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The Grand Sophy

4.17 of 5 stars 4.17 · rating details · 7,691 ratings · 1,009 reviews

When the redoubtable Sir Horace Stanton-Lacy is ordered to South America on business, he leaves his only daughter Sophy with his sister in Berkeley Square. Newly arrived from her tour of the Continent, Miss Sophia Stanton-Lacy invites herself into the circle of her relatives, the Ombersleys, and Charles Rivenhall, the Ombersley heir, vows to rid his family of her by marryi...more

Paperback, 328 pages

Published June 3rd 2004 by Arrow (first published 1950)

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Jun 05, 2007 Siria rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 20th-century, british-fiction, historical-fiction, romance

I think this has surpassed These Old Shades as my favourite of the Heyers that I've read. The hero isn't as much fun as Avon is, but the heroine, Sophy, far surpasses Leonie. Sophy is, admittedly, forward, bold, and out-spoken enough that she could have become as irritating to me as Leonie is; but I think Heyer handled Sophy with far more skill than she did Leonie - no great surprise, perhaps, since there's a gap of about three decades between the two books - and she's instead a very joyful char...more

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Feb 23, 2011 Vinaya rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, books-i-loved, re-reading-times-1-million, romance, the-real-5-star-deal

The one thing that always puzzles me is people's tendency to compare Georgette Heyer to Jane Austen. As well compare Crime and Punishment to a John Grisham novel! I am not denying the literary merits of either genre; far from it, in fact. However, that doesn't change the fact that one is trying to compare chalk and cheese.

Jane Austen's purpose in writing her novels was not merely to tell a story. In fact, the story was merely a vehicle to examine critically the mores and customs of the society...more The one thing that always puzzles me is people's tendency to compare Georgette Heyer to Jane Austen. As well compare Crime and Punishment to a John Grisham novel! I am not denying the literary merits of either genre; far from it, in fact. However, that doesn't change the fact that one is trying to compare chalk and cheese.

Jane Austen's purpose in writing her novels was not merely to tell a story. In fact, the story was merely a vehicle to examine critically the mores and customs of the society of her times. In an era where women academicians and philosophers were all but unknown, Austen used the only avenue open to her to espouse her brand of social commentary - the novel.

Georgette Heyer, on the other hand, wrote to entertain. Full stop. Her books are not, and were never intended by her to be, anything more than a pleasant way to pass time. That being said, in the context of the Regency romance, she is the unparalleled expert. Her knowledge of the ton or Regency high society, is unmatched by any novelist save those who actually lived in those times. Frivolous and flighty though her work may be, the authenticity of her voice cannot be denied.

The Grand Sophy is my favourite Georgette Heyer book. I have a special place in my heart for each and every one of her novels, but in The Grand Sophy, she brings to bear all of the skills that are her forte. Sophy is charming and strong-willed, a force to be reckoned with. Unlike with most of our recent Regency romances, her heroines are never milk-and-water misses; I do not think I have met a single Heyer heroine who could not kick the ass of our current crop of romance heroines. Working within the boundaries of a rigid society, she manages to make her women intelligent, witty and charming. Sophy is a devious, meddlesome schemer, who manages to win our hearts, and the hero's, without ever submersing her personality.

What draws me back to Heyer time and again is the sheer sense of fun that she manages to impart to each and every one of her novels. The plots are never standard, nor are the heroines or the heros. Take, for example, Gilly from The Foundling. He's no alpha man; he's a timid, weak aristocrat who still somehow manages to be adventurous and find himself and his path in life. Or Freddie from Cotillion, a dandy with no great physical prowess or good looks, who manages to get the girl of his dreams simply by being kind and reliable. These heroes are so real, so much more believable and lovable than the rich, dissolute alpha males of our contemporary historicals who manage to win the heroine simply through the hardness of their abs and the hugeness of their "manhood".

Georgette Heyer's books will live on long after the Harlequin historicals fade from our memories, simply because she is superlative at what she does: making you believe in romance. Not lust, not soulmates but romance.(less)

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Mar 24, 2010 Abigail rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: (With Caveat) Georgette Heyer Fans / Regency Romance Readers

Shelves: georgette-heyer, romance

Review Temporarily Removed.

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Jun 05, 2007 Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: all women

Shelves: fiction, brit-lit, romantical, regency, shes-quite-an-original-my-dear

My goodness, I will have to review something very dark and depressing to make up for loving this book, won't I?

This is the romance novel that isn't a romance novel. The heroine who isn't a heroine. It's fixed in time and place, but with a heroine who seems modern. Sophy is fantastic. She's so very skillfully drawn. Every action and word from her is much more carefully considered than in many others of her heroines, and not forced for the sake of the romance. At least, it felt that way to me. The...more

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Dec 17, 2012 Hannah rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-reads, regencys, romances

Buddy Read with Jeannette

I really hate giving this 2 stars, because going down the list of my GR friends who have read it, I see that almost all of them (with the exception of Carol) gave it 4 or 5 stars. I know we all have different tastes for books, but when I veer off so decidedly from everybody else in a book that is an almost universal fan favorite among Georgette Heyer readers, I does make me question my own reading tastes. Oh well, it's not the first time this has happened, and it won't b...more

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Mar 05, 2010 Tatiana rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fans of Jane Austen and regency romances

Recommended to Tatiana by: Hannahr

Shelves: 2010, historical

I think "The Grand Sophy" is an excellent recommendation to fans of Jane Austen and regency romance, especially those who are quite sick of contemporary versions of the genre filled with throbbing members and heaving bosoms.

This book is very clean, light and reminiscent of Austen's masterpieces in its humor and focus on domestic issues - marriage, unwanted engagements, cheating husbands, gambling debts and such. The language is sophisticated, the characters are well drawn and likable, and the r...more

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Jul 14, 2007 Res rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

First-rate Heyer. Here's a family: mother kind of helpless the way a lot of Heyer mothers are; father a weak-willed gambler; oldest son Charles arrogant as you get when everybody else in your family is an idiot (and he's engaged to the most awful busybody right out of Austen); oldest daughter Cecilia rejecting an arranged marriage to quite a nice man in order to fall in love with an extremely handsome and absent-minded poet. And in comes their cousin, Sophia, who's been raised by a traveling mil...more

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Oct 30, 2009 Tara Chevrestt rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Tara by: CLM

Shelves: england

This is my first Heyer novel. By the mostly rave reviews I see for her, I am wondering if I picked up the wrong one to start with. It was amusing, I will give it that. However, the prose was incredibly pompous. I had to get out my dictionary for at least one word on every page. Take this sentence for example: "and the dutiful presentation to her erratic and far from grateful spouse of eight pledges of her affection had long since destroyed any pretensions to beauty in her. Her health was indiffe...more This is my first Heyer novel. By the mostly rave reviews I see for her, I am wondering if I picked up the wrong one to start with. It was amusing, I will give it that. However, the prose was incredibly pompous. I had to get out my dictionary for at least one word on every page. Take this sentence for example: "and the dutiful presentation to her erratic and far from grateful spouse of eight pledges of her affection had long since destroyed any pretensions to beauty in her. Her health was indifferent, her dispostion compliant..." Are all those big fancy words really necessary?? I still cannot figure out the full meaning of that sentence. Not to speak ill of the dead, but throughout the entire novel, I was asking myself, "Who was Heyer trying to impress?"

Anyway, once I threw the dictionary away and just started ignoring the long, impressive words, the story was not bad. Sophy arrives to live with her aunt, uncle, and numerous cousins bringing with her an entourage consisting of a very skinny maid, a grumpy groom, a dog, a horse, a parrot, and a monkey. She then proceeds to disrupt her relatives' lives but in a good way. She meddles in everything. Sophy's female cousin, Cecilia is in love with a very dimwitted poet and the family has other marital plans for her. (So does Sophy!) Another cousin, Charles is set to marry a most dour lady (not if Sophy can help it!). Hubert has a gambling problem and Sophy runs into the situation with guns drawn. (Literally!) Basically, Sophy fixes everyone's problems. Good story, lots of fun, but no romance really. I am unclear as to why this would be branded a regency "romance".

Besides the prose, my issue with this book is the style. The entire story is told via people's gossip and frivolous bantering. Sophy rides in the park, meets up with about four other people and they talk and talk and talk. I like to "get to know" the characters in a book and this did not give me that opportunity. It never once entered a character's head or told us their thoughts. It was all pompous chatter with big, amazing words. (less)

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Feb 27, 2013 Chiara rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: novecento, austen

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. La verità è che non me la sento di dare una sola stella a un libro che in effetti mi ha fatto ridere.
Intendiamoci, non mi ha fatto ridere perchè brillantemnte ironico. Mi ha fatto ridere perchè è assurdo. Prendete una "eronia" regency fatele fare di tutto (ma proprio di tutto dal guidare spericolatamente un calesse al minacciare un usuraio con una pistola, fino a rapire un gentiluomo per attuare un assurdo piano) aggiungeteci dei personaggi caricaturali e una caratterizzazione inesistente in cui...more La verità è che non me la sento di dare una sola stella a un libro che in effetti mi ha fatto ridere.
Intendiamoci, non mi ha fatto ridere perchè brillantemnte ironico. Mi ha fatto ridere perchè è assurdo. Prendete una "eronia" regency fatele fare di tutto (ma proprio di tutto dal guidare spericolatamente un calesse al minacciare un usuraio con una pistola, fino a rapire un gentiluomo per attuare un assurdo piano) aggiungeteci dei personaggi caricaturali e una caratterizzazione inesistente in cui tutti questi assurdi signori sembrano uguali e avrete la Sophy la grande.
Di grande, francamente, c'è solo la fantasia della Hayer, limitata fortemente dalla sua incapacità di evitare le ripetizioni. DIaloghi, situazioni e concetti sempre uguali ripetute all'infinito! Sophy e Charles litigano sempre allo stesso modo per tutto il libro, tutti sono perfetti schermodori, perfetti tiratori, perfetti guidatori, perfetti cavallerizzi... la perfezione che aleggia intorno ai protagonisti è nauseante, soprattutto per il numero di volte in cui viene sottolineata.
Parole come Phaeton, i grigi, la pariglia, vi accompagneranno per ogni pagina del romanzo fino quasi alla fine, sono quasi i protagonisti della storia!
La cosa veramente, veramente divertente è notare quante volte Sophy riceva minacce di morte, velate o meno.
"Dovrei uccidervi! Che scherzo avete combinato? E che figura farò?"
"Vi ucciderei con gioia Sophy!" Disse Charles.
"il vostro destino è chiaro. Verrete assassinata, non comprendo come non sia già avvenuto"
"La signorina Wraxton era dunque pronta all'omicidio quando venne liberata. - E' opera vostra!- esclamò rivolta a Sophy pallida di collera"
"Si sarebbe certamente arrabbiato nel vedere un cavallo preso senza il suo permesso, ma non sarebbe stato per nulla simile alla rabbia omicida che lo divorava in quel momento."

E se il concetto non fosse sufficientmente chiaro, abbiamo anche la dichiarazione più violenta di tutto il panorama regency-vittoriano-romantico, ma anche satirico:
Strinse Sophy alla gola sollevandole il viso. “Volete sposarmi, disgustosa, abominevole ragazza?” “Sì, ma soltanto perché voi non mi torciate il collo.”

E vissero tutti felici e contenti.

(less)

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Jan 29, 2008 Nancy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Okay, I confess to a weakness for Georgette Heyer books. While I refuse to read regular romance novels, Ms. Heyer's books, which I discovered as a teenager, are well written and FUNNY. The Grand Sophy is full of pompous people and Sophy--who has a sense of the ridiculous. There are some laugh out loud scenes. I must admit that I keep a copy stashed for the times that life just gets me down.

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Dec 17, 2012 Jeannette rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, heyer, buddy-read, hannah, kindle, 2012-read

What can I say? This is, in my opinion, one of Heyer’s least formulaic Regencies, and I think that’s one of the things I like most about. Sophy is an unconventional young woman. She’s smart, brave, scheming, and unapologetic about it. She can ride and shoot like a man, and doesn’t shrink at the chance to make her point. In short, she’s wonderful. The story focuses on Sophy’s efforts to set things right in her Aunt’s household -- her cousin Hubert is in trouble, her cousin Cecy is in love with th...more What can I say? This is, in my opinion, one of Heyer’s least formulaic Regencies, and I think that’s one of the things I like most about. Sophy is an unconventional young woman. She’s smart, brave, scheming, and unapologetic about it. She can ride and shoot like a man, and doesn’t shrink at the chance to make her point. In short, she’s wonderful. The story focuses on Sophy’s efforts to set things right in her Aunt’s household -- her cousin Hubert is in trouble, her cousin Cecy is in love with the wrong man, and her cousin Charles is a dour stick-in-the-mud, engaged to an exceptionally dreadful woman. Sophy is a breath of fresh air, and a spark in the hayloft. The story does not focus on how she will be wooed by the hero, or how she will melt his heart, but it follows all of her personal schemes involving everyone else’s business.

Another thing I really enjoyed about TGS is the writing style. The story was full of Heyer’s lively wit, without the oftentimes burdensome slang, and Regency-era references. I so enjoyed NOT having to read how someone tied their cravat, or what a Corinthian or Nonesuch, or Beau Brummel the men were, over and over. Heyer wrote here as Austen would, assuming the reader knew the customs of fashion and society, and used them as backdrop, rather than plot devices.

As I neared the elaborate conclusion, I was on the verge of giving this 5 stars, but I felt the ending was just too uneven. I enjoyed the end of Cecy’s story, (view spoiler) but Charles never felt “real” to me. He spent too much time flipping between a caring brother/cousin/lover, and a stuffy prig. The final scene just didn’t ring true to the rest of the story. (view spoiler)

All in all, I loved Sophy. I found the supporting cast to be well-drawn, both realistic and sympathetic. But, the ending, which should have bumped my opinion of Charles to a higher level, did not.

Buddy read with Hannah, who was hoping for some cousin-love, and was sadly disappointed. ;)(less)

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Sep 30, 2010 Mona rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, 20th-century-lit, britain, fluff

When a few Jane Austen aficionados (Janeites) started recommending Heyer to me, noting that she wrote several Regency romance novels, I thought they'd lost their minds. Romance, in my mind, equaled the Harlequin imprint + Danielle Steel. Ewwww, was my first response. But considering the same people had also recommended Wives and Daughters, which has come to be one of my favorite books, I decided to venture out into strange territory.

I'm glad that I did. While The Grand Sophy is certainly a roma...more When a few Jane Austen aficionados (Janeites) started recommending Heyer to me, noting that she wrote several Regency romance novels, I thought they'd lost their minds. Romance, in my mind, equaled the Harlequin imprint + Danielle Steel. Ewwww, was my first response. But considering the same people had also recommended Wives and Daughters, which has come to be one of my favorite books, I decided to venture out into strange territory.

I'm glad that I did. While The Grand Sophy is certainly a romance, it is more palatable to readers looking for fine writing and hearty, but not dirty, amusement. Where more conventional romances set historically may stray into purple prose or inaccurate, anachronistic language, Heyer manages to write in period-appropriate tones without being annoying. The first sentence reads,

"The butler, recognizing her ladyship's only surviving brother at a glance, as he afterwards informed his less percipient subordinates, favoured Sir Horace with a low bow, and took it upon himself to say that my lady, although not at home to less nearly-connected persons, would be happy to see him."

Yeah, that's a mouthful and may require some re-reading at first, but Heyer's period language actually serves her purpose in bringing the reader right into the world she has created. As I read further, I hardly took notice of this type of language, because I was so engrossed in the story.

Heyer's heroine here is Sophy, who reminds me of Jeeves, the personal valet of Bertie Wooster in P.G. Wodehouse's comic novels and short stories, except with less regard for what's right and proper, and just as an amusing knack for getting others out of the most inopportune situations. Thought by her aunt and cousins to be a timid little thing who has been unceremoniously dragged by her father all over the Continent (Spain, Portugal, etc.), they are surprised to find that Sophy is a tall, vivacious girl with a good dose of independence.

Upsetting what her cousins regarded as the delicate balance of their household, Sophy creates a new order by untangling what she sees as their mess. Lots of entertaining hi-jinks follow, with a great ending for Sophy as well. Sure, some of it's predictable, but these kinds of books, you read more for the journey of getting to the end than finding out what happens.

This was a very fun read - one of the funniest books I've read all year - and I don't regret my decision at all to give it a try. I'll definitely be picking up more Heyer novels in the future, some of her historical fiction, thrillers, and yes, more Regency romance.
(less)

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Aug 13, 2010 Mollie *scoutrmom* rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of historical romance

Shelves: romance, read-in-2010, read-in-2011

It has been over a decade since last I read this particular treat. I'm glad I picked it up and enjoyed it again.

The plot reminds me of a juggler... one never knows where the next twist is going to appear, or how the author is going to make the heroine come out the winner. Sophy is a marvel in Regency romances, an independent spirit with the means to please herself. She does not meet the love of her life until he is engaged to be married to another; her young cousin is infatuated with a penniless...more

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Sep 16, 2012 Renee rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, georgette-heyer

The Grand Sophy is my second Heyer (after the so-so Sprig Muslin), and it's a delight--much more enjoyable than the other, because I preferred Sophy's protagonists. Heyer's strengths as a writer are her humor & command of dialogue; consequently, her books succeed or flounder based on how amusing you find the lead characters.

Sophy borders on being too perfect, but Heyer somehow manages to make her charming instead of a Mary Sue. It helps that Sophy's physically in the Elizabeth Bennett catego...more

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Oct 03, 2012 Melody rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, classics, 4-stars

Le ton est plein d'humour et Sophy, l'héroïne, est pétillante, volontaire et un peu malicieuse.

Je n'avais pas prévu de lire de Régence cette année, mais celle-ci est fort différente de toutes celles que j'ai pu lire, sans doute parce que l'édition originale date de 1950. De même, la romance est vraiment secondaire, c'est pourquoi au sens moderne ce livre tient plus pour moi du roman historique que de la romance historique, mais qu'importe puisque j'ai passé un agréable moment de lecture.

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Sep 23, 2011 Mel B. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was pretty sure I had given up on faux-Regency or mannerpunk, but then I saw a recommendation for this, saw that it was written decades ago, and decided to give it a chance. [return][return]I'm glad I did. I sometimes had to tell myself this was not actually written as a contemporary of Jane Austen's. And really, if you think about it, Sophy probably never could be as independent as she was.[return][return]My biggest annoyance was the idea that Sophy would fall in love with her cousin Charles....more I was pretty sure I had given up on faux-Regency or mannerpunk, but then I saw a recommendation for this, saw that it was written decades ago, and decided to give it a chance. [return][return]I'm glad I did. I sometimes had to tell myself this was not actually written as a contemporary of Jane Austen's. And really, if you think about it, Sophy probably never could be as independent as she was.[return][return]My biggest annoyance was the idea that Sophy would fall in love with her cousin Charles. I understand they both fought all the time, but that isn't a basis of a relationship, is it? In fact, her scheming more seemed like something she had to do to get all the other pieces of the puzzle to work. And there were too many pieces.[return][return]The father's lazy fiance? Taken care of. The female cousin? Taken care of. Sophy? Taken care of. If there'd been a tripe or quadruple wedding, I probably would've thrown up, and then thrown the book across the room. Or would've, if it wasn't on my Kindle. At least there was some restraint there.[return][return]This might read harsh, and I don't want it to be. I enjoyed the book very much, and while I didn't find it laugh-out-loud hysterical like at least one reviewer, I did enjoy the ride. It was nice to see an independent woman worked outside the strictures of Regency society. It's like you'd like to see someone like Lizzie Bennet with a lot less decorum.[return][return]But Sophy shall remain Sophy. Even though I thought I'd given up Regency, it's because everyone is now writing Austen homages or mannerpunk that reads the same. This had the good fortune to be written decades ago, before this new fad, and as such, it doesn't read trite or poorly or hastily written. It's delightful.[return][return]One minor quibble: It was s slow start for me. The language started out very convoluted on the part of the butler, and introduces the aunt and the father of Sophy. The main character, Sophy, doesn't make her entrance for a bit longer. It was jarring, and while perhaps captures the flavor the author was going for, it was a slow start and almost kept me from reading it.(less)

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Jan 04, 2010 Laurel rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: british-culture, british-society, fiction, georgian-era, humor, historical-fiction, regency-era-fiction

The Grand Sophy is a devilishly fine girl!

First published in 1950, The Grand Sophy contains one of Georgette Heyer’s most endearingly outrageous heroines. In this newly released reissue by Sourcebooks, you are in for a rollicking good time through Regency era London with Miss Sophia Stanton-Lacy. As one of her many male admirers proclaims, "By all that is wonderful, it’s the Grand Sophy!" Too true.

A diplomat’s daughter, Sophy has traveled the Continent with her widowed father Sir Horace Stanto...more The Grand Sophy is a devilishly fine girl!

First published in 1950, The Grand Sophy contains one of Georgette Heyer’s most endearingly outrageous heroines. In this newly released reissue by Sourcebooks, you are in for a rollicking good time through Regency era London with Miss Sophia Stanton-Lacy. As one of her many male admirers proclaims, "By all that is wonderful, it’s the Grand Sophy!" Too true.

A diplomat’s daughter, Sophy has traveled the Continent with her widowed father Sir Horace Stanton-Lacy following the British army in their pursuit of Napoleon during the Peninsular War. Two years have passed since the Monster of Elba was finally defeated and Sir Horace’s duties now take him abroad to South America. He feels it is time for Sophy to marry, and who better than to present his motherless daughter to London society than his amiable sister, Lady Ombersley. But, will her eldest son Charles approve? Things in her dysfunctional family are so oddly arranged. Her indifferent husband Bernard Rivenhall, Lord Ombersley has run through his fortune, and now relies on his eldest son Charles, who inherited another estate, to pay his debts and finance his household. Charles, known for his ill temper and tight pocketbook, is engaged to equally priggish young woman, Miss Eugenia Wraxton, whose rigid grasp on social stricture is at odds with everyone who she deigns to look down her very long equine nose at. Lady Ombersley’s beautiful young daughter Cecilia should marry the very eligible and wealthy Lord Charlbury, but prefers instead the handsome poet Augustus Fawnhope whose odds at fame and fortune are slim as his picking a Derby winner. Her second son Hurbert, whose moods sway with the tides of his debt, is ensconced with dubious money-lenders and in need of extraction. They all live a dull life according to Charles’s autocratic commands. If ever there was a family in need of a make-over, the Rivenhall’s present a tall bill.

Enter The Grand Sophy. Quick, intelligent and exuberantly capable, twenty-year old Sophy is a bracing reveille to her cousin’s the Rivenhall’s staid existence at Berkeley Square. From the moment she arrives on her aunt’s doorstep elegantly attired with her entourage of a dog, a horse, a monkey, a parrot, a groom, a maid and a mountain of luggage, they are left with no uncertainty that this is no ordinary young lady. Outspoken and unafraid to stretch the edge of decorum, Miss Stanton-Lacy sizes up the household’s problems and sets about to make them right, much to the chagrin of her cousin Charles and his meddlesome fiancée Miss Wraxton, who thinks she’s a hoyden. Sophy is fearless in the face of propriety venturing beyond the constraints of the Regency women’s world visiting banks, buying horses, a Phaeton carriage, and planning and paying for her coming out Ball, all the while pushing her cousin Charles’ buttons at every turn. Their repartees are absolutely hilarious – Sophy almost always in command of the final outcome – and Charles not knowing what hit him. Life as the Rivenhall’s had known it has been quite undone. Along the way, Sophy has a great deal of fun, and so do we.

'Life at Berkeley Square had become all at once full of fun and excitement. Even Lord Ombersley was aware of it. “By God, I don’t know what’s come over you all, for the place was used to be as lively as a tomb!”'

Visiting Regency London is always a treat through Georgette Heyer’s astute eye. Her historical references are quite amazing. The descriptions of clothing, fabrics and furnishing were sumptuous. Her attention to the details of Regency carriages and horsemanship, was spot on. The plot kept me turning pages quickly, eager to see what Sophy’s next antic would be, and which couples would be together by the conclusion of the novel. Through Sophy’s exuberant personality we meet a heroine whose qualities of self assurance, conviction and zest for life are infectious. I had to laugh out loud when even the stuffy Rivenhall butler Dassett acknowledged that Sophy is a gem.

“I venture to say, she is a lady as knows precisely how things should be done. A great pleasure, if I may be pardoned the liberty, to work for Miss Sophy, for she thinks of everything, and I fancy there will be no hitch to mar the festivities.”

Yes, The Grand Sophy knows precisely how things should be done, and I would not have it any other way. This was by far my most enjoyable read this year. Fun, engaging and hilarious, I can not recommend it more highly. Sophy is a devilishly fine girl.

Laurel Ann, Austenprose(less)

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Nov 23, 2008 Jenni rated it 4 of 5 stars

Sophy Stanton-Lacy, a young unmarried woman, was born in an era of extreme discretion. It is improper for a young lady to allow their affections to show, to ride a large horse, to leave town with a man. This regency woman is very different however from the women of Jane Austin's similarly set novels. She is not concerned with appearances. Her indiscretions range from riding her horse too fast in the park, to standing up to a loan shark armed with a pistol, to running away with the man her cousin...more

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May 11, 2013 Jenelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: clean, in-the-past

Apparently I've been living under a rock, since I'd somehow never heard of Georgette Heyer and her 50+ regency books (that have been around for 40+ years) until now.

The Grand Sophy seems to be a fan favorite, and it was nice enough (though not stellar) so I'm not sure if everything else will be downhill from here.

What I really enjoyed most were the characters; Sophy in particular. In fact, im quite jealous of her. She is so authentically charming and self-confident that you realize how misused...more

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Mar 19, 2013 Dolors rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2012

My first novel by Heyer, and I wasn't disappointed. It is highly entertaining in the Victorian - Austenian way.
Head-strong, unconventional Sophy is left by his father at her Aunt's House so that she introduces her to society and to start thinking of finding her a suitable husband. But Sophy has other plans which change all the lives of her dear cousins. Love or gambling problems are nothing to her, she moves soothingly around and gives comfort to those in need without thinking of herself.
But won...more

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Feb 14, 2013 Whitney rated it 2 of 5 stars

Ah, Georgette Heyer...the first hiccup in our relationship was the ending of The Toll-Gate, I just couldn't buy into that ending. Also, I was a little concerned with how easy people could get away with breaking the law in the world you created. It was...not as romantic as I hoped, but that could have had a lot to do with the narrator of the story sounding like a psychopath whenever characters got angry - I gave you that.

But in this one the antisemitism was uncomfortable, over the line, and just...more

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Feb 10, 2013 Lisa rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Lisa by: Wendy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 22, 2012 Zoe rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, historical, squeaky-clean

Charles is lord of the house and over his parents because he holds the purse strings. He runs a strict ship in which everyone must bow to his wishes. I guess he believes in prevention before cure because his family has a history of getting into scrapes. Charles is very responsible but a little harsh and cold. A bit of a Darcy. Charles is engaged to a stuffy but critical woman named Miss Wraxton. She is evil but Charles is quite fond of her.

Sophy is a regular Pollyanna. She chatters away with th...more

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Jan 02, 2012 Srisurang rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

3.5 ค่ะ มันถูกจัดอยู่ใน Romance แต่เราว่าน่าจะเป็นแค่นิยายย้อนยุคธรรมดามากกว่า เพราะความรักของพระนางในเรื่องนั้นไม่เด่นเลย แทบจะต้องบอกว่า ไปรักกันตอนไหน เรื่องอ่านเพลินๆ สนุกดี แต่ไม่ถูกใจพล็อตหลัก นางเอกน่ารัก กล้า มั่นใจ พึ่งตัวเองได้ ผิดไปกว่าหญิงยุคนั้นอย่างมาก แต่เธอเล่นเด่นคนเดียวในเรื่อง แก้ปัญหาให้ทุกคนได้หมด อย่างดีด้วย แต่ทำให้พระเอกดูด้อยกว่ามากๆ เลย ไม่ถูกใจพระเอกตั้งแต่แรกที่เลือกหญิงน่าเบื่อนิสัยไม่ดีที่ทำให้แม่และพี่น้องไม่สบายใจกันไปหมดมาเป็นคู่หมั้นได้ หรือความคิดของเขาที่ว่า ผ...more 3.5 ค่ะ มันถูกจัดอยู่ใน Romance แต่เราว่าน่าจะเป็นแค่นิยายย้อนยุคธรรมดามากกว่า เพราะความรักของพระนางในเรื่องนั้นไม่เด่นเลย แทบจะต้องบอกว่า ไปรักกันตอนไหน เรื่องอ่านเพลินๆ สนุกดี แต่ไม่ถูกใจพล็อตหลัก นางเอกน่ารัก กล้า มั่นใจ พึ่งตัวเองได้ ผิดไปกว่าหญิงยุคนั้นอย่างมาก แต่เธอเล่นเด่นคนเดียวในเรื่อง แก้ปัญหาให้ทุกคนได้หมด อย่างดีด้วย แต่ทำให้พระเอกดูด้อยกว่ามากๆ เลย ไม่ถูกใจพระเอกตั้งแต่แรกที่เลือกหญิงน่าเบื่อนิสัยไม่ดีที่ทำให้แม่และพี่น้องไม่สบายใจกันไปหมดมาเป็นคู่หมั้นได้ หรือความคิดของเขาที่ว่า ผู้หญิงไม่สามารถขับรถม้าได้ ไม่มีทางทำอะไรหลายอย่างเหมือนผู้ชาย (ทั้งที่เป็นเรื่องไม่ยาก) ราวกับผู้หญิงไม่มีสมองงั้นแหละ เลยเฉยๆ กับพระเอกคนนี้ที่ไม่ค่อยให้ความนับถือผู้หญิง แต่เรื่องโดยรวมก็อ่านได้เพลินๆ ดีค่ะ นางเอกไม่รู้ชอบพระเอกตอนไหน เจอหน้ากันพระเอกก็โมโหตลอด เพราะเธอทำอะไรแต่ละอย่างไม่เคยถูกใจเขา (และคู่หมั้นที่คอยยุแยงตะแคงรั่ว) อ่านไปๆ เหมือนนิยายน้ำเน่าไทย พระเอกมีนางอิจฉาคอยกระซิบใส่ร้ายคนโน้นคนนี้ เขาก็เชื่อ แม้จะไม่ได้เชื่อฝังหัว พอน้องพูดหรือนางเอกพูดก็เห็นจริงได้ แต่ก็เชื่อไปก่อน ทำให้เขาห่างเหินกับน้องชายน้องสาวของตัวเองไปด้วย คะแนนลบกับพระเอกเลย
ในเล่มไม่มีฉากหวานสักกะนิด มีแค่สบตาแบบไม่หวานนักครั้งเดียวเองมั้ง ตอนท้ายๆ เรื่อง
แต่มีฉากสนุกๆ หลายตอน เช่นโซฟีไปหาเจ้าหนี้ของน้องชายพระเอก ขำๆ ดี นางเอกคนนี้น่ารักค่ะ หาข้อติแทบไม่เจอเลย ช่างคิดช่างวางแผนการ มีน้ำใจ แต่อยากให้คนอื่นเด่นบ้าง ได้คิดบ้าง ไม่ใช่เธอเด่นคนเดียว มันเหมือนกับพระเอกคนนี้ไม่มีความสำคัญอะไรเลย มีแต่พ่อเธอที่ทำท่าจะทันลูกสาว แต่ก็ไม่มีบทบาทอะไรในเรื่อง เรื่องหลักวนเวียนกับคู่ของน้องสาวพระเอกและนักกวีหนุ่มหล่อมากกว่า เราว่า ฟอนโฮปน่ารักดี ติสแตกสุดๆ แต่หล่อมากกกก ชาร์ลเบอรี่คู่ของน้องที่เป็นคางทูมตอนต้น ยังน่ารักกว่าพระเอกในความเห็นเรา พูดจาดีกับนางเอก ไม่เก๊กจัดเอาแต่จับผิด หรือปากร้ายเวลาโมโหแบบพระเอก รำคาญนางร้ายกับลอร์ดอะไรน่ารำคาญที่มาตามจีบนางเอกมาก และพระเอกแทบไม่ทำอะไรเลย เวลามีปัญหามักจะอยู่ที่อื่นตลอด นางเอกลงมือทำเอง แก้สถานการณ์เองหมดทุกเรื่อง แก้ไขได้แล้วพระเอกค่อยมา (มีพระเอกเป็นตัวประกอบ) อ่านแบบไม่คิดอะไรจะสนุก แรกๆ เพลินๆ ตอนหลังลุ้นดี วางไม่ลงค่ะ แต่จุดหลักมันไม่ได้ใจเรา และการดำเนินเรื่องหลายช่วงเป็นแบบเล่าคร่าวๆ ไม่ลงรายละเอียดความคิดตัวละครหรือใส่บทสนทนาเลย จนเหมือนอ่านเรื่องย่อ สรุปว่า สำหรับนักเขียนคนนี้เราชอบเรื่องอื่นๆ มากกว่าเยอะเลย ส่วนมากเป็นเล่มที่แปลงมาเป็นไทยแล้ว อย่าง วิหคเหินฟ้า หรือ เจ้าสาวสิบหก เรื่องมันซับซ้อนพอควรและขำ ตัวเอกก็แบ่งกันได้บทไปพอควรไม่เด่นตัวเดียวอย่างเรื่องนี้ค่ะ

ปล.ภาษาอังกฤษอย่างยากอะ อ่านของนักเขียนคนอื่นแทบไม่ต้องเปิดดิก เล่มนี้เปิดจนเมื่อยมือ
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Dec 25, 2011 Felicia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

OKAY Get ready for an onslaught of book reviews because I just got back from vacation and literally read like 20 books, maybe more.

FIRST, this book was on my Kindle for a while because I guess this author is considered the mother of historical romance novels. It was written in 1950, and actually, due to the historical nature of the subject matter, doesn't feel THAT dated (caveat, see one of the things I hated about the book, lol), and is very witty and engaging. The main character reminded me of...more

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Oct 27, 2011 Kathryn rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Heyer fans

Shelves: regency-romance, historical-fiction

I love Georgette Heyer. The Grand Sophy is one of my favorites; I'd put it in my top five, along with Sylvester and Frederica. (I think Arabella and The Convenient Marriage round out my top five, but I may be forgetting one I like better.) The titular Sophy was raised by her diplomat father, her mother having died young. She spent her early youth on the Continent hobnobbing with many influential people, from dukes to generals, and at the age of twenty, has returned to England to stay with her au...more I love Georgette Heyer. The Grand Sophy is one of my favorites; I'd put it in my top five, along with Sylvester and Frederica. (I think Arabella and The Convenient Marriage round out my top five, but I may be forgetting one I like better.) The titular Sophy was raised by her diplomat father, her mother having died young. She spent her early youth on the Continent hobnobbing with many influential people, from dukes to generals, and at the age of twenty, has returned to England to stay with her aunt while her father, Sir Horace, heads off to Brazil.

Sir Horace is engaged to marry a Spanish lady who doesn't in the least wish to be Sophy's stepmother, and Sophy, knowing herself to be what they called in those days "a managing female", quite understands the lady's feelings. She has, therefore, decided to look about her for a husband while she stays with her aunt. However, her aunt's household is in disarray. Her uncle has wasted the family fortune, and her cousin Charles, made independently wealthy by another relative's bequest, has taken over managing the family estates. Unfortunately, he has a rather domineering personality, and he's betrothed to an unpleasant young woman who only encourages his bad qualities, with the result that he's running roughshod over the family. Meanwhile, Cecilia, another of Sophy's cousins, has become infatuated with a most ineligible poet, leaving the worthy gentleman who loves her out in the cold, and Hubert looks troubled but feels he can't confide in Charles, and the rakish Sir Vincent Talgarth appears to have his eye on Sir Horace's affianced wife. Sophy, naturally, can't let the situation stand, and she promptly sets any number of schemes in motion to effect her ends.

Sophy is an appealing, engaging heroine whom it's impossible to dislike, and the supporting cast, particularly Lord Charlbury, is also enjoyable. I've read this book several times, and I always want to know more about the characters and their lives before and after the book, particularly Sophy's adventures abroad. I heartily recommend The Grand Sophy for Heyer fans.

One caveat: there is one scene with some ugly anti-Semitic imagery. It throws me every time because it's so uncharacteristic of her writing. Personally, I mentally erase it from the book - in fact, I had managed to completely ignore it as I composed this review. But it is there.(less)

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Oct 08, 2011 Kathy Davie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: history, romance

One of Heyer's Regency romances.

The Story
Sir Horace must post off to Brazil for some sort of diplomat-thing and his daughter, Sophia, must stay in England and look after Sancia, his fiancée. And the Rivenhalls are about to find out that Sir Horace's "dear little soul...not an ounce of vice in her" is not exactly what they had expected.

For Sophy isn't one to sit back and watch other people's lives fall apart when, with just a bit of a push and some courage, one can help them through the muddle. L...more

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Oct 08, 2011 Lana Drown rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

El libro no solo no me ha defraudado sino que me ha encantado. Es una novela con tintes románticos sobre los enredos de una familia del sigo XIX, cuya cotidianeidad se ve interrumpida con la llegada de la prima Sophy, una joven decidida e independiente, a la que importan muy poco los convencionalismos sociales tras haber sido criada por su padre en diferentes países. Su actitud encandilará a unos y horrorizará a otros, y serán sobre todo estos últimos los que protagonizarán algunos de los moment...more

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Sep 26, 2011 Ilona Andrews rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: traditional-classics, regency

I thought the book was delightful - witty, bright, deeply hilarious - and then we ran into a very stereotypical description of a "Jewish Moneylender." I do realize that Heyer was reflecting attitudes of the time, but did the moneylender have to be quite so odious?

On one hand, he is a nasty character and nasty characters often don't have a good personal hygiene. On other hand, the description hits point by point a racial stereotype used for many years to fuel persecution of the Jewish race. It is...more I thought the book was delightful - witty, bright, deeply hilarious - and then we ran into a very stereotypical description of a "Jewish Moneylender." I do realize that Heyer was reflecting attitudes of the time, but did the moneylender have to be quite so odious?

On one hand, he is a nasty character and nasty characters often don't have a good personal hygiene. On other hand, the description hits point by point a racial stereotype used for many years to fuel persecution of the Jewish race. It is quite possible that there were loan sharks in England who had greasy hair and hooked noses and some of them could have been Jewish (or English or Cornish or French or whatever), but as a writer, I believe you have a certain responsibility not to further those racial stereotypes.

In other words, if you write something a Nazi would approve of, you have to be prepared that the majority of your readership will loathe it and they would be right to do so. Why would one want to contribute to hate-mongering?

Unfortunately, this description colored the entire book for me. The more I think about it, the less I am able to concentrate on the substance of the story.

Russia is famous for its atrocities against Jews. It is our cultural inheritance and it is an inheritance that must be remembered and not swept under the rug, because those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. We own the 1821 Pogrom and the Odessa riots, and while none of the people who participated in them are alive today, we, as their descendants, have the duty to make sure we don't go down that road again. Every nationality has those dark spots of their history that are too painful to forget: the Holocaust, the rape of Nanking, the Trail of Tears, the Interment Camps of Japanese-Americans, the Opium Wars, and so on.

As a human being, I can't really overlook Heyer's portrayal of the money lender as a filthy Jew. Because really that's what she wrote. Culturally and morally I can't accept it. Yes, an author should be sensitive to the time period in which her characters exist. It wouldn't be out of a question for English ton to show a marked prejudice against Jews simply because it would have been historically accurate. But would the author have to reinforce a negative stereotype?

Why not make him suave or handsome or charming? Why not use this opportunity to make a point: yes, he is a Jewish money lender in Regency London, and the heroine is surprised by how well dressed he is, but how well he speaks, and how professionally he carries himself, and her prejudice is shaken.

I had the same reaction to that scene as I do to some of early Disney cartoons.

Heyer wrote about a historical period of which she was not a contemporary. It is very difficult for me to support any notion of authenticity when it creates this much damage.

You know, the first time I've read the encounter, the fact that the money lender was Jewish completely flew over my head. I just read it as a description of a particularly unpleasant person. It was only when the money lender was later identified as a Jew in the narrative, the significance of the description sunk in. If you say "man with greasy hair and hooked nose" I don't automatically think "Jewish sterotype." That's not a connection my brain makes.

That's my silver lining here: in 1950's, people would've read this description and said, "Aha!" in 2011 I've read this description and it didn't hit home right away. It is my sincerest hope that when my children read it, it will completely fly over their heads. It would never occur to them to associate that description with any particular nationality unless it was pointed out. I think that's a sign of our cultural progress.

So. ::sigh:: F from me.
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Lil Smiles Well said Ilona! On top of being harmful, racial stereotypes are boring and lazy. Authors use them as a 2D cutouts instead of going to the bother of c...more
29 de Sep 21:58

Doll Noa I just saw this review - I always loved The Grand soppy, it is one of my favorites among the Georgette Heyer books - I started reading them (thanks to...more
22 de Ene 01:15

Sep 09, 2011 Corinne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Things are just fine in the Rivenhall residence. Dull perhaps - not particularly pleasant, maybe, but within the bounds of propriety, surely. That is, they were, until their cousin Sophy (who has been traipsing about the continent) comes to stay. Sophy has a habit of shaking things up in a rather alarming fashion and soon Charles, the eldest of the Rivenhall cousins, is quite sure that Sophy will bring them all to ruin.

Sophy! Grand she is. She's a delight in every way. A pot-stirrer to the nth d...more

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About Georgette Heyer

Georgette Heyer was an amazingly prolific writer who created the Regency England genre of romance novels.

Georgette Heyer was an intensely private person. A best-seller all her life without the aid of publicity, she made no appearances, never gave an interview, and only answered fan letters herself if they made an interesting historical point. Heyer wrote very well-researched historical fiction, fu...more

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Quotes from The Grand Sophy

“You are shameless!” he said angrily.
“Nonsense! You only say so because I drove your horses,” she answered. “Never mind! I will engage not to do so again.”
“I’ll take care of that!” he retorted. “Let me tell you, my dear Cousin, that I should be better pleased if you would refrain from meddling in the affairs of my family!”
“Now, that,” said Sophy, “I am very glad to know, because if ever I should desire to please you I shall know just how to set about it. I daresay I shan’t, but one likes to be prepared for any event, however unlikely.”
He turned his head to look at her, his eyes narrowed, and their expression was by no means pleasant. “Are you thinking of being so unwise as to cross swords with me?” he demanded. “I shan’t pretend to misunderstand you, Cousin, and I will leave you in no doubt of my own meaning! If you imagine that I will ever permit that puppy to marry my sister, you have yet something to learn of me!”
“Pooh!” said Sophy. “Mind your horses, Charles, and don’t talk fustian to me.” — 22 people liked it

“Well, sir, do you mean to remain there, commending my father’s taste in wine, or do you mean to accompany me to Ashtead?”
“Set off for Ashtead at this hour, when I have been traveling for two days?” said Sir Horace. “Now, do, my boy, have a little common sense! Why should I?”
“I imagine that your parental feeling, sir, must provide you with the answer! If it does not, so be it! I am leaving immediately!”
“What do you mean to do when you reach Lacy Manor?” asked Sir Horace, regarding him in some amusement.
“Wring Sophy’s neck!” said Mr. Rivenhall savagely.
“Well, you don’t need my help for that, my dear boy!” said Sir Horace, settling himself more comfortably in his chair.” — 18 people liked it

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