Georgette Heyer Fans discussion
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Cotillion
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Cotillion October 2018 Group Read Chapters 1-10
I’ve read this one a few times and love it! I have the Sourcebooks paperback
but will also listen to the audiobook
for fun!
Oh dear! I am going to rain on this parade. I've read this maybe two or three times. My first read was way back in mid-late 1960s.
.I am just not a fan of her books that feature very young protagonists. Too frothy by half. I like romps/madcap comedy in very,very small doses.
this is one of my favorites, in the top three I think. I have read it many, many times. my first paperback looked like this
but I read it til it fell to bits.
currently I have a paperback where Kitty is wearing a big hat with a man sitting next to her in longish hair. they both have kind of goopy expressions; I couldn't find that cover in the list.
The first chapter is yet another good opening (does Heyer have any bad ones?)
we have seen characters like Uncle Mathew before, cranky old miser!
but, while there have been other characters that were't known to be terribly bright, is Lord Dolphinton the only one who is actually a "seven months child" as someone says?
He provides some of the comedy in this book, and he starts right out annoying Lord Biddenden who is "only a Baron". what a wonderful way to prick his bubble of self importance!
I have the Sourcebooks paperback with, mysteriously, three simpering misses on the cover. Embarrassing to carry around!I've read it perhaps three or four times, but I'm with Barb: not a favorite. (I'll save why for the spoilers thread.)
The thing that struck me this time around when reading the opening chapters was that the Penicuik household is very like Penhallow! (No, Spell Check, not ape hollow.) The name Penicuik even sounds Cornish, though Heyer couldn't set this book in Cornwall because of the traveling to and from London. I'll have to scurry off and see when Penhallow (no, Spell Check, NOT ape hollow!) was published.
This is my favorite, I have often skimmed through it for my favorite scenes, but this time I'm happy to re-read it in full with you.
Can't remember how many times I've read this, I have a 60s Pan paperback (most of mine are the 60s Pan paperbacks). This is a good book to cheer oneself up with. Very Wodehousian and laugh out loud funny.
This is one of my favourites, and I have read it about a dozen times. I have the Sourcebooks Trade Paperback, and will be reading it on my kindle this time.
I have read this one once before, it is one of my top five Heyers. I am going to try listening to it this month as I am already in the middle of other books, but would like to join in the discussion (and I need something to knit by!). I hope I enjoy it as much as I did the first time.A comment on the covers--I've searched for a good one for this title and haven't found any I liked. The best (for me) is the edition Susan in NC is reading--I don't like the one with the three smiling girls, though at least it doesn't give anything away.
My original copy (which fell apart a couple of years ago) had this cover
. I now have the kindle version, with the three girls, and an audible version
, which I don't like as much. I am not sure that the red coat is appropriate for non-military gentlemen (and who is wearing the lilac dress?)
This is my favorite. I never tire of reading (or listening) to it. I think that's because it's so very sly.
Rosina wrote: "My original copy (which fell apart a couple of years ago) had this cover ."That's the one I have! The cover is actually a scene from the book, and the characters are the right age and looks! I'm actually quite impressed.
Mod
My copy is the updated Pan one, that has the same scene contained in an oval frame.
Haven't read this for years so it'll be like reading it for the first time again. Mine has the same cover as Carol's. I won't be starting it for a couple of days as I'm wading through a doorstop of a novel at the moment and need to get it done.
My book cover is the same as NC Susan's. And I'm with Abigail and Barb, this is not my favorite book (although still worth 5 stars from me simply because it's a Heyer!!). Even though it's not my favorite, I'm going to try and join in this month since I've missed so many of the previous group reads. This will probably be my fourth time reading it.
Nick wrote: "Rosina wrote: "My original copy (which fell apart a couple of years ago) had this cover ."That's the one I have! The cover is actually a scene from the book, and the ..."
I love this cover - don't think I have it any longer.
I've started reading & it is like being back with old friends.
I´ll be reading it for the first time (not started yet): from Arrow books with nearly the same cover as Carol´s, but the other way round. Obviously it´s the painting The Three Graces by Vittorio Reggianini. I don´t like it too much either, but it seems to fit the story.
This one has never been in my top 5, but it's one of those I enjoy more and more the more often I read it (which has probably been 3 or 4 times now), and I particularly love the set-up. I am reading the Buccaneer hardback, (published 1985) in the sturdy red library binding, no dust jacket or cover drawing, quite stark. : )
I'm happily reading Cotillion for the 4th or 5th time, this time the Kindle version with the three simpering misses on the cover (thank you, Abigail Bok for your apt description). This book is a huge favorite for the laugh-out-loud dialog and the breadth of characters.
Looking forward to starting this reading all the comments here. That's one of the things I love about Heyer, the laugh-out-loud (with my husband giving me funny looks) moments.
Mary wrote: "I'm happily reading Cotillion for the 4th or 5th time, this time the Kindle version with the three simpering misses on the cover (thank you, Abigail Bok for your apt description). This book is a huge..."If it wasn't for the ballgowns, they would look like they were at a race course, cheering on the horses!
Oh, FISH!! How could I have forgotten the glorious Fish! How could I have forgotten her entrance: "Kitty! Throw that Fish out of the room!"
I love how that Fish ends up! clever Fish.
mark wrote: "I love how that Fish ends up! clever Fish."Yes!
Fish at first seems like a complete air head, much more hair than wit. But, wait, that woman can quote entire passages of poetry; she is most ridiculously romantic, true, but she's been living in books in order to escape her precarious and yet humdrum life. And Kitty is rather touchingly loyal to her, too, so there must be something worth loving in her. All in all, a rather sweet woman underneath the flood of words.
I just finished (rereading) The Nonesuch and was looking about for what to read next. Lucky I came across this thread! This will either be my second or third time reading Cotillion. It is one of my favorites, and I look forward to discussing it with all of you!
Carol ꧁꧂ wrote: "Mary wrote: "I'm happily reading Cotillion for the 4th or 5th time, this time the Kindle version with the three simpering misses on the cover (thank you, Abigail Bok for your apt description). This..."Lol. Apt description--off to the races. I love the Sourcebook covers :-)
I'm still in the early stages of the book, having just started this night. But I always loved Dolph in this story. "Lord Dolphington, who occasionally disconcerted his relations by attending to what they said..." Lol. Heyer has quite the way with describing characters and making you laugh aloud at the same time.
Heyer gets me every time with Dolphinton's shtick: "I like you better than George; I like you better than Jack . . ." And everybody's swift attempts to head off the complete catalog.
Abigail wrote: "Heyer gets me every time with Dolphinton's shtick: "I like you better than George; I like you better than Jack . . ." And everybody's swift attempts to head off the complete catalog."Yes, I get a lot of laughs out of Dolph - and I like Hannah! I’d forgotten about her...
Abigail wrote: "Heyer gets me every time with Dolphinton's shtick: "I like you better than George; I like you better than Jack . . ." And everybody's swift attempts to head off the complete catalog.":-)
Although I like Kitty, and I understand how living with just Fish and a crazy old man for company has warped her slightly, I do hope she drops the crying to get her own way with Freddy. She has sense, so I'm optimistic.
Actually, I had forgotten how much I like Lord Legerwood, even tho' he does make fun of Freddy. DON'T MAKE FUN OF FREDDY!!
Elliot wrote: "Actually, I had forgotten how much I like Lord Legerwood, even tho' he does make fun of Freddy. DON'T MAKE FUN OF FREDDY!!"I think of it more as loving teasing by a mature man of his flaky son to maintain his sanity (trust me, I know of what I speak, our college graduate son has moved back home to finish some professional exams...) I think I can speak for Lord L and his lady when I say we love them, but chill out and let life happen!
A parent like Lord Legerwood would be pretty intimidating for the likes of Freddy! (Think of what it would be like to be Kitty Bennet in Mr Bennet's household.) but Freddy seems to both love and trust him.
I think teasing can be very beneficial, and although Freddy seems for the most part to not notice it, it's still a good way to remind a child of their limitations, a nicer way to say that the sun does not rise and set within their persons. Of course, I think Lord Legerwood is indulging his own sense of humor rather than instructing Freddy, but I still like him.
Elliot wrote: "Actually, I had forgotten how much I like Lord Legerwood, even tho' he does make fun of Freddy. DON'T MAKE FUN OF FREDDY!!"Ah, hahahaha! Too true!
I think Freddy respects Lord L, and Lord L is learning to respect Freddy as an adult.
This is one of my favourites, I've lost track of how many times I've read it.I'm listening to the Kindle version this time and loving it as much as ever.
Karlyne wrote: "I think teasing can be very beneficial, and although Freddy seems for the most part to not notice it, it's still a good way to remind a child of their limitations, a nicer way to say that the sun d..."Agreed! We old farts deserve a laugh now and then, keeps us sane...
Critterbee❇ wrote: "I think Freddy respects Lord L, and Lord L is learning to respect Freddy as an adult."Very true - I think this book, fun as it is, is also a coming of age tale for both Kitty and Freddy!
Louise Sparrow wrote: "This is one of my favourites, I've lost track of how many times I've read it.I'm listening to the Kindle version this time and loving it as much as ever."
I’m listening to the Naxos audiobook, sometimes knitting, sometimes reading, and noticed the audiobook is somewhat abridging parts. But honestly, I’ve read it enough times to follow the plot, and the narrator is so delightful (Clare Wille), that I’m enjoying it immensely! The dialogue is all there, so it’s very tightly plotted and works very well...
I haven't read this in quite a while, and it is one of my favorites, so I'm looking forward both to the read and the discussion. Heyer is fairly stingy with good parents, so they are a relief and a pleasure when they come along. Freddy is indeed fortunate to have two, and his interactions with his father are just the Best Thing Ever.
Elza wrote: "...Heyer is fairly stingy with good parents, so they are a relief and ..."True!
Elza wrote: "I haven't read this in quite a while, and it is one of my favorites, so I'm looking forward both to the read and the discussion. Heyer is fairly stingy with good parents, so they are a relief and ..."
Yes!
Rosina wrote: "My original copy (which fell apart a couple of years ago) had this cover . I now have the kindle version, with the three girls, and an audible version [bookcover:Cotill..."II have the same copy as your original, but it's so old now, with tiny writing, and yellow pages, that I find it hard to read. I've ordered a copy from my library, but it hasn't arrived yet, so I'll try to wait until I jump in with any comments.
Started last night. Looking forward to it.
Moloch, I moved your post to spoilers thread because it seems to be referring to the end of the book.
Elliot wrote: "Actually, I had forgotten how much I like Lord Legerwood, even tho' he does make fun of Freddy. DON'T MAKE FUN OF FREDDY!!"So did I! I kind of wondered if he were what most of the heroes of Heyer's works look like a couple decades down the road.
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Georgette Heyer Fans
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The Foundling (other topics)
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I have probably read it around 50 times, the last time around 2 years ago.
This is my copy.
So... Is this anyone's first time reading this?
How many times have you read it?
What format are you using?
Please - no spoilers or use the spoiler tags. We don't want to spoil a first time read for anyone!
I'll probably be ready to start tomorrow, but since I know this one practically off by hearty, I'm sure I won't have any trouble catching up! :D