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Bridgerton Series
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I finished both and I can say I am quite impressed with the Netflix series. All the characters were white in my own imagination when I first started reading the series (8 years ago or so!) and Netflix created this new perspective of things.Eloise's story was my favourite one and I am happy with the character on the TV series. She is charismatic.
My favourite brother was Colin and I can't wait to watch his love story.
The Queen is so far the best surprise and now I can't imagine a world without her. And even the author regrets not having her in the book.
By the end of the Book Series I was fed up of so many brother and sister (haha) and got bored with Gregory and Hyacinth.
Barbara wrote: "I finished both and I can say I am quite impressed with the Netflix series. All the characters were white in my own imagination when I first started reading the series (8 years ago or so!) and Netf..."I like that twist too! I was impressed with how it was pulled off in the Netflix series, to have Black characters: because of love.
I loved Eloise (except for her bangs). Watching her made it a lot easier for me to imagine her while reading the books.
For the books, I tried to read the first one, but couldn't get into it. I read the second (Anthony's) and third (Benedict's), now I'm currently reading the fourth (Colin's!). I can't wait to read Eloise's story though.
Ana A wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I finished both and I can say I am quite impressed with the Netflix series. All the characters were white in my own imagination when I first started reading the series (8 years ago ..."Eloise was young on Daphne's book. I think the producers tried to creat a childish-looking for her and the bangs will definetely make whoever watches the series think she is still a child (which she was!)
On her book, though, you will find a more mature Eloise and I think that's why I simply adore her story. Is super sweet and I remember of the feeling of reading it and asking: where is THAT Eloise??? She was a grown-up!!
Jo wrote: "I binged the Netflix series and really enjoyed it! I'm hoping to also read the book/books :)Eloise was such an interesting character and I think my favourite as well as Daphne."
Daphne's book was so intense, but I had to manage my boredom by watching the actress face hahaha I found her so so SO boring, not quite as the Daphne from the books, who was so brave. I loved the actress by the fact she had chemestry with Simon (both are GORGEOUS) but she was quite far from the Daphne I imagine in the book (regarding to attitudes)
and this is only my opinion :D
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It will be a bit hard to let go of Daphne/Simon in the next stories since I loved them so much. I will say that I was beyond frustrated at how little communication they had. So much heartache could have been avoided if they had just asked questions. But I suppose it was appropriate for the time.
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I am enjoying the series a lot. There are many anachronisms. I don't think corsets were worn with dresses in that era, it was much like 100 years later when the Downton Abbey ladies switched to the unconstructed dresses. Also brides didn't wear white as a tradition till Queen Victoria did it. The opera singer sings the Barcarolle from Tales of Hoffmann, which was written late 19th century. Apparently, many of the Baroque-style tunes played at the dances are actually modern pop songs disguised. I also think girls wouldn't have been so ignorant about sex. This was an era of libertines. It wasn't till Victoria reacted against all the scandals of her ancestors that modesty became such a big thing.
But none of that bothers me because when I read Regency romances (which I do a fair amount), I always pretend they are on some other planet. In reality, there was terrible poverty, disease, inequality, most men treated their servants, wives and children badly. Somewhere I read there were only a few dukes at the time and they were all old. So this is a type of fantasy world where the men dote on their wives and children, the servants are happy and everyone takes a lot of baths.
I have only read one of this series. My profile shows that I read The Duke and I but now I realize it was some other romance about a duke. I did read Anthony's story but it doesn't gibe with what we learn about him in the TV show. That one was very funny, with a lot about how the family plays a vicious form of croquet.
My favorite characters are Eloise and Penelope/Pen. My daughter was reading about the actors in the show and found that the one who plays Pen is actually in her 30's!
watch interviews with the actress that plays Pen, she has a strong Irish accent which I love. I also liked daphne and Simon better in the book. Simon on the show is an incredibly beautiful man, but I didn’t feel like his acting skills were up to portraying the Simon angst and stutters in the book.
Its definitely a romance book, but I didn’t find it corny or nauseating, which I sometimes do. I would definitely recommend.
I’ve only read the first book though because I had 9 library holds open in the span of 2 days. So almost through with those and then onto Anthony!
Laura wrote: "I will say that I was beyond frustrated at how little communication they had. So much heartache could have been avoided if they had just asked questions..."I know, right? While watching those painful scenes, I kept saying to my screen "Just talk to each other!"
I finished the seventh book. There's a lot of repetition when it comes to the reason for the leading man's or woman's angst. Dead or terrible parents, questionable birth, dead siblings or dead cousins that are practically siblings... It's getting repetitive but I can't seem to stop!I'm sure I'll be reading the 8th book later tonight, and all the middle books too (like book 6.5, 7.5, etc.).
This series is the first "romance" that I've read, although looking through some MPG for other books I've read, I see that Romance is there, too. I guess I differentiate in my head between Romance (bodice ripping) and love story, but love story doesn't seem to be a listed genre, so there is that.
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I'd love to hear whether you think it's valuable to read the .5 books as you come to them or whether it's good to go back to the end.
I think I am going to give in and read the first one for the "You read what??" prompt.
By .5 do you mean the second epilogues? If so, I vote wait till the end. I read daphnes and it gave “spoilers”. I mean this isn’t a big thriller and I saw the end of the 1st season on Netflix, so I’m fine.
But I finished the second book and decided to wait for that second epilogue because I think I’ll appreciate any siblings in it more at the end.
The books I am getting on Libby include the 2nd epilogues as part of the book.
Yeah, that's what's in my ebooks too. But there is a final book The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After that has all the second epilogues in it. In case you want to return those and save the epilogues for the end.
Alicia wrote: "Yeah, that's what's in my ebooks too. But there is a final book The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After that has all the second epilogues in it. In case you want to return those and sav..."Ohh so that's what's in there. The e-books I have don't have the 2nd epilogues. Good to know I can find them all in one place.
I just finished It's in His Kiss, and I know a lot of people loved it, but it was my least favorite of them. I thought Gareth's behavior was despicable and that Hyacinth was a whiny brat. That's just my opinion, your mileage my vary.
Kim wrote: "I just finished It's in His Kiss, and I know a lot of people loved it, but it was my least favorite of them. I thought Gareth's behavior was despicable and that Hyacinth was a whiny b..."What I liked about It's in His Kiss was the (view spoiler). I thought it provided a change of pace. I didn't mind Hyacinth that much, but when I read one of the second epilogues, the one for Colin's story, I agree with you that she is kind of a brat.
I just finished binge watching the series. Penelope was my favourite character. Her comment about always being dressed in yellow made me laugh. I was able to borrow the Duke and I on audio. There is over 2000 holds on 400 books at my library for the first 3 books. Yikes.
After watching the Netflix series I decided to re-read the Bridgeton Series which I had started 20 years ago. Of course the series was not true to the books in many ways but I still found it very enjoyable. But when I re-read book one, The Duke and I, I was transported away. Quinn's writing style is so warm and vibrant. I really enjoyed the fact the the two epilogs were attached to the end of the novel. I am waiting for series 2 and planning to continue by re-read of all the Bridgerton Stories.
I just finished book 3, with Benedict, and it’s my favorite so far! I read the 2nd epilogue for the duke and I but it was a bit of a spoiler (as much as cliche romance novels can be spoiled). So now I’m saving them for the end.
Ana A wrote: "Since quite a few members from the 2021 Reading Discussions are interested in talking about the Bridgerton Series (both Netflix and the books), I thought we should have a separate thread dedicated ..."I watched the series, and since then have read all the books. I enjoyed many of them. I only have the Lady Whistledown books left which I plan on getting to sometime soon. I really enjoyed that set of books.
Elspeth wrote: "Ana A wrote: "Since quite a few members from the 2021 Reading Discussions are interested in talking about the Bridgerton Series (both Netflix and the books), I thought we should have a separate thr..."Oohh, I haven't read the Whistledown series yet. I just might because I need some quick books because I am behind again in my challenge.
I hope the Netflix Season 2 will come out soon...
Ana A wrote: "Elspeth wrote: "Ana A wrote: "Since quite a few members from the 2021 Reading Discussions are interested in talking about the Bridgerton Series (both Netflix and the books), I thought we should hav..."There are only two, but I'm looking forward to reading them!
I didn’t even know about the whistle down series! I’m excited now. Just finishing Penelope and Colin today
Season 2 is on Netflix! I'm so glad Eloise's bangs are gone.I only finished one episode so far. Will probably binge next week.
Are you watching season 2? What do you think so far? Please hide spoilers!
I don’t think this counts as a spoiler, but the bangs aren’t fully gone. Although they have given her the WORST wigs in the show
Alicia wrote: "I don’t think this counts as a spoiler, but the bangs aren’t fully gone. Although they have given her the WORST wigs in the show"Lol, oh yeah she still has bangs, but not the ridiculous ones in season 1.
I think they are doing a good job with the adaptation. So far the cringe worthy elements in the book have been changed for the better. I love the wigs the Queen wears. They are so fun.
I started watching the show for the hype and stayed for the characters, whom I ended up really liking, to my own surprise. I then started reading the books (I've gotten as far as book 6 right now, Francesca's story).I really love the way they explained the racially inclusive approach and absolutely enjoy the diversity it has added. The actors so far have been really well cast, and some are really shaping up to be more than their written counterparts (Prudence Featherington, for once).
I was a bit disappointed with Eloise's book, but
[SPOILER WARNING IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT YET]
I really liked the first glance at Sir Philip we got in season 2. He seemed very sweet and kind, and I liked him more than I did in the novel.
I'm also thrilled that Colin and Penelope will be up next. Nicola Coughlan is just perfect, and their chemistry is great. Excited to see how they'll continue after that :)
Has anyone read Queen Charlotte?I just finished the Netflix series last night. It was so binge-able. Queen Charlotte is such a fun but amazing character.
The Lady Danbury subplot was so unexpected!
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Queen Charlotte (other topics)It's in His Kiss (other topics)
It's in His Kiss (other topics)
The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After (other topics)
The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After (other topics)
Did you finish the Netflix series?
Have you read any of the books?
What other Bridgerton thoughts are on your mind?