Georgette Heyer Fans discussion
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The Toll-gate Group Read January 2019 Chapters 1-9
This will be my first read: seems a fun book!Happy new year!
Moloch wrote: "This will be my first read: seems a fun book!Happy new year!"
Thanks Moloch, same to you!
Not sure how many times I’ve read it, maybe three or four, but it is fun! Happy New Year!Oh, and I’ll be rereading the Harlequin reissue my beloved Mom gave me a few years ago:
, unless I decide to try out Audible for the audiobook - I’ve really enjoyed the Heyer audiobooks I’ve listened to over the last year - can be so much fun!
Hello! This is my first time reading this book and I'll be reading on my Kindle.
I am listening to the audio book -
. Before I got that, I read it several times, and it's growing on me - but nowadays I totally skip the first chapter, to declutter my mind of irrelevant characters and plot lines.
Now I'm wondering about that first chapter. Well I have some time! I think I'll go pick up my Kindle. :D
This will be my second read of The Toll-Gate. I have a hard cover copy that I bought a few years ago, published by the Book Club in London (alas no dust jacket). I enjoyed it, though I found it slow going at times because of the language. Happy new year!
This is my 4th or 5th read, and I will be doing the 2011 Sourcebooks paperback edition.
Happy New Year!!
I started it already. Couldn't wait. Sorry!! I love this book. I've lost count of the number of times I've read it. I have an Arrow copy of it. Looking forward to the discussion.
This will probably be my 4th time reading. Like Teresa, I was going to start reading ahead of schedule, but then I almost had a panic attack yesterday when I couldn't find it on my shelves. I must have loaned it to someone and they never returned it. I have the kindle version but I much prefer a real book. So, I ordered the Sourcebooks version from Amazon and it should arrive Wednesday. Yay!!
This will be my 4th? 5th? time. Not in my top 10, but nowhere close to the bottom!I'm reading the Sourcebooks edition from the library:
Oy! that first chapter--where was the family tree so I could keep all the names and relationships straight?!
Barb in Maryland wrote: "Oy! that first chapter--where was the family tree so I could keep all the names and relationships straight?"I think of it as the trailer (for a totally different book) that is shown before the main feature. There would be fun in our trying to write that other book, based on the information given.
Barb in Maryland wrote: "This will be my 4th? 5th? time. Not in my top 10, but nowhere close to the bottom!I'm reading the Sourcebooks edition from the library:
Oy! that first chapter--..."
Thank you! I thought it was just me - two brain surgeries in a year will addle you...🤣
Rosina wrote: "Barb in Maryland wrote: "Oy! that first chapter--where was the family tree so I could keep all the names and relationships straight?"I think of it as the trailer (for a totally different book) th..."
Trailer, very true, clever lady!
I own the Sourcebooks dead-tree and kindle. I’m going to look into getting the audiobook.I like this story.
The supporting characters from lower orders etc are so well-done.
Edit.
I got the audio for $7.49 since I already own the kindle edition.
I'm going to read the Kindle version this time, I've read it a few times but it's not on the top of my re-read list.
I can't wait to reread this. Why can't the library be open on New Year's? I have to wait two whole days to go get the book. I only read it once but really enjoyed it.
Jane wrote: "This will probably be my 4th time reading. Like Teresa, I was going to start reading ahead of schedule, but then I almost had a panic attack yesterday when I couldn't find it on my shelves. I must ..."I learned the hard way about loaning books. NEVER again.
Barb in Maryland wrote: "This will be my 4th? 5th? time. Not in my top 10, but nowhere close to the bottom!I'm reading the Sourcebooks edition from the library:
Oy! that first chapter--..."
I agree Barb. SO many names!!
I have to laugh when I hear some readers are on a waiting list at the library. I'd never get to read anything here if I had to depend on the library.
I fear that I am going to be consulting Google a lot for definitions. I can often get the gist, but young Ben's vocabulary is heavily 'cant-ish' and I'm often not quite sure.Ben describes his brother as a real 'jobbernoll'--basically: stupid, a real 'blockhead'. Thank you, Google.
I've read this many times before & I think it's fun, too. I'm reading a beat up old paperback with a cover I don't see listed: Nell and John are sitting on the bench outside the tollgate with a dog and a horse off to the right. They are leaning towards each other and looking like they are about to kiss. Love her dress.Rosina, you are right - there is at least one entire other book in that first chapter.
I envy those of you reading it for the first time!
Jackie wrote: "I've read this many times before & I think it's fun, too. I'm reading a beat up old paperback with a cover I don't see listed: Nell and John are sitting on the bench outside the tollgate with a dog..."Jackie
I think I found your copy
Is this it?
I'm reading the Pan edition shown here... https://i.pinimg.com/736x/14/85/8a/14...
Published in 1967, 7th reprinting 1971.
I bought it second hand a few years ago and have probably read it about 4 times. Not one of my absolute favourites, but nowhere near the bottom either.
(How do I link the book cover so that the actual image shows, rather than just the link?)
This must be my umpteenth! I can’t remember how many times over the last 50 years. It’s not in. My top 10, but definitely in my top 20. I am looking forward to the discussion. Reading it on my iPad as the paperback gave up the ghost ages ago!
Alathea wrote: "How do I link the book cover so that the actual image shows, rather than just the link?"If it's an edition shown in Goodreads, then you can go through the 'add book/author' method. Click on Add Book, and at the bottom it asks if you want a link or the cover. Click on cover, then find the title you want, and scroll through the 'Other editions' until you find yours. Which I think is '
Barb, that is it, thank you! aren't they a good looking couple?
Rosina wrote: "Alathea wrote: "How do I link the book cover so that the actual image shows, rather than just the link?"If it's an edition shown in Goodreads, then you can go through the 'add book/author' method..."
Yay! (after a couple of false starts)
Thank you! And yes, that is the right edition.
This is probably my third or fourth reading. I have a beat-up Ace paperback with the Jack Gaughan cover; let's see if I can find it.
There it is. I think the fellow in the background must be one of the villains, because he doesn't look like the hero!
I've probably read this book 10 plus times over the years with my last read about a year ago. Yesterday, I tried a sample of the audiobook on Audible and the ebook (which I own) and decided I've read it too recently to enjoy the re-read in either form. So I'll just participate without rereading it.
Barb in Maryland wrote: "This will be my 4th? 5th? time. Not in my top 10, but nowhere close to the bottom!I'm reading the Sourcebooks edition from the library:
Oy! that first chapter--..."
I read somewhere (a biography?) that Heyer intended to end the book (view spoiler)
I love all the characters in the family and wish that Rosina was right and this was the trailer for another book.
Diane wrote: "Barb in Maryland wrote: "This will be my 4th? 5th? time. Not in my top 10, but nowhere close to the bottom!I'm reading the Sourcebooks edition from the library:
..."
Hah! Sounds ripe for some fan fiction...
I'm so enjoying it. Actually it could even be ousting The Nonesuch as my all time favorite Heyer!!!!
Teresa wrote: "I'm so enjoying it. Actually it could even be ousting The Nonesuch as my all time favorite Heyer!!!!"I do enjoy The Nonesuch, but I think I like this more due to at wonderful job she’s done with the supporting characters from the “lower orders.”
Teresa wrote: "I'm so enjoying it. Actually it could even be ousting The Nonesuch as my all time favorite Heyer!!!!"it's way up on my list, top 5 for sure and maybe top 3.
a masterpiece!
Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Teresa wrote: "I'm so enjoying it. Actually it could even be ousting The Nonesuch as my all time favorite Heyer!!!!"I do enjoy The Nonesuch, but I think I like this more due to at wo..."
I agree Andrea. Great cast of characters here.
I should be starting later today. I've read this book at least 30 times.
Not my first read, and it is one I happen to own - in an Ace Star paperback format with a cover featuring a simpering red-headed miss in the foreground and a dark-haired gent brooding behind a potted plant in the background. Hello, everyone! Welcome to 2019!
After becoming re-acquainted with John's Mother, I remember that she is one of my favourite Heyer Mothers! She perfectly understands her son, and does not smoother, emotionally manipulate or boss him about. And we are only in the first chapter so far!
Critterbee❇ wrote: "After becoming re-acquainted with John's Mother, I remember that she is one of my favourite Heyer Mothers! She perfectly understands her son, and does not smoother, emotionally manipulate or boss h..."I liked her, too- very refreshing! I need to learn from her - accept them as they are, mind your own business...
I’m on chapter 8, reading my copy and listening to the audiobook narrated by Daniel Hill. The voice is enjoyable, but it was driving me bonkers trying to figure out where I heard his voice before! Finally remembered, he was the idiot Harvey Banes in the Britcom, Waiting for God (I keep expecting Tom and Diana to chime in...)
Margaret wrote: "This is probably my third or fourth reading. I have a beat-up Ace paperback with the Jack Gaughan cover; let's see if I can find it. There it is. I think the fello..."That's the edition I've got!
Jane wrote: "Susan, I love that show!!"Me, too! That’s why even though he’s a great narrator, I keep expecting Diana to chime in, call him a git, and clock him with her cane! But he’s doing a wonderful job, especially with Sir Peter, Nell, and the servants - I’ve read this several times, listening is fun for a change.
By a very happy coincidence, I read this just yesterday! I hadn't checked the schedule - was thinking of a particular scene (which I will discuss when we get to it) - and as usually happens with a Heyer book, wound up reading the whole book.One point that stood out to me - just how tall was considered very tall in Regency times? John was 6'4" - his mother and sister are considered very tall too - and Hugo in Unknown Ajax is also considered gigantic at 6'4" - that is certainly tall, but I didn't think it fell into gigantic territory so wondering about average male/female heights then.
Maith wrote: "By a very happy coincidence, I read this just yesterday! I hadn't checked the schedule - was thinking of a particular scene (which I will discuss when we get to it) - and as usually happens with a ..."I think I read (somewhere) that average height was about 5'7" or 5'8" for men and around 5'2" or so for women during the early 1800s. And that would be for those portions of the population with regular access to adequate food.
Recall in the first chapter that Bevis mentions the fact that he got the family height, but not the broad shoulders to go with it, so did not cut as impressive a figure as did his cousin Jack.
Here is an interesting article about the height of English men over the past 2000 years or so.A Farewell to Alms: A Brief Economic History of the World by by Gregory Clark, Princeton University Press, 2007, states that of a survey of 211 males aged 21-40 who lived between 1700-1850 in London, the average height was 170 cm, or just under 5' 6".
Of course, as Barb has said, height depended a lot on health, nutrition, and sanitation practices of people and their children.
Yes I think people were much smaller in times past. I have three brothers, two are 6'4'' and 6' and are considered very tall. My paternal grandmother was 6' and deemed extremely tall for a women of her time. It's all genetic I think.
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 - "put to bed with a shovel." :D
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So...is this anyone's first read?
How many times have you read this title.
What format are you using this time? :)