Georgette Heyer Fans discussion

I don't know about the rest of you but the events of the last couple of weeks have really left me in need of a Heyer to cheer myself up.

This title is my favourite of GH's post 1960 romances.

Once again I will be (actually I am) reading my old Pan Black Sheep Not bad of Miles, but the artist has given Abby a really ugly dress!

I have read this particular title at least 35 times.

As usual we ask for no spoilers except in the spoiler thread or using spoiler tags. We don't want to spoil a first time read for anyone! :)

One of my favorites--I re-read this often.
I own the Sourcebooks edition

and that relaxed young woman on the cover is so not Abby.

I first read the book (way back in 1968) in hardback, from the library.

A rather elegant cover, I think.

I have the edition pictured at the header for this thread, with the two simpering misses. Am trying to read a more challenging book at the moment, fighting against the he lack of concentration brought on my too much pandemic news, so I may start late.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "I don't know about the rest of you but the events of the last couple of weeks have really left me in need of a Heyer to cheer myself up."

I'm back for this group read! I was looking forward to it because the book seems fun, I'm curious about this hero. And I agree, it seems a light, happy read perfect for this troubling period.

I'll start in April once I've finished another book.

I will be reading this on my kindle, which has this cover


I can't help but think that this cover looks like she is lounging around in the 1920s - so relaxed and reclined. I thought people were more stiff postured during the Regency.

I have read this one a few times, most recently in 2017 and 2015.

I love this book - it's a couple of years since I last read it so looking forward to April. I am reading it on my iPad which is now showing a different cover - but I rather like this one despite the fact I don't think it reflects anyone in the book!!

I can't wait to reread this. I tried to buy it from Barnes & Noble but it was not only expensive but sold out! I settled for downloading the Sourcebooks edition from Hoopla. I'm eager to reread this. It's one of my very favorites.

This is a delightful favorite- for this reread, I’ve got the Sourcebooks paperback , but really enjoy rereads with audiobooks, so I’m waiting for my monthly credit 3/31 to hit my Audible account to order the audiobook.

I've read this book many times; I will be starting the kindle book soon. This week.

Barb in Maryland wrote: "One of my favorites--I re-read this often.
I own the Sourcebooks edition

and that relaxed young woman on the cover is so not Abby.

I first read the book (way back ..."

I love the hardcover for this book.

The story really picks up when (view spoiler)[ Miles first appears (hide spoiler)]

My first read! Kindle edition for me.

Absolutely one of my favourite Georgette Heyer's!

I'm reading my old paperback, and it's probably only got a couple more reads left in it before all the pages fall out.

The one that appears on the homepage is not the one I'm reading. They don't seem to have the cover of mine. It's an Arrow and was released in the 90's.
I LOVE this one and must admit I've already started. Miles and Abbey are a wonderful couple.

Observe how the lady on the cover has her dressed tucked under her leg, clearly outlining herself from the waist down - scandalous!
I must be fusty and over-starched enough to be an effective duenna!

So I began last night and immediately love Abigail. Mitton's greeting introduces us perfectly to both Abby and Selina, explaining their sisterly dynamic.

Teresa wrote: "The one that appears on the homepage is not the one I'm reading. They don't seem to have the cover of mine. It's an Arrow and was released in the 90's.
I LOVE this one and must admit I've already ..."

Teresa could you look for the ISBN of your copy (this number should start with 978) & I'll try to find it for you. :)

ISBN 0 09 985000 1

That's very nice of you Carol. Thank you so much.

Does the cover look like this?

That's it exactly!!!

Nice! How many pages does your copy have?

255

Thanks so much Critterbee. I've changed it on the home page now. It's always nice to have the edition you're actually reading up on show.

This is kind of a mid range favourite for me, I always enjoy re-reading it but I haven't read it as much as some others.

I'm listening to the Audible version.

Julie wrote: "My first read! Kindle edition for me."

Julie, I envy anyone reading a Heyer for the first time. I'm going to start tonight.

I'm very much interested to see if my reread is colored by just having read an essay by Amanda Vickery on spinsters in Jane Austen's era. You can read it online for free No Happy Ending? At Home with Miss Bates in Georgian England

Jackie wrote: "Julie wrote: "My first read! Kindle edition for me."

Julie, I envy anyone reading a Heyer for the first time. I'm going to start tonight."

I’m a bit of a newcomer! Which are your favourites?

Julie wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Julie wrote: "My first read! Kindle edition for me."

Julie, I envy anyone reading a Heyer for the first time. I'm going to start tonight."

I’m a bit of a newcomer! Which are your f..."

Hi Julie - if you want to discuss favourite Heyer's this old thread would be better. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I like to keep the book threads reasonably on track - & discussion of favourites can lead to spoilers. :)

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Julie wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Julie wrote: "My first read! Kindle edition for me."

Julie, I envy anyone reading a Heyer for the first time. I'm going to start tonight."

I’m a bit of a newcomer! Wh..."

Thanks Carol. Realised as soon as I’d posted it probably wasn’t the right place to ask!

No worries! :)

My copy is held together by a funny little cardboard spine and a lot of Scotch tape. It was one of the ones I received from my best friend's friend's mother's basement in Knoxville, TN. She must have loved it!

The first meeting between Abby and Miles still just cracks me up; it's a perfect example of talking at cross-purposes. I'm surprised Abbott and Costello didn't use it!

Karlyne wrote: "The first meeting between Abby and Miles still just cracks me up; it's a perfect example of talking at cross-purposes. I'm surprised Abbott and Costello didn't use it!"

And the moral of the story is: a lady should never approach a gentleman without a formal introduction! 😁

Nick wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "The first meeting between Abby and Miles still just cracks me up; it's a perfect example of talking at cross-purposes. I'm surprised Abbott and Costello didn't use it!"

And the mor..."

Or, maybe the moral is that a lady should ALWAYS approach a gentleman without a formal introduction. Of course, I would find Miles fascinating with or without! (smiling fatuously)

Oh I'm with you there Karlyne. He's swoon worthy :)

Oh, I love this book! I'm doing as Susan (NC) is and trying to do all my re-reads this year by listening to the audible versions. Some of the reviewers on Audible stated that the narrator has a good voice but she sounds elderly, which took them out of the story, (I believe she's the actress that played Lady Catherine de Bourgh in P&P), here's hoping her "elderly" voice won't bother me too much, especially since it's not my first time reading the story.

I agree, Miles is probably the most immediately swoon-worthy of Heyer’s heroes! And I say that as an aficionado of Dominic, Justin, Damerel, Rule et al!

Karlyne wrote: "My copy is held together by a funny little cardboard spine and a lot of Scotch tape. It was one of the ones I received from my best friend's friend's mother's basement in Knoxville, TN. She must ha..."

Indeed, they have many such conversations, often drifting into absurdities! Probably the thing I’m enjoying most so far.

I can't remember what kind of mood Heyer was in when she wrote this, but their dialogue just bubbles and skips off the page as though she had the time of her life writing it!

Karlyne wrote: "I can't remember what kind of mood Heyer was in when she wrote this, but their dialogue just bubbles and skips off the page as though she had the time of her life writing it!"

Doesn’t it just?!

Chapter 1: Selina annoys me. She's like Charis grown up.

Good analogy, QNPoohBear! I do dislike willfully childish adults!

QNPoohBear wrote: "Chapter 1: Selina annoys me. She's like Charis grown up."

Hit the nail on the head! I didn't make that connection and now I see it, it's so obvious!

Let's see why I gave it only 3 stars after the first reading... Was I in some kind of madness? ;-)

Oh, it's just like meeting up with old friends. Abby and Miles are such beautifully drawn characters and their dialogue is fantastic.

Abby's 'meet-awkward' with Miles slays me every time.
(view spoiler)[ Especially, Abby's remark: "Talking to you is like - like talking to an eel." (hide spoiler)]

QNPoohBear wrote: "Chapter 1: Selina annoys me. She's like Charis grown up."

yes, they are both not very bright, good with clothes (although Selina just shops with good taste while Charis makes them), and silly which annoys their smart sisters.
but they mean well! I think the selfishness is somewhat understandable, given the times. especially Selina, she wasn't allowed to marry her curate and have a quiverful of children so now how is she supposed to keep busy?

Susan in Perthshire wrote: "Oh, it's just like meeting up with old friends. Abby and Miles are such beautifully drawn characters and their dialogue is fantastic."

yes, it's wonderful and the meeting is excellent.

I have to say that despite a few similarities, I find Selina and Charis to be very different characters. Mind you, it's precisely the characteristics they have in common that readers may find annoying!

Jackie wrote: "I think the selfishness is somewhat understandable, given the times. especially Selina, she wasn't allowed to marry her curate and have a quiverful of children so now how is she supposed to keep busy?"

Yes, I don't like to get political about Heyer novels, but it's very easy to look at Selina's life and see how a little more autonomy, education, or useful occupation would've immeasurably improved it. It really makes you sympathise with Mary Wollstonecraft's 'women should be more than ornaments' argument.

Barb in Maryland wrote: "Abby's 'meet-awkward' with Miles slays me every time.
[spoilers removed]"

Yes! Just finished reading/listening to this scene, I love it!