Lingering Laughter

by Georgina Grey

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 12, 1982

About the author

A pseudonym used by Mary Linn Roby

Reviews

[Darien · Rating 2 out of 5]

An odd little story, somewhat in the style of Voltaire or Molière's satiric writing where the names of characters illustrate their foibles. In this book we have Lady Blunder (who always interprets things in her own way, contrary to what is really happening), Dr. Dangle (who panders to wealthy hypochondriac women and is a drunken incompetent) and Lady Madrigal (a patroness of the musical arts who has no taste or talent). The hero, heroine and other characters of more common behavior have simpler names implying their more direct and straight-forward characters. The hero however was enigmatic to the point of being a cypher - though this was done to illustrate the main point of this book, which was not that two people meet and fall in love, but that most people live a life of insincerity and society is merely a stage for acting a part. The hero attempts to impose his will on others (his hypochondriac mother), the heroine goes along with everything to get along (even when it is ridiculous), and the resolution includes them finding a common median point where they embody their beliefs in their actions and words, but don't expect everyone around them to follow their lead and instead help them see the error of their ways themselves.
So I probably put more thought into this than the book merited, but its was an interesting foray into an earlier era of writing.