ladydusk Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 (edited) I've been cataloging my mom's books (that have been boxed in my basement for several years) and found an absolute treasure trove of Heyer paperbacks. I've never read her. I'm generally very conservative and [ETA:] on top of which [/ETA] don't tend to read a ton of fiction. But I have read and enjoyed Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart, and some Phyllis Whitney in the past (and I do reread some of them somewhat regularly). Would you say that Heyer's novels are similar to the Holt novels? I'm assuming these are not bodice rippers? (perhaps I'm hoping for too much). Assuming the above is true where would you start from this list? A Civil Contract An Infamous Army APRIL LADY Arabella Bath Tangle Cousin Kate Devil's Cub Duplicate Death Envious Casca False Colours Frederica Fridays Child Lady of Quality Regency Buck Talisman Ring The Black Moth The Conqueror The Convenient Marriage The Corinthian The First Christmas The Foundling The Grand Sophy The masqueraders The Quiet Gentleman The Spanish Bride The Toll Gate Venetia Edited January 27, 2010 by ladydusk clarification ... I'm conservative on top of which I don't read much fiction; the two aren't particularly connected [smile] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liza Q Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Totally not bodice rippers! I would start with A Civil Contract or April Lady - they deal with marriages, not just "romances". If you want a romance from scratch, so to speak,The Talisman Ring is fabulous! But The Corinthian is hysterical! OK - these four are my favorites from your list but I think that they are all great reading - enjoy them! ETA: I really do think that I would start with the Talisman Ring. There are two different romances and you get a feel for her *types*, if you know what I mean. And then you can joke about your husband riding "Ventre a Terre" to your side....:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangermom Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 I would say that Heyer was a better writer than your other 3 you list. She did a lot of research, and her Regency characters always talk in authentic slang and such, it's really a lot of fun to read.:001_smile: I wish I had found your treasure trove, our library has hardly any of her books! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melora in NC Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Definitely not bodice rippers! I would start with The Grand Sophy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladydusk Posted January 27, 2010 Author Share Posted January 27, 2010 ETA: I really do think that I would start with the Talisman Ring. There are two different romances and you get a feel for her *types*, if you know what I mean. And then you can joke about your husband riding "Ventre a Terre" to your side....:001_smile: Perfect, I'll dig out Talisman Ring. I would say that Heyer was a better writer than your other 3 you list. She did a lot of research, and her Regency characters always talk in authentic slang and such, it's really a lot of fun to read.:001_smile: I wish I had found your treasure trove, our library has hardly any of her books! Thanks! I really do love Mary Stewart's (older) novels and think she's quite a good writer. Holt & Whitney were my high school favorites, I was just trying to get across the style of romance I find readable. If Heyer is better than Stewart, I'll be very happily surprised with my find :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladydusk Posted January 27, 2010 Author Share Posted January 27, 2010 Thanks I'll put that early in the queue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChemMommy Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Language is more high-brow than typical, modern romance novels or Christian romance novels. You'll love the characters she develops. I love "The Corinthian". I have almost every one that is on your list. "Devil's Cub" is great, too. Also, one called "La Belvenue" or something like that. Enjoy them and definitely keep them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natalieclare Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Heyerite here.... I have to agree that the Talisman Ring is a great place to start. I can't remember if I saw the Reluctant Widow on your list, but that is one of my favorites. Enjoy your find! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura W. Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Heyer is a great Regency writer. I wanted to add - I see a few of her mysteries in your list, too. I thoroughly enjoy her mysteries. Cousin Kate is a cross between a Regency novel and mystery. Duplicate Death and Envious Casca are more typical of her mysteries. Usually murder mysteries, they're set in the 1920's or 1930's, with plenty of humor, lots of strong characters, and more of a focus on solving the mystery than on the gruesomeness of the crime itself. Blessings, Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allearia Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 These are some of my favorite books! My favorite was always Friday's Child, I also love The Foundling, Frederica, Arabella, and The Devil's Cub. I have a bunch I read over and over, I don't like the mysteries as much so I haven't read all of them. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladydusk Posted January 28, 2010 Author Share Posted January 28, 2010 Language is more high-brow than typical, modern romance novels or Christian romance novels. You'll love the characters she develops. Enjoy them and definitely keep them! I hope so, I can't stand most "Christian" novels. Character development is why to read novels, sometimes. If they end up being this good, I definitely will (not that I don't trust y'all! [grin]) Heyerite here.... I have to agree that the Talisman Ring is a great place to start. I can't remember if I saw the Reluctant Widow on your list, but that is one of my favorites. Enjoy your find! I don't remember that title, but I'll keep an eye out. Thanks for your advice! Heyer is a great Regency writer.I wanted to add - I see a few of her mysteries in your list, too. I thoroughly enjoy her mysteries. Oh, yay! I love mysteries. Good, non-gruesome mysteries. I used to read a lot of modern mysteries, but I just can't handle the suspense and gruesomeness anymore. That will be something to look forward to. These are some of my favorite books! My favorite was always Friday's Child, I also love The Foundling, Frederica, Arabella, and The Devil's Cub. I have a bunch I read over and over, I don't like the mysteries as much so I haven't read all of them. Enjoy! Thanks, it looks promising :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Oh, I'm so happy for you!! Agreeing with everyone else - Georgette Heyer is a much better writer than the others you listed. Her slang takes a book or two to get used to so I recommend The Grand Sophy to start out with. There isn't much slang in that one if I recall correctly. Here is a site that has many of the slang definitions for you - http://www.thenonesuch.com/lexicon.html A couple of my favorites are Frederica, Arabella, Friday's Child, and Bath Tangle. I've read one of her mysteries - Why Shoot a Butler? and it was good, too. I keep hoping someone will make a miniseries out of Frederica or Arabella. I think they would be great onscreen! Have fun!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natalieclare Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Oh, I'm so happy for you!! I keep hoping someone will make a miniseries out of Frederica or Arabella. I think they would be great onscreen! Have fun!! After reading several Heyer novels, my daughters came to me saying, "WHY has no one made a movie out of these books?????" Recently, my SIL told me there actually has been 1 movie made, but I can't remember which book inspired it. I think it might be available online somewhere...I have to ask SIL about it in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Closeacademy Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Love her books. She got me hooked on the regency period and I spend a couple of years learning about the history, culture and even the language of the period because it is just so fascinating. There was so much going on then. I've read and loved them all. They always have a happy ending (my main requirement in a book) but they are not like the mainstream romances of today with all that entails. Enjoy.:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 You are SO lucky!!! I love Heyer and so does my dd. She started reading them when she was 13 & she's been hooked ever since. She's current re-reading The Grand Sophy. That and Bath Tangle are her faves. I'm more partial to the mysteries but really, you can't go wrong with anything on your list. Read one roughly every 2 weeks & you've got a "Heyer Year" reading challenge thing :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natalieclare Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Read one roughly every 2 weeks & you've got a "Heyer Year" reading challenge thing :D Ain't no way that list would last a whole year around here! A couple of months, maybe...;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.