What do you think?
Rate this book
The Five-Minute Marriage
"Marry Me!"
That is what her cousin Gareth asked Delphie Carteret to do. It was just a make-believe ceremony, and, in exchange, Delphie's ailing mother would receive an annuity for life.
Delphie was in no position to refuse. She was already losing the struggle to support herself and her mother. But Delphie soon discovered that she was bound by law to the marriage and bound by love to more lies...
That is what her cousin Gareth asked Delphie Carteret to do. It was just a make-believe ceremony, and, in exchange, Delphie's ailing mother would receive an annuity for life.
Delphie was in no position to refuse. She was already losing the struggle to support herself and her mother. But Delphie soon discovered that she was bound by law to the marriage and bound by love to more lies...
264 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
58 people are currently reading
580 people want to read
About the author
Joan Aiken
331 books599 followersJoan Aiken was a much loved English writer who received the MBE for services to Children's Literature. She was known as a writer of wild fantasy, Gothic novels and short stories.
She was born in Rye, East Sussex, into a family of writers, including her father, Conrad Aiken (who won a Pulitzer Prize for his poetry), and her sister, Jane Aiken Hodge. She worked for the United Nations Information Office during the second world war, and then as an editor and freelance on Argosy magazine before she started writing full time, mainly children's books and thrillers. For her books she received the Guardian Award (1969) and the Edgar Allan Poe Award (1972).
Her most popular series, the "Wolves Chronicles" which began with The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, was set in an elaborate alternate period of history in a Britain in which James II was never deposed in the Glorious Revolution,and so supporters of the House of Hanover continually plot to overthrow the Stuart Kings. These books also feature cockney urchin heroine Dido Twite and her adventures and travels all over the world.
Another series of children's books about Arabel and her raven Mortimer are illustrated by Quentin Blake, and have been shown on the BBC as Jackanory and drama series. Others including the much loved Necklace of Raindrops and award winning Kingdom Under the Sea are illustrated by Jan Pieńkowski.
Her many novels for adults include several that continue or complement novels by Jane Austen. These include Mansfield Revisited and Jane Fairfax.
Aiken was a lifelong fan of ghost stories. She set her adult supernatural novel The Haunting of Lamb House at Lamb House in Rye (now a National Trust property). This ghost story recounts in fictional form an alleged haunting experienced by two former residents of the house, Henry James and E. F. Benson, both of whom also wrote ghost stories. Aiken's father, Conrad Aiken, also authored a small number of notable ghost stories.
She was born in Rye, East Sussex, into a family of writers, including her father, Conrad Aiken (who won a Pulitzer Prize for his poetry), and her sister, Jane Aiken Hodge. She worked for the United Nations Information Office during the second world war, and then as an editor and freelance on Argosy magazine before she started writing full time, mainly children's books and thrillers. For her books she received the Guardian Award (1969) and the Edgar Allan Poe Award (1972).
Her most popular series, the "Wolves Chronicles" which began with The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, was set in an elaborate alternate period of history in a Britain in which James II was never deposed in the Glorious Revolution,and so supporters of the House of Hanover continually plot to overthrow the Stuart Kings. These books also feature cockney urchin heroine Dido Twite and her adventures and travels all over the world.
Another series of children's books about Arabel and her raven Mortimer are illustrated by Quentin Blake, and have been shown on the BBC as Jackanory and drama series. Others including the much loved Necklace of Raindrops and award winning Kingdom Under the Sea are illustrated by Jan Pieńkowski.
Her many novels for adults include several that continue or complement novels by Jane Austen. These include Mansfield Revisited and Jane Fairfax.
Aiken was a lifelong fan of ghost stories. She set her adult supernatural novel The Haunting of Lamb House at Lamb House in Rye (now a National Trust property). This ghost story recounts in fictional form an alleged haunting experienced by two former residents of the house, Henry James and E. F. Benson, both of whom also wrote ghost stories. Aiken's father, Conrad Aiken, also authored a small number of notable ghost stories.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
March 26, 2023
The Five-Minute Marriage is an odd romance story, but it kept my interest and I really liked the main character, Philadelphia, so I would rate it a 3.5. Philadelphia Carteret is a young Londoner who teaches music to support her mother and herself. Her mother, a most trying lady, is suffering from what would be considered dementia today. Mrs. Carteret forgets that they're poor and gambles or orders large quantities of food or dresses for a ball they are not giving. Philadelphia often comes in tired from a lesson she has walked miles back and forth to, only to have to go out in search of her mother who's run off again.
She and her mother are descendants of a rich Lord who has never offered any money for their upkeep. Philadelphia decides to visit him and see if she can get some sort of annuity for her mother. The meeting takes place and an unbelievable accident occurs tying her to the future heir. I never really felt the heir was a fleshed out enough character, but I did enjoy this overall and there are some delightful children.
She and her mother are descendants of a rich Lord who has never offered any money for their upkeep. Philadelphia decides to visit him and see if she can get some sort of annuity for her mother. The meeting takes place and an unbelievable accident occurs tying her to the future heir. I never really felt the heir was a fleshed out enough character, but I did enjoy this overall and there are some delightful children.
December 29, 2011
No offense, Regency characters, but y'all need to stop getting it on with your cousins. The only relationship in this book involving unrelated persons was the old widowed folks! And all the multiple/secret/questionable marriages had me kind of confused, but weren't Fitz and Elaine related twice over? And who marries their brother's baby mama?
This was like the daytime TV of the past -- except for Aiken's tasteful prose.
This was like the daytime TV of the past -- except for Aiken's tasteful prose.
March 29, 2015
Meh. This is a total Heyer imposter, and not a great one. The lingo and mannerisms are there, but it's missing the sparkling dialogue, subtle humor, relatable characters, and the dashing plot. I'd give it a 2.5 star rating; it'll get you through in a pinch.
I think if I'd never read Georgette Heyer's works, I would have absolutely hated Gareth Penniston and wondered why Delphie fell in love with him, but I am used to the surly hero typecast. Heyer has a knack of making them seem wholly lovable and/or redeemable, which Aiken only narrowly achieved.
Frankly, I think I need to stop trying to read Heyer wannabes. Their obvious imposture frustrates and annoys me, and just makes me sad she only wrote 41 Regency Romances.
I think if I'd never read Georgette Heyer's works, I would have absolutely hated Gareth Penniston and wondered why Delphie fell in love with him, but I am used to the surly hero typecast. Heyer has a knack of making them seem wholly lovable and/or redeemable, which Aiken only narrowly achieved.
Frankly, I think I need to stop trying to read Heyer wannabes. Their obvious imposture frustrates and annoys me, and just makes me sad she only wrote 41 Regency Romances.
February 20, 2019
2.5 stars.
This wasn't my favourite of the genre and it wasn't awful either. I liked that it was completely clean, in both content and language. The hate to love development between the MCs was believable too. And I so enjoyed the fact that there was no treacherous body syndrome in this book. The lack of OP drama was also fantastic. No mention of merry widows or mistresses for the H is always a big plus for me. The mystery was a bit easy to solve, but the whole "who's the imposter" drama was quite interesting, albeit not so fun for the heroine. However, the telling of this story was quite boring at times, and I found myself having to force myself to finish it. Hence the 2.5 stars.
This wasn't my favourite of the genre and it wasn't awful either. I liked that it was completely clean, in both content and language. The hate to love development between the MCs was believable too. And I so enjoyed the fact that there was no treacherous body syndrome in this book. The lack of OP drama was also fantastic. No mention of merry widows or mistresses for the H is always a big plus for me. The mystery was a bit easy to solve, but the whole "who's the imposter" drama was quite interesting, albeit not so fun for the heroine. However, the telling of this story was quite boring at times, and I found myself having to force myself to finish it. Hence the 2.5 stars.
March 27, 2012
I loved everything about it. The mystery: who is trying to poison/kill Delphie, Gareth, and or Mrs. Carteret. Is Elaine really a cousin of anyone? The premise of this wonderful daughter, Philadelphia (Delphia for short) giving music lessons and singing to support her ill mother and herself is sweet. Dealing with what seems to be dementia and other illness in a parent is a challenge and I love what Delphie says and just thinks in regards to her mother's whims. A temporary caregiver is especially good at curbing the wanderings of Mrs. Carteret which is a true gift. I loved all the characters Mr. Browty (a couple of students' father). he's direct but sweet, thoughtful and funny. Jenny and her sister anne who own the shop below Delphie's lodgings are a riot. This is a very witty novel with overtones of Georgette Heyer's style. Is Gareth truly as dark, brooding, uncaring and atrocious as we see him described in the beginning or are there concerns he is shouldering that seem to crowd out what kind of person he truly is? How can one participate in a fake wedding and end up really married? I just loved the romance, mystery, dialog, setting, descriptive elements, the Marshalsea, poets, morals, etc. This is a very good read for those who like a regency type romance with a tinge of mystery.
June 19, 2021
Mostly I've been reading 21st century romance lately with sex and complicated back stories and Intersectionalism and such. This is not like that. And nor is it at all like the historical romances of my youth that filled the church's small library shelves. This feels like some of the sensibility of say Emma with the tender care of an aging parent who is demanding in some ways, and a sort of melodramatic gothic plot played for laughs more Northanger Abbey. There isn't much room left to devote to the leads, let alone the falling-for-one another development, but the relative chastity feels a little unnatural now. The melodramatic plot does remind me of the older gothic romances but the danger is never very strongly felt, despite a long history of family intrigues. Perfectly acceptable to give to a middle-school kid who was interested in this sort of thing or recommending to anyone who's specific dealbreakers are unknown. I'm guessing really. I've no idea if people who are looking for "clean" romances just mean no sex and no cursing or if offstage murder is also right out.
Library copy
Library copy
July 24, 2017
This is a delightfully frothy Regency: witty and full of memorable characters: the heroine, Delphie, a sensible but charming music teacher; her slightly feckless mother, whose illness forces Delphie to contact her long-lost relatives, thus setting the plot in motion; and Gareth Penistone, the hero, with whom Delphie contracts a marriage which is meant to be a sham but turns out to be more real than they thought.
February 13, 2023
The whole story is rather dull. I had to resort to reading other books in the interim (which rarely happens, I'm the type to finish a book before starting the next one). It hardly feels like a romance, as the main couple is rarely together. A lot of side characters to keep track of. It felt farcical at times; I'm not sure if that was the intention. The writing and the plot are fine (old school - some reviewers liken this to Georgette Heyer - I wouldn't know, I've only read one book by Heyer). Well, maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this type of book.
July 20, 2013
In this story, our intrepid heroine has fallen on hard times. She and her widowed mother live in reduced circumstances in Regency England, because her mother was cut off from her family when she married. But with her mother’s health ever failing, Delphie finally sets aside her pride to visit her uncle in his country manor. When she arrives, Delphie finds herself backed into a corner, and given the option of either receiving nothing or receiving and annuity for her mother–provided she participates in a fake wedding ceremony with her cousin.
More appropriately titled “The Five-Minute Wedding,” the whole point of the book is that Delphie discovers that the wedding was not as fake as she–and her cousin–originally believed. Suspenseful, romantic, and even believable (most of the time), this book was an excellent read for those who enjoy classic Regency romance.
More appropriately titled “The Five-Minute Wedding,” the whole point of the book is that Delphie discovers that the wedding was not as fake as she–and her cousin–originally believed. Suspenseful, romantic, and even believable (most of the time), this book was an excellent read for those who enjoy classic Regency romance.
April 29, 2016
I read this as a teenager and loved it. I have searched every public library recently with the hopes of finding it to reread. The second time was just as good as the first, if not better! As cheesy as the cover is, don't be fooled by a book's exterior. I love the characters--I know them better than I know myself! Joan Aiken is a brilliant writer! This just fueled my desire to find the rest of her books!
March 29, 2018
The blurb writer was confused; this is not a Gothic, but a regency. However, it does briefly turn into a Gothic for about ten pages toward the end, so I see how that could happen. I too struggled to categorize it, as, unsurprisingly considering the author, it's hard to categorize. It has the plot but not the substance of a romance; the heroine only displays brief flickers of romantic feelings for the hero, and they don't interact much. It's mostly a comedy with a lunatic excess of plot, about half of which is crammed into the last twenty pages.
The time is 1815. The heroine is Philadelphia "Delphie" Carteret, music teacher and caretaker for her sick and periodically delusional mother. The plot begins when she goes to some long-lost relatives to hit them up for money to take care of her mom, accompanied by her madcap neighbor Jenny. The relatives own a castle with a moat, into which Jenny cunningly flings herself and pretends to be drowning so the hero, Gareth Penistone, will (reluctantly) rescue her and ensconce her and Delphie at the castle, over the objections of cousin Mordred. Once ensconced, Delphie is astounded to find that the family thinks she's an imposter, because someone named Elaine has been claiming to be the Carteret daughter for the last twenty years.
This lunatic farrago of wackiness plus semi-random Arthurian references (there is also a notorious and deceased ancestor named Lancelot, and ten peppy children who all have Arthurian names) is completely typical of Joan Aiken. So are the funny names. I do not for a second believe that she was unaware of the implications of a hero named Penistone (yes, I know it's a village in Yorkshire), especially given this line of dialogue: "I don't like these angry voices and all this talk of Bollington and Penistone!"
Though a series of ridiculous events, Delphie fake-marries Gareth Penistone; needless to say, the fake marriage turns out to be real, to everyone's dismay. The ten Arthurian kids tend to a languid poet in debtor's prison, the hero poisons a sick mouse he's supposed to be nursing back to health, Mordred lives up to his name (name a kid Mordred, and you deserve what you get), and the last chapter consists of long blocks of text in which characters madly explain who secretly married who and why the impersonation-- all of which was so convoluted that I did not even try to follow it.
Funny, fluffy, utterly absurd. If it sounds fun, you will enjoy it. Some animals are collateral damage of villainous plotting.
The time is 1815. The heroine is Philadelphia "Delphie" Carteret, music teacher and caretaker for her sick and periodically delusional mother. The plot begins when she goes to some long-lost relatives to hit them up for money to take care of her mom, accompanied by her madcap neighbor Jenny. The relatives own a castle with a moat, into which Jenny cunningly flings herself and pretends to be drowning so the hero, Gareth Penistone, will (reluctantly) rescue her and ensconce her and Delphie at the castle, over the objections of cousin Mordred. Once ensconced, Delphie is astounded to find that the family thinks she's an imposter, because someone named Elaine has been claiming to be the Carteret daughter for the last twenty years.
This lunatic farrago of wackiness plus semi-random Arthurian references (there is also a notorious and deceased ancestor named Lancelot, and ten peppy children who all have Arthurian names) is completely typical of Joan Aiken. So are the funny names. I do not for a second believe that she was unaware of the implications of a hero named Penistone (yes, I know it's a village in Yorkshire), especially given this line of dialogue: "I don't like these angry voices and all this talk of Bollington and Penistone!"
Though a series of ridiculous events, Delphie fake-marries Gareth Penistone; needless to say, the fake marriage turns out to be real, to everyone's dismay. The ten Arthurian kids tend to a languid poet in debtor's prison, the hero poisons a sick mouse he's supposed to be nursing back to health, Mordred lives up to his name (name a kid Mordred, and you deserve what you get), and the last chapter consists of long blocks of text in which characters madly explain who secretly married who and why the impersonation-- all of which was so convoluted that I did not even try to follow it.
Funny, fluffy, utterly absurd. If it sounds fun, you will enjoy it. Some animals are collateral damage of villainous plotting.
June 22, 2021
doesn't quite make it - 2.5* somewhat grudgingly rounded up as it was written 45 years ago.
I think the author was trying to be georgette Heyer and not quite making it. The story was okay but the language oddities were too much to take. They were surely meant to evoke accents and place them in the period much like Heyer frequently did. But I don't get the feeling this was as well research and it was relenting. Plus when the hero and heroine fell in love is a mystery to me. I think they were together on about 7 different occasions. Only one of them of any length and at the end of that their shared uncle dropped dead. On the final occasion they have spent a dreadful night out in the elements but he is fast asleep the whole time as he was deeply inebriated and passed out before she arrives at his side. He wakes up and in short order says oh by the way I love you and she replies that obviously she loves him too.
so while I did round up I don't think I will be searching for this author again.
I think the author was trying to be georgette Heyer and not quite making it. The story was okay but the language oddities were too much to take. They were surely meant to evoke accents and place them in the period much like Heyer frequently did. But I don't get the feeling this was as well research and it was relenting. Plus when the hero and heroine fell in love is a mystery to me. I think they were together on about 7 different occasions. Only one of them of any length and at the end of that their shared uncle dropped dead. On the final occasion they have spent a dreadful night out in the elements but he is fast asleep the whole time as he was deeply inebriated and passed out before she arrives at his side. He wakes up and in short order says oh by the way I love you and she replies that obviously she loves him too.
so while I did round up I don't think I will be searching for this author again.
October 24, 2021
I enjoy Joan Aiken's books. I needed a light / escapist read. Excellent choice.
Almost on-the-shelf Delphie is semi-impoverished gentry, living above a dressmaker's shop with her invalid mother, literally singing for their supper (she teaches music and other odd, genteel work). She is comely, brave, and intelligent. She is also desperate. At the urging of a friendly client, and armed with his excellent letter of introduction, she seeks to be introduced from her mother's wealthy, estranged family in the hopes of repairing family fences and securing some financial security for her mother's care. She is unsure of her welcome, but she certainly never expected to get married to her uncle's heir, the foreboding and darkly handsome Gareth Penistone, before dinner!
In this Regency era romp, there are bastards and dastardly plans galare. Fun characters, plenty of period details, and misunderstandings make for a fast, entertaining read.
Almost on-the-shelf Delphie is semi-impoverished gentry, living above a dressmaker's shop with her invalid mother, literally singing for their supper (she teaches music and other odd, genteel work). She is comely, brave, and intelligent. She is also desperate. At the urging of a friendly client, and armed with his excellent letter of introduction, she seeks to be introduced from her mother's wealthy, estranged family in the hopes of repairing family fences and securing some financial security for her mother's care. She is unsure of her welcome, but she certainly never expected to get married to her uncle's heir, the foreboding and darkly handsome Gareth Penistone, before dinner!
In this Regency era romp, there are bastards and dastardly plans galare. Fun characters, plenty of period details, and misunderstandings make for a fast, entertaining read.
June 7, 2017
It's a historical romance, but almost in the style of the Wolves Chronicles. I wouldn't have been surprised if Dido Twite turned up. Very enjoyable.
January 2, 2020
A sort of Georgette Heyer's The Reluctant Widow meets the Gothic meets Charles Dicken's Micawbers while remaining very distinctly Joan Aiken. I found it surprisingly delightful. Maybe I need to pay more attention when Goodreads recommends a book based on my reading.
It took me a bit to get into the story but I knew I was well in once I felt actual concern for the heroine. With a very scandalizing family tree and undercurrent of mystery, this is a light, enjoyable Regency read.
It took me a bit to get into the story but I knew I was well in once I felt actual concern for the heroine. With a very scandalizing family tree and undercurrent of mystery, this is a light, enjoyable Regency read.
February 24, 2020
Delightful!
Fans of Jane Austin will enjoy this plot involving mystery, intrigue, and romance. It kept me engaged and awake well into the night trying to discover the answers to the mysteries presented.
Fans of Jane Austin will enjoy this plot involving mystery, intrigue, and romance. It kept me engaged and awake well into the night trying to discover the answers to the mysteries presented.
March 14, 2023
Enjoyable. Engaging characters.
June 21, 2019
This edition was labeled as a Regency Romance by Warner Books, but that was not what attracted me. I was reading it because the author was Joan Aiken. She has long been a favorite of mine even before her children's mysteries. I read her quirky romance mysteries when they first came out. They were similar to those of Mary Stewart's early gothics in a way, with heroines who were focussed on their work and oblivious to the romance and danger surrounding them. I liked them and appreciated the wry wit and the recurrence of the grotesque beverage "Bom" in all of the plots.
This novel was different in that it did not take place in modern times, but I liked to think of it as more of an homage to Jane Austen than Georgette Heyer. This was my first rereading since it was first published and I enjoyed it just as much if not more with my own maturity as a reader. The period is Regency England and the heroine is independent but codependent with her mother who is a ditz but has seemed to raise her daughter to be responsible and imaginative in her problem solving skills. The supporting cast of characters have a healthy command of descriptive and creative English language and don't spare a word. I loved it. There was no mention of Bom.
Those who were disappointed in this as a poor example of a Regency romance missed the point. They most likely didn't like Jane's work either.
This novel was different in that it did not take place in modern times, but I liked to think of it as more of an homage to Jane Austen than Georgette Heyer. This was my first rereading since it was first published and I enjoyed it just as much if not more with my own maturity as a reader. The period is Regency England and the heroine is independent but codependent with her mother who is a ditz but has seemed to raise her daughter to be responsible and imaginative in her problem solving skills. The supporting cast of characters have a healthy command of descriptive and creative English language and don't spare a word. I loved it. There was no mention of Bom.
Those who were disappointed in this as a poor example of a Regency romance missed the point. They most likely didn't like Jane's work either.
October 11, 2022
Three and a half stars
I found this very easy to read and got through it quite quickly. But some elements of the plot are not very satisfying, so the final impression is not quite as positive as the sheer readability of the earlier parts of the book. Still, I had a good time with this.
I found this very easy to read and got through it quite quickly. But some elements of the plot are not very satisfying, so the final impression is not quite as positive as the sheer readability of the earlier parts of the book. Still, I had a good time with this.
May 20, 2015
I really liked this clean romance. The story was original and I loved watching the relationship develop between our MCs. It started out a little slow but it was a great book.
October 12, 2016
I would expect a regency romance to be frothy, but while this one had some amusing and pleasing moments, it was just over the top silly.
June 21, 2017
The romance could have been a little more romantic, but otherwise this is highly entertaining.
May 27, 2020
This book was dry.
I like that the author made her characters act like actual people and not like a caricature of an era, something so very common I'm afraid. But even then this felt so flat for me. I couldn't care about anyone.
Some plot points were a little bit too coincidental to be true.
I signed up for a romance. But as I was nearing the 60 percent of the book I still lacked any reason to believe the leads were meant for each other. The barely interacted 3 or 4 times at most and very briefly at that. I could not believe that somehow the author would give me what the characters needed for the romance to work, in what was left of it. DNF for me.
I like that the author made her characters act like actual people and not like a caricature of an era, something so very common I'm afraid. But even then this felt so flat for me. I couldn't care about anyone.
Some plot points were a little bit too coincidental to be true.
I signed up for a romance. But as I was nearing the 60 percent of the book I still lacked any reason to believe the leads were meant for each other. The barely interacted 3 or 4 times at most and very briefly at that. I could not believe that somehow the author would give me what the characters needed for the romance to work, in what was left of it. DNF for me.
October 25, 2021
This was absurd. Nearly a farce, but like, with gothic themes. Not at all what I was hoping to read. Not enough scenes between the two romantic leads at all. I could care less about the whole family tree/inheritance plot, and that was the whole story.
August 30, 2017
Fast read, fun story. Although the ending was a bit convoluted and over the top (not to be unexpected considering the genre).
April 6, 2020
This is quite silly. It weirdly didn't feel much like a Joan Aiken but I've never read any of her other adult books. Amusing but slight, and, once again, no one can do this stuff even vaguely as well as Heyer.
October 6, 2021
I have for a lot of my reading life been an ardent fan of Georgette Heyer's Regency romances. This book was suggested as a you-may-like-after-Heyer. I can see why those was so recommended to be t, for this book has very much a Heyer feel to it. There is the strong heroine in Delphie, romantic intrigue, a near-casual mystery and a bunch of supporting characters.
What made me enjoy this book most was Delphie herself. She borrows on the traits of some of my favourite Heyer heroines- Frederica, Venetia in particular. She emerges as a warm, loving, capable character who knows how to stand her ground in the face of "superior" males. There is also a lot of wit in her exchanges with Gareth, the hero.
Now with Gareth, we arrive at the weaker points of the book. Unlike Delphie, I did not find Gareth emerging as a character at all. He seems to jump across transformations of character. The plot itself meanders along in since parts. I did skim through a bit of the second half of the book.
But what I miss most coming from Heyer's books, is the comedy. Heyer seemed to glorify absurdity of characters. You could always rely on her to see the farce in a situation. That is totally missing here. While the typical Heyer sure characters setvis here, they are mostly humorless. You don't have to worry about appearing mad laughing out in a bus or train.
What made me enjoy this book most was Delphie herself. She borrows on the traits of some of my favourite Heyer heroines- Frederica, Venetia in particular. She emerges as a warm, loving, capable character who knows how to stand her ground in the face of "superior" males. There is also a lot of wit in her exchanges with Gareth, the hero.
Now with Gareth, we arrive at the weaker points of the book. Unlike Delphie, I did not find Gareth emerging as a character at all. He seems to jump across transformations of character. The plot itself meanders along in since parts. I did skim through a bit of the second half of the book.
But what I miss most coming from Heyer's books, is the comedy. Heyer seemed to glorify absurdity of characters. You could always rely on her to see the farce in a situation. That is totally missing here. While the typical Heyer sure characters setvis here, they are mostly humorless. You don't have to worry about appearing mad laughing out in a bus or train.
February 16, 2019
Reminiscent of Georgette Heyer, esp her novels "The Reluctant Widow," and"The Convenient Marriage." Actually, there are elements from several of her stories in this novel, but it's not a bad thing. They come together quite nicely.
The plot moves a little slowly at first, and and at 370-ish pages there's a lot more of it than most light Regencies. Her dialogue feels labored to a modern ear, with long sentences (even in the midst of a carriage accident), but is very well written nonetheless. Delphie in particular is well-rounded, tho some of the others are more caricatured. I could wish for more depth in Gareth, which would allow more insight into the love story.
Like Austen, the romance itself takes a backseat to most of the action within the plot, and is treated rather lightly overall. It is obvious and inevitable, but enjoyable anyway. The 'mystery' element is also not surprising, but adds to the action and plot development.
The plot moves a little slowly at first, and and at 370-ish pages there's a lot more of it than most light Regencies. Her dialogue feels labored to a modern ear, with long sentences (even in the midst of a carriage accident), but is very well written nonetheless. Delphie in particular is well-rounded, tho some of the others are more caricatured. I could wish for more depth in Gareth, which would allow more insight into the love story.
Like Austen, the romance itself takes a backseat to most of the action within the plot, and is treated rather lightly overall. It is obvious and inevitable, but enjoyable anyway. The 'mystery' element is also not surprising, but adds to the action and plot development.
September 11, 2008
This is my all-time favorite regency romance novel.
I read somewhere that Joan Aiken (who also wrote fabulous juvenile fiction) penned "The Five Minute Marriage" as a send-up of the regencies of Georgette Heyer and the like, so it is somewhat ironic that this book, which reads rather straight, should be my favorite of the genre.
Today, I finally received my copy of this out-of-print gem from a rare-bookseller in NC. Even though I haven't read this book in over a decade, I still remember the rooftop scene in which the hero declares his love for the protagonist in an unusually understated yet wholly heartrending way.
If you can get your hands on a copy of this book, don't hesitate-- you won't be sorry!
I read somewhere that Joan Aiken (who also wrote fabulous juvenile fiction) penned "The Five Minute Marriage" as a send-up of the regencies of Georgette Heyer and the like, so it is somewhat ironic that this book, which reads rather straight, should be my favorite of the genre.
Today, I finally received my copy of this out-of-print gem from a rare-bookseller in NC. Even though I haven't read this book in over a decade, I still remember the rooftop scene in which the hero declares his love for the protagonist in an unusually understated yet wholly heartrending way.
If you can get your hands on a copy of this book, don't hesitate-- you won't be sorry!
June 15, 2010
I got
The Five-Minute Marriage
from PaperbackSwap because I remembered having enjoyed it when I read it in high school. And it seemed like it might be good plane reading for my trip to Italy. It WAS good plane reading, except that I finished it too quickly. It's not a long book – just a fairly straightforward, light, regency romance in Heyer style. Joan Aiken, the author, adds her own brand of humorous shenanigans and over-the-top villainy. Which is fine with me. Just really fun reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews