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Pistols For Two
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Pistols for Two Group Read March 2017
I've just picked up Snowdrift from the library. Probably start it tomorrow.Annoyingly after being on a waiting list of 5 before me I've also got Sylvester from Open Library - a whole month early! I'll probably send it back and get it again nearer to March.
Sigh. Snowdrift cover looks so pretty! I tried to get a read for review copy (only time I've ever asked) & was spurned with unflattering speed. My request would have barely hit their inbox!
Pistols for TwoDidn't care for this story much when younger- it's not romantic at all! Love it now.Witty and fun, loved reading Tom's thought processes. 5★
Publishers are so blinkered. They just don't seem to wan to make the connection with readers, yet readers potentially provide their best advertising, and that leads to sales!
Ella's Gran wrote: "Publishers are so blinkered. They just don't seem to wan to make the connection with readers, yet readers potentially provide their best advertising, and that leads to sales!"Although given GH's hatred of the publicity machine,this seemed strangely appropriate! :D
I'll be reading the Snowdrift and Other Stories copy. Even though I had Pistols I still got this one. Guess I have more money than sense:):) Looking forward to this read.
Your idea about heading posts with the story title seems an excellent one, Carol! I do like your deliberative management style!
Abigail wrote: "Your idea about heading posts with the story title seems an excellent one, Carol! I do like your deliberative management style!"Thanks Abigail! I do love this group! :)
I seem to remember someone posting on-line sites where some of these stories could be read. Of course I didn't note them at the time! Was anyone more foresighted and willing to share?
This is the one for Pursuit http://web.archive.org/web/2010043017...Thought I had the others but can't find them. Sorry.
Teresa wrote: "This is the one for Pursuit http://web.archive.org/web/2010043017...Thought I had the others but can't find them. Sorry."
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Thank you. Noted
Teresa wrote: "This is the one for Pursuit http://web.archive.org/web/2010043017...Thought I had the others but can't find them. Sorry."
Hi Teresa I've put up a separate thread for the stories that only appear in Pursuit. :)
Link here https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
A Clandestine AffairNot really the right title for this story - Lucy & Arthur are open in their regard for each. Very skillfully done story - & I liked both couples - & the engaging Holloways. I wonder if GH reworked this into the Black Sheep? It's not an exact copy, but there is a traces of it. & a heroine over 30 - yay!Why I'm deducting a star is the rekindling of Elinor & George's romance is just too quick for me. &, like George, I feel sad about the wasted years! 4★
Just broke down and purchased this because it was too difficult to keep track of everything and try to read on the computer. My life just got silly ... now I'm listening to a GH audiobook and reading one.
Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "A Clandestine AffairNot really the right title for this story - Lucy & Arthur are open in there regard for each. Very skillfully done story - & I liked both couples - & the engaging Holloways. I ..."
I liked this one a lot except that - wait, can we put spoilers here since the stories are so short?
Karlyne wrote: "Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "A Clandestine AffairNot really the right title for this story - Lucy & Arthur are open in there regard for each. Very skillfully done story - & I liked both couple..."
Yes spoiler away Karlyne just put the title as a heading on your post - like I have done in messages 4 & 14 :)
Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "A Clandestine AffairNot really the right title for this story - Lucy & Arthur are open in there regard for each. Very skillfully done story - & I l..."
Brilliant!
A Clandestine Affair:I thought it was a bit too coincidental that the Holloway's coach entered the road in time to confuse the chase, but on further reflection, I can see that it simply had to happen that way!
My copy of Snowdrift arrived yesterday, just in time for the group read! I've read the first story in that volume (Snowdrift) and the first story in Pistols for Two (story of the same title). For some reason they varied the order of the stories in Snowdrift (perhaps there is some protocol by which the first story in the volume should be the one the book is named for?) The three "new" stories are grouped at the back. Of these two opening stories I would say Pistols for Two is the better one. Spoiler for Snowdrift:
(view spoiler)
In Snowdrift the first two stories are the last to stories in Pistols For Two, so Snowdrift begins with Snowdrift, followed by Full Moon then follows the order in Pistols for Two. A separate section at the end of Snowdrift has the three new stories.
Ella's Gran wrote: "In Snowdrift the first two stories are the last to stories in Pistols For Two, so Snowdrift begins with Snowdrift, followed by Full Moon then follows the order in Pistols for Two. A separate sectio..."Thanks Lesley everyone has to be very careful skimming this thread! :)
Bath MissSweet, silly, improbable - but I love it.
If I ever meet anyone named Almeria I'm going to expect her to look like a Georgette Heyer character! :D
Oh yes, those names! I know a Heyer fan who gave one of her daughters the middle name Augusta. Fortunately, the girl turned out to be more than six feet tall, so she can carry it off!
Abigail wrote: "Oh yes, those names! I know a Heyer fan who gave one of her daughters the middle name Augusta. Fortunately, the girl turned out to be more than six feet tall, so she can carry it off!":D
Bath Miss
I like the way in this one the happy ending is foreshadowed, but there is going to be a courtship. 5★
Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "Ella's Gran wrote: "In Snowdrift the first two stories are the last to stories in Pistols For Two, so Snowdrift begins with Snowdrift, followed by Full Moon then follows the order in Pistols for Tw..."I hid my Snowdrift spoiler, always good to learn a new trick.
Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "Abigail wrote: "Oh yes, those names! I know a Heyer fan who gave one of her daughters the middle name Augusta. Fortunately, the girl turned out to be more than six feet tall, so she can carry it of..."Was Bertie Wooster's aunt an Augusta or an Agatha? They both sound right!
Agatha. I'm pretty sure about that. Can hear Hugh Laurie in my head saying it!
Bertie's was Agatha. In the Importance of Being Earnest, it's Aunt Augusta!
Teresa wrote: "Agatha. I'm pretty sure about that. Can hear Hugh Laurie in my head saying it!"We were simultaneously typing!
Love The Clandestine Affair. So witty and romantic. :)
Pink Domino made me giggle because it was not only implausible but positively gushing. Definitely love-at-first-sight done - and overdone.
Just a bit of advice--from personal experience! Pace yourself! A story a day is fine!! That way 1) you don't overdose on the sweet and 2) (and most important) you can more easily give each story a bit of attention, rather than saying to yourself 'Oh no!, Not another story featuring X trope! Didn't I just read one like that??'While I enjoyed all the stories, I feel 'Pistols for Two' was the strongest entry.
Barb in Maryland wrote: "Just a bit of advice--from personal experience! Pace yourself! A story a day is fine!! That way 1) you don;r overdose on the sweet and 2) (and most important) you can more easily give each story a ..."I usually gulp this book down, but I am pacing myself this time - but I'm finding it so hard! I'm a total GH addict.
Teresa wrote: "This is the one for Pursuit http://web.archive.org/web/2010043017...Thought I had the others but can't find them. Sorry."
Thanks!
I overdosed!I read them all through in one go, and quite frankly, I'm astonished that anybody ever managed to travel anywhere in Regency England given how shocking unreliable the carraiges were. It seems like 50/50 odds that you break an axle just going to the shops!
Pistols for TwoI really enjoyed the story. It was a glimpse into characters in her stories that we know exist but we don't get to see. Tom and Jack were so well written. The final scene where she has those two riding off into the sunrise in the London beaus carriage is pretty awesome.
Barb in Maryland wrote: "Just a bit of advice--from personal experience! Pace yourself! A story a day is fine!! That way 1) you don't overdose on the sweet and 2) (and most important) you can more easily give each story a ..."Great advice, thank you. I read the first two stories Sunday because I am trying to finish a few library books I can't renew and wanted to at least start Pistols for Two. I enjoyed that story very much but am disheartened it that's the strongest! I'll try one a day from here on out...
Teresa wrote: "Agatha. I'm pretty sure about that. Can hear Hugh Laurie in my head saying it!"I think he had two aunts, Dahlia and Agatha; one he adored and the other was a real stinker! (Bertie's words, not mine...)
Pistols for TwoI agree, this was a real treat because we get to see the story through the POV of one of the very young men; having a college-age son, this was catnip for me! The quick temper and rush to argue with a good friend, followed rapidly by remorse, fear and a sense of loss as he rides home - and sees his beloved father and home (and the beloved father of his erstwhile best friend and now deadly enemy!)
I think she wrote all of his roller coaster emotions beautifully - the yearning for what he could lose, the simple boyhood pleasures he's rapidly leaving behind, and all for what? Then the regret sets in as he realizes the girl at the heart of the argument is not even worth it - the cruelest blow of all! It was pretty obvious why the dashing buck from London took time with the two young 'uns, but I was really touched by the whole ending - how he spoke to them, what he said, how he tried to save their budding male pride (VERY important at this age, moms of boys know what I'm talking about here!), and made sure everyone came away friends - delightful! For a Heyer with absolutely no female characters in it, this was very touching and a real treat.
Clandestine Affair
As someone else pointed out here, this had eerie echoes of our last book to me! The gruff, rather nasty-tempered hero, the sweet-natured too young aunt who can't control her headstrong charge...the romance in their past was a great touch, sad and romantic and immediately softened my heart toward our wronged hero! I couldn't help wishing we could have met this whining hypochondriac older sister who came between the lovers years previously- I couldn't help seeing echoes of Maria and all the other deliciously written nagzillas Heyer has gifted us with over the years...something tells me she would've been a humdinger!
Also, totally unrelated, but halfway through a reading memory that had been poking at me finally bubbled to the top - I don't read much romance so I can't remember the author, but years ago at my mom's recommendation I read a very funny historical romance Regency, I think), about an impoverished young woman who ropes a very proper aristocrat into a cross-country chase to Gretna very similar to this. I think her younger brother and his guardian were trying to elope, or some combination of family relationships along those lines.
Of course the proper lord ended up in all sorts of awkward and embarrassing situations, the impoverished lady was an absolute brick and never lost her sense of humor, and true love all round was the result. I can't help thinking that author, whoever they are, swiped the premise from Heyer - of course, she invented the genre, so I guess they all steal from her in one way or another!
P.S. Carol, I don't know where to put this question, but I hope all went well with Chloe's move to Oz and she is well?
Susan in NC wrote: "Then the regret sets in as he realizes the girl at the heart of the argument is not even worth it - the cruelest blow of all!"Yes, it was a really well drawn picture of hot-headed young men, especially the way she showed that he wanted to pull back but couldn't because of honour and all that!
I felt a bit sorry for the girl (I forget her name now). She never got a chance to defend her character!
Nick wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Then the regret sets in as he realizes the girl at the heart of the argument is not even worth it - the cruelest blow of all!"Yes, it was a really well drawn picture of hot-he..."
Yes, I thought the same about the girl! It's funny, having been a girl (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth), and then becoming mother to a boy, this story was so poignant. I often feel the girl's side of the story in any romantic mishap he has and try and explain what might be her side of things (usually doesn't get off the ground because he's clueless and doesn't realize the girl is attracted to him, or he isn't attracted to her), but so often whoever the girl is ceases to matter; it's all about his pain, his disappointment, his feelings. It's left to us parents to hope he might someday meet a girl he finds worth getting to know - and of course, that she feels the same about him!
Pistols for TwoSo many good points. Susan in NC. I hadn't even noticed that there are no female characters - that even Marianne (don't be impressed by my memory - I had to check her name) is off stage!
I do want to defend Marianne's honour though. All these young woman get is one or maybe two seasons before they become a wife then a mother. This was her short time in the sun. & she did get Beau Kilham to intervene.
& Chloe's move went well thanks. Our thread for off topic conversations has got buried - I'll just resurrect it!
To Have the Honour:I think Trix is in a fair way to becoming a Grand Sophy - she handles the situation quite neatly.
I just finished Pink Domino and am putting the book aside for a bit. Not at all sure I'll be able to resist picking it up again for long. This book is truly addictive!Pink Domino
Nice touch--having Edwin be a good guy, not a fortune hunter (and the sister not as silly as she first appears). Loved the final scene, she is so good at these ensemble comedies.
Night at the Inn:Loved this one - I think it had everything a short, suspenseful story ought to have, especially a shivery ending with an obvious romance a-brewing.
A Husband for FannySweet. Who can resist a man with smiling eyes?
Sheila wrote: "I just finished Pink Domino and am putting the book aside for a bit. Not at all sure I'll be able to resist picking it up again for long. This book is truly addictive!Pink Domino
Nice touch--hav..."
Pink Domino
This was sweet, romantic & instalove - then that wonderful final scene was so Heyer! I was laughing out loud!
Yes Edwin was nice! 5★
I must say I'm enjoying this more reading them slower.
Susan in NC wrote: "I enjoyed that story very much but am disheartened it that's the strongest! I'll try one a day from here on out...
We haven't got to my two favourites yet! I'm hoping I still love them.
Sheila wrote: "A Husband for FannySweet. Who can resist a man with smiling eyes?"
Yes, wasn't it lovely? I wonder if Heyer was thinking of Sense and Sensibility when she wrote this one? I think there must be lots of people who think that Colonel Brandon should've got together with Mrs Dashwood, not Marianne. She was the right age for him.
It's interesting that lots of these other stories are very similar to later novels, but I don't think I've read anything like this by her in a novel form? She has her 'spinsters' who are generally 30 at the oldest, but not widows with grown children of their own.
Nick wrote: "I overdosed!I read them all through in one go, and quite frankly, I'm astonished that anybody ever managed to travel anywhere in Regency England given how shocking unreliable the carraiges were. ..."
Even a century later, automobiles broke down and tires blew and cars got stuck in the mud making travel adventures.
Heyer has lots of protagonists who were so skilled at avoiding crashing (and running over pedestrians who had right of way).
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Georgette Heyer Fans
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I was thinking rather than have a spoiler thread we could just head our posts with the story we are talking about the leave a space and start commenting. Does that sound do-able?
I've read this collection many times, starting with this hardback
For this read its
How about the rest of you?