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Sprig Muslin
Sir Gareth Ludlow was a sought-after bachelor in London high society -- wealthy, noble, handsome... and brokenhearted since the death of his true love many years ago. Resigned to remarry, Sir Gareth decides to request the hand of a woman he respects and admires -- Lady Hester Theale. But fate takes an impish turn when, en route to propose to his sensible acquaintance Lady Hester, Ludlow finds a saucy young lady who identifies herself as "Amanda Smith." Pretty Amanda is alone and unchaperoned, and wandering unattended, and Ludlow, whose interest in her was purely avuncular, knows it is his duty to bring her back to her family. But it is to prove no easy task for the Corinthian. This turns out to be a challenge as Amanda seems to possess an imagination as intriguing as it is dangerous.
268 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1956
355 people are currently reading
2600 people want to read
About the author
Georgette Heyer
245 books5,500 followersGeorgette Heyer was a prolific historical romance and detective fiction novelist. Her writing career began in 1921, when she turned a story for her younger brother into the novel The Black Moth.
In 1925 she married George Ronald Rougier, a mining engineer. Rougier later became a barrister and he often provided basic plot outlines for her thrillers. Beginning in 1932, Heyer released one romance novel and one thriller each year.
Heyer was an intensely private person who remained a best selling author all her life without the aid of publicity. She made no appearances, never gave an interview and only answered fan letters herself if they made an interesting historical point. She wrote one novel using the pseudonym Stella Martin.
Her Georgian and Regencies romances were inspired by Jane Austen. While some critics thought her novels were too detailed, others considered the level of detail to be Heyer's greatest asset.
Heyer remains a popular and much-loved author, known for essentially establishing the historical romance genre and its subgenre Regency romance.
In 1925 she married George Ronald Rougier, a mining engineer. Rougier later became a barrister and he often provided basic plot outlines for her thrillers. Beginning in 1932, Heyer released one romance novel and one thriller each year.
Heyer was an intensely private person who remained a best selling author all her life without the aid of publicity. She made no appearances, never gave an interview and only answered fan letters herself if they made an interesting historical point. She wrote one novel using the pseudonym Stella Martin.
Her Georgian and Regencies romances were inspired by Jane Austen. While some critics thought her novels were too detailed, others considered the level of detail to be Heyer's greatest asset.
Heyer remains a popular and much-loved author, known for essentially establishing the historical romance genre and its subgenre Regency romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 801 reviews
February 9, 2020
Wherein the main characters engage in a spirited competition to see who can tell the most outrageous lies. Everybody wins!
Sir Gareth Ludlow has decided he’ll never fall in love again (his fiancée died in an accident many years ago), so he decides to propose to Hester, an older lady (well, she’s 29) who he thinks is kind and will be grateful to get away from her unreasonably demanding family. Hester, though she is clearly in love with Gareth, doesn’t want to be his marriage of convenience, so she's determined to turn him down.
Matters get even more complicated when, on the way to Hester’s home to propose, Gareth picks up Amanda, a willful, lovely 16 year old runaway. He doesn't feel like he can leave her on her own, especially since her plan is to work as a maid or some menial job until her grandfather comes around and agrees to let her marry the guy she wants. But Amanda won't tell Gareth her full name, assuming - rightly - that he just wants to haul her back to her home with her grandfather. So he's kind of stuck with her, being a principled guy, even though it looks REALLY bad, like she's his mistress, aka bit of muslin. To make matters worse, Amanda's personality reminds both Hester and Gareth of his dead fiancee. This cements Hester's decision to turn Gareth down, since she knows Gareth isn't really into her, and she believes that sooner or later he's likely to fall in love with Amanda or someone similar. But then Amanda runs away once again ...
Minus a star for two things: giving the main romance seriously short shrift, and a secondary romance that was rather distasteful, at least as seen through a more modern lens.
But the adventures of Amanda and Gareth are too funny: she makes up the most wild fiction about herself, especially once she realized Gareth isn't going to let her take off on her own, and Gareth begins matching her lie for lie. And people believe them!
Good fun! Read it not for the romance but for the comic adventures.
Sir Gareth Ludlow has decided he’ll never fall in love again (his fiancée died in an accident many years ago), so he decides to propose to Hester, an older lady (well, she’s 29) who he thinks is kind and will be grateful to get away from her unreasonably demanding family. Hester, though she is clearly in love with Gareth, doesn’t want to be his marriage of convenience, so she's determined to turn him down.
Matters get even more complicated when, on the way to Hester’s home to propose, Gareth picks up Amanda, a willful, lovely 16 year old runaway. He doesn't feel like he can leave her on her own, especially since her plan is to work as a maid or some menial job until her grandfather comes around and agrees to let her marry the guy she wants. But Amanda won't tell Gareth her full name, assuming - rightly - that he just wants to haul her back to her home with her grandfather. So he's kind of stuck with her, being a principled guy, even though it looks REALLY bad, like she's his mistress, aka bit of muslin. To make matters worse, Amanda's personality reminds both Hester and Gareth of his dead fiancee. This cements Hester's decision to turn Gareth down, since she knows Gareth isn't really into her, and she believes that sooner or later he's likely to fall in love with Amanda or someone similar. But then Amanda runs away once again ...
Minus a star for two things: giving the main romance seriously short shrift, and a secondary romance that was rather distasteful, at least as seen through a more modern lens.
But the adventures of Amanda and Gareth are too funny: she makes up the most wild fiction about herself, especially once she realized Gareth isn't going to let her take off on her own, and Gareth begins matching her lie for lie. And people believe them!
Mrs Ninfield drew a long breath. 'Sir, are you her guardian, or are you not?' she demanded.The hilarious thing is that the first part - all the way up to the decayed castle - is pretty much true, but because the whole thing sounds so outrageous, his listeners don't believe Amanda when she claims he's abducted her (which he has, though only for her own good).
'No,' he replied, his voice grave, but his eyes dancing. 'I am an abductor. I met her only yesterday, and that by chance, snatched her up in my curricle, and bore her off in spite of all her protests to a gloomy mansion in the heart of the country. I need scarcely tell you that she contrived to make her escape from the mansion while I slept. However, it takes a good deal to daunt a thorough-going villain, so you won't be surprised that here I am, having hunted her down remorselessly. I am now about to carry her off to my castle. This, by the way, is perched on a precipitous rock, and besides being in an uncomfortable state of neglect and decay, is inhabited only by ghosts and sinister retainers of mine. From this fortress, after undergoing a number of extremely alarming adventures, she will, I have little doubt, be rescued by a noble youth of handsome though poverty-stricken aspect. I expect he will kill me, after which it will be found that he is the wronged heir to a vast property - probably mine - and all will end happily.'
Good fun! Read it not for the romance but for the comic adventures.
March 2, 2023
Real Rating: 3.75* of five
The Publisher Says: Finding so young and pretty a girl as Amanda wandering unattended, Sir Gareth Ludlow knows it is his duty as a man of honour to restore her to her family. But it is to prove no easy task for the Corinthian. His captive in spring muslin has more than her rapturous good looks and bandboxes to aid her - she is also possessed of a runaway imagination...
A typically enthralling historical novel, Sprig Muslin shows the skill which has kept Georgette Heyer a huge and devoted readership to this day.
My Review: I confess it true: I am such a noddycock that this is the first of the estimable Miss Heyer's trashy novels that I e'er did peruse. Dash it all, how was I to know she was a veritable caryatid of culture, a purveyoress of fine wordsmithing, an artiste?
Yeah, so she invented the Regency romance, or close enough to it. Yeah, she was an English homemaker. And by today's "so what did you smell like after you murdered those teenagers, Mr. Dahmer?" celebrity standards, she was a complete nonentity. Never gave an interview, never went on tour, never so much as blew a kiss to a crowd.
And still her legend lives on. I imagine the Regency period of English history would still be a giant snorefest for the youth of America if it were not for Miss Heyer's Regency-set romances. They spawned myriad imitatrixes to mine the rich seam, from the time she started out at age nineteen until this good day. And beyond, I suspect. She wrote well over 50 titles, she had a half-century career, she was a commercial powerhouse. She was a game-changer for the publishing industry. She was, in short, JRR Tolkien but female (and fun to read).
You won't spot historical inaccuracies in her books. You won't spot infelicities of style. You won't see violence or mayhem, though the odd lord does get shot or sliced with a sword.
What you will see is simple, direct, and graceful writing, not precious or cutesy-poo drivel. You will see implausible-but-consistent plotting. You will see clearly and concisely drawn characters, people one can believe really went to Almack's and fought in the Peninsular campaign and made their debuts to the ton. You will, if you climb down off your preconceived notions, get a rare treat...a book that's a pleasure to read and a disappointment to finish, but is just exactly the right length.
Yes yes yes, regressive social attitudes, emphasis on male privilege (even while the females are scheming to use the men to their own advantage, the minxes), society = Society and the Lower Orders in their place...if those givens are not to your taste, why are you reading a Regency-set romantic fiction? Really, don't. One isn't required to attend every fight to which one is invited.
That said I found the rising-forty hero falling in love with the seventeen-year-old heroine a bit rich for my blood, hence the not-quite-four-star rating. All of Heyer's romances are good, some are excellent; this is good(ish) and it's got that spark of wry wit that can, at times, become cruel in Heyer's hands. The Chicklaids, in this book, skate close to the snark line, uncomfortably so; it seems almost no thought was given to the way they're slotted into the plot to serve. But it's a cavil. Minor characters seldom get the fine brush. But Heyer, gifted quite beyond the ordinary, can and has done better, less lorgnette-goggling minor characters.
All that notwithstanding: Recommended. Most heartily. Damme if it's not.
The Publisher Says: Finding so young and pretty a girl as Amanda wandering unattended, Sir Gareth Ludlow knows it is his duty as a man of honour to restore her to her family. But it is to prove no easy task for the Corinthian. His captive in spring muslin has more than her rapturous good looks and bandboxes to aid her - she is also possessed of a runaway imagination...
A typically enthralling historical novel, Sprig Muslin shows the skill which has kept Georgette Heyer a huge and devoted readership to this day.
My Review: I confess it true: I am such a noddycock that this is the first of the estimable Miss Heyer's trashy novels that I e'er did peruse. Dash it all, how was I to know she was a veritable caryatid of culture, a purveyoress of fine wordsmithing, an artiste?
Yeah, so she invented the Regency romance, or close enough to it. Yeah, she was an English homemaker. And by today's "so what did you smell like after you murdered those teenagers, Mr. Dahmer?" celebrity standards, she was a complete nonentity. Never gave an interview, never went on tour, never so much as blew a kiss to a crowd.
And still her legend lives on. I imagine the Regency period of English history would still be a giant snorefest for the youth of America if it were not for Miss Heyer's Regency-set romances. They spawned myriad imitatrixes to mine the rich seam, from the time she started out at age nineteen until this good day. And beyond, I suspect. She wrote well over 50 titles, she had a half-century career, she was a commercial powerhouse. She was a game-changer for the publishing industry. She was, in short, JRR Tolkien but female (and fun to read).
You won't spot historical inaccuracies in her books. You won't spot infelicities of style. You won't see violence or mayhem, though the odd lord does get shot or sliced with a sword.
What you will see is simple, direct, and graceful writing, not precious or cutesy-poo drivel. You will see implausible-but-consistent plotting. You will see clearly and concisely drawn characters, people one can believe really went to Almack's and fought in the Peninsular campaign and made their debuts to the ton. You will, if you climb down off your preconceived notions, get a rare treat...a book that's a pleasure to read and a disappointment to finish, but is just exactly the right length.
Yes yes yes, regressive social attitudes, emphasis on male privilege (even while the females are scheming to use the men to their own advantage, the minxes), society = Society and the Lower Orders in their place...if those givens are not to your taste, why are you reading a Regency-set romantic fiction? Really, don't. One isn't required to attend every fight to which one is invited.
That said I found the rising-forty hero falling in love with the seventeen-year-old heroine a bit rich for my blood, hence the not-quite-four-star rating. All of Heyer's romances are good, some are excellent; this is good(ish) and it's got that spark of wry wit that can, at times, become cruel in Heyer's hands. The Chicklaids, in this book, skate close to the snark line, uncomfortably so; it seems almost no thought was given to the way they're slotted into the plot to serve. But it's a cavil. Minor characters seldom get the fine brush. But Heyer, gifted quite beyond the ordinary, can and has done better, less lorgnette-goggling minor characters.
All that notwithstanding: Recommended. Most heartily. Damme if it's not.
August 28, 2024
4.5★
I enjoyed this charming romance a lot more this time around. I loved that
I loved Hester's sweetly gentle character & I think the handsome & kind Sir Gareth Ludlow may be one of my favourite GH heroes (yes, I know I have quite a few)There are some funny scenes & the last chapters in that tiny village are delightful.
Why I've had to knock half a star off? Some of Amanda's adventures started to pall for me until the entrance of &, not uncommon in GH romances, the hero & heroine don't spend that much time together.
But this book is still nearly impossible to put down.
Edit: 5/3/19 Reread.
Still 4.5★ for me, even though I enjoyed this reread more than I've ever enjoyed this novel before.
As an older reader I really enjoyed Hester's blossoming as a heroine. She learns bravery from the rash Amanda. I would still liked to have seen Hester get another couple of paragraphs of page time.I'm married into a family that has a Fabian & feel GH's portrayal of this unrepentant rogue was very realistic.
My main quibble is with Neil. He talks of
Read with the Georgette Heyer Fans Group
Edit: 1/3/24 Reread
This was the right book at the right time for me, & on this read it may have even risen to 5★!
I particularly liked the scene setting at the start, where Gareth comes from a loving family is a great contrast to Hester's situation where she is an unappreciated drudge. This is very well handled.
& I can't say more without yet more spoiler tags, but the last couple of chapters were so sweet & touching. & Neil didn't bother me so much this time.
5★ it is!
I enjoyed this charming romance a lot more this time around. I loved that
I loved Hester's sweetly gentle character & I think the handsome & kind Sir Gareth Ludlow may be one of my favourite GH heroes (yes, I know I have quite a few)There are some funny scenes & the last chapters in that tiny village are delightful.
Why I've had to knock half a star off? Some of Amanda's adventures started to pall for me until the entrance of &, not uncommon in GH romances, the hero & heroine don't spend that much time together.
But this book is still nearly impossible to put down.
Edit: 5/3/19 Reread.
Still 4.5★ for me, even though I enjoyed this reread more than I've ever enjoyed this novel before.
As an older reader I really enjoyed Hester's blossoming as a heroine. She learns bravery from the rash Amanda. I would still liked to have seen Hester get another couple of paragraphs of page time.I'm married into a family that has a Fabian & feel GH's portrayal of this unrepentant rogue was very realistic.
My main quibble is with Neil. He talks of
Read with the Georgette Heyer Fans Group
Edit: 1/3/24 Reread
This was the right book at the right time for me, & on this read it may have even risen to 5★!
I particularly liked the scene setting at the start, where Gareth comes from a loving family is a great contrast to Hester's situation where she is an unappreciated drudge. This is very well handled.
& I can't say more without yet more spoiler tags, but the last couple of chapters were so sweet & touching. & Neil didn't bother me so much this time.
5★ it is!
October 17, 2025
What you will discover in Sprig Muslin is a simple, direct and graceful writing; Georgette Heyer once more tells a hilarious story that is a rare treat and a pleasure to read. Perfect for a rainy Sunday afternoon, recommended.
April 29, 2025
‘That,’ said Amanda, with pride, ‘is Strategy, sir. ... Well, it may be Tactics. Though that is when you move troops in the presence of the enemy, and, of course, the enemy isn’t present. I find it very confusing to distinguish between the two things, and it is a pity Neil isn’t here, for you may depend upon it he knows exactly, and he could explain it to you. ... I believe the properest expression is a plan of campaign! That’s what it is! How stupid of me! I am not at all surprised you shouldn’t have understood what I meant.’
‘I still don’t understand. What is your plan of campaign?’
Sir Gareth starts out to propose to a long time friend Lady Hester, looking for a marriage of contentment rather than love, who surprisingly rejects him. His life is already chaotic starting with a chance meeting with the titular run away Sprig Muslin Amanda, adamant that she's ready to marry her Captain Neil; and soon has to contend with a young literary hopeful who tries to rescue her by holding them up on a highway, and Lady Hester herself summoned to help him.
Though Amanda's plan of campaign doesn't seem to bear fruit quickly, the terrific events bring everone closer and also lead them to examine their feelings. I find the plot here is a little similar to Heyer's earlier book The Foundling, at least at the beginning, but the characters are remarkably different and brilliant in their own way; I was soon immersed in the witty writing and Heyer's trademark humour.
Quiet introspective heroines are a little under-rated - not to say I don't like reading voluble heroines - but I especially enjoyed seeing Hester bloom and be more comfortable with voicing herself towards the end. And you don't have to wonder if it's a happy ending.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
[One star for the premise and the whole book; One star for the characters; 3/4 star for the story; 3/4 star for the writing; 3/4 star for the world-building and description - 4.25 stars in total.]
‘I still don’t understand. What is your plan of campaign?’
Sir Gareth starts out to propose to a long time friend Lady Hester, looking for a marriage of contentment rather than love, who surprisingly rejects him. His life is already chaotic starting with a chance meeting with the titular run away Sprig Muslin Amanda, adamant that she's ready to marry her Captain Neil; and soon has to contend with a young literary hopeful who tries to rescue her by holding them up on a highway, and Lady Hester herself summoned to help him.
Though Amanda's plan of campaign doesn't seem to bear fruit quickly, the terrific events bring everone closer and also lead them to examine their feelings. I find the plot here is a little similar to Heyer's earlier book The Foundling, at least at the beginning, but the characters are remarkably different and brilliant in their own way; I was soon immersed in the witty writing and Heyer's trademark humour.
Quiet introspective heroines are a little under-rated - not to say I don't like reading voluble heroines - but I especially enjoyed seeing Hester bloom and be more comfortable with voicing herself towards the end. And you don't have to wonder if it's a happy ending.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
[One star for the premise and the whole book; One star for the characters; 3/4 star for the story; 3/4 star for the writing; 3/4 star for the world-building and description - 4.25 stars in total.]
September 22, 2021
ETA commute listen with my daughter 12/2018:Still very fine and I loved the shared laughter as Cordy experienced Lady Hester's very sly wit. She really hated Amanda, though, and struggled with her willful flights.
This remains one of my very favorite Georgette Heyer romances. Sir Gareth is such a delight as he struggles with Amanda's exploits. Their repartee is fantastic without even hinting that they should end up together (thank heavens, I like Hester so much better than the explosively willful ingénue). And Hester is such an intriguing character as well. Her sly humor buried under her meek exterior has some truly fine moments even early on, before we've gotten to know how intolerable her situation really is—and how much worse off she would be married to the man she loves if he doesn't also love her (even if that man is Sir Gareth). All of the secondary characters fit their respective roles well, from Hildebrand as invalid support to Lady Widmore's gauche raillery. It all adds up to a delightful read with a very satisfying resolution.
This remains one of my very favorite Georgette Heyer romances. Sir Gareth is such a delight as he struggles with Amanda's exploits. Their repartee is fantastic without even hinting that they should end up together (thank heavens, I like Hester so much better than the explosively willful ingénue). And Hester is such an intriguing character as well. Her sly humor buried under her meek exterior has some truly fine moments even early on, before we've gotten to know how intolerable her situation really is—and how much worse off she would be married to the man she loves if he doesn't also love her (even if that man is Sir Gareth). All of the secondary characters fit their respective roles well, from Hildebrand as invalid support to Lady Widmore's gauche raillery. It all adds up to a delightful read with a very satisfying resolution.
October 23, 2012
Seven years after losing the love of his life to death, well-admired Corinthian Sir Gareth Ludlow is ready to find a wife. Not for love, mind you. Love isn't likely to strike his heart again, but because it is his duty and responsibility to settle down and produce an heir. Lady Hester Thale is quiet, sensible, a steady friend and long on the shelf at age 29. Surely she will be more then happy to escape her domineering family and settle for placid security with her friend Gareth. But Gareth doesn't account for the fact that spinster Hester has nursed a secret, and won't settle for anything less then love, even if it means turning down one of the most eligible members of the ton, and the love of her life.
Had Georgette Heyer delivered a tale of how Gareth woos, loses, and eventually wins Hester's heart, I know I would have given this story 4 or 5 stars. Problem is, in a book 18 chapters long, Heyer only accords the story of Gareth & Hester approximately 2 chapters near the beginning and exactly 4 chapters at the very end. The bulk of the story rests in the (frankly) boring tale of a young, silly, annoying miss by the name of Amanda. Sir Gareth meets the beautiful girl in route to pay his addresses to Lady Hester. She is alone, a runaway, and trying to keep her identity a secret. Gareth, a kind man, is unwilling to let the girl get herself into any trouble, and takes it upon himself to protect her from her folly and return her to her family. Problem is, Amanda refuses to reveal who she is and where she came from.
And so, for over 150 pages, the reader is treated not to a story about Gareth and Hester, but to a romp and farce about the exploits of Amanda and all the mayhem and trouble she continually gets herself and Sir Gareth into. Readers who particularly enjoy this type of silly, coltish Heyer heroine, and a more mad-cap escapade storyline will probably like this book alot. Personally, neither one does as much for me, so I spent a good long time being bored, exasperated and ready to fling Amanda and her exploits off the page and get back to what I felt was the main story (Hester and Gareth). It wasn't until Chapter 15 that the tale really took off for me, and Heyer partially redeemed herself (and the story) with an absolutely brilliant final 3 chapters. It had farce, it had humor, and it almost, almost , made up for the previous annoying two-thirds
that came before it.
Almost. Hence the 3 star rating.
This book had its moments, but isn't destined to become one of my favorites.
Thanks go to my buddy read partners Leslie and Jeannette for encouraging me with their comments to persist with it. Luckily, they were speedier readers, and gave me hope that the story would turn the corner and get better.
Had Georgette Heyer delivered a tale of how Gareth woos, loses, and eventually wins Hester's heart, I know I would have given this story 4 or 5 stars. Problem is, in a book 18 chapters long, Heyer only accords the story of Gareth & Hester approximately 2 chapters near the beginning and exactly 4 chapters at the very end. The bulk of the story rests in the (frankly) boring tale of a young, silly, annoying miss by the name of Amanda. Sir Gareth meets the beautiful girl in route to pay his addresses to Lady Hester. She is alone, a runaway, and trying to keep her identity a secret. Gareth, a kind man, is unwilling to let the girl get herself into any trouble, and takes it upon himself to protect her from her folly and return her to her family. Problem is, Amanda refuses to reveal who she is and where she came from.
And so, for over 150 pages, the reader is treated not to a story about Gareth and Hester, but to a romp and farce about the exploits of Amanda and all the mayhem and trouble she continually gets herself and Sir Gareth into. Readers who particularly enjoy this type of silly, coltish Heyer heroine, and a more mad-cap escapade storyline will probably like this book alot. Personally, neither one does as much for me, so I spent a good long time being bored, exasperated and ready to fling Amanda and her exploits off the page and get back to what I felt was the main story (Hester and Gareth). It wasn't until Chapter 15 that the tale really took off for me, and Heyer partially redeemed herself (and the story) with an absolutely brilliant final 3 chapters. It had farce, it had humor, and it almost, almost , made up for the previous annoying two-thirds
that came before it.
Almost. Hence the 3 star rating.
This book had its moments, but isn't destined to become one of my favorites.
Thanks go to my buddy read partners Leslie and Jeannette for encouraging me with their comments to persist with it. Luckily, they were speedier readers, and gave me hope that the story would turn the corner and get better.
November 16, 2016
Once again I am dipping into my slightly tattered collection of Georgette Heyer romances for a quick reread of an old favourite. This time it is Sprig Muslin which contains one of Heyer's best leading men, Sir Gareth Ludlow. Who wouldn't want to take this man home? He is good looking, charming, well dressed, intelligent, has a great sense of humour, loves children and did I mention he is very, very rich!
Characterisation was one of Heyer's greatest skills and she has written some of the best. She also managed to make all her romances funny, charming and occasionally tear jerking (happy tears usually). Her books are my go to place for light effortless entertainment and this book did not disappoint:)
Characterisation was one of Heyer's greatest skills and she has written some of the best. She also managed to make all her romances funny, charming and occasionally tear jerking (happy tears usually). Her books are my go to place for light effortless entertainment and this book did not disappoint:)
September 9, 2015
Written July 4, 2015
4 1/2 Stars - Charming well-made oldie (1956). So much fun and so very well told and narrated
Sprig Muslin is an "Regency" set in England 1813 written already 1956 by a legend romance author, Georgette Heyer (1902-1974).
Awwww this was....jolly good!
This was just my second novel by, for me, a brilliant classic British writer. I has always been a fan by funny and witty (steam-free) romantic oldies (by Austen for example). Ms Heyer gives me exactly that feeling even if this is much newer litterateur. (Must check out our local library if there are any old Heyer copies translated to Swedish as well.)
I saw that someone wrote that “Reading Georgette Heyer's Regency novels is like eating dark chocolate - guilty pleasure that turns out to be good for you.”. True.
I have been listening to a 10 hours audiobook edition fabulous great narrated by Sian Phillips (a Welsh actress) from 2008. Luckily for me a "Daily Deal" bargain on Audible.com for just $4 a May day. So glad I was quick and snatched it.
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As much as this is a romance, this story is also a joyful comedy. Our young heroine Amanda "Smith" kind of makes this story. She fills it with all her fantastic fabrications, lies, new lies, fantasy and falsehoods once again. Her imagination and ability to embroider her amazing stories and fabrications at every opportunity, makes it all, for all parts, to become a big mess in the end.
Seventeen year old Amanda is a beautiful charming, but spoiled, impossible stubborn young lady. She is on the run to try to force her grandfather to let her marry the young officer she chosed. Our hero, Sir Gareth Ludlow is on a trip to ask a very modest lady (soon to be 30 and already nearly a 'poor' old spinster...), Lady Hester Theale, to become his wife.
The day Sir Gareth meet young Amanda, and tries to "save" her, is he stepping on a small sweetlooking snowball that will soon be a big tumbling avalanche. Amanda has a way of messing up everyone's life.
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Chuckling fun and not an boring minute..
I had two great summer days with Sprig Muslin. ~ Nearly four stars for a sweet enjoying old classic romance and yet one more star for this audiobook.
Yes, this audio-edition is simply FANTASTIC for all lovers, like me, of classic well written and well narrated historical romances. Sian Phillips does it faultlessly and Georgette Heyer knew how to make a good hilarious fun tale.
Sincerely recommended!
I LIKE - very much an amusing fun audiobook story
4 1/2 Stars - Charming well-made oldie (1956). So much fun and so very well told and narrated
Sprig Muslin is an "Regency" set in England 1813 written already 1956 by a legend romance author, Georgette Heyer (1902-1974).
Awwww this was....jolly good!
This was just my second novel by, for me, a brilliant classic British writer. I has always been a fan by funny and witty (steam-free) romantic oldies (by Austen for example). Ms Heyer gives me exactly that feeling even if this is much newer litterateur. (Must check out our local library if there are any old Heyer copies translated to Swedish as well.)
I saw that someone wrote that “Reading Georgette Heyer's Regency novels is like eating dark chocolate - guilty pleasure that turns out to be good for you.”. True.
I have been listening to a 10 hours audiobook edition fabulous great narrated by Sian Phillips (a Welsh actress) from 2008. Luckily for me a "Daily Deal" bargain on Audible.com for just $4 a May day. So glad I was quick and snatched it.
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« Sir Gareth Ludlow knows it is his duty as a man of honour to restore so young and pretty a girl as Amanda, wandering unattended, to her family. But it is to prove no easy task for the Corinthian. »
As much as this is a romance, this story is also a joyful comedy. Our young heroine Amanda "Smith" kind of makes this story. She fills it with all her fantastic fabrications, lies, new lies, fantasy and falsehoods once again. Her imagination and ability to embroider her amazing stories and fabrications at every opportunity, makes it all, for all parts, to become a big mess in the end.
Seventeen year old Amanda is a beautiful charming, but spoiled, impossible stubborn young lady. She is on the run to try to force her grandfather to let her marry the young officer she chosed. Our hero, Sir Gareth Ludlow is on a trip to ask a very modest lady (soon to be 30 and already nearly a 'poor' old spinster...), Lady Hester Theale, to become his wife.
The day Sir Gareth meet young Amanda, and tries to "save" her, is he stepping on a small sweetlooking snowball that will soon be a big tumbling avalanche. Amanda has a way of messing up everyone's life.
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Chuckling fun and not an boring minute..
I had two great summer days with Sprig Muslin. ~ Nearly four stars for a sweet enjoying old classic romance and yet one more star for this audiobook.
Yes, this audio-edition is simply FANTASTIC for all lovers, like me, of classic well written and well narrated historical romances. Sian Phillips does it faultlessly and Georgette Heyer knew how to make a good hilarious fun tale.
Sincerely recommended!
I LIKE - very much an amusing fun audiobook story
March 5, 2024
I loved it! There are lots of reviews already on GR for this novel so I won't try to equal those. I'll just say the character Sir Gareth Ludlow was an ideal hero for the story. Hester I liked very much. The only reason I gave it 4* is because the romance is quite short in it. We meet them both together at the start and then again a few chapters from the end. In between it's all about Amanda, the runaway, and I must admit her tantrums and tears do get a bit wearisome at times.
However, when they are all at the inn and then the relatives arrive it becomes hilarious!! I laughed out loud many times and this is what I love about Heyer's novels.
A good sound read I'd call it and of course Heyer fans will lap it up.
Still feel the same about this on the reread. I would have so liked to have more of Hester in the book. Really enjoyed the comedy this time.
However, when they are all at the inn and then the relatives arrive it becomes hilarious!! I laughed out loud many times and this is what I love about Heyer's novels.
A good sound read I'd call it and of course Heyer fans will lap it up.
Still feel the same about this on the reread. I would have so liked to have more of Hester in the book. Really enjoyed the comedy this time.
November 3, 2024
A comedic romance set in Regency England that follows the adventures of a mischievous young girl who finds herself in the craziest of situations. I loved the wit that Heyer infused into her writing and the light-hearted atmosphere that she created reminded me of "The Importance of Being Ernest."
Goodreads review published 04/09/17
Goodreads review published 04/09/17
January 6, 2014
4.5 stars
*Beware of spoilers if you don't already know who ends up with whom!*
I have the unfortunate habit of reading book reviews before or at the beginning of the book I am reading. Usually with Regency romances that is not a big deal as the couples are always so predictable, but with Sprig Muslin had I not known prior to starting, how it would end, I would have been surprised!
The hero of this novel is Sir Gareth Ludlow, and there is no doubt whatsoever about that. He is in all likeliness the most "perfect" kind of hero I ever read about; tall, handsome, rich, fashionable, well-liked, admired, and respected, lively sense of humour and impeccable manners. Everybody loves him. Except Amanda.
Amanda is a young sixteen year-old who has established a plan of campaign which constitutes of running away from home in order for her grandfather to capitulate to her marrying a Brigade-Major. She hopes of becoming a chamber-maid or some such thing, to that her grandfather will have pity on her and permit her to marry. What a lovely plan. ;)
Only, Sir Gareth encounters her alone in an inn, and perfect gentleman that he is, feels honour bound to restore her to her family. Hence ensues hilarious confusions and entanglements, as Amanda keeps running away from Sir Gareth and claiming to everyone that he is abducting her. Moreover, matters are further complicated when Sir Gareth sees no choice but to bring Amanda with him to Brancaster Park, residence of the Earl of Bracaster and his sensible daughter Hester, whom Sir Gareth hopes to marry. Awesome. So now it looks like Sir Gareth has abducted a lovely piece of muslin, just as he was about to offer a very respectable marriage of convenience to the Lady Hester!
Next, everyone who meets Amanda wants to help her escape from Sir Gareth, who is in reality the only one who is truly trying to help her. Then the story takes an interesting turn at the point where I'm sure he would've just abandoned her saying "Getting real tired of your ish Amanda!" and the last third of the book is really good.
I expected to hate Amanda. I thought she would be a Tiffany Wield kind of girl (from Heyer's The Nonesuch), but she had none of Tiffany' conceit and arrogance, and beneath her bold, adventurous façade she was very sweet and intelligent. Being very innocent and inexperienced, she did a lot of foolish things, but she also had a great presence of mind in dangerous situations. Now, what is a bit puzzling is that Amanda is a central character in the book, yet she cannot really be considered the heroine, since she doesn't end up with the hero. If Lady Hester hadn't been a character, Amanda and Sir Gareth would've probably made a match of it. As one read the story, one feels that Amanda and Gareth wouldn't exactly be the best matched couple, because for one thing he's 35 and she's only 16. Yet, in Heyer's The Corinthian for example, which has a similar setting (Regency Corinthian aged 35 needs to marry and have an heir, etc..) Sir Richard and Pen do end up together, and the reader is made to believe that it is a good match! Granted, Sir Gareth and Sir Richard might have been very similar, but I must say that Pen was a bit less of a goose than Amanda, even though they were both running away and both wanted to havesilly romantic adventures.
Instead, Sir Gareth comes to love Lady Hester, who was such an amazing woman that it is too bad she didn't have a bigger role in the story. At first, she refuses to marry Sir Gareth because she has been secretly in love with him for years, and does not wish to marry him based simply on mutual respect and tolerance (which he feels for her at the beginning). Unfortunately, their romance only blossoms between the lines. We never really know how or why Sir Gareth comes to love her, be we are just happy for them both because they both deserve to be happy, as they were such awesome, perfectly nice characters. The kind that just has to have a happy ending.
" 'When I asked you at Brancaster I held you in affection and esteem, but I believed I could never be in love again. I was wrong. Will you marry me, my dear and last love?' "
4.5 stars because not as awesome as my favourites These Old Shades or Devil's Cub, but no less because so darn hilarious and fun, featuring a set of ridiculously embarrassing relatives, rude landladies and funny people trying to help Amanda! Sprig Muslin is a very sweet, funny, engaging and sunny book, perfect when you need a good laugh!
*Beware of spoilers if you don't already know who ends up with whom!*
I have the unfortunate habit of reading book reviews before or at the beginning of the book I am reading. Usually with Regency romances that is not a big deal as the couples are always so predictable, but with Sprig Muslin had I not known prior to starting, how it would end, I would have been surprised!
The hero of this novel is Sir Gareth Ludlow, and there is no doubt whatsoever about that. He is in all likeliness the most "perfect" kind of hero I ever read about; tall, handsome, rich, fashionable, well-liked, admired, and respected, lively sense of humour and impeccable manners. Everybody loves him. Except Amanda.
Amanda is a young sixteen year-old who has established a plan of campaign which constitutes of running away from home in order for her grandfather to capitulate to her marrying a Brigade-Major. She hopes of becoming a chamber-maid or some such thing, to that her grandfather will have pity on her and permit her to marry. What a lovely plan. ;)
Only, Sir Gareth encounters her alone in an inn, and perfect gentleman that he is, feels honour bound to restore her to her family. Hence ensues hilarious confusions and entanglements, as Amanda keeps running away from Sir Gareth and claiming to everyone that he is abducting her. Moreover, matters are further complicated when Sir Gareth sees no choice but to bring Amanda with him to Brancaster Park, residence of the Earl of Bracaster and his sensible daughter Hester, whom Sir Gareth hopes to marry. Awesome. So now it looks like Sir Gareth has abducted a lovely piece of muslin, just as he was about to offer a very respectable marriage of convenience to the Lady Hester!
Next, everyone who meets Amanda wants to help her escape from Sir Gareth, who is in reality the only one who is truly trying to help her. Then the story takes an interesting turn at the point where I'm sure he would've just abandoned her saying "Getting real tired of your ish Amanda!" and the last third of the book is really good.
I expected to hate Amanda. I thought she would be a Tiffany Wield kind of girl (from Heyer's The Nonesuch), but she had none of Tiffany' conceit and arrogance, and beneath her bold, adventurous façade she was very sweet and intelligent. Being very innocent and inexperienced, she did a lot of foolish things, but she also had a great presence of mind in dangerous situations. Now, what is a bit puzzling is that Amanda is a central character in the book, yet she cannot really be considered the heroine, since she doesn't end up with the hero. If Lady Hester hadn't been a character, Amanda and Sir Gareth would've probably made a match of it. As one read the story, one feels that Amanda and Gareth wouldn't exactly be the best matched couple, because for one thing he's 35 and she's only 16. Yet, in Heyer's The Corinthian for example, which has a similar setting (Regency Corinthian aged 35 needs to marry and have an heir, etc..) Sir Richard and Pen do end up together, and the reader is made to believe that it is a good match! Granted, Sir Gareth and Sir Richard might have been very similar, but I must say that Pen was a bit less of a goose than Amanda, even though they were both running away and both wanted to have
Instead, Sir Gareth comes to love Lady Hester, who was such an amazing woman that it is too bad she didn't have a bigger role in the story. At first, she refuses to marry Sir Gareth because she has been secretly in love with him for years, and does not wish to marry him based simply on mutual respect and tolerance (which he feels for her at the beginning). Unfortunately, their romance only blossoms between the lines. We never really know how or why Sir Gareth comes to love her, be we are just happy for them both because they both deserve to be happy, as they were such awesome, perfectly nice characters. The kind that just has to have a happy ending.
" 'When I asked you at Brancaster I held you in affection and esteem, but I believed I could never be in love again. I was wrong. Will you marry me, my dear and last love?' "
4.5 stars because not as awesome as my favourites These Old Shades or Devil's Cub, but no less because so darn hilarious and fun, featuring a set of ridiculously embarrassing relatives, rude landladies and funny people trying to help Amanda! Sprig Muslin is a very sweet, funny, engaging and sunny book, perfect when you need a good laugh!
November 8, 2016
Sprig Muslin draws on a lot of familiar Georgette Heyer character types, but arranges them in a story structure that is elegantly conceived and executed. It is not one of my favorite Heyer novels, but it is a very enjoyable book to read.
Sir Gareth Ludlow suffered a tragic loss in his youth, when his fiancée borrowed his carriage and crashed it. Since then he has shown no interest in romance or marriage. He is charming, gentlemanly, but elusive. The story opens with him declaring to his sister his intention of marrying a longtime acquaintance or friend, Lady Hester Theale, a woman essentially on the shelf, the unappreciated daughter of an impoverished peer.
Sir Gareth travels into Cambridgeshire to make his proposals, but gets sidetracked along the way. He meets a very young and very beautiful girl, Amanda, who has run away from home. He wants to restore her to her family, but she refuses and will not give her name or direction. She wants to marry a young military man and is trying to scare her grandfather into agreeing to the match. Unable to work out how to dispose of her appropriately, Sir Gareth takes her along to his intended’s home. Awkward!
Lady Hester doesn’t know what to make of Amanda. She believes her to be an innocent (though her family doesn’t share her view) but also fears that she is sufficiently reminiscent of Sir Gareth’s lost love that he may be on the way to falling in love with her. Therefore, Lady Hester rejects his suit. Meanwhile, Lady Hester’s ne’er-do-well uncle makes off with Amanda, with all the evil intentions you might imagine, and Sir Gareth goes off in pursuit. Amanda leads Sir Gareth a merry dance, which ends up in some serious trouble. There are some callow boys who complicate the story, along with a number of comically obtuse relatives and interested parties.
The twists and turns of Amanda’s adventures lend the story suspense, as do the symmetries between her character and that of Sir Gareth’s lost love. Will he be drawn back into an old form of attraction or look for a new kind of love as a mature man? Will Amanda find her way safely to her military love or take a permanent detour? Will Lady Hester succeed in escaping her life of family drudgery and neglect? A few coincidences that feel a bit of a stretch come to the rescue to sort everything out appropriately in the end.
The final scene is one of those comic delights when Heyer brings together a large number of the characters to act, well, characteristically. It’s not as funny as some of her climaxes (I love the one in Devil’s Cub and the one in Sylvester more), but it makes a nice, tidy bow to tie the story up in.
Sir Gareth himself is an interesting hybrid character. He has all the grace and charm of one of Heyer’s “beta” heroes, while physically he fits more into the “alpha” mold. I like his kindness and patience with others and hoped he would get his happy ending. I tend to like the Heyer novels that are told more from the hero’s perspective than the heroine’s, but it’s important in those situations to make sure that the heroine is someone the reader can root for as well. This is true in Sprig Muslin, and it makes for a well-balanced story.
Sir Gareth Ludlow suffered a tragic loss in his youth, when his fiancée borrowed his carriage and crashed it. Since then he has shown no interest in romance or marriage. He is charming, gentlemanly, but elusive. The story opens with him declaring to his sister his intention of marrying a longtime acquaintance or friend, Lady Hester Theale, a woman essentially on the shelf, the unappreciated daughter of an impoverished peer.
Sir Gareth travels into Cambridgeshire to make his proposals, but gets sidetracked along the way. He meets a very young and very beautiful girl, Amanda, who has run away from home. He wants to restore her to her family, but she refuses and will not give her name or direction. She wants to marry a young military man and is trying to scare her grandfather into agreeing to the match. Unable to work out how to dispose of her appropriately, Sir Gareth takes her along to his intended’s home. Awkward!
Lady Hester doesn’t know what to make of Amanda. She believes her to be an innocent (though her family doesn’t share her view) but also fears that she is sufficiently reminiscent of Sir Gareth’s lost love that he may be on the way to falling in love with her. Therefore, Lady Hester rejects his suit. Meanwhile, Lady Hester’s ne’er-do-well uncle makes off with Amanda, with all the evil intentions you might imagine, and Sir Gareth goes off in pursuit. Amanda leads Sir Gareth a merry dance, which ends up in some serious trouble. There are some callow boys who complicate the story, along with a number of comically obtuse relatives and interested parties.
The twists and turns of Amanda’s adventures lend the story suspense, as do the symmetries between her character and that of Sir Gareth’s lost love. Will he be drawn back into an old form of attraction or look for a new kind of love as a mature man? Will Amanda find her way safely to her military love or take a permanent detour? Will Lady Hester succeed in escaping her life of family drudgery and neglect? A few coincidences that feel a bit of a stretch come to the rescue to sort everything out appropriately in the end.
The final scene is one of those comic delights when Heyer brings together a large number of the characters to act, well, characteristically. It’s not as funny as some of her climaxes (I love the one in Devil’s Cub and the one in Sylvester more), but it makes a nice, tidy bow to tie the story up in.
Sir Gareth himself is an interesting hybrid character. He has all the grace and charm of one of Heyer’s “beta” heroes, while physically he fits more into the “alpha” mold. I like his kindness and patience with others and hoped he would get his happy ending. I tend to like the Heyer novels that are told more from the hero’s perspective than the heroine’s, but it’s important in those situations to make sure that the heroine is someone the reader can root for as well. This is true in Sprig Muslin, and it makes for a well-balanced story.
April 12, 2017
Sprig Muslin was just OK most of the way through. I can see why this is one of the more obscure Heyer Regencies. The hero and heroine are apart for most of the time, the hero off chasing after a capricious (and annoying) girl, trying to keep her out of trouble. That got a bit old, even though there were entertaining parts of it. I liked it better once the heroine entered the picture again, with not much left in the book. The relationship didn't get much development time!
September 21, 2022
Re-read 9/16/22, in audio: This is no longer my favorite Heyer romance, but it is in my top five. It's still charming, and Hester's situation still makes my heart ache. Its flaw, for me, is that there's not enough space given to the resolution of the romance, because I love to see a good romance unfold. I listened to this one with my husband, and thought the narrator was very good (not as good as Phyllida Nash, but close). The battle of wits between Amanda and Sir Gareth still makes me laugh, even when I know what's coming next.
Read 4/7/13: I think what I love most about this book is the outrageous manufacture of stories: fake histories, fake identities, shameless borrowing from novels to provide fake troubles.
7/4/2012: Undoubtedly my tastes will change over time, but as of right now, this is my favorite Heyer romance.
Read 4/7/13: I think what I love most about this book is the outrageous manufacture of stories: fake histories, fake identities, shameless borrowing from novels to provide fake troubles.
7/4/2012: Undoubtedly my tastes will change over time, but as of right now, this is my favorite Heyer romance.
January 7, 2017
I was not as keen on this one from Georgette Heyer's. I soon got tired of Amanda's facetiousness and immature behaviour. However, the last third of the book was very entertaining and this is why I gave it four stars nonetheless.
April 20, 2025
2025 Review
Same plot as The Foundling and Charity Girl but still satisfying.
I didn't love Lord Gareth as much this re-read (he is a little too perfect), but it was entertaining. I need to re-read this one more regularly.
2017 Review
Every time I review a Heyer novel I feel like I ought to start with a disclaimer: I have long since given up any pretension of reading her novels with any sense of objectivity. I love her characters. I love her dialogue. I love the setting. And frankly, I quite unexpectedly loved Sprig Muslin. This book isn't as highly rated as some of her others so I pushed off finding it. Turns out, it was quite a hidden gem! The story line follows a fairy standard and oft done Heyer trope - noble gentleman finds a willful, wayward young lady and gets dragged along with her dramatics. However, while the outline was familiar, the details felt charming and fresh.
For one, I love Hildebrand. He cracked me up.
For two, Sir Gareth Ludlow...who is everything a gentleman ought to be and yet also manages to not overwhelm the pages.
For three, the host of other characters, particularly the various innkeeper's wives, who colored the text.
But fourth and most unexpectedly, I fell for the heroine, Hester. Of course, mild and overlooked heroines are not new. Usually her type of Heyer heroine annoy me. Yet as the book progressed, Hester's courage came forward in an unexpected way. She wasn't secretly brave the whole time - but she overcomes her reservation and resignation to be something brave. She isn't The Grand Sophy but I liked her all the same.
And of course as always, Heyer is a master of showing-not-telling. She conveys Hester's emotions, especially towards Lord Gareth, without banging you over the head with it. This limits angst and allows the imagination to run free! I love it.
I am definitely going to have to buy this one. Decidedly a delightful read!
Same plot as The Foundling and Charity Girl but still satisfying.
I didn't love Lord Gareth as much this re-read (he is a little too perfect), but it was entertaining. I need to re-read this one more regularly.
2017 Review
Every time I review a Heyer novel I feel like I ought to start with a disclaimer: I have long since given up any pretension of reading her novels with any sense of objectivity. I love her characters. I love her dialogue. I love the setting. And frankly, I quite unexpectedly loved Sprig Muslin. This book isn't as highly rated as some of her others so I pushed off finding it. Turns out, it was quite a hidden gem! The story line follows a fairy standard and oft done Heyer trope - noble gentleman finds a willful, wayward young lady and gets dragged along with her dramatics. However, while the outline was familiar, the details felt charming and fresh.
For one, I love Hildebrand. He cracked me up.
For two, Sir Gareth Ludlow...who is everything a gentleman ought to be and yet also manages to not overwhelm the pages.
For three, the host of other characters, particularly the various innkeeper's wives, who colored the text.
But fourth and most unexpectedly, I fell for the heroine, Hester. Of course, mild and overlooked heroines are not new. Usually her type of Heyer heroine annoy me. Yet as the book progressed, Hester's courage came forward in an unexpected way. She wasn't secretly brave the whole time - but she overcomes her reservation and resignation to be something brave. She isn't The Grand Sophy but I liked her all the same.
And of course as always, Heyer is a master of showing-not-telling. She conveys Hester's emotions, especially towards Lord Gareth, without banging you over the head with it. This limits angst and allows the imagination to run free! I love it.
I am definitely going to have to buy this one. Decidedly a delightful read!
November 12, 2020
On this reread, I didn't like this book as much as I remembered liking it before. The romance between Gareth and Hester is charming and it does form the bones of the plot. But it's barely there. There is so little actual romance in this book that it's almost not a romance.
The majority of the book is taken up with Amanda's madcap adventures, and frankly, I started to get sick of her and her silly, immature machinations. I wanted more page time with Gareth and Hester, but it's just not there.
As usual Heyer's writing, characterisations and descriptions are superb. Her secondary characters are interesting and well-drawn, and there are definitely some funny moments. But I guess my tastes have changed over time, and I prefer the romance to be more overt than it was in this book. Sadly, for me, parts of the book grew a little tedious. It was still worth three stars however, for the lovely writing and for the sweet (though brief) moments between Gareth and Hester.
The majority of the book is taken up with Amanda's madcap adventures, and frankly, I started to get sick of her and her silly, immature machinations. I wanted more page time with Gareth and Hester, but it's just not there.
As usual Heyer's writing, characterisations and descriptions are superb. Her secondary characters are interesting and well-drawn, and there are definitely some funny moments. But I guess my tastes have changed over time, and I prefer the romance to be more overt than it was in this book. Sadly, for me, parts of the book grew a little tedious. It was still worth three stars however, for the lovely writing and for the sweet (though brief) moments between Gareth and Hester.
February 4, 2025
One of Heyer's "lesser" works, in the sense that it is not one of her great romances (indeed, it is hardly about romance at all), it is still such a pleasant, escapist read - just the sort of thing you want to reach for when you're trapped at home.
2025 re-read: this book is more about falling out of love than it is about falling in love. I honestly really enjoyed it.
2025 re-read: this book is more about falling out of love than it is about falling in love. I honestly really enjoyed it.
Read
July 13, 2015This is the third of Heyer's books with the core premise of gentleman coming across beautiful girl, and putting her in the care of an established female friend (who is not pretty and has been in love with him for years) while he tries to find the proper person to look after the girl (the others being Charity Girl and The Foundling).
Sprig Muslin is by far the most successful of this particular plot, primarily because the gentleman and the female friend get to spend a good deal more time with each other and you actually get to see the shift in his feelings for her.
Amanda (the beautiful girl) is also highly entertaining, with her boundless wild tales and indefatigable determination.
Good narrator for the audiobook.
Sprig Muslin is by far the most successful of this particular plot, primarily because the gentleman and the female friend get to spend a good deal more time with each other and you actually get to see the shift in his feelings for her.
Amanda (the beautiful girl) is also highly entertaining, with her boundless wild tales and indefatigable determination.
Good narrator for the audiobook.
May 4, 2022
And this is another re-read for me that again, has me delighted. I reacquainted with bits that felt the same and then other parts that I appreciated differently this go-around.
The story itself dives into the madcap Regency Romp because the mover and shaker at the center of it is a spoiled, naive, willful girl whose only consideration is her end-goal. She wants to marry the 'boy next door' who has gone a-soldiering and she is the daughter of a soldier so she can't abide by her guardian grandfather's strictures about her choice. She is young, but suspects the 'wait until your older' bit is a ploy to make her forget. And Amanda isn't having that.
But before Amanda is introduced onto the scene in her scene-stealing manner, there is Sir Garreth Ludlow who has shocked his family by deciding to take a bride after eight years of mourning the love of his life, his fiancee. He has chosen Lady Hester Theale. They are friends and have been acquainted for years. When he travels up to her family estate to pop the question, he encounters minx Amanda the runaway who has a plan to get her soldier and his chivalry won't allow him to turn his back knowing she can and will find all sorts of mischief and maybe danger.
Hester has determined to refuse Garreth. Nobody in her family can figure out why since Sir Garreth is a prize and beyond that he is a worthy and kind man. Hester has her reasons and in her quiet way will not be coerced into changing her mind. But then Garreth shocks them all and descends on them with a beautiful young lady who may or may not be the child of a friend like he claims. Amanda herself is headstrong and vivacious, but Hester trusts Garreth and believes his truthful tale of how he came to be in company with Amanda.
From then on, Amanda leads them all on a crazy wild adventure that has some interesting end results.
Alright, this one should be read as pure comedy. No sense taking it seriously or one will get frustrated really quickly. It's a delightful entertaining story. Yes, straight up, I admit Amanda wants for a good spanking and was spoiled rotten, but she is also a creative bit of work by the author to also make her winsome and adorable, too. Garreth is the enigmatic, yet cunning hero who is the only one who sees through Amanda and wins her admiration for besting her several times. Hester is likeable and has a fairy quality to her that keeps her a bit apart from the world around her. It's her defense mechanism to her domineering family since she is not a bold sort.
The story is a journey adventure type so there are many encounters with quirky and colorful characters. The author painted them well. Just as she kept the reader guessing at just how wild Amanda's schemes could get. The historical setting, sparkling dialogue, and situation enhanced things.
This was my first encounter with Sian Phillips, the narrator. As I said, there are many characters in and out of the story behind the main three and they were done so well. Ms. Phillips voice is husky so she did male voices well, but she had flexibility so that gentle, harsh, lower class, upper, town, village, etc were all there in her accents. Humor was a strength with her timing and conveyance of emotional tone. I would definitely listen to more of her stories.
All in all, this was a fantastic reunion and has bumped this story up in my estimation of favorite Heyer reads. Those who enjoy sweet, light Regency Romantic Romps should give this a go.
The story itself dives into the madcap Regency Romp because the mover and shaker at the center of it is a spoiled, naive, willful girl whose only consideration is her end-goal. She wants to marry the 'boy next door' who has gone a-soldiering and she is the daughter of a soldier so she can't abide by her guardian grandfather's strictures about her choice. She is young, but suspects the 'wait until your older' bit is a ploy to make her forget. And Amanda isn't having that.
But before Amanda is introduced onto the scene in her scene-stealing manner, there is Sir Garreth Ludlow who has shocked his family by deciding to take a bride after eight years of mourning the love of his life, his fiancee. He has chosen Lady Hester Theale. They are friends and have been acquainted for years. When he travels up to her family estate to pop the question, he encounters minx Amanda the runaway who has a plan to get her soldier and his chivalry won't allow him to turn his back knowing she can and will find all sorts of mischief and maybe danger.
Hester has determined to refuse Garreth. Nobody in her family can figure out why since Sir Garreth is a prize and beyond that he is a worthy and kind man. Hester has her reasons and in her quiet way will not be coerced into changing her mind. But then Garreth shocks them all and descends on them with a beautiful young lady who may or may not be the child of a friend like he claims. Amanda herself is headstrong and vivacious, but Hester trusts Garreth and believes his truthful tale of how he came to be in company with Amanda.
From then on, Amanda leads them all on a crazy wild adventure that has some interesting end results.
Alright, this one should be read as pure comedy. No sense taking it seriously or one will get frustrated really quickly. It's a delightful entertaining story. Yes, straight up, I admit Amanda wants for a good spanking and was spoiled rotten, but she is also a creative bit of work by the author to also make her winsome and adorable, too. Garreth is the enigmatic, yet cunning hero who is the only one who sees through Amanda and wins her admiration for besting her several times. Hester is likeable and has a fairy quality to her that keeps her a bit apart from the world around her. It's her defense mechanism to her domineering family since she is not a bold sort.
The story is a journey adventure type so there are many encounters with quirky and colorful characters. The author painted them well. Just as she kept the reader guessing at just how wild Amanda's schemes could get. The historical setting, sparkling dialogue, and situation enhanced things.
This was my first encounter with Sian Phillips, the narrator. As I said, there are many characters in and out of the story behind the main three and they were done so well. Ms. Phillips voice is husky so she did male voices well, but she had flexibility so that gentle, harsh, lower class, upper, town, village, etc were all there in her accents. Humor was a strength with her timing and conveyance of emotional tone. I would definitely listen to more of her stories.
All in all, this was a fantastic reunion and has bumped this story up in my estimation of favorite Heyer reads. Those who enjoy sweet, light Regency Romantic Romps should give this a go.
March 22, 2024
This falls somewhere between 3.5-4* - mainly because Amanda's antics are so utterly absurd. While it was a well laid out plot and the scrapes she kept getting into were laughable, at some point it was just too much tomfoolery for one book to contain.
More in-depth time between Lady Hester and Sir Gareth would be very desirable. Some inclusion of lively exchanges between them (instead of him an Amanda); and more in depth time spent on exposing their growing connection would have raised my opinion. Still, it is a fun Georgette Heyer book and I will most likely re-read at some point.
More in-depth time between Lady Hester and Sir Gareth would be very desirable. Some inclusion of lively exchanges between them (instead of him an Amanda); and more in depth time spent on exposing their growing connection would have raised my opinion. Still, it is a fun Georgette Heyer book and I will most likely re-read at some point.
March 5, 2024
An enjoyable, funny adventure [5 stars].
The romantic part took place more behind the scenes, I would have liked to see more (also past) encounters. Still, the love between Gareth and Hester was believable and mature. [4 stars]
The characters were splendid. It was great how Hester braved finally. Gareth was a perfect gentleman. And the rest of the characters were as they should be.
I am not sure why I don't feel like rounding 4.5 stars up. Perhaps because I would have liked to read more about Hester.
------ the review after first reading ------
What will I do when I read all of Heyer's books?! Or at least all of which I can find a copy. It will be a nightmare! Where does this thought come from, you may ask? Well, when I start to read the next Heyer's book I almost always think: "She couldn't create so many original characters and plots. There will be surely the same like in other books." However, it turns out that she can!
"Spring Muslin" is funny, witty, enjoyable. There is so much Heyer. I was laughing many times.
And these scenes which I see through the eyes of imagination.
And of course, there is this tension between lovers. This feeling which is in the air. This feeling which finds a happy ending often at the end of a book.
Amanda, Joe, Hildebrand. I don't know what I like more, her spirit and ideas, Joe making sweet eyes at her, quarrels between Amanda and Hildebrand. And there are more funny characters in the book. Heyer - you are the best!
I don't give it five stars. It is hard to explain. It isn't Devil's Cub or Cotillion or The Grand Sophy. I think, that the two main heroes weren't as engaging in my opinion how they could be.
The romantic part took place more behind the scenes, I would have liked to see more (also past) encounters. Still, the love between Gareth and Hester was believable and mature. [4 stars]
The characters were splendid. It was great how Hester braved finally. Gareth was a perfect gentleman. And the rest of the characters were as they should be.
I am not sure why I don't feel like rounding 4.5 stars up. Perhaps because I would have liked to read more about Hester.
------ the review after first reading ------
What will I do when I read all of Heyer's books?! Or at least all of which I can find a copy. It will be a nightmare! Where does this thought come from, you may ask? Well, when I start to read the next Heyer's book I almost always think: "She couldn't create so many original characters and plots. There will be surely the same like in other books." However, it turns out that she can!
"Spring Muslin" is funny, witty, enjoyable. There is so much Heyer. I was laughing many times.
"But perhaps I might feel strange, and unlike myself. It wouldn't be comfortable, not to be acquainted with myself.";-) I just love her sense of humor.
"I too have been badly deceived in myself," he said, shaking his head. "Would you believe it?—I had no notion that I was such a monster of inhumanity as I have proved myself to be"
And these scenes which I see through the eyes of imagination.
"Amanda raised her brilliant eyes to Lady Hester's gentle gray ones, and suddenly smiled. The effect of this upon the assembled gentlemen caused Lady Widmore's already high colour to deepen alarmingly. Mr. Theale, who had been regarding the youthful beauty with the eye of a dispassionate connoisseur, sighed soulfully; the Earl's indignant stare changed to one of reluctant admiration; and Lord Widmore was moved to adjust his neckcloth, throwing out his narrow chest a little. However, as he caught his wife's fulminating eye at that moment, he was speedily recalled to a sense of his position, and altered a somewhat fatuous smile to a frown"I love it!
And of course, there is this tension between lovers. This feeling which is in the air. This feeling which finds a happy ending often at the end of a book.
"The sight which met her eyes held her frozen on the threshold, and the thought flashed across her mind that she knew now how it felt to die"
Amanda, Joe, Hildebrand. I don't know what I like more, her spirit and ideas, Joe making sweet eyes at her, quarrels between Amanda and Hildebrand. And there are more funny characters in the book. Heyer - you are the best!
I don't give it five stars. It is hard to explain. It isn't Devil's Cub or Cotillion or The Grand Sophy. I think, that the two main heroes weren't as engaging in my opinion how they could be.
March 27, 2024
Just finished re-reading this again while reading the Jennifer Kloester biography of GH. There is so much anxiety in her life it is a wonder that she was able to write these sparkling stories that make me smile and laugh out loud. Spending time with Sir Gareth, the lovely, lively mendacious Amanda, the quiet loving Lady Hester, & Hildebrand, oh, & Joseph the kitten, is just what I needed in these waning days of a fairly awful March, both on the personal and greater world levels. I fell hard for GH’s books as a newly-minted teen, and they’ve seen me through many trials & tribulations. If there wasn’t a Georgette Heyer, we would need to invent her to brighten even the gloomiest of days. So very highly recommended! 4.5 stars rounded up because she cheered me up when I needed it most.
December 6, 2019
Another Georgette Heyer audiobook FTW. I think on the page this book could be frustrating: it’s all digressions and hijinks and tangents and lengthy scenes that unspool into chaos. But as audio, I wanted it to last for years. I loved Hester. “Uncle Gary,” dear lord. I kept doing extra work when I had my headphones in just so I could keep listening, because Sian Phillips had me hooked like a fish and laughing out loud.
October 28, 2010
Gary tries to help a capable but clueless, lying, runaway teenager. Frustrating first half. Very enjoyable last third.
STORY BRIEF:
17 year old Amanda runs away from home because her grandfather won’t let her marry Neil. Gary (who is 35) happens to see her at an inn and fears bad things may happen to her traveling alone like that. He is a good Samaritan who wants to keep her safe and return her to her home. She won’t tell him her name, but Gary thinks he could locate Neil if they go to London. Amanda then sneaks away from Gary. Gary goes to great lengths, searching for Amanda, again to help her.
Amanda is fearless when she shouldn’t be. She has good survival instincts. She is great at making up lies on the spot. Gary is the only one who doesn’t believe her lies. Throughout the story Amanda’s lies create predicaments for everyone she interacts with.
Gary’s fiancé died seven years earlier, and he believes he will never love again. He offered to marry Hester a friend of his who is shy, quiet, and sensible. She rejected his offer. We don’t know why.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
For more than half the book I immensely disliked Amanda. I knew the feeling when I read two other reviewers who said they wanted “to smack Amanda right in the mouth.” I did not enjoy her lies. The minute Gary gets her to safety she will just run away again. I had no sympathy for her, and I couldn’t believe Gary would spend so much time and money trying to help her. She didn’t want his help, and she caused problems for him. Throughout the book Gary’s reaction to her was of amusement. I did not feel amusement, but maybe that’s my own jadedness problem. So I didn’t like the first half (or more). But the last part was very enjoyable, and I didn’t want to stop reading/listening. Because of Amanda’s lies and other situations, Gary and others went along with her lies and pretended to be something they weren’t. Seeing Gary and others act out these parts was entertaining. And the ending was lovely.
I wish that more conversation happened with a particular couple toward the end. They had a friendly and caring relationship, and then all of a sudden he says I love you will you marry me. She says yes. But I didn’t get any explanation. It was too sudden. I wanted to see their feelings develop for each other. That was missing.
Because I was doing the audiobook, I found it helpful to print the list of characters from the website heyerlist org under Who's Who. Although, there is a minor spoiler in the Hildebrand Ross description, so don’t read that paragraph in advance of the book.
DATA:
Unabridged audiobook length: 10 hours. Narrator: Sian Phillips. Swearing language: none. Sexual content: none. Setting: 1813 England. Book Published: 1956. Genre: regency romance.
STORY BRIEF:
17 year old Amanda runs away from home because her grandfather won’t let her marry Neil. Gary (who is 35) happens to see her at an inn and fears bad things may happen to her traveling alone like that. He is a good Samaritan who wants to keep her safe and return her to her home. She won’t tell him her name, but Gary thinks he could locate Neil if they go to London. Amanda then sneaks away from Gary. Gary goes to great lengths, searching for Amanda, again to help her.
Amanda is fearless when she shouldn’t be. She has good survival instincts. She is great at making up lies on the spot. Gary is the only one who doesn’t believe her lies. Throughout the story Amanda’s lies create predicaments for everyone she interacts with.
Gary’s fiancé died seven years earlier, and he believes he will never love again. He offered to marry Hester a friend of his who is shy, quiet, and sensible. She rejected his offer. We don’t know why.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
For more than half the book I immensely disliked Amanda. I knew the feeling when I read two other reviewers who said they wanted “to smack Amanda right in the mouth.” I did not enjoy her lies. The minute Gary gets her to safety she will just run away again. I had no sympathy for her, and I couldn’t believe Gary would spend so much time and money trying to help her. She didn’t want his help, and she caused problems for him. Throughout the book Gary’s reaction to her was of amusement. I did not feel amusement, but maybe that’s my own jadedness problem. So I didn’t like the first half (or more). But the last part was very enjoyable, and I didn’t want to stop reading/listening. Because of Amanda’s lies and other situations, Gary and others went along with her lies and pretended to be something they weren’t. Seeing Gary and others act out these parts was entertaining. And the ending was lovely.
I wish that more conversation happened with a particular couple toward the end. They had a friendly and caring relationship, and then all of a sudden he says I love you will you marry me. She says yes. But I didn’t get any explanation. It was too sudden. I wanted to see their feelings develop for each other. That was missing.
Because I was doing the audiobook, I found it helpful to print the list of characters from the website heyerlist org under Who's Who. Although, there is a minor spoiler in the Hildebrand Ross description, so don’t read that paragraph in advance of the book.
DATA:
Unabridged audiobook length: 10 hours. Narrator: Sian Phillips. Swearing language: none. Sexual content: none. Setting: 1813 England. Book Published: 1956. Genre: regency romance.
August 11, 2014
Sir Gareth Ludlow is on his way to propose to Lady Hester Theale, a spinster of nearly thirty. He doesn't love her, his heart belongs to his late fiance, but he esteems and respects Hester. Most importantly, he wants to free her from her horrible family. Hester is of the opinion that Gareth's first fiance was a little too headstrong and spoiled for him and he deserves someone better. She secretly holds a tendre for him but isn't sure she can marry without love. Along the way, Sir Gareth discovers a teenage runaway, Amanda "Smith," a spoiled, headstrong girl who gets herself into one major scrape after another. What is there to do but bring her along to Lady Hester? There, Hester's family forms the most erroneous opinions of both Garry and Amanda, causing even more commotion, leading Gary on a wild goose chase. Will he ever find Amanda? Will he discover who she really is and make her return home? Will Hester agree to marry him?
I enjoyed this book much more on the reread. It's still not my favorite but knowing the ending really helped my enjoyment. Hester is hardly in the story at all. She disappears in the beginning and reappears towards the end. I wish there was more development of her story because I liked her. It was nice to see how she grew. I liked Gary for his chivalry and his sense of humor. If I were Hester I would have married him out of convenience. I still think Amanda is ditzy and annoying, but she adds a lot of humor to the story. She's downright crazy in her ideas she steals from trashy novels, yet she's so innocent, she doesn't realize what she's doing or why it's wrong. I did not like her character development at all. Just as she becomes more sensible, she still has moments of insanity. I actively disliked how she became around Neil. I found him abusive and frighting. I liked Hildebrand much better.
I enjoyed this book much more on the reread. It's still not my favorite but knowing the ending really helped my enjoyment. Hester is hardly in the story at all. She disappears in the beginning and reappears towards the end. I wish there was more development of her story because I liked her. It was nice to see how she grew. I liked Gary for his chivalry and his sense of humor. If I were Hester I would have married him out of convenience. I still think Amanda is ditzy and annoying, but she adds a lot of humor to the story. She's downright crazy in her ideas she steals from trashy novels, yet she's so innocent, she doesn't realize what she's doing or why it's wrong. I did not like her character development at all. Just as she becomes more sensible, she still has moments of insanity. I actively disliked how she became around Neil. I found him abusive and frighting. I liked Hildebrand much better.
May 27, 2013
I loved Sprig Muslin. It's ridiculous fluff and therefore ridiculously entertaining, and I love the characters and the way everything turns out. Amanda is perfect and ridiculous, which is to say perfectly ridiculous, and poor Sir Gareth has the patience of a saint. The whole tangle of misunderstandings didn't even drive me nuts with vicarious embarrassment, in this case -- it's so deftly handled that it remains funny and light.
I prefer The Talisman Ring's plot by a good way, but Heyer's skill as a writer got me equally twisted up in this story. The romances really are a good bit better than the mysteries, because she evokes the setting so wonderfully.
I prefer The Talisman Ring's plot by a good way, but Heyer's skill as a writer got me equally twisted up in this story. The romances really are a good bit better than the mysteries, because she evokes the setting so wonderfully.
March 22, 2025
Handsome, wealthy and extremely eligible Sir Gareth Ludlow gave up on love after his lovely and headstrong fiancée died in an accident. He has never loved since – but now, 7 years later, 35 years old and with his elder brother killed in the Peninsular War, Gareth realises he must marry. So, ignoring the many pretty young women his sister has been trying to push his way, Gareth decides to propose to the shy old maid, Hester Theale, whom nobody – not even her own family – even notices. Little does Gareth know that Hester has been in love with him many years now, and that she realises that this proposed match does not bring with it his love.
On his way to formally offer for Hester, however, Gareth comes across the stunningly lovely young Amanda ‘Smith’ (as she introduces herself). When he discovers that Amanda – who is only 17 years old – has run away from home in an attempt to emotionally blackmail her grandfather into letting her marry the army officer she loves, Gareth decides to step in. By abducting (as she puts it) Amanda. What follows, as Gareth tries to keep a check on this madcap schoolgirl who insists on trying to escape, is what Sprig Muslin is all about. For Amanda resembles Gareth’s long-dead love, Clarissa; and Hester, seeing Amanda, wonders what is going through the mind of the man she loves… and Amanda has only one goal: to somehow bully Grandfather into agreeing to her marriage.
Romance? Yes, certainly; Georgette Heyer, after all, is known as a writer of Regency romances. But what a lot of people unfamiliar with her work don’t realise is that Heyer also has a brilliantly witty style, and Sprig Muslin is one of the stellar examples of her humorous romance novels. The plotting is intricate and the situations hilarious. Heyer’s language is delightful, and her characters wonderfully etched: the hero who, while looking the traditional Regency romance hero), is far too nice, too amiable to be predictable, the heroine (if Hester can be called that) is not a raving beauty, and reveals unexpected spine and resourcefulness – and Amanda is a scream.
If you’re looking for a light, witty (and yet satisfying) Regency romance not in the oh-so-predictable Cartland style, this is one I’d recommend. Highly.
On his way to formally offer for Hester, however, Gareth comes across the stunningly lovely young Amanda ‘Smith’ (as she introduces herself). When he discovers that Amanda – who is only 17 years old – has run away from home in an attempt to emotionally blackmail her grandfather into letting her marry the army officer she loves, Gareth decides to step in. By abducting (as she puts it) Amanda. What follows, as Gareth tries to keep a check on this madcap schoolgirl who insists on trying to escape, is what Sprig Muslin is all about. For Amanda resembles Gareth’s long-dead love, Clarissa; and Hester, seeing Amanda, wonders what is going through the mind of the man she loves… and Amanda has only one goal: to somehow bully Grandfather into agreeing to her marriage.
Romance? Yes, certainly; Georgette Heyer, after all, is known as a writer of Regency romances. But what a lot of people unfamiliar with her work don’t realise is that Heyer also has a brilliantly witty style, and Sprig Muslin is one of the stellar examples of her humorous romance novels. The plotting is intricate and the situations hilarious. Heyer’s language is delightful, and her characters wonderfully etched: the hero who, while looking the traditional Regency romance hero), is far too nice, too amiable to be predictable, the heroine (if Hester can be called that) is not a raving beauty, and reveals unexpected spine and resourcefulness – and Amanda is a scream.
If you’re looking for a light, witty (and yet satisfying) Regency romance not in the oh-so-predictable Cartland style, this is one I’d recommend. Highly.
July 4, 2014
Georgette Heyer at her best, what more is there to say? This lively, two-romance, regency romp is so silly and sweet I enjoyed it most in small portions, like dessert. Amanda is a live-wire--young, determined, pretty and scandalously unattended because she’s run away from her doting grandfather hoping to marry her soldier boyfriend. Handsome but with a tragic love history, Sir Gareth runs into Amanda as he is on his way to propose to his old friend Hester, an “on the shelf” woman in her late 20’s, who’s taken advantage of by her family.
Gareth would like to return Amanda to her grandfather, but she refuses to tell him her last name and even tries to escape again, so to keep her out of trouble Gareth takes the loudly protesting Amanda with him to Hester’s family home, causing all kinds of uproar, confusion, and misunderstandings. Is Amanda Sir Gareth’s young mistress? How shocking to bring her along when proposing marriage to another woman!
Nobody expected that poor Hester would find a suitor at this point in her life, but far from acting like an “old maid” Hester is an appealing combination of sensible and freethinking. Even though her current living situation is difficult she is not willing to settle for the companionable marriage Gareth is offering, but being a friend she does try to help him with Amanda, who she has great sympathy for. Has anyone made a movie of a Heyer book? With its galloping fast action and nonstop repartee Sprig Muslin would make a great film.
Gareth would like to return Amanda to her grandfather, but she refuses to tell him her last name and even tries to escape again, so to keep her out of trouble Gareth takes the loudly protesting Amanda with him to Hester’s family home, causing all kinds of uproar, confusion, and misunderstandings. Is Amanda Sir Gareth’s young mistress? How shocking to bring her along when proposing marriage to another woman!
Nobody expected that poor Hester would find a suitor at this point in her life, but far from acting like an “old maid” Hester is an appealing combination of sensible and freethinking. Even though her current living situation is difficult she is not willing to settle for the companionable marriage Gareth is offering, but being a friend she does try to help him with Amanda, who she has great sympathy for. Has anyone made a movie of a Heyer book? With its galloping fast action and nonstop repartee Sprig Muslin would make a great film.
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