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Heyer Society: Essays on the Literary Genius of Georgette Heyer
Scholars, authors, bloggers and fans come together in a celebration of the works, and worlds, of Georgette Heyer (1902 -1974). With contributions from renowned Heyer biographer Jennifer Kloester, heading up a talented conclave of Heyer devotees, this eclectic and thought-provoking collection features topics as diverse as intimacy, privilege, historical accuracy, contemporary analysis, plus looks at Heyer's influences, as well as the many writers - and readers - she has influenced worldwide. By turns learned, personal, insightful and irreverent, the twenty-five essays herein exult in the unparalleled genius of this true nonpareil.
Including:
1. Georgette Heyer’s Literary Genius, by Jennifer Kloester
2. A Most Excellent Influence – Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, by Susannah Fullarton
3. From Arabella to Venetia – Growing Up with Heyer’s Heroines by Rachel Hyland
4. The Heyer Problem – Privilege in Regency Romance, by Cat Sebastian
5. Marks of Distinction – Heyer’s Mark I and Mark II Heroes by Janga
6. Beauvallet: My First Romance Novel Boyfriend, by Donna Cummings
7. Heyer’s Kissing Cousins, by Ruth Williamson
8. What I Owe to Georgette Heyer, by Cheryl Bolen
9. 'Bath Tangle' in the Social Media Age, by Anne-Marie Turenne
10. Fathers in Heyer, by Janet Webb
11. The Grand Sophy: Matchmaker or Master Manipulator? by Jennifer Proffitt
12. Reluctantly Watching 'The Reluctant Widow' – Heyer on Film, by Rachel Hyland
13. Splash, Dash and Finesse! – Heyer’s Magical Pen and Indomitable Spirit on Display in 'The Masqueraders,' by Kathleen Baldwin
14. Hearing Heyer – How Audiobooks Breed a New Appreciation by Karen Zachary
15. Learning! with Georgette Heyer, by Clara Shipman
16. The Mystery of 'Penhallow,' by Madeline Paschen
17. Behind Closed Doors – Sex in Georgette Heyer, by Anna Bradley
18. Reading 'The Great Roxhythe' – The Lost Heyer Historical, by Rachel Hyland
19. Beaux, Belles and Black Sheep – Georgette Heyer in Bath, by Kirsten Elliott
20. Coming Back to Heyer – How I Came to Appreciate the Slow Burn, by Megan Osmond
21. The Lost Contemporaries: 'Helen,' 'Pastel,' 'Instead of the Thorn' and 'Barren Corn,' by Maura Tan
22. Gambling in Heyer, by Rachel Hyland
23. The Apple and the Tree – Georgette Heyer and the Black Dagger Brotherhood, by Kate Nagy
24. Was Georgette Heyer a Snob, and Does it Matter? by Tabetha Waite
25. Heyer’s Heirs – What to Read After Georgette, by Amanda Jones
Plus our contributors' Favorite Heyer novels, heroes and heroines, along with their firsts and their worsts.
A must for any Heyer fan!
Including:
1. Georgette Heyer’s Literary Genius, by Jennifer Kloester
2. A Most Excellent Influence – Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, by Susannah Fullarton
3. From Arabella to Venetia – Growing Up with Heyer’s Heroines by Rachel Hyland
4. The Heyer Problem – Privilege in Regency Romance, by Cat Sebastian
5. Marks of Distinction – Heyer’s Mark I and Mark II Heroes by Janga
6. Beauvallet: My First Romance Novel Boyfriend, by Donna Cummings
7. Heyer’s Kissing Cousins, by Ruth Williamson
8. What I Owe to Georgette Heyer, by Cheryl Bolen
9. 'Bath Tangle' in the Social Media Age, by Anne-Marie Turenne
10. Fathers in Heyer, by Janet Webb
11. The Grand Sophy: Matchmaker or Master Manipulator? by Jennifer Proffitt
12. Reluctantly Watching 'The Reluctant Widow' – Heyer on Film, by Rachel Hyland
13. Splash, Dash and Finesse! – Heyer’s Magical Pen and Indomitable Spirit on Display in 'The Masqueraders,' by Kathleen Baldwin
14. Hearing Heyer – How Audiobooks Breed a New Appreciation by Karen Zachary
15. Learning! with Georgette Heyer, by Clara Shipman
16. The Mystery of 'Penhallow,' by Madeline Paschen
17. Behind Closed Doors – Sex in Georgette Heyer, by Anna Bradley
18. Reading 'The Great Roxhythe' – The Lost Heyer Historical, by Rachel Hyland
19. Beaux, Belles and Black Sheep – Georgette Heyer in Bath, by Kirsten Elliott
20. Coming Back to Heyer – How I Came to Appreciate the Slow Burn, by Megan Osmond
21. The Lost Contemporaries: 'Helen,' 'Pastel,' 'Instead of the Thorn' and 'Barren Corn,' by Maura Tan
22. Gambling in Heyer, by Rachel Hyland
23. The Apple and the Tree – Georgette Heyer and the Black Dagger Brotherhood, by Kate Nagy
24. Was Georgette Heyer a Snob, and Does it Matter? by Tabetha Waite
25. Heyer’s Heirs – What to Read After Georgette, by Amanda Jones
Plus our contributors' Favorite Heyer novels, heroes and heroines, along with their firsts and their worsts.
A must for any Heyer fan!
179 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 2, 2018
54 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Hyland
19 books21 followersRachel Hyland is, she is pretty sure, the one true queen of Fantastica, raised in obscurity to protect her from the dark lord Sinisterium. If you see her magic sword, get in touch. The fate of the many worlds just may depend upon it. She lives in Melbourne, Australia with too many Pop! Vinyls and not nearly enough Little Golden Books.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 14, 2021
an enjoyable collection. there is a chatty, casual looseness to the writing in the majority of these pieces that make them feel like they were initially written for various personal blogs. certainly a brightly accessible and mainly cheerful collection, rather than a dry study (although I would dig a dry study on this author). perhaps the most scholarly essay is by Kirsten Elliott, on the city of Bath and its place in a number of Heyer novels. there are a few awkward stumbles here and there in the collection: one writer tortures the word "mortar" when trying to use it as an analogy, another goes on a bit about her own published works in a rather unseemly way, and the essay on recommendations for other authors to read didn't give me a single specific recommendation within Heyer's primary genre. that said, this mainly felt like hanging out with a bunch of fun, lively people talking about an author we all love. just like with this group of authors (excepting one woke grouch), Heyer has brought pure joy to my life and so I can't help but connect with anyone else who loves her. I did skip the essays on The Great Roxhythe (the author literally told me to, if I didn't like spoilers - thanks, Rachel Hyland!), Bath Tangle (also spoilers throughout, but that social media sendup looked pretty amusing), and The Grand Sophy (plan on reading that one this year, so I'll wait). the most useful essay for me was Maura Tan's sharp piece on Heyer's contemporary novels, because those 4 books have held scant interest for me until now. but the whole book was actually useful to me - in addition to being a sweet treat - as it helped me add to and rearrange my to-buy list of Heyer novels. Beauvallet jumped up a few places, as did The Reluctant Widow. and now that I think about it, I'm going to walk up the street right now and buy some!
December 23, 2018
Even though I wrote one of the essays, I had not seen the rest of the chapters until the book was published.
At first, I thought it might be unfair to assign a star rating, but really, I wrote only a small part, so I'll give five stars to the overall effort. I do believe that all Heyer fans will enjoy this. There's something for everybody.
At first, I thought it might be unfair to assign a star rating, but really, I wrote only a small part, so I'll give five stars to the overall effort. I do believe that all Heyer fans will enjoy this. There's something for everybody.
October 27, 2018
Anything on Georgette Heyer is an auto-buy for me. This lovely collection fell unexpectedly into my hands, and I started reading it immediately.
I love the respect with which other authors speak of Heyer, and the humour in essays. I like that there are a wide variety of topics. The 'Bath Tangle' in the Social Media Age by Anne-Marie Turenne is a hilarious, five-page summary of the book using social media posts. And What I Owe to Georgette Heyer by Cheryl Bolen is a beautiful little love letter to Heyer.
For those who have not read Heyer's complete catalog, there are some spoilers, as to be expected. This is a lovely resource for all fans of Heyer, and is a book that I must own in both electronic and print versions.
After all of the essays, the essayists discuss Heyer in ways that we as Heyer fans find familiar, absorbing and entertaining. How they found their first Heyer, their experience reading it, favourite books, heroes, heroines, and even their least favourite Heyer. Reading this part of the book feels like sitting around with good friends, drinking tea and having a hilarious (and at times combative) discussion of something that we all adore.
Kloester expresses the problem of choosing a favourite Heyer book best:
"An impossible question with an ever-changing answer, because anyone who knows Heyer's novels will agree that choosing a favorite - one favorite - cannot be done."
Following are my opinions, essay by essay.
1. Georgette Heyer’s Literary Genius, by Jennifer Kloester
Kloester is the resident Heyer expert, and has written two books on Heyer. This includes a short bio and examples of Heyer's influence on fiction. Being familiar with Kloester's writing style, this is not anything too unexpected, but sets the tone for the collection nicely.
2. A Most Excellent Influence – Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, by Susannah Fullarton
Fullarton is an expert on Austen, and explores Heyer's respect and nods to Austen across various works. This includes unambiguous references to Austen by characters, the modelling of Heyer characters after some aspects of Austen's characters, and Austen plot basics that Heyer riffed on. Fullarton states that she is happy to see so many tributes to her favourite (Austen) by one of her favourites (Heyer).
3. From Arabella to Venetia – Growing Up with Heyer’s Heroines by Rachel Hyland
Sweet, sweet, sweet - I loved Hylands essay on how there is a perfect Heyer for every age, and how as a teen, she identified with feisty, idealistic Arabella, and then in her twenties, she admired Venetia more. I had the same feelings about Venetia - when I was younger, I did not understand her actions or apparent emotions, but they make so much more sense reading it as an adult.
Hyland puts it perfectly:
" Really, there is a Heyer heroine for almost every age, and taste and temperament. Which speaks to her genius. That she can give us so many different experiences within the very same pages, that she can appeal to us throughout our entire lives, that we can discover new depths in her works upon each new read through, and new favorites among books long-since read and reread ad infinitum- this is a rare gift in a writer of any genre, and one that cannot and should not be underestimated."
4. The Heyer Problem – Privilege in Regency Romance, by Cat Sebastian
Cat Sebastian is a prolific author of regency romance, and addresses an issue known to most Heyer fans - that Heyer's world centered on a very small, elite subsection of the population. There were rarely characters who weren't part of the beau monde. Sebastian admires Heyer's writing, but dislikes that Heyer's select world has been interpreted by many subsequent regency authors as the complete and only regency world, excluding most of the population of that time. I have heard Sebastian speak on this matter, and am not surprised by her opinions.
5. Marks of Distinction – Heyer’s Mark I and Mark II Heroes by Janga
Ah-ha! Regency blogger Janga states that there are basically two types of Heyer Heroes, but I disagree! There are many different shades of heroes, and most are complex! We have even discussed those heroes on our Georgette Heyer Fans threads. She provides in-depth profiles of:
Justin Alastair from These Old Shades
Max Ravenscar from Faro's Daughter
Jasper Damerel from Venetia
Anthony Fanshawe from The Masqueraders
Anthony Verelst, from Friday's Child
and my favourite, Frederick Standen from Cotillion
This is a very interesting chapter to read, and Janga makes a strong case for the two main types of Heroes.
6. Beauvallet: My First Romance Novel Boyfriend, by Donna Cummings
This is an ode to the daring, irreverent Nicholas Beauvallet, and mentions of recently written heroes with similar traits. I think Beauvallet is underappreciated and entirely original among Heyer's Heroes - so happy to see him get some love.
7. Heyer’s Kissing Cousins, by Ruth Williamson
This is a topic often discussed among Heyer fans. Williamson discusses different relationships among cousins (not only the romantic sort) and the prevalence of cousins in Heyer's stories. But beware - If you have not read every Heyer regency, Georgian, and even some of her contemporaries, this essay is filled with spoilers! (The Quiet Gentleman, The Grand Sophy, The Talisman Ring, The Reluctant Widow, Cotillion, Cousin Kate, and possibly the Toll Gate)
8. What I Owe to Georgette Heyer, by Cheryl Bolen
Ah, we all remember our first Heyer! Bolen's was 'Lady of Quality.' And that feeling when you realize that this wonderful new author that you have discovered has over 50 more books to devour! Bolen writes a glowing devotion to Heyer, and I could really understand her sentiments.
9. 'Bath Tangle' in the Social Media Age, by Anne-Marie Turenne
Hilarious short recap of Bath Tangle using Social Media Posts. Spoiler alert, obvs! Never was the use of the 'complicated' relationship status more accurate!
10. Fathers in Heyer, by Janet Webb
Here we go! I am hoping to read more about Lord Legerwood, the diamond of all Heyer fathers!
YES! Maurice Jettan from Powder and Patch, Viscount Barham in The Masqueraders, and LORD LEGERWOOD from Cotillion! This is a short, light evaluation of these three memorable fathers.
11. The Grand Sophy: Matchmaker or Master Manipulator? by Jennifer Proffitt
An in-depth look at Sophy's character, comparing her to Austen's (much more annoying, imo) Emma Woodhouse. Sophy is is not cruel or oblivious as Emma, and has much more success with her attempts to improve the lives of everyone she knows. Sophy's behavior in the book is described in detail, so spoilers...
12. Reluctantly Watching 'The Reluctant Widow' – Heyer on Film, by Rachel Hyland
An accurate account of watching the travesty that is the film version of The Reluctant Widow. Apparently, if you view it as distantly related to the concept of the book, it is not THAT disappointing.
To quote Hyland,
"After watching the film I went back and read the novel this afternoon, and there is really no comparison."
She does have a point that no matter how accurate the film version, films widen the audience and spread awareness of Heyer, and because there have not been too many, Heyer's name is not as well known as Austen and Agatha Christie.
13. Splash, Dash and Finesse! – Heyer’s Magical Pen and Indomitable Spirit on Display in 'The Masqueraders,' by Kathleen Baldwin
Full of spoilers, an in-depth write-up of the unique book where Heyer broke all the rules, with compliments on character creation, and the superb, convincing yet contrasting character traits in Robin.
14. Hearing Heyer – How Audiobooks Breed a New Appreciation by Karen Zachary
Review of Zachary's favourite audio book versions of Heyer's story. Featuring The Unknown Ajax with convincing Yorkshire accents and adept vocalizations of scenes with multiple characters, Frederica with the world weary Alverstoke and distinct individual voices for each member of the turbulent family, Venetia with the devastatingly sexy voicing of Dameral, Black Sheep, Bath Tangle with Mrs. Floore's over-the-top vulgarity, Sylvester with the character development done so well vocally, and all of her mysteries. Zachary is correct in saying that audio books are an enjoyable, completely different way to experience Heyer.
15. Learning! with Georgette Heyer, by Clara Shipman
Commentary on the language that Heyer used, but not really delving into the regional dialects and cant as much as I would have enjoyed. Nice to point out how reading Heyer allowed more comprehensive enjoyment of classics that contained archaic language.
16. The Mystery of 'Penhallow,' by Madeline Paschen
A new look at Heyer's controversial 'mystery,' addressing the 'contract breaker' myth, and analyzing the book without categorizing it as a mystery, romance, or historical, but rather viewing it as a family drama. This essay has convinced me to re-read the book, something I which was convinced would never happen.
17. Behind Closed Doors – Sex in Georgette Heyer, by Anna Bradley
Commentary on the references to sex in Heyer's books, and how male promiscuity is presented as opposed to the chasteness of the female characters.
18. Reading 'The Great Roxhythe' – The Lost Heyer Historical, by Rachel Hyland
This is a long summary of the story itself, with clear spoiler warnings for those who have not read the book, and plan to do so.
19. Beaux, Belles and Black Sheep – Georgette Heyer in Bath, by Kirsten Elliott
An excellent discussion of Heyer's version of Bath, Bath history, and of Heyer's extensive research to ensure accuracy in her writing. Elliott is an expert on Bath, and discusses architecture, city layout, and author opinions of the city. Delightfully presented, with a wish that fellow Bath historians and literary critics would begin to give Heyer the respect that she deserves.
20. Coming Back to Heyer – How I Came to Appreciate the Slow Burn, by Megan Osmond
Osmond's personal experience with growing to love the slow pacing and hidden hints of developing relationships in Heyer's romances.
21. The Lost Contemporaries: 'Helen,' 'Pastel,' 'Instead of the Thorn' and 'Barren Corn,' by Maura Tan
Ah! Heyer's four 'lost' contemporary novels, thoroughly analyzed by Tan, a lover of contemporary fiction. This was a great idea, to have someone unfamiliar with Heyer's historical work read the contemporaries without consistently measuring them against Heyer's most popular writing. How can anything compare with those gems? Tan found the books to be honest (perhaps overly so), filled with social commentary, raw emotion, and 'obviously autobiographical.'
22. Gambling in Heyer, by Rachel Hyland
Examples of the prevalence of gambling in Heyer's books, as well as in the books of other English authors who wrote books set in the 16th-19th centuries. Includes a reference to the writing of one notorious 'Heyer-borrower' as "Heyer-imitating, historical nonsense..."
23. The Apple and the Tree – Georgette Heyer and the Black Dagger Brotherhood, by Kate Nagy
We recognize the influence of Heyer on other romance, sci-fi and fantasy writers, now Nagy discusses Heyer's reach into the world of paranormal romance. Comparing the world of J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood paranormal romance series with Heyer's regency world finds several shocking similarities. I probably would have liked this better if I were familiar with the BDB series, but it is nice to read how Heyer's influence is cross-genre.
24. Was Georgette Heyer a Snob, and Does it Matter? by Tabetha Waite
Very briefly addresses the "noticeable lack of lower-class main characters in any of her historical novels."
25. Heyer’s Heirs – What to Read After Georgette, by Amanda Jones
Includes bits about book covers, and bedroom scenes in recently published regencies. HOWEVER, Jones has dissected Heyer's writing and found the factors that we find so pleasing, and then uses this to find books that match some of those factors, without being uncomfortably similar or blatant copies.
*eARC Netgalley
I love the respect with which other authors speak of Heyer, and the humour in essays. I like that there are a wide variety of topics. The 'Bath Tangle' in the Social Media Age by Anne-Marie Turenne is a hilarious, five-page summary of the book using social media posts. And What I Owe to Georgette Heyer by Cheryl Bolen is a beautiful little love letter to Heyer.
For those who have not read Heyer's complete catalog, there are some spoilers, as to be expected. This is a lovely resource for all fans of Heyer, and is a book that I must own in both electronic and print versions.
After all of the essays, the essayists discuss Heyer in ways that we as Heyer fans find familiar, absorbing and entertaining. How they found their first Heyer, their experience reading it, favourite books, heroes, heroines, and even their least favourite Heyer. Reading this part of the book feels like sitting around with good friends, drinking tea and having a hilarious (and at times combative) discussion of something that we all adore.
Kloester expresses the problem of choosing a favourite Heyer book best:
"An impossible question with an ever-changing answer, because anyone who knows Heyer's novels will agree that choosing a favorite - one favorite - cannot be done."
Following are my opinions, essay by essay.
1. Georgette Heyer’s Literary Genius, by Jennifer Kloester
Kloester is the resident Heyer expert, and has written two books on Heyer. This includes a short bio and examples of Heyer's influence on fiction. Being familiar with Kloester's writing style, this is not anything too unexpected, but sets the tone for the collection nicely.
2. A Most Excellent Influence – Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, by Susannah Fullarton
Fullarton is an expert on Austen, and explores Heyer's respect and nods to Austen across various works. This includes unambiguous references to Austen by characters, the modelling of Heyer characters after some aspects of Austen's characters, and Austen plot basics that Heyer riffed on. Fullarton states that she is happy to see so many tributes to her favourite (Austen) by one of her favourites (Heyer).
3. From Arabella to Venetia – Growing Up with Heyer’s Heroines by Rachel Hyland
Sweet, sweet, sweet - I loved Hylands essay on how there is a perfect Heyer for every age, and how as a teen, she identified with feisty, idealistic Arabella, and then in her twenties, she admired Venetia more. I had the same feelings about Venetia - when I was younger, I did not understand her actions or apparent emotions, but they make so much more sense reading it as an adult.
Hyland puts it perfectly:
" Really, there is a Heyer heroine for almost every age, and taste and temperament. Which speaks to her genius. That she can give us so many different experiences within the very same pages, that she can appeal to us throughout our entire lives, that we can discover new depths in her works upon each new read through, and new favorites among books long-since read and reread ad infinitum- this is a rare gift in a writer of any genre, and one that cannot and should not be underestimated."
4. The Heyer Problem – Privilege in Regency Romance, by Cat Sebastian
Cat Sebastian is a prolific author of regency romance, and addresses an issue known to most Heyer fans - that Heyer's world centered on a very small, elite subsection of the population. There were rarely characters who weren't part of the beau monde. Sebastian admires Heyer's writing, but dislikes that Heyer's select world has been interpreted by many subsequent regency authors as the complete and only regency world, excluding most of the population of that time. I have heard Sebastian speak on this matter, and am not surprised by her opinions.
5. Marks of Distinction – Heyer’s Mark I and Mark II Heroes by Janga
Ah-ha! Regency blogger Janga states that there are basically two types of Heyer Heroes, but I disagree! There are many different shades of heroes, and most are complex! We have even discussed those heroes on our Georgette Heyer Fans threads. She provides in-depth profiles of:
Justin Alastair from These Old Shades
Max Ravenscar from Faro's Daughter
Jasper Damerel from Venetia
Anthony Fanshawe from The Masqueraders
Anthony Verelst, from Friday's Child
and my favourite, Frederick Standen from Cotillion
This is a very interesting chapter to read, and Janga makes a strong case for the two main types of Heroes.
6. Beauvallet: My First Romance Novel Boyfriend, by Donna Cummings
This is an ode to the daring, irreverent Nicholas Beauvallet, and mentions of recently written heroes with similar traits. I think Beauvallet is underappreciated and entirely original among Heyer's Heroes - so happy to see him get some love.
7. Heyer’s Kissing Cousins, by Ruth Williamson
This is a topic often discussed among Heyer fans. Williamson discusses different relationships among cousins (not only the romantic sort) and the prevalence of cousins in Heyer's stories. But beware - If you have not read every Heyer regency, Georgian, and even some of her contemporaries, this essay is filled with spoilers! (The Quiet Gentleman, The Grand Sophy, The Talisman Ring, The Reluctant Widow, Cotillion, Cousin Kate, and possibly the Toll Gate)
8. What I Owe to Georgette Heyer, by Cheryl Bolen
Ah, we all remember our first Heyer! Bolen's was 'Lady of Quality.' And that feeling when you realize that this wonderful new author that you have discovered has over 50 more books to devour! Bolen writes a glowing devotion to Heyer, and I could really understand her sentiments.
9. 'Bath Tangle' in the Social Media Age, by Anne-Marie Turenne
Hilarious short recap of Bath Tangle using Social Media Posts. Spoiler alert, obvs! Never was the use of the 'complicated' relationship status more accurate!
10. Fathers in Heyer, by Janet Webb
Here we go! I am hoping to read more about Lord Legerwood, the diamond of all Heyer fathers!
YES! Maurice Jettan from Powder and Patch, Viscount Barham in The Masqueraders, and LORD LEGERWOOD from Cotillion! This is a short, light evaluation of these three memorable fathers.
11. The Grand Sophy: Matchmaker or Master Manipulator? by Jennifer Proffitt
An in-depth look at Sophy's character, comparing her to Austen's (much more annoying, imo) Emma Woodhouse. Sophy is is not cruel or oblivious as Emma, and has much more success with her attempts to improve the lives of everyone she knows. Sophy's behavior in the book is described in detail, so spoilers...
12. Reluctantly Watching 'The Reluctant Widow' – Heyer on Film, by Rachel Hyland
An accurate account of watching the travesty that is the film version of The Reluctant Widow. Apparently, if you view it as distantly related to the concept of the book, it is not THAT disappointing.
To quote Hyland,
"After watching the film I went back and read the novel this afternoon, and there is really no comparison."
She does have a point that no matter how accurate the film version, films widen the audience and spread awareness of Heyer, and because there have not been too many, Heyer's name is not as well known as Austen and Agatha Christie.
13. Splash, Dash and Finesse! – Heyer’s Magical Pen and Indomitable Spirit on Display in 'The Masqueraders,' by Kathleen Baldwin
Full of spoilers, an in-depth write-up of the unique book where Heyer broke all the rules, with compliments on character creation, and the superb, convincing yet contrasting character traits in Robin.
14. Hearing Heyer – How Audiobooks Breed a New Appreciation by Karen Zachary
Review of Zachary's favourite audio book versions of Heyer's story. Featuring The Unknown Ajax with convincing Yorkshire accents and adept vocalizations of scenes with multiple characters, Frederica with the world weary Alverstoke and distinct individual voices for each member of the turbulent family, Venetia with the devastatingly sexy voicing of Dameral, Black Sheep, Bath Tangle with Mrs. Floore's over-the-top vulgarity, Sylvester with the character development done so well vocally, and all of her mysteries. Zachary is correct in saying that audio books are an enjoyable, completely different way to experience Heyer.
15. Learning! with Georgette Heyer, by Clara Shipman
Commentary on the language that Heyer used, but not really delving into the regional dialects and cant as much as I would have enjoyed. Nice to point out how reading Heyer allowed more comprehensive enjoyment of classics that contained archaic language.
16. The Mystery of 'Penhallow,' by Madeline Paschen
A new look at Heyer's controversial 'mystery,' addressing the 'contract breaker' myth, and analyzing the book without categorizing it as a mystery, romance, or historical, but rather viewing it as a family drama. This essay has convinced me to re-read the book, something I which was convinced would never happen.
17. Behind Closed Doors – Sex in Georgette Heyer, by Anna Bradley
Commentary on the references to sex in Heyer's books, and how male promiscuity is presented as opposed to the chasteness of the female characters.
18. Reading 'The Great Roxhythe' – The Lost Heyer Historical, by Rachel Hyland
This is a long summary of the story itself, with clear spoiler warnings for those who have not read the book, and plan to do so.
19. Beaux, Belles and Black Sheep – Georgette Heyer in Bath, by Kirsten Elliott
An excellent discussion of Heyer's version of Bath, Bath history, and of Heyer's extensive research to ensure accuracy in her writing. Elliott is an expert on Bath, and discusses architecture, city layout, and author opinions of the city. Delightfully presented, with a wish that fellow Bath historians and literary critics would begin to give Heyer the respect that she deserves.
20. Coming Back to Heyer – How I Came to Appreciate the Slow Burn, by Megan Osmond
Osmond's personal experience with growing to love the slow pacing and hidden hints of developing relationships in Heyer's romances.
21. The Lost Contemporaries: 'Helen,' 'Pastel,' 'Instead of the Thorn' and 'Barren Corn,' by Maura Tan
Ah! Heyer's four 'lost' contemporary novels, thoroughly analyzed by Tan, a lover of contemporary fiction. This was a great idea, to have someone unfamiliar with Heyer's historical work read the contemporaries without consistently measuring them against Heyer's most popular writing. How can anything compare with those gems? Tan found the books to be honest (perhaps overly so), filled with social commentary, raw emotion, and 'obviously autobiographical.'
22. Gambling in Heyer, by Rachel Hyland
Examples of the prevalence of gambling in Heyer's books, as well as in the books of other English authors who wrote books set in the 16th-19th centuries. Includes a reference to the writing of one notorious 'Heyer-borrower' as "Heyer-imitating, historical nonsense..."
23. The Apple and the Tree – Georgette Heyer and the Black Dagger Brotherhood, by Kate Nagy
We recognize the influence of Heyer on other romance, sci-fi and fantasy writers, now Nagy discusses Heyer's reach into the world of paranormal romance. Comparing the world of J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood paranormal romance series with Heyer's regency world finds several shocking similarities. I probably would have liked this better if I were familiar with the BDB series, but it is nice to read how Heyer's influence is cross-genre.
24. Was Georgette Heyer a Snob, and Does it Matter? by Tabetha Waite
Very briefly addresses the "noticeable lack of lower-class main characters in any of her historical novels."
25. Heyer’s Heirs – What to Read After Georgette, by Amanda Jones
Includes bits about book covers, and bedroom scenes in recently published regencies. HOWEVER, Jones has dissected Heyer's writing and found the factors that we find so pleasing, and then uses this to find books that match some of those factors, without being uncomfortably similar or blatant copies.
*eARC Netgalley
November 27, 2018
Fascinating!
Kudos to Rachel Hyland for putting together these fabulous essays that really stretch our thinking and engage our reminiscences with all things Heyer!
I spent my whole time going Yes! That's so right! And underlining copious amounts of texts.
Hyland has brought together proven modern Regency romance writers, leading personalities of the Austen society, fans, and those who have made serious doctoral contributions regarding Heyer's influence.
Many of my favorite Heyer books are mentioned and discussed from various angles: Kissing cousins, Favorite fathers, The Grand Sophy: Matchmaker or Master Manipulator, Bath in Heyer's Books, and in various guises one of my faves, Cotillion.
Hyland gives Venetia such a wrap I must go and re read it--again!
Then when you have Cheryl Bolen, Anna Bradley, and Kathleen Baldwin amongst the luminaries who have contributed, well, 'the cup runneth over!'
This is a must have for all Heyer aficionados, and others who would like to investigate amongst other things, Austen's influence on Heyer and Heyer's influence on the twenty first century historical romance authors.
A wonderful contribution opening up even more the historical romance genre with a particular nod to the Regency and Georgian milieu, and the complexities involved.
A NetGalley ARC
Kudos to Rachel Hyland for putting together these fabulous essays that really stretch our thinking and engage our reminiscences with all things Heyer!
I spent my whole time going Yes! That's so right! And underlining copious amounts of texts.
Hyland has brought together proven modern Regency romance writers, leading personalities of the Austen society, fans, and those who have made serious doctoral contributions regarding Heyer's influence.
Many of my favorite Heyer books are mentioned and discussed from various angles: Kissing cousins, Favorite fathers, The Grand Sophy: Matchmaker or Master Manipulator, Bath in Heyer's Books, and in various guises one of my faves, Cotillion.
Hyland gives Venetia such a wrap I must go and re read it--again!
Then when you have Cheryl Bolen, Anna Bradley, and Kathleen Baldwin amongst the luminaries who have contributed, well, 'the cup runneth over!'
This is a must have for all Heyer aficionados, and others who would like to investigate amongst other things, Austen's influence on Heyer and Heyer's influence on the twenty first century historical romance authors.
A wonderful contribution opening up even more the historical romance genre with a particular nod to the Regency and Georgian milieu, and the complexities involved.
A NetGalley ARC
October 1, 2024
4.5 stars
On the one hand, this is 110% the best thing I ever stumbled upon because - as the book itself notes repeatedly at the beginning - most people discover Heyer in isolation. You read Jane Austen and everyone knows and acclaims Austen. But then you read Heyer and everything changes. People give you askance looks if you say you love Regency romances. But I do! I've repeatedly forced her books on my friends and while I think they enjoy them, I have never met someone who loves Heyer as much as I do. (I mean, I re-read 19 of her books last year! And given the opportunity, I will probably re-read them all again this year.) It made it all the more delightful, then, to find this collection of essays by people who - by and large - love Heyer as much as I do.
Reading this book, I frequently stifled the urge to shout in delight when I discovered fellow readers who also read her books ragged, also buy multiple copies of the same book simply because She wrote it, and also want movies (or better yet, mini series!) made from Her works! I love reading of frequent re-reads and favorite Heyer heroes. I knew I was not alone in my obsession with Heyer, but it feels so much different when hearing someone else also praise the virtues of Freddy Standen or Frederica Merriville! Or even having a fellow Heyer-lover agree that Penhallow was a terrible mystery.
I was surprised to find the strong affirmation of Venetia (a book I just re-read days ago but now feel the need to re-read again since apparently I missed its inherent sexiness) and strong dislike of Cousin Kate. (I like Cousin Kate a lot.)
Delightful...but not a 5 star read. Some essays are just weaker than others. Also, while the mix of subjects and writers prove engaging, I did not find the authors/bloggers at least all that diverse in background.
Overall, though, worth the time. I will come back to this one (lots of recommendations and new authors to follow up on!) I really liked the chapter the about their Favorite Heyer Hero because, for all that the modern Regency writers make their men polished and worldly, the majority of people chose heroes like Freddie who are sweet and I think that is telling.
Now excuse me, I want to go write another blog post about how Heyer's heroines influenced the woman I have become...
On the one hand, this is 110% the best thing I ever stumbled upon because - as the book itself notes repeatedly at the beginning - most people discover Heyer in isolation. You read Jane Austen and everyone knows and acclaims Austen. But then you read Heyer and everything changes. People give you askance looks if you say you love Regency romances. But I do! I've repeatedly forced her books on my friends and while I think they enjoy them, I have never met someone who loves Heyer as much as I do. (I mean, I re-read 19 of her books last year! And given the opportunity, I will probably re-read them all again this year.) It made it all the more delightful, then, to find this collection of essays by people who - by and large - love Heyer as much as I do.
Reading this book, I frequently stifled the urge to shout in delight when I discovered fellow readers who also read her books ragged, also buy multiple copies of the same book simply because She wrote it, and also want movies (or better yet, mini series!) made from Her works! I love reading of frequent re-reads and favorite Heyer heroes. I knew I was not alone in my obsession with Heyer, but it feels so much different when hearing someone else also praise the virtues of Freddy Standen or Frederica Merriville! Or even having a fellow Heyer-lover agree that Penhallow was a terrible mystery.
I was surprised to find the strong affirmation of Venetia (a book I just re-read days ago but now feel the need to re-read again since apparently I missed its inherent sexiness) and strong dislike of Cousin Kate. (I like Cousin Kate a lot.)
Delightful...but not a 5 star read. Some essays are just weaker than others. Also, while the mix of subjects and writers prove engaging, I did not find the authors/bloggers at least all that diverse in background.
Overall, though, worth the time. I will come back to this one (lots of recommendations and new authors to follow up on!) I really liked the chapter the about their Favorite Heyer Hero because, for all that the modern Regency writers make their men polished and worldly, the majority of people chose heroes like Freddie who are sweet and I think that is telling.
Now excuse me, I want to go write another blog post about how Heyer's heroines influenced the woman I have become...
October 23, 2018
A warm and lovely celebration of Heyer, principally the historical romances, but with some mentions of her contemporary and detective stories. It's slightly misleading in the blurb to mention 'scholars' as while there has been some recent welcome academic interest in Heyer, it's not in evidence in this book. Kloester has written her thesis on Heyer but her piece here is 'popular' in tone as she compares Heyer with Austen.
Most of the essays are from bloggers, romance writers and readers, and I should warn any new Heyer fans that they're full of spoilers. Most essays are very short, five minutes or so reading, and are descriptive rather than analytical. All, though, are replete with pleasure in Heyer and reading this made me itch to both re-read favourites and discover the yet-to-be-read. I didn't learn anything new but it's fun to bask in the pleasure Heyer brings to her fans. I especially enjoyed the last section where contributors discuss their favourite and least favourite books, heroes and heroines.
Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC via NetGalley
Most of the essays are from bloggers, romance writers and readers, and I should warn any new Heyer fans that they're full of spoilers. Most essays are very short, five minutes or so reading, and are descriptive rather than analytical. All, though, are replete with pleasure in Heyer and reading this made me itch to both re-read favourites and discover the yet-to-be-read. I didn't learn anything new but it's fun to bask in the pleasure Heyer brings to her fans. I especially enjoyed the last section where contributors discuss their favourite and least favourite books, heroes and heroines.
Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC via NetGalley
![Profile Image for Namera [The Literary Invertebrate].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1647896333i%2F31792110._UX200_CR0%2C96%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
November 5, 2018
ARC received in exchange for an honest review - thank you!
3.5 stars.
A cute little exploration of a number of Heyer's most popular works. I would have preferred they be longer, because it felt like they finished as soon as they started to get interesting, but it did remind me how much I love Heyer!
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
3.5 stars.
A cute little exploration of a number of Heyer's most popular works. I would have preferred they be longer, because it felt like they finished as soon as they started to get interesting, but it did remind me how much I love Heyer!
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
June 10, 2019
Wonderful read. It's a definite must for all Heyer fans. It discusses her novels, her heroes, her heroines and the language she uses. There are a number of authors here, some I hadn't heard of, who each write a chapter about some aspect of Heyer's writing.
There is a fount of information here and I've looked at some of her books differently from my read of this.
All I can say is, if you love Heyer, read it!!
There is a fount of information here and I've looked at some of her books differently from my read of this.
All I can say is, if you love Heyer, read it!!
December 6, 2018
See my review at Reading World.
December 10, 2018
This collection includes 25 essays about the inimitable Georgette Heyer. Inspired by her love of Jane Austen, Heyer penned period romances of her own and ended up creating the Regency romance genre that is still widely popular today. The essays in this anthology treat on Heyer's influences, intelligence, idiosyncracies, and immortal achievements. Some of my favorite essays include:
-Georgette Heyer’s Literary Genius, by Jennifer Kloester
-A Most Excellent Influence: Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, by Susannah Fullarton
-Gambling in Heyer, by Rachel Hyland
-Heyer’s Heirs: What to Read After Georgette, by Amanda Jones
As is usual in anthologies, the quality of the essays vary, and there were a few essays that found me skimming along rather rapidly to the next one. While Heyer is overall the recipient of much praise, there were a few essays critical of the narrowness of her societal scope and the mores of the time in which she wrote. The end of the anthology provides the contributors' favorite and least favorite Heyer titles, heroes, and heroines, a fun walk down memory lane.
This anthology is best appreciated by those who already have experience with the Heyer canon. It is a great companion piece to Jennifer Kloester's must-have work, Georgette Heyer's Regency World.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
-Georgette Heyer’s Literary Genius, by Jennifer Kloester
-A Most Excellent Influence: Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, by Susannah Fullarton
-Gambling in Heyer, by Rachel Hyland
-Heyer’s Heirs: What to Read After Georgette, by Amanda Jones
As is usual in anthologies, the quality of the essays vary, and there were a few essays that found me skimming along rather rapidly to the next one. While Heyer is overall the recipient of much praise, there were a few essays critical of the narrowness of her societal scope and the mores of the time in which she wrote. The end of the anthology provides the contributors' favorite and least favorite Heyer titles, heroes, and heroines, a fun walk down memory lane.
This anthology is best appreciated by those who already have experience with the Heyer canon. It is a great companion piece to Jennifer Kloester's must-have work, Georgette Heyer's Regency World.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
January 2, 2025
Having only read Heyer's historical romances, this book convinced me that her detective, strictly historical and even contemporary works are worth taking a look into.
November 24, 2020
This is a nice essay collection on various topics relating to Georgette Heyer. Some of the writers are longtime fans, others are newcomers. Some enjoy the Regencies, some the Georgians, others the histories or mysteries and one prefers the contemporaries. This shows what a versatile writer Heyer was and how she wrote at least one book for every reader.
In the first essay, Georgette Heyer’s Literary Genius, by Jennifer Kloester
Kloester summarizes Heyer's life and works succinctly. For those wanting to know more, she's written a long biography and a shorter work on the Regency era as part of her dissertation work. LUCKY!
I did not like A Most Excellent Influence – Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer by Susannah Fullarton
She knows Austen well but Heyer not so much. Miles in Black Sheep is a nabob, he made his fortune in INDIA not the West Indies like Sir Thomas Bertram. I found much of Fullerton's comparisons to be weak. Heyer did use a lot of Austen's language and settings and was inspired by but didn't copy, Austen's works.
From Arabella to Venetia – Growing Up with Heyer’s Heroines by Rachel Hyland is a charming essay of a young woman's personal growth and her reading journey. Of course as a teen she liked the younger heroines and didn't understand the restrictions placed on women at that time. As an adult, she's grown to appreciate Heyer's humor and subtle romance. I think I would have felt the same way had I read Heyer's book as a teen. She did make a slight mistake in saying Lady Steeple didn't want to marry the much older and boring Sir Lanyon. The family actually tried to forbid the match but Aurelia wanted her man and no one else would do. She's determined. As for not wanting children, she didn't really have a choice did she? In a way, I find her a tragic character.
The Heyer Problem – Privilege in Regency Romance by Cat Sebastian is a very "woke" reader. Of couese Heyer's world is homogenous because she wrote about a small subset of the population who were given power and privileges centuries ago. If you want the nitty gritty stuff read Dickens. It's fun to imagine oneself as part of the ton dancing in gorgeous ballgowns and falling in love with dashing heroes. That doesn't mean I want to live it! It's escapism. The same goes for Jane Austen and Downton Abbey. Also, Arabella includes a chimney sweep subplot showing that behind the glittering world of the ton is a darker society that makes their world possible. Try Victorian set novels if you want more diversity.
Marks of Distinction – Heyer’s Mark I and Mark II Heroes by Janga who states that there are basically two types of Heyer Heroes. She's working off an older study and didn't look more closely at the different types of characterizations.
Beauvallet: My First Romance Novel Boyfriend by Donna Cummings is about a novel I couldn't even get through. This essay is sweet and funny. It contains spoilers for the novel but well, you kind of knew that going in.
Heyer’s Kissing Cousins by Ruth Williamson discusses the different relationships among cousins. This is an interesting essay because I hadn't thought of how many cousins there are in the novels and the different types of relationships they have.
What I Owe to Georgette Heyer by romance novelist Cheryl Bolen discusses when she first read Heyer and the influence Georgette Heyer's books had on her and her writing career.
Bath Tangle in the Social Media Age by Anne-Marie Turenne attempts to be funny by summarizing the novel in social media posts. Not being a user of social media and being a word person, I found this work seriously annoying.
Fathers in Heyer by Janet Webb is a unique topic I don't see discussed very often. This is a sweet essay that discusses the different types of fathers in Heyer. I think some of her arguments were a bit reaching, she needs more types of fathers, but if you happen to have a father who has enjoyed Heyer's novels, this would be a nice little gift for him.
In The Grand Sophy: Matchmaker or Master Manipulator? by Jennifer Proffitt she attempts to compare and contrast Sophy to Austen's Emma. I rather like Sophy and her management style but I don't care for Emma ruining Harriet's life over and over. This essay provides some food for thought.
Reluctantly Watching 'The Reluctant Widow' – Heyer on Film by Rachel Hyland gives a good summary of the early film version of The Reluctant Widow. It's her opinion but I don't know whether I agree because I haven't seen the film in question. After reading this essay, I don't really want to.
Splash, Dash and Finesse! – Heyer’s Magical Pen and Indomitable Spirit on Display in 'The Masqueraders,' by Kathleen Baldwin
I love Kathleen Baldwin's novels so I must give Heyer's novel another look. This essay is a fun, quick read but contains spoilers.
Hearing Heyer – How Audiobooks Breed a New Appreciation by Karen Zachary sums up reviews of different audio book versions. I'm not a big audio book person but I've listened to a few. I disagree with Zachary, I liked These Old Shades and didn't think Justin's voice was that bad. I just don't love the novel.
Learning! with Georgette Heyer by Clara Shipman is a nice essay about Heyer's language and how Ms. Shipman devoured the novels looking up all the unfamiliar words as she went along. She sounds like my kind of word nerd.
The Mystery of 'Penhallow,' by Madeline Paschen analyzes the novel without categorizing it by genre. Her analysis is interesting but it doesn't make me want to read the book again.
Behind Closed Doors – Sex in Georgette Heyer by Anna Bradley- NOT a racy essay because Heyer's books aren't like that but rather a look at sex and sexuality in the novels. She points out the contrast between male sexuality and female sexuality and the double standard. That's history folks. We don't have to like it but that's the way it was.
Reading 'The Great Roxhythe' – The Lost Heyer Historical by Rachel Hyland is a bit of a slog. I've never read this novel and thanks to Hyland, I don't have to. She does an excellent job summarizing the novel and pointing out the highs and lows.
Beaux, Belles and Black Sheep – Georgette Heyer in Bath by Kirsten Elliott
My favorite essay. Elliot provides Heyer tours of Bath which I wish I had known. She looks at period sources, some that Heyer used and others to map the locations in the stories. One thing I did not realize was there is one geographical error in one of the books. Read this essay or do some research and see if you can find it!
Coming Back to Heyer – How I Came to Appreciate the Slow Burn by Megan Osmond is another nice essay about personal growth and experience teaching the writer to appreciate the slow burn. As a teen, she loved the Harlequin bodice rippers but after marriage and motherhood, aging and experience, she turned to Heyer and the slow burn for comfort.
The Lost Contemporaries: 'Helen,' 'Pastel,' 'Instead of the Thorn' and 'Barren Corn,' by Maura Tan
A great analysis of the 4 lost Heyer contemporaries. I've never read them and am not interested in reading them. This essay is really interesting but she speculates a bit too much about the author's personal life.
Gambling in Heyer by Rachel Hyland analyzes all the gambling plots and adds in some history. I wasn't too interested in this topic.
The Apple and the Tree – Georgette Heyer and the Black Dagger Brotherhood by Kate Nagy
I hated this essay. It had nothing to do with Heyer and contained long summarized and comparisons of bizarre sci-fi romance novels (vampires? what?) I have no intention of reading. Heyer would be horrified. "Are the shaded of Pemberley to be thus polluted?" pass the smelling salts.
In Was Georgette Heyer a Snob, and Does it Matter? Tabetha Waite addresses the "noticeable lack of lower-class main characters in any of her historical novels. Yes and no. She wrote about a certain subsection of the population. They had all the advantages, at least the men did, and snobbery was a way to maintain their place in the world. This attitude carried over to the American south in regards to race. Does this mean Heyer was a snob? Possibly but she grew up before WWII when the rigid social structure began to break down so I can't really blame her for being a woman of her time and place. If you don't like it, don't read it and avoid P.G. Wodehouse too.
Heyer’s Heirs – What to Read After Georgette by Amanda Jones
This is a wonderfully informative essay. Amanda Jones provides titles of similar books and authors but not copycats. While there isn't anything on the list I want to read, I appreciate the recommendations.
Also included in this slim volume are 5 appendices:
i. My First Heyer
ii. My Favorite Heyer
iii. My Favorite Heyer Hero
iv. My Favorite Heyer Heroine
v. My Least Favorite Heyer
These are fun little quick quotes from the essay authors. All opinions are there own, of course, but if you like a particular essayist, you might want to follow their lead and read their favorite books.
Overall, this is a good collection for die-hard Heyer fans. I think they would work well as discussion sessions and they probably are but alas, on the wrong side of the world. Maybe a Zoom conference should be on the agenda for Heyer fans worldwide?
In the first essay, Georgette Heyer’s Literary Genius, by Jennifer Kloester
Kloester summarizes Heyer's life and works succinctly. For those wanting to know more, she's written a long biography and a shorter work on the Regency era as part of her dissertation work. LUCKY!
I did not like A Most Excellent Influence – Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer by Susannah Fullarton
She knows Austen well but Heyer not so much. Miles in Black Sheep is a nabob, he made his fortune in INDIA not the West Indies like Sir Thomas Bertram. I found much of Fullerton's comparisons to be weak. Heyer did use a lot of Austen's language and settings and was inspired by but didn't copy, Austen's works.
From Arabella to Venetia – Growing Up with Heyer’s Heroines by Rachel Hyland is a charming essay of a young woman's personal growth and her reading journey. Of course as a teen she liked the younger heroines and didn't understand the restrictions placed on women at that time. As an adult, she's grown to appreciate Heyer's humor and subtle romance. I think I would have felt the same way had I read Heyer's book as a teen. She did make a slight mistake in saying Lady Steeple didn't want to marry the much older and boring Sir Lanyon. The family actually tried to forbid the match but Aurelia wanted her man and no one else would do. She's determined. As for not wanting children, she didn't really have a choice did she? In a way, I find her a tragic character.
The Heyer Problem – Privilege in Regency Romance by Cat Sebastian is a very "woke" reader. Of couese Heyer's world is homogenous because she wrote about a small subset of the population who were given power and privileges centuries ago. If you want the nitty gritty stuff read Dickens. It's fun to imagine oneself as part of the ton dancing in gorgeous ballgowns and falling in love with dashing heroes. That doesn't mean I want to live it! It's escapism. The same goes for Jane Austen and Downton Abbey. Also, Arabella includes a chimney sweep subplot showing that behind the glittering world of the ton is a darker society that makes their world possible. Try Victorian set novels if you want more diversity.
Marks of Distinction – Heyer’s Mark I and Mark II Heroes by Janga who states that there are basically two types of Heyer Heroes. She's working off an older study and didn't look more closely at the different types of characterizations.
Beauvallet: My First Romance Novel Boyfriend by Donna Cummings is about a novel I couldn't even get through. This essay is sweet and funny. It contains spoilers for the novel but well, you kind of knew that going in.
Heyer’s Kissing Cousins by Ruth Williamson discusses the different relationships among cousins. This is an interesting essay because I hadn't thought of how many cousins there are in the novels and the different types of relationships they have.
What I Owe to Georgette Heyer by romance novelist Cheryl Bolen discusses when she first read Heyer and the influence Georgette Heyer's books had on her and her writing career.
Bath Tangle in the Social Media Age by Anne-Marie Turenne attempts to be funny by summarizing the novel in social media posts. Not being a user of social media and being a word person, I found this work seriously annoying.
Fathers in Heyer by Janet Webb is a unique topic I don't see discussed very often. This is a sweet essay that discusses the different types of fathers in Heyer. I think some of her arguments were a bit reaching, she needs more types of fathers, but if you happen to have a father who has enjoyed Heyer's novels, this would be a nice little gift for him.
In The Grand Sophy: Matchmaker or Master Manipulator? by Jennifer Proffitt she attempts to compare and contrast Sophy to Austen's Emma. I rather like Sophy and her management style but I don't care for Emma ruining Harriet's life over and over. This essay provides some food for thought.
Reluctantly Watching 'The Reluctant Widow' – Heyer on Film by Rachel Hyland gives a good summary of the early film version of The Reluctant Widow. It's her opinion but I don't know whether I agree because I haven't seen the film in question. After reading this essay, I don't really want to.
Splash, Dash and Finesse! – Heyer’s Magical Pen and Indomitable Spirit on Display in 'The Masqueraders,' by Kathleen Baldwin
I love Kathleen Baldwin's novels so I must give Heyer's novel another look. This essay is a fun, quick read but contains spoilers.
Hearing Heyer – How Audiobooks Breed a New Appreciation by Karen Zachary sums up reviews of different audio book versions. I'm not a big audio book person but I've listened to a few. I disagree with Zachary, I liked These Old Shades and didn't think Justin's voice was that bad. I just don't love the novel.
Learning! with Georgette Heyer by Clara Shipman is a nice essay about Heyer's language and how Ms. Shipman devoured the novels looking up all the unfamiliar words as she went along. She sounds like my kind of word nerd.
The Mystery of 'Penhallow,' by Madeline Paschen analyzes the novel without categorizing it by genre. Her analysis is interesting but it doesn't make me want to read the book again.
Behind Closed Doors – Sex in Georgette Heyer by Anna Bradley- NOT a racy essay because Heyer's books aren't like that but rather a look at sex and sexuality in the novels. She points out the contrast between male sexuality and female sexuality and the double standard. That's history folks. We don't have to like it but that's the way it was.
Reading 'The Great Roxhythe' – The Lost Heyer Historical by Rachel Hyland is a bit of a slog. I've never read this novel and thanks to Hyland, I don't have to. She does an excellent job summarizing the novel and pointing out the highs and lows.
Beaux, Belles and Black Sheep – Georgette Heyer in Bath by Kirsten Elliott
My favorite essay. Elliot provides Heyer tours of Bath which I wish I had known. She looks at period sources, some that Heyer used and others to map the locations in the stories. One thing I did not realize was there is one geographical error in one of the books. Read this essay or do some research and see if you can find it!
Coming Back to Heyer – How I Came to Appreciate the Slow Burn by Megan Osmond is another nice essay about personal growth and experience teaching the writer to appreciate the slow burn. As a teen, she loved the Harlequin bodice rippers but after marriage and motherhood, aging and experience, she turned to Heyer and the slow burn for comfort.
The Lost Contemporaries: 'Helen,' 'Pastel,' 'Instead of the Thorn' and 'Barren Corn,' by Maura Tan
A great analysis of the 4 lost Heyer contemporaries. I've never read them and am not interested in reading them. This essay is really interesting but she speculates a bit too much about the author's personal life.
Gambling in Heyer by Rachel Hyland analyzes all the gambling plots and adds in some history. I wasn't too interested in this topic.
The Apple and the Tree – Georgette Heyer and the Black Dagger Brotherhood by Kate Nagy
I hated this essay. It had nothing to do with Heyer and contained long summarized and comparisons of bizarre sci-fi romance novels (vampires? what?) I have no intention of reading. Heyer would be horrified. "Are the shaded of Pemberley to be thus polluted?" pass the smelling salts.
In Was Georgette Heyer a Snob, and Does it Matter? Tabetha Waite addresses the "noticeable lack of lower-class main characters in any of her historical novels. Yes and no. She wrote about a certain subsection of the population. They had all the advantages, at least the men did, and snobbery was a way to maintain their place in the world. This attitude carried over to the American south in regards to race. Does this mean Heyer was a snob? Possibly but she grew up before WWII when the rigid social structure began to break down so I can't really blame her for being a woman of her time and place. If you don't like it, don't read it and avoid P.G. Wodehouse too.
Heyer’s Heirs – What to Read After Georgette by Amanda Jones
This is a wonderfully informative essay. Amanda Jones provides titles of similar books and authors but not copycats. While there isn't anything on the list I want to read, I appreciate the recommendations.
Also included in this slim volume are 5 appendices:
i. My First Heyer
ii. My Favorite Heyer
iii. My Favorite Heyer Hero
iv. My Favorite Heyer Heroine
v. My Least Favorite Heyer
These are fun little quick quotes from the essay authors. All opinions are there own, of course, but if you like a particular essayist, you might want to follow their lead and read their favorite books.
Overall, this is a good collection for die-hard Heyer fans. I think they would work well as discussion sessions and they probably are but alas, on the wrong side of the world. Maybe a Zoom conference should be on the agenda for Heyer fans worldwide?
December 6, 2018
I was disappointed in this: I was hoping for something a little more rigorous. As it is, it's just a collection of fluffy fan essays mainly on predictable topics: my first Heyer novel, my favorite heroine, dogs in Heyer novels, etc. And it was *badly* edited: I never put down my mental red pencil. It's 'Lufra', not 'Luffa'; 'social mores', not 'social morays'; and the missing words and misplaced commas and clunky sentences abounded. I could have ignored the poor editing if I had liked the book more, but as it is the end result is very much an amateur production. It got two stars only because I was feeling generous and it was clearly a labor (or should that be 'labour' :-) ) of love.
December 19, 2018
Really enjoyed these essays covering all aspects of Heyer’s work. I would have liked some of them to be longer and more “scholarly”, I suppose, but this seemed to be written for the general audience. I did like that several of the essays referenced Mari Ness’ series of rereads of Heyer novels on tor.com. I’m a big fan of her work with that project and was glad to see her getting some recognition for that effort.
September 12, 2019
This collection wasn’t entirely what I was expecting, so I’m trying to evaluate it for what it is rather than what I thought it would be. For the most part, it’s a collection of “why I like Georgette Heyer” essays--studies of a favorite book or motif, reminiscences of the context of reading, that sort of thing. A few of the essays are more in line with what I thought I was getting: analytical scholarly studies of Heyer’s work. Cat Sebastien’s “The Heyer Problem - A History of Privilege”, Rachel Hyland’s dissection of the non-romance (or is it?) The Great Roxhythe, and Kirsten Elliott’s comparison of the Bath of Heyer’s novels and the actual Bath of their settings -- all these stood out for me as excellent and thoughtful pieces. If you’re a Heyer fan yourself and want a very readable collection of other people’s thoughts on her work, check this out.
December 23, 2018
I cannot compete with Critterbee’s excellent and detailed review, so I will content myself with saying that obviously it’s lovely to be able to read anything new about Georgette Heyer, and that there are some great wee essays in this collection.
Some are rather brief, and I think few fall into the ‘scholarly’ category; but I was probably wrong in assuming they would be. They are still well written and entertaining - even if I did not always agree with some of the points being made or the conclusions that were drawn.
I loved the analysis of why ‘The Great Roxhythe’ was so bad; and I am afraid, I still cannot agree that Penhallow is anything but an absolute disaster whichever way you try to look at it!
I liked almost all of them, because they seemed to be written by folk who really appreciated Heyer’s work - yet were able to apply a discerning eye to her books and write very entertainingly about them. An enjoyable read while stuck in bed with a chest infection!
Some are rather brief, and I think few fall into the ‘scholarly’ category; but I was probably wrong in assuming they would be. They are still well written and entertaining - even if I did not always agree with some of the points being made or the conclusions that were drawn.
I loved the analysis of why ‘The Great Roxhythe’ was so bad; and I am afraid, I still cannot agree that Penhallow is anything but an absolute disaster whichever way you try to look at it!
I liked almost all of them, because they seemed to be written by folk who really appreciated Heyer’s work - yet were able to apply a discerning eye to her books and write very entertainingly about them. An enjoyable read while stuck in bed with a chest infection!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2021
Lovely to find a fan G-H fan club writing about their favorite books, heroes, heroines (and other characters) and moments. I'm not surprised she's become the subject of theses on literature, but I am surprised that so little (as in negligible) mention was made of An Infamous Army. I think, though, I can't be sure that The Talisman Ring was my first although it might have been one of the myseries, and like many of the authors, I'm unable to come up with my favorite book, hero or heroine--too many jockey for first place. Among them Venetia, Frederica, Sylvester and Faro's Daughter. It was easier to identify my least favorite, which is/was Penhallow because it may be the only one I actually didn't like. I will also mention one favorite hero who escaped notice in this volume altogether, Charles Audley, who from being a younger brother in Regency Bunk moves to the spotlight in the aforementioned An Infamous Army. Thank you to Goodreads buddy Mark for finding this anthology first. It has inspired yet another Heyer re-read binge.
November 4, 2018
Confession time, I have not read a Georgette Heyer book. I accepted this book for review hoping it would encourage me to delve into this renowned author’s work. The answer to that is yes… and no. Yes, because the enthusiasm of these authors is positively catching. No, because I really need to reread these opinion essays AFTER I read Heyer’s novels. If you have read Heyer’s books then I am certain these essays will mean a lot to you and if you are like me, you will be excited about reading Heyer’s romances. Each essay is thoughtful, some literary and some are love letters to the lady and the genre. Many delve into characters and compare them, such as mentions of cousins across the books or siblings relationships to one another. None of the essays are overly long. This book is certainly a must-read for Heyer fans.
I received this book free for review from the publisher.
More reviews: http://ladeetdareads.wordpress.com
I received this book free for review from the publisher.
More reviews: http://ladeetdareads.wordpress.com
September 23, 2019
I wrote an essay in this book, but I am still going to rate it because the other twenty-four essays are all so fascinating. Now that I have finally read all of Heyer's historical and detective novels - and not just the contemporary ones, which are what my essay dealt with - I was able to also read all of my fellow essayists thoughts, and they are excellent.
I particularly loved Cat Sebastian's look at privilege in historical romance, because I have to say that bugs me too, as well as Jennifer Kloester's informative opening essay, Rachel Hyland's musings on growing up with Heyer's heroines, and Madeline Paschen's thrilling examination of Penhallow, a rare critical and commercial failure for Heyer.
Highly recommended for both avid and casual fans of Georgette Heyer's work.
I particularly loved Cat Sebastian's look at privilege in historical romance, because I have to say that bugs me too, as well as Jennifer Kloester's informative opening essay, Rachel Hyland's musings on growing up with Heyer's heroines, and Madeline Paschen's thrilling examination of Penhallow, a rare critical and commercial failure for Heyer.
Highly recommended for both avid and casual fans of Georgette Heyer's work.
April 3, 2024
This is a collection of short reflections by various writers and critics on the works of Georgette Heyer, many of them from down under. For the record, I've read all of Heyer's books, excepting her early works that were published posthumously because she had them suppressed after their first print runs. My first book was Frederica, which I still adore. My favorite is The Nonesuch; Waldo is simply irresistible. I still hate Penhallow. I don't love Venetia and Cotillion, two of Heyer's most popular books. And I greatly enjoy her contemporary mysteries.
Much of the book talks about favorite novels and heroes and tropes, but, occasionally, there is a significant perspective:
From Cat Sebastian
"Basically, Heyer warped our notions of history, and she did it by doing such a good job of selling this world that she invented. Her world is just so compelling—people are clever, the dialogue is sparkling, and the happy ending restores order to the central couple and also the world.... [T]here are thousands of books that are set in Heyer’s reality rather than actual historical reality, which means that it has shaped reader expectations. So many readers of historical romance start with Austen, then find Heyer, then arrive at historical romance (this isn’t the only pathway, or even necessarily the most common, but there’s enough of a Heyer-to-romance pipeline for it to be an established pattern)."
From Janga:
"For readers who encounter Heyer’s heroes after reading countless historical romances, it is tempting to see in them well-worn conventions of the sub-genre. But Heyer was establishing conventions rather than following them. She began with a villainous rake who preyed on women and in subsequent books made him a hero transformed by his love for a woman and committed to protecting her even at the sacrifice of his own happiness."
From Cheryl Bolen:
"Georgette Heyer is one of a mere handful of authors—J.R.R. Tolkien also comes to mind—who created a genre: the Regency romance. Because of her popularity, many publishers started paperback lines of Regency romances."
From Kathleen Baldwin:
"One of the few criticisms leveled at Heyer’s work is that she often belabors the period details. However, those critics are viewing her work from our current standards. Heyer’s audience in the 1920s would’ve been far less familiar with Georgian details simply because historical novels had not yet risen to popularity. It fell to Ms. Heyer to educate her readers, and by so doing, she built historical romance readership and a foundation for authors yet to come.... As much as I adore Jane Austen, and laud her as the mother of the romantic comedy, without Heyer’s out-of-the-box creativity I suspect Austen’s charming romance novels would have drifted into the realm of staid historical classics. Instead, Heyer boosted the entire genre into a delightful playground for writers’ fertile imaginations, and Georgette Heyer never wrote more out-of-the-box than she did in her 1928 Georgian masterpiece, The Masqueraders."
From Kate Nagy:
"Notably, Heyer, who died in 1974, never experienced Regency England directly; rather, her books reflect scrupulous research and painstaking devotion to detail, but her Regency is probably as much an artificial construct as is [JR] Ward’s Caldwell, New York."
Much of the book talks about favorite novels and heroes and tropes, but, occasionally, there is a significant perspective:
From Cat Sebastian
"Basically, Heyer warped our notions of history, and she did it by doing such a good job of selling this world that she invented. Her world is just so compelling—people are clever, the dialogue is sparkling, and the happy ending restores order to the central couple and also the world.... [T]here are thousands of books that are set in Heyer’s reality rather than actual historical reality, which means that it has shaped reader expectations. So many readers of historical romance start with Austen, then find Heyer, then arrive at historical romance (this isn’t the only pathway, or even necessarily the most common, but there’s enough of a Heyer-to-romance pipeline for it to be an established pattern)."
From Janga:
"For readers who encounter Heyer’s heroes after reading countless historical romances, it is tempting to see in them well-worn conventions of the sub-genre. But Heyer was establishing conventions rather than following them. She began with a villainous rake who preyed on women and in subsequent books made him a hero transformed by his love for a woman and committed to protecting her even at the sacrifice of his own happiness."
From Cheryl Bolen:
"Georgette Heyer is one of a mere handful of authors—J.R.R. Tolkien also comes to mind—who created a genre: the Regency romance. Because of her popularity, many publishers started paperback lines of Regency romances."
From Kathleen Baldwin:
"One of the few criticisms leveled at Heyer’s work is that she often belabors the period details. However, those critics are viewing her work from our current standards. Heyer’s audience in the 1920s would’ve been far less familiar with Georgian details simply because historical novels had not yet risen to popularity. It fell to Ms. Heyer to educate her readers, and by so doing, she built historical romance readership and a foundation for authors yet to come.... As much as I adore Jane Austen, and laud her as the mother of the romantic comedy, without Heyer’s out-of-the-box creativity I suspect Austen’s charming romance novels would have drifted into the realm of staid historical classics. Instead, Heyer boosted the entire genre into a delightful playground for writers’ fertile imaginations, and Georgette Heyer never wrote more out-of-the-box than she did in her 1928 Georgian masterpiece, The Masqueraders."
From Kate Nagy:
"Notably, Heyer, who died in 1974, never experienced Regency England directly; rather, her books reflect scrupulous research and painstaking devotion to detail, but her Regency is probably as much an artificial construct as is [JR] Ward’s Caldwell, New York."
June 11, 2020
If you aren’t familiar, Georgette Heyer was a prolific mid-20th century British writer. Her most popular and enduring books were historical romances. She started with Jane Austen, then added lots of research on clothing and slang (JA didn’t have to research much - her novels were contemporary), and lots and lots of humor. She’s very well known for her amusing supporting characters and for her brilliant dialogue. This book was an anthology of essays by (mostly) Heyer fans and I loved it. Made me want to pull out one of her books for an immediate re-read.
October 23, 2024
Una bella raccolta di saggi sulla mamma del regency romance (i miei preferiti sono quello introduttivo di Jennifer Kloester, quello di Cat Sebastian sul privilegio, sui paralleli con Jane Austen di Susannah Fullerton, del debito nei suoi confronti come scrittrice di Cheryl Bolen, la mancanza del s*sso nei suoi romanzi di Anna Bradley, il valore dello slow burn di Megan Osmund e cosa leggere dopo di lei di Amanda Jones)
December 18, 2022
Over the last couple of years I've become a huge Heyer fan. I'm making my way through all of her books and it's a glorious ride. This book of essays is a project of love and appreciation for all things Heyer. Thoroughly enjoyable and is a very nice end to books read in 2021.
April 24, 2023
Over the last couple of years I've become a huge Heyer fan. I'm making my way through all of her books and it's a glorious ride. This book of essays is a project of love and appreciation for all things Heyer. Thoroughly enjoyable and is a very nice end to books read in 2021.
June 1, 2019
Great to get some background and different perspectives on an author. Also fantastic to get a list of all the books. A few clunky bits but otherwise a lovely compilation.
April 28, 2025
Essential reading for any Heyer fan. My highlight was the social media version of Bath Tangle, had me laughing out loud!
October 24, 2025
I finally purchased a print copy of this for myself. So many wonderful essays! My favorites were the ones that highlighted specific similarities between Jane Austen's work and Georgette Heyer's. I also appreciated the spotlight shone on the audiobook versions of Heyer's work and how much reading her on audio can enhance the experience (though I should note that new editions of almost all mentioned here have since been issued). I will also say that I disagree with almost everything Rachel Hyland and Maura Tan have to say, but overall this just makes me want to drop my current reads and reread my favorite Heyers! (I also really need to finally finish Georgette Heyer's Regency England by the always excellent Jennifer Kloester, who also appears in this collection.)
July 29, 2019
Like some of the other reviewers, I expected this collection to be more scholarly than it was, particularly for the price. Some of the articles were interesting and well-supported, while others read more like online reviews. Reading through the articles did remind me of some Heyer books that I hadn't read in a while, though, so the time wasn't entirely wasted.
January 26, 2019
As a Heyer obsessive, I enjoyed this essay collection. I definitely enjoyed some more than others, but I think there is enough in here for any type of Heyer fan. I was particularly intrigued to read about Heyer’s little known fiction books that she preferred to remain hidden.
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