The Black Moth Group Read Sept 2020 Chapter 16 - Epilogue

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

So how are you finding it so far?

[Abigail]

Well, I'm at chapter 19 and remembering all the reasons I haven't read this book in about thirty years. The relations between the sexes are just sick to me--willfully sadistic villain who's totally in love with himself, wussy Dick led around by his namesake, no fewer than three kittenish women endlessly flirting. Makes me want to take a bath. Can't wait for the third book in this series, which at least has a heroine I can respect and some good comedic scenes.

[Charlotte]

LOL I was thinking I might reread it, but, Abigail, you have reminded me why I am not sure I want to!

[Susan in NC]

Abigail wrote: "Well, I'm at chapter 19 and remembering all the reasons I haven't read this book in about thirty years. The relations between the sexes are just sick to me--willfully sadistic villain whose totally..."

Very true, my friend, and succinctly put! I admit, I skimmed through the London scenes with Dick and Lavinia, (view spoiler)[can’t put up with much of her - my audiobook makes her sound like she’s constantly on the edge of a tantrum, which is unnerving, and Dick is so weak, as you say. And Tracy really comes across as a sadistic snake, all whispered menace and sibilant sounds...ick! (hide spoiler)] I may skip to the end to refresh my memory and be done!

[Abigail]

I think I woke up a bit cranky this morning . . .

[Critterbee❇]

Abigail wrote: "I think I woke up a bit cranky this morning . . ."

Girl, I think that is all of us right now, and for the past 5-6 months, too!

Can you imagine being quarantined with Lavinia?

[Susan in NC]

Critterbee❇ wrote: "Abigail wrote: "I think I woke up a bit cranky this morning . . ."

Girl, I think that is all of us right now, and for the past 5-6 months, too!

Can you imagine being quarantined with Lavinia?"
Wow, just wow!

[Abigail]

You make me happy to be alone!

[Lesley]

Ditto Abigail!

I think Lavinia would have ceased to exist without being quarantined with her. So annoying.

[Jackie]

I'm in the chapter where Capt Lovelace appears and I see that Lavinia really enjoys gambling; are there other female characters in Heyer's books that do? I can't think of any.

Many play for social reasons, obviously, but Lavinia really find it exciting.
There is so much to dislike about her, and shallow sums up her tastes.

[Rosina]

I assume that Lady Denville in False Colours enjoys gambling, since she loses a lot of money, and continues to gamble. We are of course expected to find Lady Denville quite delightful, and to abhor her late husband, who objected to the gambling.

[Abigail]

I can't remember whether Deb Grantham's aunt in Faro's Daughter likes gambling herself or simply wastes money in every other conceivable way.

[Jackie]

Rosina wrote: "I assume that Lady Denville in False Colours enjoys gambling, since she loses a lot of money, and continues to gamble. We are of course expected to find Lady Denville quite delightful, and to abhor..."

yes, Lady Denville is an excellent point as I was wondering if it was only men who can gamble a lot and still be "good" characters.

I don't remember either Lady Denville or Deb's aunt actually finding it a thrill, though, in the way Lavinia apparently does. From memory, they just did it the way most did, as a social activity.

I am reminded of Miles and Stacey talking about gambling in Black Sheep: Miles finds it dull and Stacey really can't believe that.

[Jackie]

For as many times as I've read this, I didn't remember men actually wearing make up! Very fancy clothes, yes, and jewelry and powder in their hair and patches, sure, but I am just where Richard is preparing for a rout and this includes "the delicate tinting of his finger-nails" and "stencilling of his brows".
I continue to be surprised that I can find new things on re-reads. I must skim a lot more than I think I do.

[Jackie]

Having finished it, I now remember why I skim: I get tired of Richard and his wife and want to get on to the main event.

How skillfully a teen-aged Heyer brings the high drama of (view spoiler)[ abduction, rescue, and duel all they way to everyone having a dinner party together afterwards. (hide spoiler)]

[Karlyne]

I think it's the selfishness of the characters, especially the ones like Richard who cloak it in "love" for someone else, that gets to me. Because he "loves" Lavinia, he's willing to sacrifice the rest of the world. Bah!

[Sheila (in LA)]

I am into the second half of the book now and the focus has shifted back to Richard, Lavinia and Devil. Will be interested to see how all the story lines come together and are resolved in the end.

The clothing descriptions are quite amazing. I'm reading the digital copy that Carol linked to, which has some illustrations of period costumes.