was hilarious. Lord Rutherford's actions as a 'mad' person mad me laugh out loud. The plot remains clean, going only so far as kisses.
The only thing that kept me from giving this five stars is just how unlikely I found the plot. Yes, it was amusing but I couldn't stop thinking 'Oh, this is going to have some bad consequences when Lord Rutherford tries to return to society.' And the book didn't go into that. They end on the note that all would be well, and I'm not convinced it would.
Still, this was a fun read that I would recommend to those who enjoy comedic if not exactly true to life tales.
I'm going to admit, this was hilarious. Lord Rutherford's actions as a 'mad' person mad me laugh out loud. The plot remains clean, going only so far as kisses.
The only thing that kept me from giving this five stars is just how unlikely I found the plot. Yes, it was amusing but I couldn't stop thinking 'Oh, this is going to have some bad consequences when Lord Rutherford tries to return to society.' And the book didn't go into that. They end on the note that all would be well, and I'm not convinced it would.
Still, this was a fun read that I would recommend to those who enjoy comedic if not exactly true to life tales.
Want to read
February 15, 2016278p Blush: This is a suggestive romance (love scenes are not graphic). Lucia Wright needs a holiday. After years of caring for her "eccentric" younger brother and sister in the country, she accepts a friend's invitation to spend a few weeks enjoying the season in London only to find that life among the city's elite may be even crazier than at home.Lord Edmund Rutherford needs an escape. Sworn since childhood to a woman he cannot abide, he finds himself trapped by the strictures of society and the expectations of those around him. The solution seems simple 14feign madness and be sent away for a short period, encouraging his intended bride to end their long engagement, thereby securing his freedom.Lucia and Edmund are thrown together by chance, and while he should be the last man on earth she would find appealing, Lucia becomes fascinated by the gentleman who seems rational to no one but her. Together they are forced to weather a madhouse, the vengeful scheming of a woman who wants Edmund's title at all costs and a world that appears to have lost all reason
July 29, 2013
I found this book to be a fun and easy read. The story seems over exaggerated at times but it makes the book more funny than annoying. Overall, it makes for a good laugh and if I have one complaint, it would be that for a book of such light-hearted nature, it's a little too long.
I can't really decide whether to give it 3/4 stars here on Goodreads. Let's just say it deserves 4 stars because I got it for free but it would get 3 if I had paid anything more than $0.99 for it.
I can't really decide whether to give it 3/4 stars here on Goodreads. Let's just say it deserves 4 stars because I got it for free but it would get 3 if I had paid anything more than $0.99 for it.
July 9, 2013
I wanted a little more out of this book. It wasn't bad not by a long shot. I wanted more depth and detail I guess. The storyline was very interesting but in a way the story felt rushed because of not having the depth/details. In certain parts the story isn't very believable maybe that is why I'm not liking as much. Anyhow I would like to read the next book in the series.
July 17, 2013
Good story, but I think if Sarah Eden had written it, it would have been better.
August 12, 2013
Dnf. I lost interest after a while. The idea was good but the writing too wordy.
owned-to-read
January 1, 2014*downloaded free from Ellora's Cave
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews