Friday's Child 2018 Read Chapters 1-12

[Karlyne]

As I'm reading on, I'm realizing that it's Sherry's immaturity that bugs me and not Hero's. She's not cowed by anything, but happily argues with Sherry about furnishings and speaks up whenever she thinks of anything to say. She's young but not thoughtless or casually kind. Both of them have had poor upbringings, but Sherry could have done with a bit of Hero's squashings by her "betters". Maybe then he wouldn't be in such danger of becoming a seriously arrogant man. This really is his coming of age story!

[Karlyne]

Aha! moment: Sherry is so immature and thoughtless because he's never had anyone to care for. No siblings, I'm sure no real pets, any dependents who actually need him. At the beginning of Chapter 8, he's teaching Hero to ride, and it's a completely new experience for him, an experience that most children will have already had with either siblings or pets. If he'd had decent parenting, this lack would have been rectified, but as it is, he's way behind developmentally!

[QNPoohBear]

Karlyne wrote: "Aha! moment: If he'd had decent parenting, this lack would have been rectified, but as it is, he's way behind developmentally! ."

Interesting observation. I never thought about Sherry in that way.

[Critterbee❇]

Sorry to drop a spoiler in this thread, but this is regarding Sherry's personality. Later on in the book, (Chapter 14) (view spoiler)[ Sherry has a moment of introspection recalling how he did love his country estate when he was young, before his Father passed. I wonder how Sherry would have turned out if his Father had been able to spend more time with him. (hide spoiler)]

[Karlyne]

❇Critterbee wrote: "Sorry to drop a spoiler in this thread, but this is regarding Sherry's personality. Later on in the book, (Chapter 14) [spoilers removed]"

To reply to your spoiler, very differently, I think, Critterbee! As I was reading how Sherry responded to Hero's innocent mention - in public - of his opera dancer, I'm thinking that although he was, of course, wrong in how he treated Hero later, he wasn't bullying her, trying to be all-powerful or controlling. He was genuinely frustrated, and, since he hadn't ever learned how to deal with his irritation before, he reacted as a child would. No excuse, and yet I am excusing him, because I'm expecting him to grow up soon and leave such childish ways behind him.

[Teresa]

Interesting views on Sherry and his behaviour. We all see him differently and that's great.

[Amy]

Teresa wrote: "Sophronia!!!!!!!! Good God what was the woman who named her thinking. ."

My DD is a Sophia. Sometimes I call her Sophronia. I rather like it. LOL.

[Petra]

This is my first time reading Friday's child. I'm half way in and I'm really looking forward to how will everyone grow up. Hero is just such a cutie can't say a bad word about her. I love Isabella as well her troubles and her point of view is offering such a funny perspective. Sherry reminds me of Bertie without Jeeves from Wodehouse stories. He is definitely immature but he seems to always end up acting in the right way. Hero and Sherry's relationship evolution is just so cute. I wonder where will Heyer take it. I'm new to Heyer as well so I'm not sure about her style and story arc.

[Critterbee❇]

Zita wrote: "This is my first time reading Friday's child. I'm half way in and I'm really looking forward to how will everyone grow up. Hero is just such a cutie can't say a bad word about her. I love Isabella ..."

SO happy to see new GH readers enjoying her books! I agree that Hero and Isabella were very well written, and very likable! And Sherry, for all the overt immaturity, has a heart and often make mistakes, but usually means well when he stops to think about things.

[Karlyne]

How fun it would be to be starting my collection of Heyers! I still remember the last mystery I found to complete that genre (it was Envious Casca, I think) while on vacation in Custer, South Dakota. I thought $4.00 rather steep, but I'm sure glad I bought it. Have fun, Zita!

[Petra]

Thank you Karlyn and Critterbee. It's really exciting to be on GH reading spree. The other day I described someone on facebook as "not up to snuff, yet" lol

[Susan in NC]

❇Critterbee wrote: "Zita wrote: "This is my first time reading Friday's child. I'm half way in and I'm really looking forward to how will everyone grow up. Hero is just such a cutie can't say a bad word about her. I l..."

So true, and he’s pretty honest about admitting his mistakes- definitely a sign of maturity in a young man, I think.

[MaryC]

❇Critterbee wrote: "Barb in Maryland wrote: "Adding to the confusion is the fact that Hero is nicknamed 'Kitten' and spends a goodly part of 'Friday's Child' being called that, rather than Hero, in conversations..."

..."

Three-plus months late: Isn't Kitty generally a bit stronger and wiser than Hero? Remember that she manages to get two other couples properly paired off and wed!

[Jackie]

I think I liked Kitty more than Hero/Kitten for some reason...maybe just that Hero was more passive. (view spoiler)[ She was running away from home when Sherry found her sitting on a wall but I don't think she would have gotten far if he hadn't come along. Actually, same with Kitty who was also running away when she ran into Freddie. But didn't she steal the housekeeping money? (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] I think Hero was more passive, on the whole. But I actually like them both quite a lot. (hide spoiler)]

[Critterbee❇]

We will be reading Cotillion later this year, please remember to avoid spoilers or use spoiler tags, (as in our rules) as not all group members have read it yet. Thanks!