The Reluctant Widow May 2022 Non-Spoilers Thread

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

& time for our May read!

Please don't put spoilers in this thread (you can use spoiler tags though.

This would be around my 50th read of this title. I am reading this edition shown in the title with the insipid looking redhead. I have to say my edition just full of typos!

[Barb in Maryland]

Not sure if I will re-read this. On my last re-read, dear Nicky got on my one last nerve.
If I do, however, here's the edition:


I first read this back in the 1960s--here's the cover:

I do like Elinor's almost flirtatious hand on hip stance!

This is neither one of my favorites nor one of my 'once was enough' among GH's titles--I guess I've read it 5-10 times over the years.

[Susan in Perthshire]

I've read this innumerable times over the last 50-plus years and I am looking forward to this re-read as much as I always do. It's not one of my top 5 favourites but as a romantic thriller - it's definitely in my top 10.

[Susan in NC]

I have enjoyed this one a few times, I’m in Barb’s camp, neither love nor hated it, rather like very much, but Nicky wears thin at times. I started my reread the other day, but have a few other books on the go, and a library book on deck, so like Barb I don’t know if I’ll get to a full reread - especially as I can’t get an audiobook of it, my preference for rereads. Here’s my paperback .

I think last time we had a rather lively discussion about some of the characters, so I will lurk in the discussion. I’d be interested to see what newer members think of the plot and characters.

[Susan in NC]

Barb in Maryland wrote: "Not sure if I will re-read this. On my last re-read, dear Nicky got on my one last nerve.
If I do, however, here's the edition:


I first read this back in th..."
My goodness, Eleanor is looking rather saucy on that older cover, isn’t she?

[Abigail]

I am fond of this one for the way it brings in current affairs, and the kid in me eats up the whole secret-passage element (hoping that doesn’t constitute a spoiler). It’s a very busy month for me but I’ll try to sandwich it in,

[Susan in NC]

Abigail wrote: "I am fond of this one for the way it brings in current affairs, and the kid in me eats up the whole secret-passage element (hoping that doesn’t constitute a spoiler). It’s a very busy month for me ..."

Yes! Just reread my review, and reminded me how much fun I’ve had with this - the mystery/adventure elements add to the spice! I will try to reread, as well - Heyer never fails to entertain me!

[Sheila (in LA)]

I don't have a clear memory of this one, though I read it once before with the group. I do know I enjoyed it, so I am looking forward to a reread! I've got the same Sourcebooks paperback that Barb and Susan have.

[Margaret]

The Reluctant Widow was the very first Heyer I ever read, so it's been something of a sentimental favorite ever since. The copy on my shelf is an old Heinemann hardcover that doesn't even have a dust jacket, so no image; I believe I picked it up in a secondhand shop on one of my trips to England.

[Anne]

First time read for me! I am looking forward to the "mystery/adventure elements" that Susan in NC mentioned.

I'll be starting this digital edition soon.

And thanks to tips from the last discussion, I am not armed with a handy copy of Regency Slang Revealed: Grose's Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue & Later Versions - Organised & Indexed.

[Jenny]

I like this as one of the funniest Heyers. Elinor is a bit like Sir Tristram in The Talisman Ring, a sensible down-to-earth person caught up in a completely mad situation!
My current edition is the one with the rather Edwardian-looking lady peering out of the window; that replaced my original Pan copy that had an Elinor with a very 1960s hairstyle looking down at a Nicky looking far too old in C18th breeches and frilly shirt. I usually liked the Pan covers in spite of the tendency to give the heroines 60s hair and make-up, but this one was a dud that I didn't mind replacing.

[Jenny]

Barb in Maryland wrote: "I first read this back in the 1960s--here's the cover:
...I do like Elinor's almost flirtatious hand on hip stance!.."

That looks like a cover based on the film, that GH hated for its over-sexy heroine!

[Jackie]

I have read this one many, many times and it's always been one of my favorites. currently re-reading the kindle edition.

Barb in Maryland said

I do like Elinor's almost flirtatious hand on hip stance!


I like the picture but (view spoiler)[ one of the things I really like about this book is how subtle the "flirting" is - nothing like this! (hide spoiler)]

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

I've finished my reread, & I am dismayed by the number of typos! At least they are obvious typos though, & not mistakes by the author.

[Barb in Maryland]

Jackie wrote: "I have read this one many, many times and it's always been one of my favorites. currently re-reading the kindle edition.

Barb in Maryland said

I do like Elinor's almost flirtatious hand on hip s..."

Jackie-- and that hairdo! (view spoiler)[that disconnect between cover and contents is what makes the cover so funny. Ace Publisher's covers for GH's books were usually 'off' in some way or another. This was no exception. (hide spoiler)]

[Critterbee❇]

This is my second or third time reading it, so I will do so with the saucy Elinor cover version...

[Barb in Maryland]

Critterbee❇ wrote: "This is my second or third time reading it, so I will do so with the saucy Elinor cover version...
"

Here's the 'saucy Elinor' cover--it's from an Ace pb edition from the late 1950s-early 1960s:

It's so wrong, yet it has a certain charm...

[Anne]

This is one of my favourite Heyer novels. I love Nicky and Bouncer and enjoyed the mystery. The original premise of the story is very unlikely but it’s a thoroughly enjoyable read just the same. And isn’t John the perfect public servant?

[Jackie]

Yes, John is the perfect public servant!

I love the interaction between the brothers and how easily Elinor fits in from the first breakfast together.

[Andie]

I think Heyer writes family very well. Just one of the many reasons I enjoy her work! Some of her books I know so well, I can quote passages by heart. This one I will need to re-read for sure - I came to it just a few years ago (as opposed to the books I found on my mother's bookshelf back in my teens.....)

[Abigail]

Yes, I love her family interactions too!

[sabagrey]

... and I love her dog characters!

They are all individual personalities, and so life-like that I think I can smell them ;-)

[Louise Sparrow]

This was my first Georgette Heyer so it will always be a favourite

[Teresa]

It's been a long time since I read this one so I don't remember it all. Not sure I really liked it but sure I'll find out soon enough. I'm reading this one


and like Carol said the typos are annoying!!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Teresa wrote: "and like Carol said the typos are annoying!!"

I keep picturing Abigail (retired proofreader) reading this edition. It would be dripping with red ink!

[Teresa]

:):)

[Abigail]

Yes, it’s already marked up! 😁

[Barb in Maryland]

Ha! I succumbed, and started reading, even though my last re-read was not very satisfying. The next thing I knew, I was 85 pages into the book, enjoying myself immensely.

Re: the various books Elinor considers for a little bedtime reading in Chapter VI: Thaddeus of Warsaw was by the same author of The Scottish Chiefs, Jane Porter. The School for Widows and Elinor's eventual choice The Old English Baron were by Clara Reeve.
Both women were very successful authors in their day.
See:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clara_R...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Po...

I've read The Scottish Chiefs (in an abridged form of 500 pages!) but none of the others. I may have to give The (Old) English Baron a try.

[Andie]

Barb in Maryland wrote: "Ha! I succumbed, and started reading, even though my last re-read was not very satisfying. The next thing I knew, I was 85 pages into the book, enjoying myself immensely.

Re: the various books Eli..."

It would be so interesting to know your thoughts on those books if you do read them. What did you think of 'The Scottish Chiefs?'

[Abigail]

Just goes to show, Barb, that you can never read the same book twice because you’re always a different person the next time you read it!

[Barb in Maryland]

Andie
I read Scottish Chiefs well over 50 years ago, so my memories of it are rather slim. Porter was an influence on Sir Walter Scott--only he managed to cut the verbiage a bit! I recall that she never used one word, if three words would do. But buried under all that was an exciting tale, told in epic fashion.

[Barb in Maryland]

Abigail wrote: "Just goes to show, Barb, that you can never read the same book twice because you’re always a different person the next time you read it!"

So true, Abigail. so true!

[Julia]

I haven't read this one yet! Very excited.

I have the one with the same cover as the thread here.

[Moloch]

I'm very late, but I started this book yesterday. The premise seems totally absurd, but I hope it will be an entertaining read, just what I need now :-)

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Moloch wrote: "I'm very late, but I started this book yesterday. The premise seems totally absurd, but I hope it will be an entertaining read, just what I need now :-)"

Enjoy! :)

[Susan in Perthshire]

Moloch wrote: "I'm very late, but I started this book yesterday. The premise seems totally absurd, but I hope it will be an entertaining read, just what I need now :-)"

It is delightfully absurd. I have been enjoying TRW since I first read it over 50 years ago and it never fails to entertain me. I love it.

[Julia]

I'm about halfway, too, as I didn't get around to reading it. It's my first time! Not so sure I really like Ned yet but I do like Elinor! I've also laughed a lot at this one so far.