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I know it's not GH (sorry!!) but the famous and much-loved Lisa Kleypas book Devil in Winter has an extended section near the start of the book, describing a cold and long flight to Gretna Green, then a detailed description of the marriage ceremony over the anvil. It's one of the nicest parts of the book, actually.
I'm sorry too to reply to a non GH book but I LOVED this series by Kleypas. Many years since I read it. Maybe it's time for a reread. Aah time!!! if only I had more of it!
*off-topicTeresa - if you liked this series, I HIGHLY recommend her latest Ravenels series. Devil in Spring is about Evie and Sebastian's son from Devil in Winter, and I'm hanging out for the release of Devil's Daughter later this month, about (you guessed it) their daughter. I do suggest reading the series in order for maximum enjoyment, though.
And a warning to regular GH readers, the Lisa Kleypas series has its saucy moments, so if you prefer a clean read, don't go there.
OK, back to our regularly scheduled Georgette Heyer programming ;)
Thanks Jan. I'll definitely look into these.
Teresa wrote: "I'm sorry too to reply to a non GH book but I LOVED this series by Kleypas. Many years since I read it. Maybe it's time for a reread. Aah time!!! if only I had more of it!"Me, too! I loved several of her books, might have to dig around and see if I can find them...oh, just realized, I have a book challenge in another group to read a book set in winter, hello! Perfect excuse, eh?
Jan wrote: "*off-topicTeresa - if you liked this series, I HIGHLY recommend her latest Ravenels series. Devil in Spring is about Evie and Sebastian's son from Devil in Winter, and I'm hanging..."
Good to know, thanks! I wondered if the new series was good.
Jan wrote: "*off-topicTeresa - if you liked this series, I HIGHLY recommend her latest Ravenels series. Devil in Spring is about Evie and Sebastian's son from Devil in Winter, and I'm hanging..."
“Saucy” - I love it! I’d call her downright steamy...can be fun, if done right!
Just looked up the first one in the series and someone gave it a one star rating and a stinging review!! Reading the review put me right off.
*off topicIn defence of LK
Teresa, some readers prefer Kleypas' older series to the latest one. I'm in the opposite camp. For me, Kleypas just keeps on improving her writing. I LOVE the Ravenels series, but I'm aware it has its detractors, and if you look, you will find plenty of reviews saying it's both good, and those saying it's bad. Some readers who liked her earlier series have been quite nasty about the newer books, Unnecessary! After reading a few such reviews, I now avoid them because I completely disagree, and they make me uncomfortable. What can I say? All you can do is try it and decide for yourself.
IMO Kleypas is a very talented writer, with an excellent grasp of historical detail. She can develop characters beautifully, and I am kept interested right through to the last page, unlike many other modern HR writers whose stories often 'flag' in the middle, or who have weak, underdeveloped characters or unconvincing historical references.
My review of Cold-Hearted Rake
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Thanks Jan that's good to know. I love her older stuff but haven't read any newer ones. I don't care how much I dislike a book I'd never be nasty about it in a review. No matter how I feel about it, the author took a lot of time and energy to write it. This review caught my eye because it really was a cutting expletive ridden tirade. Don't see the need myself to include those words, however we're all different. I'll give it a go at some stage because I'm curious now about it.
Teresa wrote: "Thanks Jan that's good to know. I love her older stuff but haven't read any newer ones. I don't care how much I dislike a book I'd never be nasty about it in a review. No matter how I feel about it..."Eek! I agree. You can dislike a book but can say so tactfully. Expletives never needed! I hope you enjoy the series when you get there, but if not, I'm confident your reviews will be polite!
Seriously, how did we go from 'Oh, I am sorry I didn't enjoy it as much as you did' to 'I can't believe you actually liked it' ?
Ha ha Critterbee. Yes, some people do get a bit ranty and impolite. I normally avoid those kinds of reviews. I also dislike it when nasty, cruel reviews get lots of 'likes' from other GR members. Why do people support those kinds of reviews?*shakes head sadly*
Jane wrote: "Oh, Katie, that sounds like such a fun trip! I can't remember which Heyer books specifically focus on a trip to Gretna Green; like Critterbee said, I think it's mentioned in quite a few of them. I ..."Thank you so much for your response - very useful! I'll dig out my copies of Snowdrift, the Corinthian and Bath Tangle (I need to get started on that one anyway for the group read!)
I'll also see if i can get hold of copies of the other 2 books you mentioned - thanks for the recommendation.
Jan wrote: "*off-topicTeresa - if you liked this series, I HIGHLY recommend her latest Ravenels series. Devil in Spring is about Evie and Sebastian's son from Devil in Winter, and I'm hanging..."
I've just recently read the Ravenels series (loved them!) and thought the Evie and Sebastian characters (from the few scenes they were in) seemed like interesting characters - should have known they were the protagonists of another book. This is exiting news! Will order Devil in Winter straight away.
Enjoy, Katie. It's part of a series, actually. (The Wallflowers) but Devil In Winter is the most popular book in the series.
We would prefer if this thread sticks to historical info, but there is a thread for recommending other authors hereThe comments discussing books have been moved to that thread. Thanks!
Georgian Era Iron Horses scroll down to the middle of the page to read about Trevithick’s steam engine, the "Catch Me Who Can" Felix is dying to ride in Frederica
Read 19th-century advice manualsThe Female Instructor
An Enquiry Into the Duties of the Female Sex (1797), the clergyman Thomas Gisborne criticises mothers who try to secure wealth or status for their daughters through marriage.
read a guide to writing love letters The New Lover’s Instructor; or, the whole art of courtship (c.1780)
QNPoohBear wrote: "Read 19th-century advice manualsThe Female Instructor
An Enquiry Into the Duties of the Female Sex (1797), the clergyman Thomas Gisborne criticises mothers who try to secure wealth or status for ..."
Allthree of those sound like fun! :)
what do all those slang words mean?Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue A-F
Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue G-P
Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue R-Z
Trial By Media: The Queen Caroline Affair a new exhibit from Yale University's Lewis Walpole Center.
Not a link but a must-read is Dress in the Age of Jane Austen: Regency Fashion. Georgette Heyer would have had this on her reference shelf and consulted it frequently. It's a must-read for any Regency fashion enthusiast. Scholarly works not your thing? No problem. There are TONS of photos of clothing, period fashion prints and satirical prints to look at. This book is well worth owning.
OMG you all HAVE to read An American In Regency England. It's a primary source so you can read it online under the title Journal of a Tour and Residence in Great Britain, During the Years 1810 and 1811, Volume 1This was published in 1815 and reprinted in 1968. I wonder if Heyer had access to this because it nails some of the details she got right. You have to read this though, something she did NOT include but should have....
He writes: " Drinking much and long leads to unavoidable consequences. Will it be credited that in a corner of the very dining room there is a certain convenient piece of furniture to be used by any body who wants it. The operation is performed very deliberately and undisguisedly as a matter of course and occasions no interruption of the conversation.
I once took the liberty to ask why this convenient article was not placed out of the room in some adjoining closet and was answered that in former times when good fellowship was more strictly enforced than in these degenerate days it had been found that men of weak heads or stomachs took advantage of the opportunity to make their escape shamefully before they were quite drunk and that it was to guard against such an enormity that this nice expedient had been invented."
I'm completely dying of laughter. I did know about this, I learned about it from the "butler" at the Jane Austen Festival in Bath. He said the real reason ladies and gentlemen separate after dinner is so they can pass around the chamber pot. Why do authors never include this important detail? It has potential for an epic screwball scene. There's a satirical print to back up the journal entry.
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collect...
QNPoohBear wrote: "OMG you all HAVE to read An American In Regency England. It's a primary source so you can read it online under the title Journal of a Tour and Residence in Great Britain, During the ..."The print is hilarious. Oh dear.....
I'd like to have a look at the text but not sure where it's available online??
QNPoohBear wrote: "OMG you all HAVE to read An American In Regency England. It's a primary source so you can read it online under the title Journal of a Tour and Residence in Great Britain, During the ..."That is so funny! Thanks for posting - I would love to read more. Do you have a link to where it is available online?
Oops the link didn't work... I edited my post. Here it is againJournal of a Tour and Residence in Great Britain, During the Years 1810 and 1811, Volume 1
His observations are interesting and probably more accurate than Pierce Egan since he was an observer. Louis Simond was a French émigré living in America and naturally not without bias! His wife was English and apparently neither of them were much to look at or personable but improved upon acquaintance. I wonder if Heyer had access to the original published version? I don't understand why the characters in period novels never have bodily functions! Modern characters do a lot, usually for comedy. The ladies' withdrawing room is typically shown for wardrobe malfunctions. People weren't shy in the past, there was no such thing as privacy until modern times.
Thanks QN. Your link only went to a small snippet, but I pasted the title into google and it took me to the book in google books. I have been skimming through some of the text, and feel it is likely Heyer may well have read it. For example, the description of a balloon ascension at Hackney, and the enormous and excited crowd that attended (p261). P 267, an anecdote about 'a lady of quality'. etc etc. Interesting. Thanks for sharing.
If you click on 'page 62' that shows on the link it'll take you to the book.
Teresa wrote: "If you click on 'page 62' that shows on the link it'll take you to the book."Oh yes. Thanks. The way I did it seems to have taken me to a different book???? Or different version???? Google books is somewhat confusing......
The page refs I gave are for the other book. Both look equally interesting.
I'm just so delighted I figured out a way to do something digital without help:):) Usually I have to call my son to help me with the simplest thing. It's probably an anomaly:):)
Teresa wrote: "I'm just so delighted I figured out a way to do something digital without help:):) Usually I have to call my son to help me with the simplest thing. It's probably an anomaly:):)"
Ha ha ha. Yep, I've been known a time or two to call on one of my sons for help with digital stuff .......
Sorry, here's the link to the full bookJournal of a Tour and Residence in Great Britain, During the Years ..., Volume 1
By Louis Simond This is a really bad scan! Some idiot got their fingers in the way. *sigh* The 1968 published edition is annotated which is helpful.
We know Heyer read Tom And Jerry: Life In London; Or The Day And Night Scenes Of Jerry Hawthorn And His Elegant Friend, Corinthian Tom. That's on Google Books too. Tom and Jerry: Life in London e-book
I'm not sure Heyer would like the Internet but it sure is handy for research.
Another interesting passage from the journal of Louis Simond and more serious, relating to Heyer's world. It kind of contradicts the notion of very carefully chaperoned girls in the novels."I think married women are less on a footing of equality with their husbands here than in France. They appear more dependent. Unmarried women on the contrary are less shackled here they go out often alone and enjoy more liberty. This liberty produces few abuses before marriage and rather tends to prevent them afterwards. Those who take advantage of it to do wrong before marriage would have it so after and it is certainly safer to take a woman who has seen the world than one who knows only the walls of a convent and who has never been trusted out of sight from her birth."
Translation: Girls who are allowed out of the schoolroom to see a little of the world are less likely to be seduced before marriage. Those who would engage in premarital sex would probably also engage in extramarital affairs anyway.
This passage was removed from the 1968 reprint.
I just ran across this article on Gretna Green that I thought would be of interest: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/5...I don't know that any of Heyer's heroes or heroines actually made it to Gretna Green, but trips were at least attempted, or feared, in several of her novels. (view spoiler)
Mod
No, it's always "Gretna Green!? Oh no, that would be too shocking!" isn't it?
Jenny wrote: "Doris wrote: "I don't know that any of Heyer's heroes or heroines actually made it to Gretna Green,..."No, it's always "Gretna Green!? Oh no, that would be too shocking!" isn't it?"
Of course! Only couples "who were only brought together because their passions were stronger than their virtue” (as Elizabeth Bennet puts it) would opt for Gretna Green instead of a proper marriage!
that was interesting, Doris, thanks for the link.
Georgette Heyer Fans
Books mentioned in this topic
Black Sheep (other topics)Frederica (other topics)
Bath Tangle (other topics)
Arabella (other topics)
Tom And Jerry: Life In London; Or The Day And Night Scenes Of Jerry Hawthorn And His Elegant Friend, Corinthian Tom (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Pierce Egan (other topics)Jennifer Kloester (other topics)
Gail Eastwood (other topics)
Gail Eastwood (other topics)
Catherine Coulter (other topics)
Hard to describe. It doesn't taste strong or anything like that. It's very refreshing. I also find if I make it and forget it, which I frequently do, it tastes just as nice cool as hot. I've also been told it's one of these super foods they talk about now.