Kloester Biography Group Read 2019 Parts I & II

[Critterbee❇]

Welcome to the discussion of the biography Georgette Heyer by Jennifer Kloester.

This thread is for discussing everything up to and including Parts I and II of the biography. A lot of Heyer's work is discussed in the book, so unless you have read all of Georgette's books, expect to stumble into some spoilers in the text.

We will be discussing this book over the next three months (March, April, May), in three threads.

Here is a link to recent video of Jennifer Kloester speaking on several Georgette Heyer topics:
https://heyersociety.com/jennifer-klo...

The videos topics included:

- Sir Richard Rougier
- Social Media and Book Sales
- Heyer’s Humour and Legacy
- Heyer Society and Growing Up with Heyer
- Changing Attitudes to Georgette Heyer

[Critterbee❇]

This is my second time reading the book, although I do not remember much of the book. I am looking forward to exploring it once more.

[Susan in NC]

I have never read this book, but am looking forward to it! I am reading the e-book through Scribd. I read the first few pages, but I have a couple of other books to finish before diving in to this one.

[Critterbee❇]

I have the ebook version myself, Susan. Off we go!

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

Susan in NC wrote: "I have never read this book, but am looking forward to it! I am reading the e-book through Scribd."

I read the eBook a couple of years ago curtesy of my public library Overdrive collection.

I don’t think I’ll reread, but I hope those of you reading for the first time, find it enjoyable.

[Barb in Maryland]

I own a copy


I read the hardback when it first came out and then bought the trade pb.
So this will be my second full read. (I dip into this when I have a question--read a bit, then put it down--y'all know how that goes, I'm sure...)
I have a bunch of books in my 'read ASAP' TBR, but I'll be here when I can.

[Abigail]

I just started reading it (for the first time) today. Interesting to read the snippets from her favorite childhood books!

[Kim]

It just arrived, my first time reading it. This may be a good year for biographies for me. ;-)

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

I'm not going to reread, but have my copy on hand so I can jump in with opinions. :)

[Jacquie]

I got a copy through ABE books for about $5. Very clean paperback from a library in Missouri. Don't think it circulated much ,,,

[QNPoohBear]

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "I'm not going to reread, but have my copy on hand so I can jump in with opinions. :)"

Same here. It's too long and dense to reread the whole thing. What I wanted to read about was her research and writing process.

[Critterbee❇]

I was very surprised when reading the introduction to see how many organizations / institutions / universities had collections of her letters. What a lot of source material.

[Critterbee❇]

Regarding The Shepherd's Fairy by Darley Dale (given to GH on her ninth birthday).

"It tells the story of a French Comte who is so consumed with jealousy at the birth of his baby daugther that he persuades his brother, Leon, to take the child to England until his wife can be less 'obsessed' with her newborn. Leon sails to England and orders a crewman to give the baby to a shepherd's family.
...
The child, named 'Fairy' by the shepherd's family on account of her dainty appearance, grows up with the shepherd's three sons, and although they know nothing about her origins it is 'obvious' that she is of good, even noble birth."

From the summary, it seems like inspiration for Leonie's character in These Old Shades. I feel like I just saw the origin of Leonie's character in GH's mind.

I still remember my favorite books from that age.

Is anyone familiar with The Shepherd's Fairy ?

[Susan in Perthshire]

I’ve read this couple of times and frequently re-visit when I am looking for the answer to a particular question. I look forward to the discussion.

[QNPoohBear]

Sure sounds like The Shepherd's Fairy inspired These Old Shades.

[Abigail]

When I was reading the account of Heyer's reaction to her father's death and how Ronald Rougier comforted her without overt sympathy, I was reminded of Serena Carlow in Bath Tangle: "It was Ronald who understood her deep reserve and knew best how to respond to her suffering. He did not fuss over her but talked instead of ordinary things, just as he always had. He was a calm, rational, and reliable friend who made no 'misplaced attempt to console' and demanded nothing more of her than that she should be comforted."

[QNPoohBear]

Abigail wrote: "When I was reading the account of Heyer's reaction to her father's death and how Ronald Rougier comforted her without overt sympathy, I was reminded of Serena Carlow in Bath Tangle: "It was Ronald ..."

Yes, I think Georgette's relationship with Ronald really shaped her love stories and of course in Serena, Georgette poured all her grief into losing her father, the most supportive person in her life.

[Abigail]

Realizing that made me see Serena in a different light!

[Jackie]

Abigail wrote: "Realizing that made me see Serena in a different light!"

while I already appreciated Serena before, it does add something, knowing she was like Heyer herself.
very good discussion, I am enjoying it even though I don't have the book.

[Susan in NC]

Agh, I need to get hopping- I’ve got to read more now that I finished my reread of Sprig Muslin! I am looking forward to insights into plots and characters- I don’t worry about spoilers, I enjoy reading her books so much (ok, maybe not so much the historical ones - I tried!), anyway, it doesn’t spoil anything, just adds to the total experience.

[Critterbee❇]

It does make Serena more sympathetic and relatable, knowing that she perhaps had a lot of Heyer in her, I wish I had that in mind for the recent Bath Tangle read.

[Critterbee❇]

I find it amusing how the Heyers changed the pronunciation of their last name from 'higher' to 'hare,' and have wondered if we all pronounce it differently, not hearing how everyone says it.

And her first name, Georgette, to be pronounced in the French way.

[Critterbee❇]

Any ideas about what the original Russian name for Heyer would be? Kloester speculates Geyer or Khyeyir. Being unfamiliar with Russian surnames, I have no idea. Are Geyer and/or Khyeyir common Russian names?

[Teresa]

I haven't started yet but I'll be reading the HB version which I bought when it was first published. I'm looking forward to the reread as I know I enjoyed it very much the first time around. I'll get Sprig Muslin out of the way first.

[Hana]

Critterbee❇ wrote: "I find it amusing how the Heyers changed the pronunciation of their last name from 'higher' to 'hare,' and have wondered if we all pronounce it differently, not hearing how everyone says it. ..."

Well that depends on whether we are Keeping Up Appearances and channeling Hyacinth Bucket answering her white Slimline phone, 'The Bouquet Residence. The Lady of the House speaking!'

[Hana]

My apologies for barging in as I'm not actually reading this one yet, just lurking, but I heard Hyacinth so clearly in that little snippet of GH history that I could not resist :D

[Susan in NC]

Hana wrote: "My apologies for barging in as I'm not actually reading this one yet, just lurking, but I heard Hyacinth so clearly in that little snippet of GH history that I could not resist :D"

Lol! Good one, my friend!

[Susan in NC]

Ok, I’m just getting going - listening to audiobook while I knit - but I love the descriptions of horses, wagons and carriages in Wimbledon. Amazing that carriages coming to the local inn hadn’t really changed since the Regency- and that Georgette didn’t have to rely on research, she would’ve seen all the hustle bustle at the inn Yard as a child! No wonder her scenes are so vivid and realistic.

[Critterbee❇]

Hana wrote: "Critterbee❇ wrote: "I find it amusing how the Heyers changed the pronunciation of their last name from 'higher' to 'hare,' and have wondered if we all pronounce it differently, not hearing how ever..."

Hyacinth Bouquet, indeed!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Critterbee❇ wrote: "I find it amusing how the Heyers changed the pronunciation of their last name from 'higher' to 'hare,' and have wondered if we all pronounce it differently, not hearing how everyone says it.

And ..."

I always pronounced it High-err & can't change. I'll mention that Helen is supposed to be at least partly autobiographical.

[Susan in NC]

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Critterbee❇ wrote: "I find it amusing how the Heyers changed the pronunciation of their last name from 'higher' to 'hare,' and have wondered if we all pronounce it differently, not hearing how ever..."

Yes, just reading the bit after her father’s death, makes that point.

[Critterbee❇]

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "I always pronounced it High-err & can't change. I'll mention that Helen is supposed to be at least partly autobiographical..."

I am reading that part right now - just after they move to Paris, and how a lot of that time of her life is reflected in Helen. I have not read that, and now I want to.

I have always said Higher as well. I could always claim that it is the American pronunciation...

[Susan in NC]

Critterbee❇ wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "I always pronounced it High-err & can't change. I'll mention that Helen is supposed to be at least partly autobiographical..."

I am reading that part right now - jus..."

There we go!

[Hana]

Susan in NC wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Critterbee❇ wrote: "I find it amusing how the Heyers changed the pronunciation of their last name from 'higher' to 'hare,' ..."

This whole discussion point might also be an example of a classic GH trope: starting a hare

[Susan in NC]

Hana wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Critterbee❇ wrote: "I find it amusing how the Heyers changed the pronunciation of their last name from 'higher' to 'hare,' ..."

This whole discus..."

Lol! You’re on fire!

[Teresa]

Critterbee❇ wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "I always pronounced it High-err & can't change. I'll mention that Helen is supposed to be at least partly autobiographical..."

I am reading that part right now - jus..."

I tried reading Helen and could not get into it. Awful boring and just not a Heyer as we know them. I think it's one of the ones she tried to have suppressed.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Teresa wrote: "
I tried reading Helen ..."

One of the worst books I've ever read - by anyone!

[Teresa]

I know exactly where you're coming from!!

[Critterbee❇]

Her fictional heroes were often men prepared to wait for the heroine to know her own heart and mind.

Is that too much to ask for in a hero? Thank you Madam Heyer, thank you so much for featuring these traits in a romantic lead.

[QNPoohBear]

Critterbee❇ wrote: "Her fictional heroes were often men prepared to wait for the heroine to know her own heart and mind.

Is that too much to ask for in a hero? Thank you Madam Heyer, thank you so much for featuring t..."

Yes and I wish more authors would follow her lead.

[Critterbee❇]

Grand Sophy (view spoiler)[
In Sophy's case, even though Charles was an 'alpha' male, Sophy took the lead in their relationship, although she was sneaky about it. She was the one waiting until Charles knew his heart and mind. That is just like Sophy, turning the table on expectations! (hide spoiler)]

[MaryC]

Critterbee❇ wrote: "I was very surprised when reading the introduction to see how many organizations / institutions / universities had collections of her letters. What a lot of source material."

I had never heard of this story until now (just recently acquired Kloester's book), but it reminded me of Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, with Perdita possibly the inspiration for Fairy.

[Gretchen]

I know it is very cool don't ya want to go there to those places and explore I know I know geek!

[Teresa]

I've started this but I've been unwell and finding it hard to concentrate. I loved it the first time I read it. Hope to progress with it this week.

[Susan in NC]

I usually have to be in the mood for non-fiction, if I’m not feeling it, it just sits there. Maybe if you’ve been unwell, try some brain candy instead!

[Barb in Maryland]

Teresa wrote: "I've started this but I've been unwell and finding it hard to concentrate. I loved it the first time I read it. Hope to progress with it this week."

Usually when I'm under the weather I grab an old favorite (or 3) and read those. I know I'll enjoy the story and I don't have to concentrate!
Save the Kloester until you're back on your feet. (Pssst--no one in this group keeps score or judges. So please don't feel like you have to read it when you don't feel like reading it.)

[Teresa]

Thanks guys. I must admit I've been reading very light 'stuff' this last couple of weeks. I'll get back to it shortly hopefully.

[Margaret]

Feel better soon, Teresa! Are Heyer's own books among your light comfort reads? I suspect that's true of a lot of us in this group!

[Gretchen]

Teresa wrote: "I've started this but I've been unwell and finding it hard to concentrate. I loved it the first time I read it. Hope to progress with it this week."
Oh man! that is hard ! I hope you feel better soon