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The Comfortable Courtesan #1
The Comfortable Courtesan: Being Memoirs by Clorinda Cathcart [That Has Been a Lady of the Town These Several Years]
Apologia for my temerity in writing this memoir: I shall not say how, and why, at the age of 15 I became the mistress of the Earl of Craven, because I never had the kind of opportunities that Harriette Wilson wast’d.
However, I enjoy’d the patronage of a number of generous suitors, and in particular, at the age of 27 I fell in with a wealthy Northern ironmaster, whose sound financial advice even more than his generosity ensur’d me the means for comfortable living without the need for writing scandal-monging memoirs, indeed enabling me to support a number of charitable enterprizes.
This narrative sets out to encourage a rational and prudent approach to the profession of harlotry and to dispel the notion that a fallen woman is bound to die in the gutter, pennyless and poxt, afore her 30th year.
However, I enjoy’d the patronage of a number of generous suitors, and in particular, at the age of 27 I fell in with a wealthy Northern ironmaster, whose sound financial advice even more than his generosity ensur’d me the means for comfortable living without the need for writing scandal-monging memoirs, indeed enabling me to support a number of charitable enterprizes.
This narrative sets out to encourage a rational and prudent approach to the profession of harlotry and to dispel the notion that a fallen woman is bound to die in the gutter, pennyless and poxt, afore her 30th year.
258 pages, ebook
Published December 1, 2017
16 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 8, 2018
I heard about this book at Smart Bitches Trashy Books and thought it sounded intriguing. The author is an historian and began this as a writing exercise; encouraged by the readers of her blog, Ms. Hall has to date written several hundred thousand words as Madame C- and expects to publish a 12-volume series.
I enjoyed this very much! As I often complain in my reviews, modern historical romance is too often merely 21st century characters dressed in period clothing. This book isn’t a romance, but certainly contains much period detail from the early 19th century. Madame C- even reads Emma by “the author of Pride and Prejudice!”
Through this diary format, we learn about Madame C-‘s profession, female friends, patrons, household as well as the arts, entertainments and philosophies of the day. At first, I found it difficult to keep straight all the characters, who are referred to by the initial of their surnames, but after a while I was able to keep them straight.
I do not know whether there exist any factual diaries of courtesans, but this fictional version addresses such issues as avoiding unwanted pregnancies and the illegality of same sex relationships.
I enjoyed this very much! As I often complain in my reviews, modern historical romance is too often merely 21st century characters dressed in period clothing. This book isn’t a romance, but certainly contains much period detail from the early 19th century. Madame C- even reads Emma by “the author of Pride and Prejudice!”
Through this diary format, we learn about Madame C-‘s profession, female friends, patrons, household as well as the arts, entertainments and philosophies of the day. At first, I found it difficult to keep straight all the characters, who are referred to by the initial of their surnames, but after a while I was able to keep them straight.
I do not know whether there exist any factual diaries of courtesans, but this fictional version addresses such issues as avoiding unwanted pregnancies and the illegality of same sex relationships.
September 11, 2019
Originally created as a series of blog posts, this fictional memoir of a Regency-era courtesan is a light-hearted (though occasionally serious) exploration of the social and material world of the demi-monde and the parts of society they intersect with. The author is quite knowledgeable about her subject and draws in a diverse cast (including historically-situated queer characters, which is always a plus for me). Although there are some over-arching plotlines, it’s probably best read in the same episodic fashion it was created. I enjoyed it, though it didn’t grab me solidly enough to move on to the second volume.
December 4, 2017
The Comfortable Courtesan is a serial story set in Regency London, narrated by Madame C-, a very exclusive courtesan, in which we hear of her exploits and those of her circle of friends and acquaintances, which includes artists, actors, political radicals and her upper-class clients. It began as a one-off response to a blog challenge in May 2015 and grew to more than 700 individual posts, and is now being released as a series of self-published books, with both ebook and (eventually) print-on-demand versions. The published versions have been tidied up and re-edited, with any inconsistencies which may have crept in when the story was released in serial form corrected and introductions and dramatis personae (particularly helpful given Madame C-'s habit of referring to people by initials) added.
I found it an absolutely delightful read as a blog, and it hasn't lost anything on re-reading. It's written in a pastiche of the style of the period, and as the author is a historian of gender and sexuality it's historically accurate although the subject-matter would never have seen the light of day then. Unsurprisingly, given Madame C-'s profession, it's unabashedly sex-positive, and features numerous LGBTQ+ characters, both male and female, as well as multiple characters of colour. This first volume features intrigue, scandal, matchmaking, female solidarity, epistolary mathematical flirtations and a wombatt, and it really is one of the most charming things I've ever read.
I found it an absolutely delightful read as a blog, and it hasn't lost anything on re-reading. It's written in a pastiche of the style of the period, and as the author is a historian of gender and sexuality it's historically accurate although the subject-matter would never have seen the light of day then. Unsurprisingly, given Madame C-'s profession, it's unabashedly sex-positive, and features numerous LGBTQ+ characters, both male and female, as well as multiple characters of colour. This first volume features intrigue, scandal, matchmaking, female solidarity, epistolary mathematical flirtations and a wombatt, and it really is one of the most charming things I've ever read.
April 25, 2018
I read this pre-publication as a free serial and I liked it enough that even without any substantial edits (that I could detect, anyway) I'm happy to spend money on a bound copy! This is I think either my third or fourth time reading the first volume and I deeply enjoy both the concept and execution. Madame C- is a really appealing protagonist, the cast of seemingly thousands (which I'll admit was confusing at first but by this time around I can mostly keep them all straight) is entertaining, and I love getting to see all the parts of Regency London that aren't inhabited by Dukes. Although this isn't strictly speaking a romance, I think fans of Rose Lerner, Courtney Milan and Tessa Dare would find a lot to enjoy in this series.
I do have some criticisms about the design of the bound volume (the individual volumes, as distributed pre-pub, are not terribly long; this book is a normal size and shape for a trade paperback but that is achieved by having the page count fluffed out with a blank line between every paragraph and a larger-than-usual font and I think it would have made more sense to instead combine two volumes into one for the hard copy edition; the front cover is actually quite lovely, but the spine is weirdly bare and doesn't have the author's name on it -- important shelving information!!! -- and would look a lot better for even a small amount of decoration at the top or bottom where the publisher's logo usually goes, such as for instance the adorable wombat image used on the front) but all in all it's worth it to me to have a copy I can hold in my hands and loan to people. I would love it if this series managed to get a Captive Prince-style book deal so I could buy it for my library as well!
I do have some criticisms about the design of the bound volume (the individual volumes, as distributed pre-pub, are not terribly long; this book is a normal size and shape for a trade paperback but that is achieved by having the page count fluffed out with a blank line between every paragraph and a larger-than-usual font and I think it would have made more sense to instead combine two volumes into one for the hard copy edition; the front cover is actually quite lovely, but the spine is weirdly bare and doesn't have the author's name on it -- important shelving information!!! -- and would look a lot better for even a small amount of decoration at the top or bottom where the publisher's logo usually goes, such as for instance the adorable wombat image used on the front) but all in all it's worth it to me to have a copy I can hold in my hands and loan to people. I would love it if this series managed to get a Captive Prince-style book deal so I could buy it for my library as well!
abandoned-unfinished
December 28, 2018I've classified this as abandoned/unfinished as part of my 2018 amnesty on trying to finish everything I've started. It isn't a commentary on this book, but more that I have over 30 books 'currently reading' and I want to get that down to two (one fiction, one non-fiction). I'll be putting this disclaimer on a number of books :(
I'll note with this one -- I read it as it was being released in serial form, I just wanted to reread now that it was published.
I'll note with this one -- I read it as it was being released in serial form, I just wanted to reread now that it was published.
September 8, 2018
This is a fun fictional memoir of a Regency-era courtesan, with the right balance of realism and this-character-is-on-the-lucky-end-of-the-bell-curve. Clorinda is charming, and her wide circle of friends and acquaintances are engaging characters.
How much do I enjoy this whole series? I read the original blog version and liked it enough to shell out money for dead tree versions.
How much do I enjoy this whole series? I read the original blog version and liked it enough to shell out money for dead tree versions.
March 3, 2018
So much fun! Loved the wombatt.
October 17, 2019
Just lovely and fun.
December 6, 2019
This is absolutely delightful! I loved reading about Clorinda and her friends! I'm looking forward to reading more of this series!
March 6, 2020
Pleasant and amusing
November 23, 2022
Everyone who talked about/recced The Comfortable Courtesan by L.A. Hall (thank you to the Hands of the Emperor Support Group on Discord) was 100% right!
This is the first book of a historical fiction series that details the memoirs of famed courtesan Clorinda Cathcart and is set in London in the early 1800s (Regency era). I just finished the first book of the series, and it was lovely. The writing style was whimsical and full of personality, I loved the two framing devices, the characters were so vibrant, and the plot was engaging.
Also, everyone genuinely likes each other, and Clorinda just cares so much about her household, her friends, her clients... All of the people in her circle have nuance, their good and bad sides, and I was surprised that some characters who at first seemed obstacles were granted a bit more depth and character growth by the end. There were also dastardly villains thwarted through the power of friendship and scheming. While there are a few tense moments, and I wouldn’t call the plot low stakes, it never felt too much.
Another great aspect of this book was the diversity - the clear acknowledgement that yes, there were people of colour, queer people, and that they had their own lives and struggles and triumphs. The book also touches a bit on aspects of Britain as an empire, and I think this theme may expand in later volumes. Finally, I loved all of the historical references (the Hamiltons, Jane Austen, etc.).
I can see why it is a comfort read for many; I have no doubts that the series as a whole will become one of my comfort reads too. The second book in the series is definitely on my list. Moreover, fans of this first book are in luck, because The Comfortable Courtesan has 12 volumes, and there is a spin-off series as well, so there is lots more fun and comfort to come.
November 14, 2020
This regency story is told in the form of diary entries and is a charming glimpse into the life of an intelligent capable woman who just happens to be a courtesan. I very much enjoyed the competence of our heroine in her chosen way of life and her tendency to manage the affairs of those closest to her. The insight into the 'backstage' of regency social life is entertaining and informative - few stories focus on the less respectable women of the period except to set them up as victims or harpies. In this tale we have a practical woman of great resource and knowledge who gathers around her a chosen family and navigates the society in which she lives with aplomb and discretion.
June 7, 2021
Absolutely delightful
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews