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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Critterbee❇
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rated it 4 stars
Jan 28, 2019 11:44AM
I was thinking Rock Hudson for Jack - tall, good looking, you just know he has a sense of humor, and Brooke Shields maybe, for Nell.
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Huh...Rock Hudson. That could work. Actually, coming into the present, and DON'T LAUGH, Alexander Skarsgard might do very well. He has a LOT more to him than "True Blood" and "Tarzan" would indicate, he's tall, well-built, and has a wonderful grin.
Could I put Errol Flynn forward for Bab? I think he'd be perfect for it!!
Teresa wrote: "Could I put Errol Flynn forward for Bab? I think he'd be perfect for it!!"I like that!
Oh I always loved him!!! If he had lived in Regency times he would definitely be a rake:-)
Rebecca wrote: "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 t..."I think his wry sense of humor came through more in his earlier movies. I'm trying to think of more large people. (hahaha)
LOL, I googled "Tall actors under 30"
If we could go back in time, Emma Thomps0n for Nell. The only problem is she is a little too short (1.73m)
A young Brad Pitt for Jack would be nice.
Ooh, both good casting choices - younger Liam Neeson would be a good Jack, I believe he’s quite tall. Not much of a current movie buff, so I don’t know actor names these days!
QNPoohBear wrote: "A young Brad Pitt for Jack would be nice."Also a bit short - 1.8m - which is 5ft 9in. Can he do a British accent?
Mind you, we have a long running soap in NZ. I haven't watched for a few years, but all the actors are short. Anyone Brad Pitt's height looks like a giant!
So I guess if we cast in proportion...
Jennifer Lawrence for Nell. She's 5'9"Margot Robbie is "only" 5'6" but she's an up and comer who is supposedly quite talented.
Emma Stone would be great. She's a little short at 5'6" though.
Daisy Ridley is a bit taller at 5'7". She's British and super awesome in Star Wars. Period drama fans can find her in Murder on the Orient Express.
Which I believe was awful QNPoohBear.
Being brain dead, I managed to post this in the Chapter 1-9 thread, so I'm copying and pasting it here!Back on track-ish...Just finished the book. LOVED the ending. And IF we are going to make that movie, may I put forward Johnny Depp as Chirk? For some reason, Chirk strikes me as having a bit of Jack Sparrow in him, although Chirk does have some code of ethics and apparently isn't a narcissist. Still, that jeune ce quois thing is there. I almost hate to admit it, but Chirk was one of my favorite characters.
Rebecca wrote: "Being brain dead, I managed to post this in the Chapter 1-9 thread, so I'm copying and pasting it here!Back on track-ish...Just finished the book. LOVED the ending. And IF we are going to make th..."
Johnny Depp as Chirk - yes, that’s some inspired casting right there, I totally see the Jack Sparrow vibe!
Benedict Cumberbatch as Jack, who won't be a devil-may-care ex-Cavalry officer but an autistic genius, who has difficulty getting on with anyone, but after glancing at the rule book can quote the Toll Regulations, and calculate the due fees at lightning speed. And Olivia Coleman (or Jodie Whittaker) as Nell. David Jason can play Sir Peter, and of course Martin Freeman as Chirk.
Rosina wrote: "Benedict Cumberbatch as Jack, who won't be a devil-may-care ex-Cavalry officer but an autistic genius, who has difficulty getting on with anyone, but after glancing at the rule book can quote the T..."Lovely!
QNPoohBear wrote: "Jennifer Lawrence for Nell. She's 5'9"Margot Robbie is "only" 5'6" but she's an up and comer who is supposedly quite talented.
Emma Stone would be great. She's a little short at 5'6" though.
Dai..."
Yes to Jennifer Lawrence - she is an excellent actress! Maybe a bit slim for Nell, though.
I kinda like Kat Dennings for Rose, curvy and lovely. Courtney Henggeler might do well for Nell.
Beginning of Chapter 14 (72%).The story gets darker with the discovery of (view spoiler) and really, despite the charmingness of the captain and the sweetness of the main couple, the plot here is rather grim (think also of Nell's tragic family history).
The book is pleasant and engaging enough, although sometimes... I don't understand a word the're saying! I get why Heyer uses the slang, and (as always) I appreciate the research, but it's really too difficult for me. However, this is not a serious problem because, more often than not, the same concept is repeated in other words (as if the writer know she has to do).
John and Nell are very cute together, but if I have a criticism to make, it's just that I don't see how one can meet a person and three days later propose marriage. It's just unconceivable to me. For once, I wish this was another kind of book, where they immediately feel attracted to each other and become lovers, but there's no talk of marriage yet. I don't think it would be such a stretch, seeing that he is a charming "rascal" that loves adventures and she is not a shy and naive girl; maybe the story coud've worked the same. But of course this is not that kind of book.
But aside from that (and this is a minor thing, and I "accept" it as incredible as it sounds to me), I'm enjoying the book.
Moloch - I know lots of folk find the “insta-love” unbelievable but all I can say is I met my husband and it really was a coup de foudre. Celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary this year.
Susan in Perthshire wrote: "Moloch - I know lots of folk find the “insta-love” unbelievable but all I can say is I met my husband and it really was a coup de foudre. Celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary this year."Sweet! Congratulations to you! :-)
I think Jack knew his mind (and heart) and realized that he was a goner. And having one-on-one time with each other was pretty rare in that day, so it was a bit more in-depth perhaps, than the 'dance a few dances and talk to you in a group setting with my Mother watching intently'.Also, it is very romantic and makes for a sweet story. 💜💙❤
Heyer had several ways in which her couples fell in love or realized their love of one other. Insta-love, enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, slow realization after marriage of convenience, uneven feelings suddenly evening out, 'forbidden' love... Another indication of her range and skill.
I agree that Heyer portrays her characters falling in love in different ways in her books. And although Jack falls in love instantly, I feel that it is believable in the way he is portrayed. We know Jack has an odd kick in his gallop and also that he knows his own mind and goes his own way. I never felt it was a stretch of my imagination to believe it in this case.
The trick, whether instantly or long-term, is falling in love with a decent human being and being loved in return, and Heyer excels at that. (And it's still true today, I think.)
Moloch wrote: "Beginning of Chapter 14 (72%).The story gets darker with the discovery of [spoilers removed] and really, despite the charmingness of the captain and the sweetness of the main couple, the plot her..."
Oh, dear. Not only is it "not that kind of book," it wasn't that time of civilization. The repercussions of an unmarried woman having relations before her marriage just didn't bear thinking about. This was a time when a HINT of scandal would ruin a young girl forever, and to be found in an affair would have forever made her unmarriagable. To be perfectly frank, this was a time when being raped would have brought shame on the GIRL'S family, and she would be "ruined," and not a prospect for marriage. SHOULD her lover marry her, they would have found most of the doors of polite society closed to them forever, regardless. No gentleman would have asked it to begin with. VERY different times to live in.
Also, although that whole three day things seems absurd to us, this was also a time when young girls of quality didn't expect to marry for love to begin with. They married for the convenience of their families. A caring parent would hope that the daughter at least LIKED the chosen spouse, but it wasn't considered necessary. Oddly, most marriages were considered successful, at least by the standards of the day. Husbands were free to seek mistresses, provided they were circumspect, and there's a lot of evidence that wives sought others, as well, but with much more secrecy. Seems to have been almost accepted, so long as ALL parties behaved with propriety in public.
Yes, she knows how to create various situations. I personally prefer a slow built romance, but that doesn't mean I don't like John and Nell! :-)I have to laugh thinking that reading chapter 1 I took the trouble of making a family tree for the Staples, to remember names and relations! Not very needed after all...
Moloch wrote: "Yes, she knows how to create various situations. I personally prefer a slow built romance, but that doesn't mean I don't like John and Nell! :-)I have to laugh thinking that reading chapter 1 I t..."
LOL, I prefer a slow-built romance, myself. I often say that romance novels give young women a very unrealistic view of how love happens, but then, very few authors are going to want to cover a year or two of "getting to know you" and love slowly growing in one book!
The very first night I met my now husband we clicked. Been together thirty two years now.
If Nell doesn't marry Jack NOW, her grandfather will die and she'll lose his protection. While I don't believe in love at first sight in novels, normally, (no story there), in this case, with so much else going on, it makes sense. If Nell's grandfather dies, she'll be forced to marry either her cousin or Chirk or some local yokel or bore to keep her safe. None of them respect her intelligence and strength. She loves Jack because he respects her and allows her to be the capable woman he knows she is. He does come on too strong and the proposal is awkward but it makes sense.
I have to laugh thinking that reading chapter 1 I took the trouble of making a family tree for the Staples, to remember names and relations! Not very needed after all...
I did this! it was kind of satisfying, if ultimately un-needed
(not sure why the "block quote" didn't work)
Hello Everyone!My name is Gretchen.
I found your group through my love for Jane Austen and Jane Austenesque books.
I just finished The Toll-Gate and I liked it!
I have read a couple of Ms. Heyer's books , Annabelle and Faro's Daughter. Annabelle I sort of struggled with that one she was kind of I don't know too fluffy for me. Now the main character in Faro's Daughter she was a strong character. I liked the fact that Nell in Toll-Gate was a strong character. I like stories with strong women characters.
I also liked that there was mystery and adventure and the characters very endearing.
Thumbs up for me!
Gretchen wrote: "Hello Everyone!My name is Gretchen.
I found your group through my love for Jane Austen and Jane Austenesque books.
I just finished The Toll-Gate and I liked it!
I have read a couple of Ms. Hey..."
If you like strong women, you MUST read "The Grand Sophy!"
Finished chapter 17.So, the action scene fell flat for me: it was more a bland "list" of moves, as in a videogame (he turned left, he removed his shoe, he lifted his arm, ...) with little pathos (also because nothing was really at stake, since it was hardly believable that John would die there!).
I believe it's not easy to write a scene like that ("action" seems more suited for movies rather than for books), however she didn't manage very well in my opinion. This is not her forte (but I was kind of expecting that, so ok).
Hi, Gretchen! nice to see you here. I agree you should read The Grand Sophy, you will love it.
there isn't a Annabelle, so I think you mean Arabella.
Jackie wrote: "Hi, Gretchen! nice to see you here. I agree you should read The Grand Sophy, you will love it.
there isn't a Annabelle, so I think you mean Arabella."
I'll bet she did! I've read them so often now that my mind auto-corrected as I read it! Good catch.
I think Jack and Nell had probably got to know each other more thoroughly than most of their contemporaries before they married! It was a short time, but because of the lack of usual constraints they were able to see deeper than they would have at any number of well-chaperoned social events.In any case, I know a few people who have had arranged (not forced) marriages and are very happy - they were introduced through the wider community as having similar religious and cultural backgrounds, met a few times during which they had time to speak to each other alone and decide if this was the person for them. It has worked because each party was committed to the marriage, and had the same basic view of and aims. But they had only spent a few hours in each others company before making that decision.
Which is the positive side of Sir Peter establishing Jack's social status and connections - he (Jack) and Nell would have been brought up with very similar values and perspectives, and so be fairly compatible (with each other and the wider family and social networks).
Jackie wrote: "Hi, Gretchen! nice to see you here. I agree you should read The Grand Sophy, you will love it.
there isn't a Annabelle, so I think you mean Arabella."
Oh whoops yes I meant Arabelle Thank you! I will try it!
Rebecca wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Hi, Gretchen! nice to see you here. I agree you should read The Grand Sophy, you will love it.
there isn't a Annabelle, so I think you mean Arabella."
I'll bet she did! I've read..."
Yep I meant Arabelle oops
Rebecca wrote: "Gretchen wrote: "Hello Everyone!My name is Gretchen.
I found your group through my love for Jane Austen and Jane Austenesque books.
I just finished The Toll-Gate and I liked it!
I have read a ..."
Oh cool! I will!
Rebecca: "Gretchen: Yes, you should LOVE The Grand Sophy (one of my favorites!) The Talisman Ring and Frederica may also appeal to you for their strong heroines!
Ann wrote: "Rebecca: "Gretchen: Yes, you should LOVE The Grand Sophy (one of my favorites!) The Talisman Ring and Frederica may also appeal to you for their strong heroines!"
Oooo! Thank you! Thank you!
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