Georgette Heyer Fans discussion
This topic is about
Pistols for Two
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Pistols for Two/Snowdrift August 2019 Group Read
Pistols for Two Stories:Pistols for Two
A Clandestine Affair
Bath Miss
A Husband for Fanny
To Have the Honour
Night at the Inn
The Duel
Hazard
Snowdrift
Full Moon
Pink Domino
Snowdrift Additional Stories:
Pursuit
Runaway Match
Incident on the Bath Road
Links to free versions of the three additional stories from Snowdrift online:Pursuit
Runaway Match
Incident on the Bath Road
Thanks to Carol for finding these versions!
Links to free online versions of stories in both Pistols for Two and Snowdrift:
The Duel
*edited to add online versions of Lady, Your Pardon and The Duel, with thanks to both Carol and Mela* **also to remove link to Lady, Your Pardon, which is not in Snowdrift**
I have read most of the stories from books a few times, and one story only once (shudder). I have kindle versions of each, and will be reading those versions this time around, including That Particular Story.
I’ve read Pistols For Two
once before with the group, along with the extra stories ( thanks Carol!). I have the ebook with the above cover through Scribd, and will read that, and follow the links to the extra stories.
I've read Pistols For Two before and also Snowdrift. I'll be reading Snowdrift this time
Can't believe I'm actually starting it on time this month.
I bought it late last year and read it a few months ago. I'll chime in with my comments later.
I might dip in to re-read a few favorites.I currently own
I also have a very battered copy of 'Pistols for Two'
Like QNPoohBear, I'll keep an eye on the discussion and drop a comment or three as the mood dictates.
I have what's probably an obvious question... but I'm confused. Or my brain is just fried. Are the collection of stories essentially duplicated between the two books with Snowdrift containing 3 additional ones?
I have an ebook copy of Snowdrift. I probably have a paperback copy of Pistols for Two somewhere in my apartment, but finding it would be like finding a needle in the haystack. Since it sounds like I can get away with just reading Snowdrift ... that's what I'll do unless the collections really are different.
And given I was suckered into buying a copy of A Christmas Party -- twice! -- without realizing it was a reissue with new title of Envious Casca which I already own in 3 different formats...I thought I'd check.
Theresa wrote: "I have what's probably an obvious question... but I'm confused. Or my brain is just fried. Are the collection of stories essentially duplicated between the two books with Snowdrift containing 3 a..."
Yes, you can read Snowdrift, which has all of the stories from Pistols for Two plus three extra stories. :D
Critterbee❇ wrote: "Theresa wrote: "I have what's probably an obvious question... but I'm confused. Or my brain is just fried. Are the collection of stories essentially duplicated between the two books with Snowdrif..."
Great! I am all set when I finish The Unknown Ajax
Now of course I am wondering if the title and cover change was mostly for publisher to take advantage of special Christmas marketing ...just like they did with the Envious Casca reissue. Given Regency Romance set at Christmas are big sellers and Heyer basically does not have one.
Pistols for TwoThis might be my fav of all of the stories, such a funny commentary on the wildly romantic and impractical stubbornness of rash young men. Of course there is a former playmate who has blossomed into a beauty, and the battle for her hand that drives a wedge between two life-long friends. Of course the strife is not fanned by anyone other than the hot-headed youths, who seem to take far more interest in their escalating competition with each other than in her. In fact, they seem completely oblivious to poor Marianne's feelings on the matter.
The moment when Tom and Jack realize that they have no weapons with which to duel is hilarious. Heyer really captures the brashness of young men, and the confidence both young fools have in their superior knowledge, their disdain of their parents ('dotards' at 45!) is accurate and ridiculous.
Enjoy this story, every time I read it!
Critterbee❇ wrote: "Pistols for TwoThis might be my fav of all of the stories, such a funny commentary on the wildly romantic and impractical stubbornness of rash young men. Of course there is a former playmate who ..."
You summed it up perfectly! Funny, I read this a couple of years ago, but as I started reading, it all came flooding back! I appreciate, also, the awareness during the restless night before duel of all the pain and suffering that would result. Bittersweet and a little melancholy, but an important part of growing up, too. Very well done, I always think!
Last time I binged on the stories and they began to run together; this time I am determined to enjoy them at a more reasonable rate, perhaps 1-2 at a time - nibbles instead of gulps, so I can savor these lovely gems!
I liked the title story "Snowdrift" where a lady is stranded at an inn without her injured maid but is determined to move on and claim what she believes is hers. The hero is kind and takes the time to help the heroine. I like that they get to know each other before he asks to pay his addresses. Even though they have only known each other briefly, I think being snowbound together must accelerate the process of getting to know you!"Full Moon" is my favorite story in the collection. The heroine is young and a bit silly, trying to escape an unwanted marriage by eloping with her best friend. Enter the hero who tries to rescue his new young friend from a scandal with the zaniest results. The hero is just as silly as the heroine but in a good way. This is a fun story that will make the most jaded Regency romance reader smile.
One of the new stories, "Pursuit" is a fun, runaway marriage story.. Heyer managed a few surprises along the way. Overall the story is too short for character development. I like the sensible governess heroine but not the alpha hero.
"Night at the Inn" is so unHeyerlike! (view spoiler)
My full review
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
QNPoohBear wrote: "I liked the title story "Snowdrift" where a lady is stranded at an inn without her injured maid but is determined to move on and claim what she believes is hers. The hero is kind and takes the time..."Being snowed in at an inn is so very romantic. Forced proximity without too much danger!
Full Moonfrom former reads I know this isn't everybody's favorite but I agree with QNPoohBear, it's one of my favorites here if not the favorite. I just love that the hero is confidant enough to be silly.
and I love all the stories and books where they are stuck in an Inn.
I have a copy of Snowdrift, which I consider a handsome book-- and it came to me from all the way across the pond! I agree with Susan in NC, these stories are gems, so I couldn't resist the reread.In the introduction to Snowdrift, Jennifer Kloester gives some background to the three stories that she added to the Pistols for Two collection. I recall from my first reading of the book that they weren't my favorites, but it's interesting to note that Runaway Match was the very first Regency short story that she published.
I like seeing Georgette Heyer's development as a writer with these stories. I can see her working out ideas she would flesh out later in her novels. She used the elopement theme a lot but always in different ways.
Pink Domino, Hazard & To Have the HonourI read 3 favourites last night - to get the Laski taste out of my mouth. As always, I enjoyed Pink Domino & Hazard. I think To Have the Honour is a wonderful short story - she builds up the characters so well with so few characters. I think she used elements from this story in (view spoiler)
Frabjous joy! My library has an e-book copy of
.
Fantastic, Susan! I’m looking forward to the discussion. So far I’ve read two—trying to space them out a little.
Me, too - I’m excited to have Snowdrift, with all the stories in one place - I am so impressed with Heyer’s ability to fit so much into a short story! Pistols for Two gave me such a complete picture of the lovely, lifelong friendship between the two boys, the understanding, but never patronizing, gentle guidance they received from the dashing London beau - it was delightful.
I read Snowdrift last night, such a nice story. Heroine Sophy who is fiercely determined but also so very nice, even to her ridiculous small-minded, selfish cousin Joseph. And a chance meeting with bored, sophisticated Julian Arden. The elderly, miserly relative in the story is seen often in other Heyer books, and the competition for his fortune between grandchildren as well.
Critterbee❇ wrote: "I read Snowdrift last night, such a nice story. Heroine Sophy who is fiercely determined but also so very nice, even to her ridiculous small-minded, selfish cousin Joseph. And a chance meeting with..."I started that one last night too late and dozed off! I’ll finish today and read a few more, I’ve got a long drive coming up Monday and want to save some stories for vacation reading. I know Heyer has given us these characters many times, but I never tire of how she arranges the meetings, the first awareness and attraction, the sweet, honest but determined heroines, the handsome, sophisticated, bored gentlemen- and yes, even the rotten, young relatives, and rich old ones - delightful!
Too true, Susan, must remember to pace myself and not zoom through all of the stories.
A Clandestine Affair and Bath MissIn A Clandestine Affair, Heyer gets around the problem of how to show two people falling in a love in a few pages by having the two main characters be long known to each other but estranged. Lots of humor in this one, and a brilliant ending! An amusing variation on the elopement theme.
Bath Miss gives us the handsome, bored 30 year old hero and the irrepressible teen-aged girl pairing that shows up in Heyer fairly regularly. She has a delicate touch with it so it works (for me, anyway). Also she's only showing us the beginnings of their attachment--it's attraction but not an engagement. I'd like to see a picture of the hat that the heroine acquires at Madame Lucille's.
Critterbee❇ wrote: "Pistols for Two...they seem completely oblivious to poor Marianne’s feelings on the matter ..."
I suspect Marianne was enjoying all the attention, and this light-hearted revenge, for all those times they’d snubbed her as a young girl, letting them vie for her attention but not planning to choose either of them! But of course being good-hearted enough to step in before allowing them to come to any real harm.
Julie wrote: "Critterbee❇ wrote: "Pistols for Two...they seem completely oblivious to poor Marianne’s feelings on the matter ..."
I suspect Marianne was enjoying all the attention, and this light-hearted reve..."
I agree about Marianne - and also, by (view spoiler)
A Husband for FannyI think this is my favourite now - all the (few) characters are so nice!
(view spoiler)
Oh, yes, that one is a delight! The daughter is so sweet and perceptive!
Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "A Husband for FannyI think this is my favourite now - all the (few) characters are so nice!
[spoilers removed]"
I agree also. The daughter is more perceptive than her mother.
In general I'm finding the short stories less satisfying than the novels. They are over so quickly.
I agree -they are little Petit Fours, when I generally prefer a Heyercake. I am reading them out of order - how rebellious!
Critterbee❇ wrote: "I agree -they are little Petit Fours, when I generally prefer a Heyercake. I am reading them out of order - how rebellious!"
Hahahaha!
A Husband for Fanny works perfectly in the short story length though.
Pistols For Two & A Clandestine Affair
I'm going to reread the remaining stories in order now.
I think Pistols is the last of my 5☆ reads in this collection. Light, frothy & totally delightful.
A Clandestine Affair - not really an accurate title. I do enjoy it but like George (view spoiler) Clara is another good example of a GH character who doesn't actually appear in the book - but we certainly know her!
I read Pistols for Two first because I started with this ebook Pistols For Two
before I was able to get Snowdrift from my library - so I guess I’m inadvertently being a rebel too!
I don't think I can rate short stories with stars. I think I'll wait and star rate the whole book. I'm reading them in order. So far:
Snowdrift.
Sweet if a bit implausible.
Full Moon.
Really liked this one. Her trademark comedy comes through here.
Pistols For Two.
Not my favorite so far. A bit silly in parts and the two young guys annoyed me. They were well handled by the town gent and you could see where the story was going.
I'm reading Snowdrift, but in the order the stories follow in Pistols for Two, which I prefer. Pink Domino and To Have the Honour
I liked the brother-sister dynamic in both these stories. A case of insta love drives the plot of Pink Domino but it does happen sometimes. Whenever I have doubts, I remember the girl who lived next door to me my sophomore year in college--she had a beau who would tell people he took one look at her and knew she was the one for him. She also had a very sweet face, almost perfectly heart-shaped!
To Have the Honour is one of my favorites in the book. Another humorous twist to the elopement theme. And I always enjoy the Timothy types when they crop up in Heyer.
A Husband for FannySuch a sweet little story, in which everyone has a Happily Ever After. It is surprising that Clarissa had no idea about which way the wind was blowing, when everyone around her seemed to see what was happening. I don't think that this plot would have worked well in a book, because of the longer length. Having THAT misunderstanding
last so long would be very difficult to write so that it was believable. Even taking into account the repression of feelings that was typical in polite society. And truly believing that someone was in a relationship with a close family member would put a damper on any romantic feelings, for me at least.
Teresa wrote: "I don't think I can rate short stories with stars. I think I'll wait and star rate the whole book. I'm reading them in order. So far:
Snowdrift.
Sweet if a bit implausible.
Full Moon.
Really l..."
LOL, having reared two sons, I actually thoroughly enjoyed Pistols for Two. It's just the sort of idiocies that young men full of themselves get into...although the days of dueling are long gone.
I was late getting started this month. Somehow, my days kept skittering sideways on me, but I'm now INTO THE FRAY!
Bath Miss, Night at the Inn & The DuelI see that last time I read this collection I rated Bath Miss 5★. This time it is just too slight a tale to rate that highly. More like 4★.
My comment "If I ever meet anyone named Almeria I'm going to expect her to look like a Georgette Heyer character!" still stands though!
Night at the Inn shows GH's range. Great spooky tale!
The Duel. really enjoyed - wasn't quite at 5★ for me last time, but I think this time it is!
Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Bath Miss, Night at the Inn & The DuelI see that last time I read this collection I rated Bath Miss 5★. This time it is just too slight a tale to rate that highly. More like 4★.
My comment "If I..."
Yes, I was prepared to rate The Duel lower than some of the others, until I read to the end. Somehow she pulls it off!
A Clandestine Affair.If I was star rating these this would be a 5 for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Maybe it's because it's that bit longer than any I've read so far.
I loved the 'secondary' romance here which is really the first, if that makes sense.
There was not one of these stories that I did not totally enjoy. Some, to be sure, more than others...but I enjoyed each and every one. And I have to say, I'm fond of those stories where the hero who rescues the damsel in distress is actually the "villain" she was so afraid of!
Critterbee❇ wrote: "A Husband for FannySuch a sweet little story, in which everyone has a Happily Ever After. It is surprising that Clarissa had no idea about which way the wind was blowing, when everyone around her..."
A Husband for Fanny
Indeed this is a sweet story, my favourite so far! I agree, the misunderstanding wouldn’t do for a longer work, but I think it works well here. As for the “family member” aspect, Clarissa would have been in for a lifetime of repressed feelings, if the pang she felt upon seeing them together was anything to go by.
Bath Miss/Pink Domino
These two, however, would benefit from a longer format - I found the attachments too sudden. But to me Pink Domino still held up as an engaging story.
A Clandestine Affair
I liked this clever approach, as Teresa says having the secondary romance be the first. The exciting chase scene didn’t hurt either - seeing firsthand what it means to “drive to an inch”!
Sheila (in LA) wrote: "Another humorous twist to the elopement theme.”To Have The Honour
Isn’t it just? Clever Trix!
Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Bath Miss, Night at the Inn & The DuelI see that last time I read this collection I rated Bath Miss 5★. This time it is just too slight a tale to rate that highly. More like 4★.
My comment "If I..."
I really didn’t see that coming, in “A Night at the Inn”! Great scene-setting, probably what I enjoyed most about this one.
And “The Duel,” 5 stars from me too....very likeable characters.
Bath Miss.This one had me when I read the 'Misses Titterstones'. How could you not be tickled by this name. An enjoyable read.
Pink Domino.
Liked it but like Julie thought the romantic attachments too sudden.
A Husband For Fanny.
Loved this one. The most romantic of the reads so far without any comedy or sarcasm.
Teresa wrote: "Bath Miss.This one had me when I read the 'Misses Titterstones'. How could you not be tickled by this name. An enjoyable read.
"
Ha! I'm so used to Heyer names that one slide right by me - for over 30 years! :D
Snowdrift & Full Moon
Charming & enjoyable. Full Moon shows GH at her comedic best, but it is still a too extreme case of insta love for me.
Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Teresa wrote: "Bath Miss.This one had me when I read the 'Misses Titterstones'. How could you not be tickled by this name. An enjoyable read.
"
Ha! I'm so used to Heyer names that one slide rig..."
Agreed about the insta-love in Full Moon, but I enjoyed the humor in Snowdrift . I also enjoyed the humor and obvious passion (even after 12 years!) in Clandestine Affair. Agree with Teresa, this would be a five star, and the ‘secondary’, or perhaps ‘senior’ romance is the most important one! Also, great comedic twist at the end - I had forgotten about it, and it was a great finish.
LOL @ MIsses Titterstones, I hadn't really notice them before, either.
I never noticed the Misses Titterstones, either. Something to look forward to on my next reread. ;)I've finished the original Pistols for Two stories. I read Full Moon last and I do think it makes a good final story to the collection, as it made me laugh out loud several times.
A word about Hazard--I love how it takes a right turn into comedy! But I agree with Carol, Carlington is a wild one. Not sure about that happy ending.
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I thought that one thread would be sufficient to hold all discussion of the short stories in both Pistols for Two and Other Stories and Snowdrift and Other Stories.
Snowdrift and Other Stories is a relatively recent (2016) reprint of the stories in Pistols for Two, with three additional short stories and an introduction by Jennifer Kloester.
Please start your post with the name of the story that you will be discussing, so as not to spoil anyone's read. Most of the short stories are short :-) so we will be able to see by the heading of your post whether or not reading it would spoil our read.
Is this anyone's first read?
How many times have you read this collection?
What format are you using?