The Toll-gate Group Read January 2019 Chapters 1-9

[Abigail]

For those not familiar with him: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_N...

[Margaret]

He's a redhead, isn't he?

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

Abigail wrote: "For those not familiar with him: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_N..."

What a handsome young man!

[Critterbee❇]

Jack is blonde? ooops I re-wrote him as per my own mind - sorry!

[Karlyne]

I've thought of the perfect Jack! Joel McCray! Wait, is that the right name... Starred with Veronica Lake in Sullivan's Travels, he was at least 6'5"?

[QNPoohBear]

I think we're missing the obvious casting choice for Jack here Sam Heughan from Outlander. He's 6' 3", looks good in Georgian clothing and can pass for blond. I don't watch the show but my best friend is into Outlander so I'm familiar with the story and cast.

I'll watch Johnny Depp in just about anything funny and in his younger days he would have made an amazing Chirk.

[Teresa]

QNPoohBear wrote: "I think we're missing the obvious casting choice for Jack here Sam Heughan from Outlander. He's 6' 3", looks good in Georgian clothing and can pass for blond. I don't watch the show but my best fri..."

Oh yes!! Heughan would be perfect! Every time I read this book now that's who'll I'll be picturing in my mind.

[Carolm]

Abigail wrote: "For those not familiar with him: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_N..."

That is Jack to me.

[Jane]

I'm not familiar with very many actors. I've been googling images of some of those y'all have mentioned. None of them exactly fit what's in my mind. But, so far, I'm gonna agree with Abigail's and PoohBear's choices for Jack (that Outlander guy looks good in his kilt!).

[Critterbee❇]

QNPoohBear wrote: "I think we're missing the obvious casting choice for Jack here Sam Heughan from Outlander. He's 6' 3", looks good in Georgian clothing and can pass for blond. I don't watch the show but my best fri..."

Oh, my he (Sam Heughan) seems too pretty!

[Jane]

Yeah, Critterbee, you do have a point, he is a bit too pretty, although some of the photos of him in kilt, looking more wild and disheveled, were a little less "pretty-boy".
There was a guy that played the Scottish doctor in the Christy dvd series I have. He's a little bit closer to what I imagine, but still not quite right for the elusive picture in my head. He's an Australian actor named Stewart Finley-McLennan.

[Jane]

I don't picture Jack as drop-dead, smooth gorgeous. Maybe more rough, manly, with a touch of boyish charm and a splash of crazy and just a pinch of polish.

[Sheila (in LA)]

Jane wrote: "Yeah, Critterbee, you do have a point, he is a bit too pretty, although some of the photos of him in kilt, looking more wild and disheveled, were a little less "pretty-boy".
There was a guy that p..."

I remember the actor you're talking about--from Christy--he's probably the closest to my mental image of Jack of anyone that's been suggested. I picture Jack as handsome but not, as you say, drop-dead gorgeous.

[Moloch]

Jane wrote: "I don't picture Jack as drop-dead, smooth gorgeous. Maybe more rough, manly, with a touch of boyish charm and a splash of crazy and just a pinch of polish."

Same for me!

[Moloch]

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: " This is the copy I'm reading this time. A dark haired Jack & a very plain Nell - who also appears to be slightly taller than Jack!

I'm loving some of the language..."

That one is a good Nell for me!

[Jane]

Y'all, this is driving me nuts now!! I never take part in "casting" discussions because I live in a bubble and don't know that many actors or watch many contemporary movies. 😊 But, ugh!, now I can't stop trying to find the perfect "Jack"! What about Michael Fassbender, who played Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre (2011? version). Also, what about Rupert Penry-Jones, who played Captain Wentworth in the 2007 BBC version of Persuasion?? He might be a touch too "pretty-boy", although he did play a military officer who was also a gentleman?? Maybe if we could mix him with the actor from the Christy series..... Oh, and maybe throw in a touch of Matthias Schoenaerts, looking just like he did in Far From the Madding Crowd (2015? version). Oh, and maybe a touch of Toby Stephens, the guy who played Mr. Rochester in another one of the Jane Eyre productions.
(I also like Karlynne's suggestion of Jack McCrea, but I think he's, also, a little too pretty and we'd need to make him look a touch more rugged.)

And for Bab I picture someone tall, thinner than Jack (but solid military muscle beneath the foppish facade), dark hair, suave but tough underneath, humorous glint to the eye...... hmmm?...... maybe Richard Armitage mixed with Cary Grant and maybe a touch of Rupert Everett (as he was in An Ideal Husband or The Importance of Being Earnest)????

[Rebecca]

LOL, @Jane, it kinda sucks you in, doesn't it? Especially when we're casting actors alive and dead, so why NOT mix some of them up? THIS one's look, with THAT one's persona? This really does need its own thread, doesn't it? "The Toll-Gate," The Movie!

[Jane]

You're not kidding, Rebecca! Hah! I think we might need a separate movie-casting thread for each of the Heyer books we read this year!!

[Rebecca]

Jane wrote: "You're not kidding, Rebecca! Hah! I think we might need a separate movie-casting thread for each of the Heyer books we read this year!!"

Now, THERE'S an idea!

[mark]

A little over halfway through with this one. May just go ahead and finish tonight! I am loving it, so much. I haven't read much Heyer (this is only my 5th, I'm sad to say) but this is my favorite so far. Just perfect, really. I even loved that chaotic opening chapter with all those characters who may not even reappear. The love story is very sweet and I like how nonchalant it is, and drama-free (so far, at least). I especially like that the driving force of the novel is a mystery. And all the characters are fun. Love the leads, and Ben.


Karlyne wrote: "I've thought of the perfect Jack! Joel McCray! Wait, is that the right name... Starred with Veronica Lake in Sullivan's Travels, he was at least 6'5"?"

Joel McCrea. awesome actor, one of my favorites.

[Abigail]

There are several Heyers that are heavier on adventure than romance, Mark--have you read The Foundling or The Reluctant Widow? You might enjoy those as well.

[Critterbee❇]

mark wrote: "A little over halfway through with this one. May just go ahead and finish tonight! I am loving it, so much. I haven't read much Heyer (this is only my 5th, I'm sad to say) but this is my favorite s..."

Have you tried the Talisman Ring, yet? That one also features adventure. Dashing and hilarious.

[Karlyne]

mark wrote: "A little over halfway through with this one. May just go ahead and finish tonight! I am loving it, so much. I haven't read much Heyer (this is only my 5th, I'm sad to say) but this is my favorite s..."

I looked him up later (and mentally corrected my spelling- haha), and I think he'd be perfect!

[mark]

Critterbee❇ wrote: "Have you tried the Talisman Ring, yet? That one also features adventure. Dashing and hilarious. ..."

I have! very enjoyable. it was my second Heyer. so far:

The Toll-Gate (not quite finished with it, probably either 4 or 5 stars) > The Talisman Ring > Cotillion > These Old Shades (I liked all three pretty equally - 4 stars each) >>> Footsteps in the Dark (didn't really enjoy)


Abigail wrote: "There are several Heyers that are heavier on adventure than romance, Mark--have you read The Foundling or The Reluctant Widow? You might enjoy those as well."

I have not! adding them to the list, thanks for the recommendations.