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The Convenient Marriage
When the most eligible Earl of Rule offers for the hand of the beauty of the Winwood family, he has no notion of the distress he causes his intended. For Miss Lizzie Winwood is promised to the excellent, but impoverished, Mr Edward Heron. Disaster can only be averted by the delightful impetuosity of her youngest sister, Horatia, who conceives her own, distinctly original p
...moreMP3 Book, 0 pages
Published
May 1st 2010
by AudioGO
(first published 1934)
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Jun 22, 2008
Abigail
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Jane Austen Lovers / Readers With a Taste for Well-Written, Light-Hearted Romance
Shelves:
georgette-heyer,
romance
Review Temporarily Removed.
Richard Armitage reading a Georgette Heyer classic! *swoon*
I had not read The Convenient Marriage before this new Naxos Audiobooks recording happily landed on my doorstep. I will confess all up front. I did the unthinkable. I read the complete plot synopsis on Wikipedia before I delved into the first chapter. *horrors* Don’t even think about following my example. It will spoil the most enjoyable aspect of this novel – surprise!
The Convenient Marriage is one of Georgette Heyer’s more popular Geor...more
I had not read The Convenient Marriage before this new Naxos Audiobooks recording happily landed on my doorstep. I will confess all up front. I did the unthinkable. I read the complete plot synopsis on Wikipedia before I delved into the first chapter. *horrors* Don’t even think about following my example. It will spoil the most enjoyable aspect of this novel – surprise!
The Convenient Marriage is one of Georgette Heyer’s more popular Geor...more
7 likes · like · see review
view all 12 comments
3.5 stars.
I enjoyed the audio version to a degree of about 5 stars. I mean, Richard, honestly....And then the fact that I listened to it with my Awesome Older Sister and we sat in her room, drinking Mountain Dew and Sparkling Apple Cider and eating Hershey's Cookie 'n Cream bars and Nuggets (yum), giggling, and commenting. So much fun....So, yeah.
I'll be honest: when I found out that Richard Armitage read this, I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of the audio version.
His voice is specta...more
I enjoyed the audio version to a degree of about 5 stars. I mean, Richard, honestly....And then the fact that I listened to it with my Awesome Older Sister and we sat in her room, drinking Mountain Dew and Sparkling Apple Cider and eating Hershey's Cookie 'n Cream bars and Nuggets (yum), giggling, and commenting. So much fun....So, yeah.
I'll be honest: when I found out that Richard Armitage read this, I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of the audio version.
His voice is specta...more
3 likes · like · see review
The one where the notorious rake Lord Rule decides to marry the pretty Winwood sister, but the reckless one, Horatia, persuades him to marry her instead. She gambles; her brother Pelham gambles (in fact, his gambling is the reason the Winwood sisters are prepared to marry Rule to begin with); hijinks ensue.
Horatia is kind of an idiot, isn't she? I mean, a little boldness is refreshing in a Regency heroine, but Horatia seems like an eighth-grader who can be induced to do anything by being told th...more
Horatia is kind of an idiot, isn't she? I mean, a little boldness is refreshing in a Regency heroine, but Horatia seems like an eighth-grader who can be induced to do anything by being told th...more
10 likes · like · see review
This was my sixth Heyer, and it is simply awful. After 75 agonizing pages, had to put in the "did-not-finish" shelf.
Who knew Heyer could be so bad?
OK, on to some of the main problems with this book:
Well, the heroine stuttered. Hey, I've got nothing against stuttering (I did it for a while a long time ago), b-but I d-don't w-want to r-read it in a b-book e-every s-sentence the h-heroine m-makes. V-very a-annoying.
Heroine is a stupid, vapid one. Perhaps she changes later, but I'm not willing to w...more
Who knew Heyer could be so bad?
OK, on to some of the main problems with this book:
Well, the heroine stuttered. Hey, I've got nothing against stuttering (I did it for a while a long time ago), b-but I d-don't w-want to r-read it in a b-book e-every s-sentence the h-heroine m-makes. V-very a-annoying.
Heroine is a stupid, vapid one. Perhaps she changes later, but I'm not willing to w...more
3 likes · like · see review
I LOVED this book. I found it by searching for popular books here on Goodreads. Heyer's writing style is fairly fast-paced. It reads almost like a movie plot. Hilariously funny, great characters, humorous plot twists, and a decent romance to boot! Definitely worth the read.
When Horry goes to the remote, sophisticated Earl of Rule to offer herself as the Family Sacrifice in her older sister's place, the earl surprises everyone by accepting her proposal. The fun begins there. I think it would have been perfect except for the utterly cliche Evil Mistress, that seems to have been a standard of romances at that time. The scenes with her are just painful (you want to take a shotgun to the earl) but other than that, it's great fun, and the Georgian era is beautifully evo...more
This was one of those books that totally surprised me. I had no idea that Georgette Heyer was considered one of the founders of the historical romance genre. I also had no idea that one of my favorite Sci-Fi authors, Lois McMaster Bujold, was a fan and influenced by these books (although now that I've read a few of Heyer's books, it's really, really obvious). I was just looking for a good trashy romance read and picked this up simply because of the title. But as I read, I realized that this was...more
6 likes · like · see review
When I read this, I thought, "Wow, this is written very much in the style of Jane Austen. People in our era don't typically get it so close... she must be a fantastic writer!" Then as the book went on, I thought, "It's like Jane Austen meets a 1930's madcap comedy." So imagine my surprise when I found out that she wrote the book in 1937.
The book wasn't my favorite. It's about three daughters of a viscount who gambled away part of the family fortune before he died, and the only son gambled away t...more
The book wasn't my favorite. It's about three daughters of a viscount who gambled away part of the family fortune before he died, and the only son gambled away t...more
"The Convenient Marriage" is a funny historical romance set in 1770's England. The hero, Rule, reminded me of The Scarlet Pimpernel - he seemed lazy and unconcerned yet he was a lot more aware and athletic than he outwardly appeared. Horatia was charming and very funny at the beginning, but then she behaved rather badly (though not so much so that I stopped liking her). Rule's old enemy and a previous mistress of Rule's did some shocking things to try to break up the marriage. The comic relief m...more
This was my first jaunt into Georgette Heyer's novels. Before this, I had never considered reading them as I had only ever thought of them as "those silly paperback psuedo-historical romances my Granny likes to read." But, lately I've been enchanted with Lauren Willig's Pink Carnation series and, with many suggestions, was told that I'd enjoy Heyer's romances. So, while I was at my library picking up the last two of Willig's series, I went ahead and picked this book up as well. I chose this one...more
This is a good summer read--light and frothy. I actually laughed out loud at times--much to the annoyance of my youngest daughter who was reading a very. sad. book.
"How can you laugh Mom when I'm in such a sad part?"
Excuse me! We are clearly NOT reading the same book!
Horatio Winwood, the youngest daughter of the impoverished Winwood family proposed to the the Earl of Rule AFTER he proposed to her oldest sister because she knows that this marriage would be disastrous. Her beautiful oldest sister...more
"How can you laugh Mom when I'm in such a sad part?"
Excuse me! We are clearly NOT reading the same book!
Horatio Winwood, the youngest daughter of the impoverished Winwood family proposed to the the Earl of Rule AFTER he proposed to her oldest sister because she knows that this marriage would be disastrous. Her beautiful oldest sister...more
Since I was a teenager Georgette Heyer has been my guilty pleasure - I own up to it now I have been intellectually sanctioned by Germaine Greer and A. S. Byatt! Every now and then I will allow myself to reread the entire oeuvre (well, there are one or two I find tedious - like 'April Lady') as a special treat if I am feeling low, because if there is one thing Heyer does supremely well it is lift your spirits. The Regency period research is impeccable, the heroines are, on the whole, feisty and r...more
I'm giving this book five stars for Richard Armitage's voice. Oh, baby, baby!
On the other hand, as an English professor, I'm mortified by the last page. I've read GH's books since I was a teenager. Then I didn't know any better than to expect amazingly stupid heroines (who all have grey eyes), enigmatic heroes, and lots of swashbuckling.
Still, I'm an adult now. I was enjoying the book most of the way through. I knew what to expect. However, when Richard was about half-way through Chapter 22, I...more
On the other hand, as an English professor, I'm mortified by the last page. I've read GH's books since I was a teenager. Then I didn't know any better than to expect amazingly stupid heroines (who all have grey eyes), enigmatic heroes, and lots of swashbuckling.
Still, I'm an adult now. I was enjoying the book most of the way through. I knew what to expect. However, when Richard was about half-way through Chapter 22, I...more
This was the book that started it all!! In a really round about way. xD And by all I mean my obsession with Georgette Heyer. I found it on a Best Regency Fiction list and thought it sounded ridiculous. I laughed quite hard and sent it to Hope. But Georgette Heyer kept popping up and eventaully I got Arabellaand loved it and then The Grand Sophy and loved that....
So you see, in a very round about way, this book first introduced me to Heyer. Unfortunetely, it isn't her best.
Plot
Take the novel...more
So you see, in a very round about way, this book first introduced me to Heyer. Unfortunetely, it isn't her best.
Plot
Take the novel...more
This book starts out with a hilariously honest conversation between a suitor and the younger sister of the girl he wants to marry. She argues that if all he wants is a wife, he should marry her because her sister is IN LOVE with someone else. Strangely he agrees.
The great thing about this book is that Horatia is actually, genuinely normal. She stutters and is described as the least attractive of her sisters. And yet! She's the heroine! It's not an ugly duckling story because she stutters and is...more
The great thing about this book is that Horatia is actually, genuinely normal. She stutters and is described as the least attractive of her sisters. And yet! She's the heroine! It's not an ugly duckling story because she stutters and is...more
Kitabın tanıtımı:
Evlenme vaktinin geldiğine karar veren Kont rule,kendisi için en mantıklı ve uygun olan seçimi yaptı.Eş olarak seçtiği leydi de Kontun teklifini kabul etti.Fakat leydinin düşünmeden hareket eden aceleci ama çekici kız kardeşi horatia'nın başka planları vardı.Ablası Lizzie sevdiği adamla evlenirse ,kendisi de Kontla evlenebilirdi!Horatia'nın cesareti,ailesini şaşırtmakla kalmadı,Kont'un da aklını karıştırdı.Horatia Kont için en uygun eş olmayabilirdi ama bir insanın onun yanında...more
Evlenme vaktinin geldiğine karar veren Kont rule,kendisi için en mantıklı ve uygun olan seçimi yaptı.Eş olarak seçtiği leydi de Kontun teklifini kabul etti.Fakat leydinin düşünmeden hareket eden aceleci ama çekici kız kardeşi horatia'nın başka planları vardı.Ablası Lizzie sevdiği adamla evlenirse ,kendisi de Kontla evlenebilirdi!Horatia'nın cesareti,ailesini şaşırtmakla kalmadı,Kont'un da aklını karıştırdı.Horatia Kont için en uygun eş olmayabilirdi ama bir insanın onun yanında...more
If you’re looking to read something unpredictable, Georgette Heyer books are not for you. Thirty-something-year-old former rake falls in love with young girl barely out of the schoolroom (or alternatively, with a spunky twenty-something-year-old “spinster”), and after many misunderstandings, much wearing of finery, probably some gambling over cards, perhaps a duel or two, and loads of witty banter, the two finally come to an understanding.
Which book is this the plot to? It could be almost any of...more
Which book is this the plot to? It could be almost any of...more
Apr 05, 2011
Kari
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Regency romance fans
Shelves:
all-things-austen,
regency-romance
Horatia Winwood is a young 17 yr old girl who offers herself to the "old" (35 yrs. old) Earl of Rule as a bride, in place of her older sister Lizzie. Lizzie is in love with Edward Heron, a lieutent in the army and cannot imagine being married to the Earl, yet knows she must marry him out of duty to her family. That is until Horatia steps in and has the impertinace to confront the Earl and ask him to marry her in place of her sister, and not only that but to buy her sister's love a captiancy in t...more
I liked the characters better in Cotillion. The plot is still interesting and fun, but the book deals with a number of darker topics than in the other two Georgette Heyer books I've read: gambling addiction, revenge, and so forth.
The premise of the book is that the very wealthy Lord Rule feels compelled to offer marriage to a girl who doesn't want it, but knows she must accept because her family is nearly indigent. The girl's youngest sister, Horry, who stammers rather seriously, goes to Lord Ru...more
The premise of the book is that the very wealthy Lord Rule feels compelled to offer marriage to a girl who doesn't want it, but knows she must accept because her family is nearly indigent. The girl's youngest sister, Horry, who stammers rather seriously, goes to Lord Ru...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Dec 20, 2010
Jane Stewart
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-romance,
georgian-romance
Really interesting characters. Fun scrapes and schemes. I didn’t want to stop reading. I was eager for them to fall in love.
STORY BRIEF:
I excerpted much of the following from the website Heyerlist dot org which says it well – what to expect when you read this book.
The Earl of Rule (Rule) is 35, proud, wealthy. He has a pleasant, mocking, lazy charm which belies his keen mind and iron will.
The Winwood family has title but no money. Rule doesn’t know much about her but decides to marry the eldest...more
STORY BRIEF:
I excerpted much of the following from the website Heyerlist dot org which says it well – what to expect when you read this book.
The Earl of Rule (Rule) is 35, proud, wealthy. He has a pleasant, mocking, lazy charm which belies his keen mind and iron will.
The Winwood family has title but no money. Rule doesn’t know much about her but decides to marry the eldest...more
3 likes · like · see review
This is the first Georgette Heyer book I’ve ever read. I know she writes a lot of Georgian romances, a la’ Jane Austen. The Convenient Marriage did have an Austeny sort of feel to it, with it’s romance and comical moments. I would have liked a little more romance… I few more declarations! All-in-all however it really was a cute book and I intend to keep reading Heyer books. There are SO many, I don’t know which one will be next! She also writes books set in the 20’s, but I think this period suit...more
This plot is almost the same, though rather more fast-paced, than Heyer's "April Lady": Older, rich, eligible bachelor, well-known to have had a mistress, falls almost instantly and surprisingly for a young woman of good family but no fortune (as it has been spent away in gaming, which tendency runs in the family). Girl's mother warns her daughter not to be an affectionate wife, so instead the silly chit is wildly extravagant with her husband's money. She lands in various scrapes and runs to her...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Seventeen-year-old Horatia marries Rule to save her family from penury after her brother Pelham gambles away their fortune. Rule originally intended to marry the beautiful older sister Elizabeth, but she is in love with an army officer named Edward. Rule is intrigued by Horry's forthright speech and unpolished manners. Unfortunately, he doesn't take the initiative and tell her he likes her, instead letting her believe it is merely a marriage of convenience. Since she is not beautiful and knows a...more
4 likes · like · see review
The Convenient Marriage is less a romance than a madcap caper novel, full of comic but two-dimensional characters, foolish schemes, people at cross purposes, duels (never fatal!), and highway robberies (never real!). I found it pretty amusing for a while, especially the back-and-forth between Horatia and the frequently surprised but always laconic Earl of Rule, but by the end I was skimming along just to see things get resolved -- not if they got resolved, because obviously everything was going...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Jan 11, 2009
Delaina
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Jane Austen fans
Heyer is the queen of English Regency romances -- fans of Jane Austen movies who can't quite get a handle on her novels can read the novels of La Georgette and gain a wealth of context and insights into the era. I absolutely adored this story, and for a long time it was my favorite Heyer. The set-up goes like this:
Headstrong and outspoken (despite a stammer) 17-year-old Horatia saves her two elder sisters from sacrificing themselves upon the marriage altar for the good of the family. Her family...more
Headstrong and outspoken (despite a stammer) 17-year-old Horatia saves her two elder sisters from sacrificing themselves upon the marriage altar for the good of the family. Her family...more
Only 2* - because Heyer has done a lot better - not because I wasn't entertained. I always enjoy her cauldron-mix of humor/fiesty characters/regency setting/love. I got a laugh out of Horatia, her name and her stutter (I listened to the audiobook version, and Horatia made a lot of work for the reader!). There was the usual mix of characters - the Bad Boy who is actually good, the innocent but precocious heroine, the bumbling yet chivalrous friend, and the Really Bad Man who needs to be taught a...more
1 like · like · see review
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springhill Counselling Group Reviews: Strengthening the Marriage | 2 | 6 | May 04, 2013 02:23am |
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
More about Georgette Heyer...
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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2 trivia questions
More quizzes & trivia...
“The Viscount stepped into the room. "Came to see if you was dead," he said. "Laid Pom odds you weren't."
Lethbridge passed his hand across his eyes. "I'm not," he replied in a faint voice.
"No. I'm sorry," said the Viscount simply. He wandered over to the table and sat down. "Horry said she killed you, Pom said So she might, I said No. Nonsense."
Lethbridge still holding a hand to his aching head tried to pull himself together. "Did you?" he said. His eyes ran over his self invited guest. "I see. Let me assure you once more that I am very much alive."
"Well I wish you'd put your wig on," complained the Viscount. "What I want to know is why did Horry hit you on the head with a poker?"
Lethbridge gingerly felt his bruised scalp. "With a poker was it? Pray ask her, though I doubt if she will tell you."
"You shouldn't keep the front door open," said the Viscount. "What's to stop people coming in and hitting you over the head? It's preposterous."
"I wish you'd go home," said Lethbridge wearily.
The Viscount surveyed the supper-table with a knowing eye.
"Card-party?" he inquired.”
—
21 people liked it
Lethbridge passed his hand across his eyes. "I'm not," he replied in a faint voice.
"No. I'm sorry," said the Viscount simply. He wandered over to the table and sat down. "Horry said she killed you, Pom said So she might, I said No. Nonsense."
Lethbridge still holding a hand to his aching head tried to pull himself together. "Did you?" he said. His eyes ran over his self invited guest. "I see. Let me assure you once more that I am very much alive."
"Well I wish you'd put your wig on," complained the Viscount. "What I want to know is why did Horry hit you on the head with a poker?"
Lethbridge gingerly felt his bruised scalp. "With a poker was it? Pray ask her, though I doubt if she will tell you."
"You shouldn't keep the front door open," said the Viscount. "What's to stop people coming in and hitting you over the head? It's preposterous."
"I wish you'd go home," said Lethbridge wearily.
The Viscount surveyed the supper-table with a knowing eye.
"Card-party?" he inquired.”
“Horatia said eagerly: "Oh, you will take m-me instead?"
"No," said Rule, with a faint smile. "I won't do that. But I will engage not to marry your sister. It's not necessary to offer me an exchange, my poor child."
"B-but it is!" said Horatia vigorously. "One of us m-must marry you!”
—
6 people liked it
More quotes…
"No," said Rule, with a faint smile. "I won't do that. But I will engage not to marry your sister. It's not necessary to offer me an exchange, my poor child."
"B-but it is!" said Horatia vigorously. "One of us m-must marry you!”
