Georgette Heyer Fans discussion
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Pistols For Two
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Pistols for Two Group Read March 2017
Howard wrote: "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 car..."
I've been admiring my copy of Snowdrift, and think it's not a coincidence that the dust jacket design is a pattern of coaches and horses. So many of the stories involve travel by this means, sometimes it's only incidental, other times it's central to the story.
Sheila wrote: "A Husband for FannySweet. Who can resist a man with smiling eyes?"
that is one of my favourites. such a happy story.
I finally gave in and ordered a used copy from Amazon. i won't get i for a week or so though, but don't let that keep you from commenting!
There's also an army of grey eyed aristocrats!
Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "There's also an army of grey eyed aristocrats!"I'm just reading Sarah Morris Remembers and grey eyed aristocrats turn up in there too!
A Husband for FannyOn previous reads the was my equal favourite & it holds up very well - not the least because it pulls off The Big Misunderstanding so well! It is so clever, so well crafted.
Is this GH's oldest heroine. (I can't remember how old Matilda was by the end of The Conqueror) & bonus points for a brown eyed heroine. If I could give 6★ I would, but 5 it will have to be.
A Husband for FannyCarol, I do believe that Clarissa is the oldest romance heroine and the only mother of a grown child as well. It is only natural that the hero prefers her to Fanny! Very lovely story, indeed.
A Husband for Fanny& GH's writing makes it very clear that Fanny would love to have Lord Harleston as her stepfather!
Sheila wrote: "Nick wrote: "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 s..."
i always thought Colonel brandon should marry Mrs dashwood. i wanted marianne to get Willoughby. as for Jo and that old professor - no, no, no! that was very painful. Fortuantely here in the UK little women part 2 is published as a seperate book called good Wives, so it is possible to just ignore the whole unfortunate professor thing.
Louise wrote: "Sheila wrote: "Nick wrote: "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 [book:Sense and Sensibilit..."
I have read that LMA did that (married Jo to Mr Bhaer) to please her publishers--that her desire was for Jo to remain unmarried. But I suppose I am straying off-topic...
Louise wrote: "Fortuantely here in the UK little women part 2 is published as a seperate book called good Wives, so it is possible to just ignore the whole unfortunate professor thing."So that's why people talk about things that happen in Good Wives as if they're in Little Women! I thought they were just confused. D'oh, I am slow!
I'm really enjoying this book very much. One thing I noticed was the lack of cant in it. Yes it appears in one or two later stories and then it's minimal but the early stories have none at all. So far my absolute favorite is A Husband for Fanny. This reminded me of a book I read by Mary Nichols, Marrying Miss Hemmingford. (It's also a many times reread for me).
I saw that some people thought Pistols For Two was the best of the bunch but I wasn't fond of that one. Two over grown annoying school boys!
Got mixed up with the two editions and I posted this on the other one when it should have been here! WAKE UP TERESA!!!!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were some really good stories, some average and a few duds. My favorite is still A Husband for Fanny. Clandestine Affair is also another goodie. I got hints of Persuasion here in the romantic side of it. Pink Domino can also be added to this list. I liked Night at the Inn because it was slightly different. Hardly a romance but a good story.
I didn't like Hazard. It was all a bit much and stretching incredulity a bit too much.
But a great read all round.
Sheila wrote: "Nick wrote: "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 s..."
Didn't bother me either Sheila that Jo married the Professor. It seemed like the normal thing to happen. Especially in the dvd when he was Gabriel Byrne:):)
Teresa wrote: "I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were some really good stories, some average and a few duds. My favorite is still A Husband for Fanny. Clandestine Affair is also another goodie. I got hints o..."
About Hazard:
I agree, it wasn't my favorite either, although I do give the author points for figuring a way out of the mess (however implausible) while preserving everyone's reputation! I wasn't sure she was going to be able to do it.
Sheila wrote: "Teresa wrote: "I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were some really good stories, some average and a few duds. My favorite is still A Husband for Fanny. Clandestine Affair is also another goodie..."
Sheila
About 'Hazard'
That plot device is catnip for me, so Hazard is one of my favorites. Especially because she did figure a way out of the mess. I will confess to rolling my eyes a bit towards the end when the fiancee shows up. Just how many elopements are there in this collection?!
Bath MissSweet, funny, and I agree with Carol, wholly predictable, but delightful! After meeting Almeria I can see why our hero didn't want to spend Christmas, let alone the rest of his life, with her...she appears to be a battle axe in the making. Nan is fun and funny, kind to animals and good-natured to boot - what more could a guy want?!
Barb in Maryland wrote: "Sheila wrote: "Teresa wrote: "I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were some really good stories, some average and a few duds. My favorite is still A Husband for Fanny. Clandestine Affair is also..."
Barb in Maryland,
More about 'Hazard'
Lol, a lot of elopements! I should have known that's how she'd get out of the mess! I'd be interested to read the earlier version of the story. And also a sequel (though I know it doesn't exist).
To Have the HonourI may have a new joint favourite. A very romantic story, great secondary characters & a ton of humour. What Heyer does best! I do wonder if this was worked into the more realistic A Civil Contact. 5★
Teresa wrote: "I'm really enjoying this book very much. One thing I noticed was the lack of cant in it. Yes it appears in one or two later stories and then it's minimal but the early stories have none at all. So..."
i don't like pistols for two much either. Those two rather silly boys didn't interest memuch.
Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "To Have the HonourI may have a new joint favourite. A very romantic story, great secondary characters & a ton of humour. What Heyer does best! I do wonder if this was worked into the more realist..."
To Have the Honour
I agree, this one is so well done. Trix, especially, is a delight, as are our two young lovers (Alan and Hetty).
Louise wrote: " Pistols For Twoi don't like pistols for two much either. Those two rather silly boys didn't interest memuch. ."
I liked it - as long as it was short enough. And I remember it better than other stories in that book.
Teresa wrote: "Sheila wrote: "Nick wrote: "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 [book:Sense and Sensibilit...
Didn't bother me either Sheila that Jo married the Professor. It seemed like the normal thing to happen. Especially in the dvd when he was Gabriel Byrne:):) "
I agree. {grin}
Night at the InnShowing Heyer could have written Victorian horror if she chose! Wow she did this well. Deducting half a star for a slightly clumsy beginning & an extreme case of insta-love. 4.5★
Pink DominoSweet story of love at first sight, but too short! I wish this could've been a longer story, it's one of my favorite tropes...with a nice twist that the little sister's beau turned out to be a good guy, not a fortune hunter! Although I think he will have his hands full with his expensive young bride...
A Husband for Fanny
Another decent, upright young military man as the secondary hero, yay! Fanny and Richard seem like a wonderful couple, I love the fact that she's a down-to-earth young woman, gratefully enjoyed her season, probably to please her loving mama who wanted her to see a bit of the world...what a great relationship between mother and daughter.
And I agree with whoever pointed out here that the Big Misunderstanding was very well done! That's always been one of my least favorite plot devices because it's so often written badly and waaaay too drawn out. New literary rule, Big Misunderstandings should only be used in short stories so they can be quickly and satisfactorily resolved! This was a delightful, sweet story.
my favorite is easily Night at the Inn - deliciously creepy and ends so satisfactorily. I would not like the heroine to have known what a close call he had, meanwhile he is a bright young success and she is perfect for him. did you think the opening was clumsy? why?
after that I don't dislike any of them but my second favorite is Full Moon. I hope that is the name of it; I don't have my copy anymore so I haven't read the book in a few years.
but the one where he meets her in the shrubbery under moonlight - and lets her father think he is crazy. very sweet.
Jackie wrote: "I would not like the heroine to have known what a close call he had"It's funny, I felt the exact opposite. I really enjoyed the story, but I did feel that it was a bit condescending for the men to decide that she shouldn't know what had happened.
the one where he meets her in the shrubbery under moonlight - and lets her father think he is crazy. very sweet.
Yes, what a gentleman!
Jackie wrote: "my favorite is easily Night at the Inn - deliciously creepy and ends so satisfactorily. I would not like the heroine to have known what a close call he had, meanwhile he is a bright young success a..."Night at the Inn
It sort of covers the same ground twice.
Nick wrote: "
It's funny, I felt the exact opposite. I really enjoyed the story, but I did feel that it was a bit condescending..."
I felt more likely John wouldn't want to look foolish in Mary's eyes!
A Husband for FannySusan in NC "And I agree with whoever pointed out here that the Big Misunderstanding was very well done! That's always been one of my least favorite plot devices because it's so often written badly and waaaay too drawn out."
Yes GH hasn't always done The Big Misunderstanding that well herself! (view spoiler)
Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "I felt more likely John wouldn't want to look foolish in Mary's eyes!"Oh, that's a good point! She was right about there being something up, after all.
Nick wrote: "Jackie wrote: "I would not like the heroine to have known what a close call he had"It's funny, I felt the exact opposite. I really enjoyed the story, but I did feel that it was a bit condescendin..."
i agree. I found that disappointing. When the story began, i thought it was going to be like a short talisman Ring, i didn't like the way it turned out.
Teresa wrote: "Sheila wrote: "Nick wrote: "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 [book:Sense and Sensibilit..."
And, if Jo hadn't married the Professor, what would have happened to the sequels?!?
Susan in NC wrote: "Pink DominoSweet story of love at first sight, but too short! I wish this could've been a longer story, it's one of my favorite tropes...with a nice twist that the little sister's beau turned out..."
A Husband for Fanny
I also think this is delightful and I absolutely agree that the "Big Misunderstanding" is well handled - I like your new rule: big misunderstandings can only bar used in short stories. I now get really fed up with the stupid misunderstanding which manages to last an entire book. As for example in April Lady!
Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "Jackie wrote: "my favorite is easily Night at the Inn - deliciously creepy and ends so satisfactorily. I would not like the heroine to have known what a close call he had, meanwhile he is a bright ..."I agree Carole - he had been utterly foolish in advertising his wealth and the fact no-one knew he was in the country - so he certainly would not want to let Mary know how is foolishness had nearly cost him! I thought the story itself was well done even though it's not my normal cup of tea!!
Susan in Perthshire wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Pink DominoSweet story of love at first sight, but too short! I wish this could've been a longer story, it's one of my favorite tropes...with a nice twist that the little sist..."
I hate misunderstanding that could be cleared up with just one simple question: I think it's a dumb premise that might be all too common in real life, but I detest it!
Karlyne wrote: "Susan in Perthshire wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Pink DominoSweet story of love at first sight, but too short! I wish this could've been a longer story, it's one of my favorite tropes...with a nic..."
Yes!
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."
PURSUIT
Thank you Teresa. I read this one in a magazine years ago and always liked it. Lovely to read it again. It's amazing how many of these stories mirror others; but personally I don't care. I think GH had a real mastery of the short story genre; and if she selected elements to reintroduce in her full length novels - well so be it. Double the pleasure. The only thing I dislike is the hero's name. I immediately see Alan Ladd on a horse!!
Susan in Perthshire wrote: "Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "Jackie wrote: "my favorite is easily Night at the Inn - deliciously creepy and ends so satisfactorily. I would not like the heroine to have known what a close call h..."I can't wait to get to this one, all of the comments have me intrigued!
I must say I like reading a story or two a day; I can be reading another book at the same time (or two, or three...) and still get a delightful, fresh, "palate cleanser" with one of these lovely stories! Never been a short story fan, but this month's read is changing my mind.
I'm finding it hard reading them this slow, but it is true I appreciate them more doing it this way.
That's the beauty of it, you can reread these often, all in one go or a couple stories a day, depending on your whim and time allowed! All in one gulp or saaaaaavor slowly, depending on your preference, just like a favorite food...;-)
I have four books on the go at the moment but when I'm reading them I want to be back will this one! :0
Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "To Have the HonourI may have a new joint favourite. A very romantic story, great secondary characters & a ton of humour. What Heyer does best! I do wonder if this was worked into the more realist..."
that's interesting, I never thought of that.
and I'd forgotten that The Truth about Night at the Inn would indeed make John look bad: he had foolishly told total strangers that nobody knew where he was or would look for him. I think in reality he is just young and naive.
in fact, they are both such innocent characters; I just find the romance charming - they share a silent giggle at a silly name - and not rushed. well, only that it is A Night, and not a week. that's all the time they had to fall for each other and I totally buy that they did.
A Husband For Fanny - so cunning to make use of the trope where teen girls are matched with men old enough to be their father.
should I have spoilered an early post where I talked about Full Moon? I found that one funny, as Our Hero interacts with the hapless Father of the Heroine (it's been years since I read the stories so I forget the names). Father is angry, blustering, bewildered, and so on. Hero just smiles and totally owns the situation.
Jackie wrote: should I have spoilered an early post where I talked about Full Moon?
Nah, we aren't bothering about spoilering here as the stories are so short. Just put the title & leave a gap - in case you are talking about a story that everyone hasn't read yet.
Spoiler tags if you want to talk about another book like (view spoiler) though
The DuelI'm going to overlook the insta-love, arrogant hero & yet another idiot brother in this story as it is just so romantic. GH tells it at a breakneck pace, so we ignore the improbabilities. I loved Mama's miraculous return to good health at the end. 4.5★
To Have the HonourThis was a delightful story - again, too short! I guess that's the sign it's a favorite; loved the humor, loved the premise, loved the handsome, honorable hero and the sweet, lovely heroine. Especially loved Trix, she's a hoot - and she didn't even get to be "on stage" to enjoy the greatest triumph of her history as a prankster!
A Clandestine AffairI felt like I had just read this one with Pursuit but I didn't care. There was humor and I liked that we had more backstory on our hero and heroine. I felt that had been missing in Pursuit. Like Susan I'm normally not a short story fan but am enjoying these.
HazardNow this was my joint favourite as a young thing. & I still like it a lot as I allow for the fact that Sir Ralph is pond scum & Carleton is very drunk. & when it is starting to look too much like high tragedy, in waltz Fanny the Drama Queen & the fiance she wants to marry. I do have a quibble about whether such a wild young man could have been pressured into marriage like this.
I reread & I can't help myself - I just love it! 5★
A Night at the InnYikes! This was really well-done, Heyer masterfully ratchets up the tension - I really pictured the oppressive darkness, the suffocating silence, the overwhelming creepiness - reminded me of the scenes of Scrooge's dark and grungy house in the 1938 Reginald Owen version of Christmas Carol (my personal favorite)!
John and Mary were appealingly innocent and naive and I couldn't help being grateful they found each other - Mary is saved from trying to play governess to NINE children! Mr. Waggleswick (spectacular name) is impressively ominous - no spoilers but he gave me the creeps. All round good spooky fun.
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Georgette Heyer Fans
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The Unpredictable Bride (other topics)Sense and Sensibility (other topics)
Sense and Sensibility (other topics)
Sarah Morris Remembers (other topics)
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Sweet. 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..."
I had a suspicion where the wind was blowing as I read this story, but wasn't completely sure until the very end, that it was the mother, not the daughter, who was the object of interest. It just isn't the norm. Very satisfying, however.
I confess I never pictured Colonel Brandon with Mrs Dashwood, but that's partly because I am a very unimaginative reader, in some ways. I always follow the lead of the author! (case in point, Little Women: never bothered me that Jo married Mr Bhaer, not Laurie.)