Georgette Heyer Fans discussion
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The Toll-Gate
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The Toll-gate Group Read January 2019 Chapters 10-18
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Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂
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Dec 31, 2018 10:49AM
So how are you finding this book so far?
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Love love loving it!!!
So much fun, even after several times reading it - the audiobook adds to the fun. This would make a terrific film!
Wouldn't they all Susan. Don't know why someone hasn't picked them up.
Yes! I know I’d watch - this one has a lot of appeal, action, mystery, adventure, romance, colorful characters!
Teresa wrote: "Wouldn't they all Susan. Don't know why someone hasn't picked them up."yes, I think this about all of Heyer's books!
We'll have to get up a petition:-)
Heyer never wanted movies to be made of her books. There was an early one of The Reluctant Widow (you can find it on YouTube) that's pretty unwatchable, which may be why she was so opposed. But now there's supposed to be a film of The Grand Sophy in production or at least being planned.
Ignore my last! No less an authority than Jennifer Kloester tells me I'm spreading falsehoods!Here is her post on the subject of Heyer's putative reluctance and the possible Grand Sophy movie: https://jenniferkloester.com/2-heyer-...
Ah, this is holding up so well with this re-read. I really enjoy the interaction between Jack and Nell, and the excessive cant is not bothering me too much.
the cant in this book doesn't bother me at all. in fact, I think they only Heyer where I tire of it is ...OK, now I'm not sure I remember. I think it was Lady of Quality. Or was it Black Sheep? it's the one where She says to Him "Must you be so naggy?"
Jackie wrote: "the cant in this book doesn't bother me at all. in fact, I think they only Heyer where I tire of it is ...OK, now I'm not sure I remember. I think it was Lady of Quality. Or was it Black Sheep? it'..."I bet it’s Lady of Quality- didn’t we decide last reading discussion that (view spoiler)
Abigail wrote: "Ignore my last! No less an authority than Jennifer Kloester tells me I'm spreading falsehoods!Here is her post on the subject of Heyer's putative reluctance and the possible Grand Sophy movie: ht..."
Thank you! If only she’d thought to insert a superhero into one of her books, I bet it would’ve been made by now...
I think television, as in the beautiful productions of Austen’s works, or even Downton Abbey, show there’s a huge market for anything British and historical (hell, y’all could sit around in big hats, sipping tea, and reading the phone book, and we’d tune in for the scenery, costumes and beautiful accents...) Especially with the divisive politics and discourse, Americans are exhausted and would love something beautiful and civilized to watch.
"sipping tea and reading the phone book" <-- That's funny, Susan; and true!!! I'd tune in (and buy the video)!!I'm up to Chapter 10 and had to laugh when Farmer Huggate referred to his wife as his "rib" on page 164.
Chapters 10/11 Oh, the absolutely wonderful scenes with Jack, Chirk and Stogumber in the toll-house kitchen. I was giggling happily through it all--especially over the fact that Chirk had no idea who Stogumber really is.
Jane wrote: ""sipping tea and reading the phone book" <-- That's funny, Susan; and true!!! I'd tune in (and buy the video)!!I'm up to Chapter 10 and had to laugh when Farmer Huggate referred to his wife as hi..."
My dear mother always had the hots for Sean Connery, and said she’d pay to hear him read the phone book!
I loved that line about the rib also - in fact, I enjoyed all of Jack’s colorful run-ins with the locals over the toll-gate!
Barb in Maryland wrote: "Chapters 10/11 Oh, the absolutely wonderful scenes with Jack, Chirk and Stogumber in the toll-house kitchen. I was giggling happily through it all--especially over the fact that Chirk had no idea ..."
Yes!
yes, that one who 'defiantly mounted the shaft' was a hoot! And the writing correctly states it as Jack 'enjoying an argument' with the person he is arguing with.
Along the lines of the "rib": Back in 2008, my sweetie and I were doing voter registration in Nevada and he approached one of the women in that Warren Jeffs sect of Mormonism who was wearing one of those pastel midi dresses. When he asked if she wanted to register to vote, she said, "I don't vote; my husband is my rod"! Talk about TMI!
Abigail wrote: "Along the lines of the "rib": Back in 2008, my sweetie and I were doing voter registration in Nevada and he approached one of the women in that Warren Jeffs sect of Mormonism who was wearing one of..."Yikes!
I'm up to chapter 13. The arrival of Babs is a hoot!!
Poor, put-upon Babbacombe! Jack is lucky to have such a friend.Later, in Chapter 15--the sheer terror that Bab voices when Jack asks a certain favor of him--priceless!
I loved him, almost as much as I did Stogumber and Chirk.
Barb, now I'm looking forward to Chapter 15!! I'm so enjoying this re-read, it's been at least 6-8 years since I last read it and I'd forgotten lots of key parts. This interaction with Bab is so much fun and just classic, perfect Georgette Heyer writing.
I am enjoying this re-read, too! I have to make myself stop so I don't finish it too soon.
Bab is brilliant. He reacts to everything, big and small with the same degree of horror!
Mr. Willipop! I just finished. Love the ending. I LOVE Georgette Heyer!!!
Critterbee, I know what you mean about trying to make the story last!! I want to read it again!!
Jane wrote: "I'm up to chapter 13. The arrival of Babs is a hoot!!"yes, he is a wonderful character and it's excellent how not surprised and yet appalled he is at what Jack is up to this time.
brilliantly written scene!
Poor Mr Willitoft! He undoubtedly felt like he had been dropped into a circus. Heyer portrayed most of the villagers and farmers in a sympathetic, warm light. But top-lofty Mr Willitoft received no such favors. Well, we did need some comic relief there at the end.
After Stogumber's run in with Gunn where Gunn looks like "a strained hair in a can", I not only laughed but I'm still trying to figure out where in the world that came from! No matter - I'm going to use it as soon as I can."How are you?"
"Tolerable, but I do feel a bit like a strained hair in a can." I can't wait...
Karlyne wrote: "After Stogumber's run in with Gunn where Gunn looks like "a strained hair in a can", I not only laughed but I'm still trying to figure out where in the world that came from! No matter - I'm going t..."Be prepared for some odd looks!
Susan in NC wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "After Stogumber's run in with Gunn where Gunn looks like "a strained hair in a can", I not only laughed but I'm still trying to figure out where in the world that came from! No matt..."Not to worry!
"How are you?""Tolerable, but I do feel a bit like a strained hair in a can."
Oh, Karlyne, you are a hot mess!!! Somehow I'm guessing your closest friends and family members wouldn't even bat an eyelash if that was your reply!!
Jane wrote: ""How are you?""Tolerable, but I do feel a bit like a strained hair in a can."
Oh, Karlyne, you are a hot mess!!! Somehow I'm guessing your closest friends and family members wouldn't even bat an ..."
I do live to make them laugh!
Chapter XV, where John explains to Bab just what he's been doing up at the Manor, is beautifully sweet: a lovely passage!
Karlyne wrote: "Jane wrote: ""How are you?""Tolerable, but I do feel a bit like a strained hair in a can."
Oh, Karlyne, you are a hot mess!!! Somehow I'm guessing your closest friends and family members wouldn't..."
😆, you’d be fun to hang around with, lady!
Karlyne wrote: "Chapter XV, where John explains to Bab just what he's been doing up at the Manor, is beautifully sweet: a lovely passage!"Yes - I love how clear it is to everyone that he is interested in the lovely Squire, and he’s not embarrassed by that- that’s a real man!
Susan in NC wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "Jane wrote: ""How are you?""Tolerable, but I do feel a bit like a strained hair in a can."
Oh, Karlyne, you are a hot mess!!! Somehow I'm guessing your closest friends and family ..."
Thanks, Susan! If we can't laugh together, why would we have friends?!?
Karlyne wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "Jane wrote: ""How are you?""Tolerable, but I do feel a bit like a strained hair in a can."
Oh, Karlyne, you are a hot mess!!! Somehow I'm guessing your closest..."
I hear you!
I binge read this whole half in one night and went to bed way too late because I could NOT put it down. There's so much action and adventure and for some reason, I could only remember who was doing what but not the outcome. I love Chirk, the world's worst highwayman. Mr. Stogumber and Mr. "Willipop" add a lot of humor. I wasn't crazy about Babs. He's too much of a fashionable fribble for me but he is a good friend to Jack.
I cringed at the rib comment. I would have hit him with my frying pan for that.
It definitely is a book that sucks you in. I liked Bab. You just had to laugh at his dandyism.
Teresa wrote: "It definitely is a book that sucks you in. I liked Bab. You just had to laugh at his dandyism."I really liked Bab, too. He certainly was eager to settle differences with his fists, wasn't he? He may have dressed the part, but he did NOT tolerate being called a 'dandy'! See preceding remark about using his fists...
It was almost like he was trying to deceive people about who he really was, but I guess, once a soldier, always a soldier. I liked too how he was there for John, no matter what.
Teresa wrote: "It was almost like he was trying to deceive people about who he really was, but I guess, once a soldier, always a soldier. I liked too how he was there for John, no matter what."Though he was usually shocked and appalled by whatever Jack was planning to do or whatever Jack wanted him to do!
Oh Pooh Bear, I'm so glad you enjoyed the last half!! (Sorry, though, that you lost some sleep!! :)) I love how you called Chirk "the world's worst highwayman". He was such a good character.
And the "Willipop" thing just really tickled my funny bone!!
I have to differ with you, though, on two things:
I'm not the modern woman you are; I'm old fashioned and a woman of faith, so I loved the rib comment! It made me laugh. Although, if I had a husband and he called me that and he didn't have an impish, playful grin on his face, I might be tempted to hit him with a frying pan, too!!
I also loved Bab!! He made me smile. He sort of reminded me of Philip Jonquil in Sarah Eden's Friends and Foes. I believed that his dandyism was just a persona he put on. I thought that beneath the fribble was a man that could deal with the Coates' of this world just as easily as Jack did.
Abigail wrote: "Heyer never wanted movies to be made of her books. There was an early one of The Reluctant Widow (you can find it on YouTube) that's pretty unwatchable, which may be why she was so opposed. But now..."OH PLEASE! Movies have come far enough now to make it possible to do that book justice!
Rebecca wrote: "Abigail wrote: "Heyer never wanted movies to be made of her books. There was an early one of The Reluctant Widow (you can find it on YouTube) that's pretty unwatchable, which may be why she was so ..."Only if I produce, direct and cast it. I may let Emma Thompson write the screenplay.
Uh, oh... Casting time?Jack and Nell
Rose and Chirk
How about Ben, Sir Peter, Stowgumber, Henry Stornaway, Nathaniel Coate, Wilfred Babbacombe...
I guess mainly I am thinking of Jack, Nell, Rose and Chirk.
Can I cast it with actors who are long gone? I'm thinking a very young, like Stagecoach young, John Wayne for Jack. He was great in non-westerns, so I can see him as a retired military youngster!But not Maureen O'Hara as Nell, because I don't think she could tone down her feistiness enough (although she could look the part, I think).
We can cast it with anyone at all! Living or dead. My only issue with casting John Wayne as Jack, although I certainly see the appeal, is that I'm not certain he could carry the humor of Jack off the way I, personally, envision it. Must think on this more!
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