It is Christmas Eve and, though no stocking are hung by the chimney with care, all the presents are waiting under the tree to be unwrapped tonight, the potato salad is ready for our traditional Czech Christmas dinner, and I will be spending this peaceful day with nothing to do but read Sylvester by Georgette Heyer, my last book for A Century of Books and one of my favourite novels. But this is not the only Georgette Heyer I’ve read this year and it is high time I mentioned the few I’ve reread over the past couple of months. I am loving reading Heyer now at Christmas but there is really no season she is not suited for.
Almost ten years ago, when I first just discovering Heyer, Frederica (published in 1965) was probably the third or fourth of her books that I picked up. I have never forgotten how much I loved it on that first reading. I had enjoyed the first few books but they were nowhere near as energetic or amusing as this.
The premise of the story is quite the romance novel cliché: after the death of her parents, Frederica has been managing her siblings and doing an excellent job of it. Determined to see her beautiful sister Charis make a dazzling match, she takes her to London to track down the Marquis of Alverstoke, a distant cousin, hoping that he and his wife will sponsor Charis for the season. There is no wife but, impressed by Charis’ beauty and Frederica’s single-mindedness, Alverstoke arranges for both girls to be brought out alongside one of his nieces. At twenty-four, Frederica believes herself well-past the marrying age but no one else seems to agree. As he spends more and more time with Frederica and her inquisitive younger brothers, Alverstoke begins to lose the blasé attitude that had so irritated his elder sisters and is infected by the Merrivile’s energy and optimism. He and Frederica form a wonderful friendship and it does not take long for that friendship to ripen into love.
The first time I read this, I fell in love Frederica and the rest of the Merriville family and could easily understand how Alverstoke, finding himself entangled with them, could feel both overwhelmed by and attracted to their energy and intelligence – especially Frederica’s. I particularly love the family focus here: Alverstoke’s elder sisters and their families are a daily (though not always welcome) part of his life and the Merrivilles – primarily Frederica, her beautiful sister Charis, and their two youngest brothers, Jessamy and Felix – are almost never apart. Far too often in romance novels (though rarely in Heyer’s), the hero and heroine’s families are absent or only there to hinder them. Here, we see how both Frederica and Alverstoke interact with their families on a daily basis, both supporting and, at times, annoying them. Alverstoke’s sisters despair of what they see as his selfish disinterest in his nieces and nephews and Frederica’s siblings can find their confident sister a bit overbearing at times. Our hero and heroine are wonderful characters but not, we are reminded by their relatives, perfect.
My favourite Heyer books are ones like this, where the characters are firm friends before there is any talk of love. You see how they joke together, how they handle difficult situations (here, a disastrous balloon ride that injures one of Frederica’s brothers), and how happy they are in one another’s company. When characters like this end the book in one another’s arms, there is never any doubt that their marriage will be a happy one.
Charity Girl (published in 1970), which I read almost immediately after Frederica, is nowhere near as good but, like all of Heyer’s romances, is still great fun. It is another friends-to-lovers story but the friendship here is longstanding. Viscount Desford and Henrietta Silverdale have been friends since childhood and now, both in their late twenties, have spent years resisting their parents’ urgings that they marry. Both insist – far too loudly – that they are not in love. Desford may take delight in maligning Hetta’s other suitors but obviously that is only because he is such a good friend.
When Desford meets Cherry Steane, a ‘charity girl’ living at the mercy her demanding aunt and unpleasant cousins, he is upset by her circumstances but essentially disinterested. However, when he meets her on the road the next day, running away from her relatives, he helps her. With a pretty young girl on his hands, Desford hardly knows what to do so while he attempts to track down Cherry’s miserly grandfather he leaves the girl with the always dependable Hetta. Hetta, willing as always to come to Desford’s aid, doesn’t quite know what to make of the relationship between her oldest friend and her new guest. Could he have finally fallen in love?
Charity Girl has a bit too much in common with Sprig Muslin, published fourteen years earlier, which also features a romantic pairing of two old friends prompted along after the hero assumes responsibility for a young runaway. Sprig Muslin is much the better book but Charity Girl is fun too; though the supporting cast isn’t as delightful as in Heyer’s best books, Desford and Hetta are both excellent. The quality of Heyer’s books did lag towards the end but the essentials were still there.
Speaking of lagging quality, Lady of Quality was Heyer’s last book (published in 1972) and is alarmingly similar to Black Sheep, which was published only six years before. The story of Annis Wychwood and her involvement with a runaway heiress and her gruff guardian, Lady of Quality takes place in Bath and, for me, that was the best thing about the book. Heyer’s books are always wonderfully full of detail, doing full justice to her extensive research about the Regency era, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Annis’ and Lucilla’s excursions into society, knowing how accurately Heyer was describing the activities available to young women in Bath. As for the characters themselves, they are fine but the plot is ridiculously weak. The ending is very slow in coming, prolonged by a pointlessly detailed spread of ‘flu through all the members of Annis’ household. Heyer included many sickbed scenes in her novels – including excellent, pivotal ones in The Grand Sophy and Frederica – but this is far from her best. Rather than feeling exciting and fresh, the entire book felt lazy. It has its moments but, on the whole, Lady of Quality is easily forgotten; I like to reread it every now and then but certainly not with the same frequency as I reread my favourites.
Now, back to reading Sylvester! As fun as Frederica is (and it is clearly my favourite of these three), it does not come close to matching the joyful hilarity of Sylvester. I rank A Civil Contract and The Grand Sophy as my top two favourite Heyer novels but Sylvester comes a close third.
Merry Christmas, everyone. May you find many books under the tree and, more importantly, may you enjoy the time spent over the next few days in the company of your loved ones.
The Captive Reader 
How lovely to discover another Georgette Heyer fan. A much maligned author who is often dismissed as light-weight and never really given the acclaim her novels deserve. One only has to read the competition to realise that writing historical romance is not the walk in the park most critics seem to believe. Of course you can guess the eventual outcome of hero and heroine and the plot machinations may at times seem as fanciful as a modern day soap, but the humour, the character sketches and the language lift her writing way above the genre.
I totally agree that her novels where the main protagonists form a relationship before declaring their mutual attraction are the most delightful – delayed gratification wins every time. And my favourite of these is Venetia. I beg you to read it as soon as you can. And if the eyes are weary from all the literary presents received, then listen to Richard Armitage’s audio version (a combination of pleasures almost too much to bear). The abridgement has been done with a light touch and RA’s interpretation of voice and accent is perfect. I won’t give anything away. Suffice to say that visions of Lord Demerel sent me into happy dreams when I listen to Venetia as my bedtime treat.
I have read and reread Venetia many times. It is not one of my very favourites but I do love it and completely agree that RA’s audiobook reading of it is divine. I slightly prefer his reading of Sylvester but perhaps I’m just playing favourites. 😉
That sounds like a lovely way to spend Christmas Eve, Claire, and I’m envious -and not just because I have to go in to work this morning. I think if I’d been doing the Century of Books I’d have filled a lot of years with Heyer and Thirkell. The Grand Sophy is very high on my list too, and I now appreciate A Civil Contract much more than when I first read it – but The Quiet Gentleman and Cotillion will always rank first with me (not that any Heyer readers will ever completely agree).
I thought, when A Century of Books started, that I would be filling entire decades with Thirkell and Heyer. I did read 7 Thirkell but only 4 Heyer. With a bit more planning though, they could have covered almost half of the century between them!
I hae still to read Heyer … have known about her all my life and, indeed, as a teenager had April Lady bought for me (when first published) as a present. But never settled down to read her … might do so now.
Happy Christmas to you and all your readers!
She is not to everyone’s tastes but it is well worth discovering whether or not you like her. Obviously, I hope you end in the ‘like’ group!
I love Heyer and in fact have one half read by my bedside. Its such a comfort read at all times.
A very happy Christmas to you and yours.
I could not agree more, Mystica!
Merry Christmas! That sounds like a lovely book to spend the day with. Do let us know if you are given any books this season?
It is the perfect book for the holidays, Samantha.
Merry Christmas, Claire! I’ve enjoyed being a late-blooming Heyer reader, and I’m going to put Sylvester, Frederica and A Civil Contract on my list. (I’ve read The Grand Sophy, too.)
I am jealous that you have all those wonderful books still to discover, Audrey! But rereading them is, in some ways, even more satisfying. Enjoy!
Sounds like a wonderful Christmas to me. I have acquired several Heyer books this year and I’m hoping to curl up with a few in January joining in the “Long Awaited Reads” month. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Wonderful, Susan! Do let me know how you get on with Heyer once you start reading.
Merry Christmas! I love Frederica, but A Civil Contract is my favorite Heyer and I’ve always been intrigued that there are many people who don’t like it at all. In fact, it’s almost how I decide if someone is a kindred spirit or not. I think I’m about due for some Heyer rereads.
I too find it shocking that some readers don’t like A Civil Contract. How can that be?!? I love most of Heyer’s romances but that one is in a different class altogether.
I’ve been enjoying your blog for a while now without commenting but being a Heyer fan I wanted to add my voice to the list. I got hooked starting with These Old Shades and the Devil’s Cub but I also love Frederica. I’m so excited to see how much everyone loves The Grand Sophy since that is next on my list.
Merry Christmas and thanks for writing such a delightful blog!
Thank you for commenting, Jennifer! These Old Shades was (I think) my first Heyer but I still haven’t read The Devil’s Cub – it is one of only three or four Heyer romances I have left to discover. I do hope you love The Grand Sophy when you come to it!
Merry Christmas! Georgette Heyer sounds perfect for holiday reading. As for e, I’m very much enjoying Fraulein Scmidt and Mr Anstruther, which you had recommended…delightful! I’m reading it slowly to keep from getting to the end too quickly.
Oh I am so glad you are enjoying the von Arnim! It was one of my favourite books I read this year and, like you, I tried to savour it.
Merry Christmas! I so enjoy reading your blog – thanks to you I’ve read many wonderful books that I otherwise wouldn’t have known about.
I haven’t read any Heyer in years; 2013 may be the time to get reacquainted.
Thank you for those lovely words; it is always nice when readers let me know that they’ve enjoyed books I’ve recommended. Merry Christmas to you and all the best for a Heyer-filled 2013!
Merry Christmas, Claire! I am looking forward to reading something by this author. Thanks for another great recommendation!
You’re welcome, Sunday. Heyer is delightful and is the perfect light reading for the holidays. Merry Christmas!
Happy Christmas, have been toying with a Heyerdahl binge and this is just the push to make me start on it. Feels like Talisman Ring weather here!
Glad to have helped push you along! I still haven’t read The Talisman Ring but I now finally have my own copy and I hope to get to it soon.
Oops didn’t check auto correct – Heyer, binge. No idea what the other might be.
Thor Heyerdahl! I would also happily read about the Kon-Tiki but I think for this holiday at least I’ll stick with Georgette.
Have never read a Heyer but know who to go to should I decide the time is right! Merry Christmas, Claire, and have something yummy from the table for me!
She’s not for everyone, Darlene, but she is certainly right for me! I’d love to hear what you think of her if you ever do try one of her books; I think you would enjoy A Civil Contract. Merry Christmas and, as per your wish, I’ll go grab a cookie right now!
Congrats on finishing up your century of books–I plan on doing that as well next year (though it will take me a few years to fill in the dates I think!). Yay for Georgette Heyer–she is one of my favorite go to comfort reads. I didn’t manage to read any of her books this year (usually I read a few), so I will be rectifying that next year for sure. My favorites so far are The Corinthian and A Civil Contract though I still have lots of her books to explore. It’s always fun hearing about other readers’ favorites of her books!
I have loved A Century of Books, Danielle, and I am so excited to have finished in one year! It was challenging at times and I am certainly looking forward to having 2013 to read whatever I want. It will a great relief to be able to read entirely at whim again – something I was not able to do for the last few months, as I searched out books to fill in gaps – but I am already planning to repeat the project in 2014. I’ll look forward to tracking your progress once you get started!
Merry Christmas! I need to put some Georgette Heyer books on my Nook, or see if they are lendable (in which case I can borrow my mother’s). You’re right, she’s a completely delightful writer!
My very first Heyer was Venetia. I adored Venetia and Damerel’s quotable exchanges and her resolution to take up with her Wicked Baron! Although, Sylvester is another of my favorites.
Venetia and Damerel’s dialogue is absolutely the highlight of that book, I think. They are so equally matched!