Georgette Heyer Fans discussion
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Sprig Muslin
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March 2024 Group Read Sprig Muslin - whole book
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Sir Gareth is just the kind of hero I like, and Amanda such a vividly drawn combination of naivety and brattishness, while the main romance has a good reason for working out the way it does - Gareth and Hester actually spend a lot of time together (in the familiar setting of 'couple holed up at inn / farm due to illness / injury') and you can see the relationship develop.
And it's very, very funny, with a wonderful cast of entertaining minor characters.
This cover
is perfect to my mind; sadly my old Pan edition fell apart and I've had to replace it with one that doesn't portray the characters anything like so accurately. Those are the pictures of them I will always have in my mind.
Jenny wrote: "This is one of my favourites, and I think the most successful of the four 'hero rescues runaway girl' stories. Sir Gareth is just the kind of hero I like, and Amanda such a vividly drawn combinat..."
Yes, I love this cover too! Pan did make some effort to get the cover to match the story! (note the bandboxes!)
This was the right book at the right time for me, & on this read it may have even risen to 5★!
I particularly liked the scene setting at the start, where Gareth comes from a loving family (Trixie crying herself to sleep when she realises Gareth still loves Clarissa really touched me) is a great contrast to Hester's situation where she is an unappreciated drudge is very well handled)
This is a book that has grown on me over the years. I've come to sympathize and understand Hester more than when I was young. I think she has created her own little world with her pugs and the kindly servants, and is able to ignore her awful family much of the time. Like a gentle stream, she just flows around them. The scene where she hides behind the coats makes me laugh aloud every time!
Hester is indeed like a gentle, meandering stream!
Also like the skillful way (through Trixie's husband) we see that if Clarissa had lived the marriage with Gareth would probably have been very unhappy.
Jenny wrote: "This is one of my favourites, and I think the most successful of the four 'hero rescues runaway girl' stories. The Barbosa cover has those same pink striped bandboxes! One on each side of the settle. No doubt the inspiration for the Pan cover.
Mod
Trixie here is a contrast to some of the other sisters Heyer heroes have, who are trying to push their brothers into marrying someone they think suitable in a controlling fashion: Trixie really wants Gareth to be happy, and her match-making efforts are all bent to this end.
Her quite dreadful, embarrassing behaviour when Gareth says he's proposing to Hester is not because he's escaping her control but because she's had dreams for him that he's given up on. As you say, it's very touching.
This is not one of my favourite Heyer books. Although it is very cleverly plotted and well written I find Sir Gareth too perfect to find him attractive and Amanda annoys me!!The only characters I really like are Lady Hester and Hildebrand.
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The only characters I ..."
I wondered whether Amanda would prove to be as controversial a character as Lady Denville was in the last book! I don't think she's a very likeable character, but she's an entertaining one; and you have to admire her determination and her resourcefulness, even while deploring her as unscrupulous and self-centred.
Good description of Amanda Jenny!!
Mod
Once she realises that her 'make-believe' has got Gareth shot and might have got him killed, and that blackening his character has really caused Hildebrand to wrongly believe ill of him, she is remorseful and begins to understand consequences; not yet to the point that she will take pity on her grandfather and aunt, mind you, but I do feel that this will come in time.
I’m about to start reading this again and I am going to try to be open-minded about Amanda, who is I’m afraid, one of my least favourite characters in the Heyer canon. But, I’ll try not to pre-judge.
Mod
I wonder if I'm reading too much into it in suspecting that one reason Gareth is so determined that Amanda should be discouraged from an early marriage is that he realises it too?
I don't love Heyer's childish brat characters (it makes me uncomfortable when very immature characters are in marriage plots) - but Amanda is definitely one of the better ones!She's ignorant and wildly over-confident and thoughtlessly cruel, but she has her redeeming qualities too. Above all, I think she's correct that she would thrive as a military wife out on campaign. She's a high energy person who needs something to do - I suspect most of her character flaws come from being bored to tears and cooped up!
Jenny wrote: "not yet to the point that she will take pity on her grandfather and aunt, mind you, but I do feel that this will come in time."I really believe the saying that you don't fully understand your parents until you have children!
Nick wrote: "I don't love Heyer's childish brat characters (it makes me uncomfortable when very immature characters are in marriage plots) - but Amanda is definitely one of the better ones!She's ignorant and ..."
Agree, she would make a good soldier's wife, if given a chance. But Neil doesn't seem to appreciate her talents in that line. It bothers me when he says he doesn't want her around if he's wounded. His bossiness really puts me off at the end. I think we might find him an interesting character to discuss. Will Amanda be left to wait for him in Lisbon like a doll sitting on a shelf, or will she be able to follow the drum like Juana Smith in The Spanish Bride?
Mod
I don't think he'd dare leave her in Lisbon! He'll want to keep her under his eye; besides, if she was going to be left in Lisbon, she might just as well have been left in England.
She'll definitely follow the drum I think. If Neil tried to leave her behind she would try and find a way to follow him and the Lord knows what scrapes she'd get into!
Mod
Now, there's a sequel in the making!
Wouldn't it have been fantastic :)
Teresa wrote: "She'll definitely follow the drum I think. If Neil tried to leave her behind she would try and find a way to follow him and the Lord knows what scrapes she'd get into!"Very good point. Especially after grandpa goes home.
Mod
Bernard Cornwell should write it - can you imagine an Amanda Meets Sharpe story? Though come to think of it he's already been charged with rescuing one lovelorn young lady run away from home. Amanda is of sterner stuff than Kate, though.
Never read any of his books.
Jenny wrote: "Bernard Cornwell should write it - can you imagine an Amanda Meets Sharpe story?"I would love this story so much! This is the cross-over I've been waiting for. I think Sharpe would find her annoying at first but hopefully she'd prove herself to him too
Okay - I've finished it and I've written my review.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...I'm sorry, but as I said in my review, I think it's one of GH's weakest books. On this read, I found too many flaws and weaknesses to enjoy the book in the way I normally enjoy my favourite Heyers.
In a nutshell (which my review isn't), I think the amount of time spent with the annoying Amanda, and the lack of time and energy devoted to Gareth and Hester's romance were what made it weak for me. Now ducking my head to avoid incoming missiles!!
Mod
I'm sorry, but as I said in my review, I think it's one of GH's weakest books. On this read, I f..."
I think you're mistaken in thinking of this as a book about Gareth and Hester's romance, with Hester as the female lead. I think it's actually a farce, with Amanda as the female lead, about Gareth trying to do the gentlemanly thing by somebody who is determined that he shouldn't.
In the process he comes to realise that there are downsides to life with a spoilt, wilful beauty such as the woman he's been wearing the willow for, and finds love with Hester after all when his struggles with Amanda give them the chance to spend time together.
I think this works better than the other two books with the same basic plot because dealing with the runaway does force them into each other's company; with the other two, the hero, although he calls on the other lady's help, is too busy to see much of her, and it's a mystery why the affair suddenly causes the couple to fall in love.
Here, Gareth has the chance to live with Hester on a day-to-day basis, away from her stultifying relations, which lets him see more of her true character; and they share moments together that the parties in an arranged marriage wouldn't normally, such as the visit from Barnabas Vinehall.
Mod
I would love this story so much! This is the cross-over I've been waiting for. I think Sharpe would find her annoying at first but hopefully she'd prove herself to him too
Yes, indeed, but don't forget, too, that he's putty in the hands of a beautiful manipulative woman! (With apologies for the digression to those who are not Sharpe fans)
There is definitely more farce than romance, and that’s why it fails for me. 🤔I don’t think the 16 year old Amanda is strong enough to carry the book. But of course, that is just my opinion.
As you might expect, I don’t agree that I’m ‘mistaken’. This is all about interpretation, preference and personal taste and there are no “right” or “wrong” views surely? Just differences of opinion. 🤗
I totally agree it’s heavy on the farce and that’s why it doesn’t work for me. As I said in my review - less than 20% of the book is spent with Gareth and Hester and that time is not fully utilised by GH. My comparisons in my review illustrate the Heyer’s that I do prefer - and Sprig Muslin isn’t one of them. I know others will continue to love it and good for them - because we’re all different.
I’m looking forward to more analysis going forward. This is such a great group. 😊
My take on Sprig Muslin is that it's a book with three main characters: Sir Gareth, Hester, and Amanda (putting them in order of appearance). The story details how they interact--and eventually, how Gareth and Hester end up together--but no, it's not a standard romance with a single hero and heroine driving the plot. If the standard is what you prefer, you probably won't like the book, and of course (as with any novel), if one or more of the main characters rub you the wrong way, you probably won't like it either.Personally I like all three of them--for me, Amanda has a lot of amusement value, hidden depths ("She was the daughter of a soldier, and meant to become the wife of a soldier, and own herself beaten she would not") and is also a great plot driver--so the book is a favorite. As always, your mileage may vary!
Susan in Perthshire wrote: "There is definitely more farce than romance, and that’s why it fails for me. 🤔"Susan
I'm another Heyer fan who reads her historicals for the romance. I've read Sprig Muslin but it never made it into the re-read rotation, because mad-cap humor is just not my thing. But I don't mind a mystery mixed in with the romance. As you said, we're all different.
However, I do enjoy reading the comments! I lurked on the group for several years before I finally joined. This is, indeed, a great group
Pugs - an Observation. I once wrote a little tongue-in-cheek piece on the maligned Pugs of GH. As a besotted pug owner, I note with sorrow how she often characterizes them as fat and overfed, but Lady Hester's treatment of poor Juno's family is beyond the pale. Juno and her puppies need human love and attention in this crucial time, but Hester callously abandons them to the ministrations of servants, merely to save Sir Gareth's life. Gareth, a man she thinks isn't even a pug person! Sigh - I fear for the future of Juno once Hester and Gareth marry, because you know very well where Joseph the Kitten is going to end up (hint: not on a ship to Portugal.)
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..."
Ah, now that's why it's one of my favourites. I'm with Charlotte "I'm not romantic, I never was" Lucas on this, and it's why I like A Civil Contract so much as well. Like her family, I think Hester is an idiot to turn Gareth down and that Jenny Chawleigh's practical attitude to a one-sided love match makes much more sense.
Susan in Perthshire wrote: "There is definitely more farce than romance, and that’s why it fails for me. 🤔I don’t think the 16 year old Amanda is strong enough to carry the book. But of course, that is just my opinion.
As..."
I know the amount of page time Amanda got meant this book, as much as I love I didnt originally give this book 5★ (& I still think the book really takes off from the entrance of Hildebrand) but nowadays Neil bothers me more. That is one controlling personality & he doesn't seem to value the things about Amanda that would make her a great soldier's wife!
Also the age difference (24 to 17 & Neil says it is a longstanding attachment) is a bit much to these 21st century eyes.
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I don't think I've ever read a novel where a pug wasn't, overfed, lazy and unhealthy! They are a marker for a stupid, idle woman who just wants something cute she can carry around and stuff unhealthy treats into. But I'm sure Hester's isn't like that, in fact, I'm surprised she's got a pug at all. But she couldn't have had a more active dog without it interfering with the plot, could she!
I often wonder where the pups come from, though: the ladies never have more than one pug (apart from the puppies) and they don't seem to be breeding them as a hobby, so they're unlikely to be bringing in stud pugs for the purpose. And when do the poor creatures get time and space for misalliances? But the ladies often seem to have puppies available to hand out to favoured acquaintances.
Lol, my favorite GH pug is in Friday’s Child where he’s dragged along, willy nilly, on Hero’s abduction. And although she calls him a horrid little dog, he barks to defend her from Sherry at the inn.
Barb in Maryland wrote: "Susan in Perthshire wrote: "There is definitely more farce than romance, and that’s why it fails for me. 🤔"Susan
I'm another Heyer fan who reads her historicals for the romance. I've read Sprig M..."
Barb, I think you have highlighted one of the key features which differentiate Heyer fans. Like you, whilst appreciating Heyer’s wit, I’m there for the romance. If I wanted full on, madcap farce, I’d read P G Wodehouse. But the wide variation in preferences and tastes in this group does make the discussion so interesting.
For me, the interest in Sprig Muslin was to see how GH used the historical The Spanish Bride material for romances set in England. I think GH was inspired by Juana Smith in ALL her juvenile heroines, and felt justified to create much older partners for them. (I don't remember how old Harry Smith was when he married, but to judge from GH's preference for an age gap of 12-13 years, he probably was 26 or 27 to Juana's 14). It's a long time since I read The Spanish Bride. From what I remember, it left me unsatisfied as to Juana's personality - small wonder, because the sources were mostly written by men. She must have been extraordinary, mostly in a quiet, subdued but no less convincing and admirable way: only few noteworthy independent actions of her are reported.
It would have been a worthwhile undertaking to add to the historical Spanish Bride a novel that makes an attempt at developing Juana's character, never mind if it's a fiction. But GH did not do it, or could not do it. Amanda certainly is NOT a take on Juana's character.
We know that GH had to write for money, that the historical romances sold best, that she wrote them, or at least some of them, reluctantly, and that sometimes she had a good plot idea and sometimes not so good. I know that I'm reading one of the not-so-good-ones when I even start thinking about GH's motivation and writing process. The really brilliant ones shine for themselves, and this - for me - is not one of them.
sabagrey wrote: "For me, the interest in Sprig Muslin was to see how GH used the historical The Spanish Bride material for romances set in England. I think GH was inspired by Juana Smith in ALL her ju..."Yes, I’ve often wondered about her predilection for such young female protagonists, and what you say about the Juana Smith inspiration makes perfect sense.
Your observation about GH writing for money and being constrained by the expectations of her readers is as true today as it was then I suspect.
Susan in Perthshire wrote: "Your observation about GH writing for money and being constrained by the expectations of her readers is as true today as it was then I suspect.."so true, alas ... I've just read the long-awaited new instalment in a historical mystery series, and it's such a pity when you feel almost on every page that the heart of the author has gone out of the story and into .... her bank account.
It's a hard world for authors out there, I know, what with pressure on all sides. But it makes me sad all the same.
Mod
I've just looked up Harry on Wikipedia and he was 24 when he met and married Juana, so a 10-year gap. I think we are meant to see a connection between Juana and Amanda, because Amanda actually protests that 'Neil knows an officer in the 95th who is married to a Spanish lady who is much younger than I am!' - and of course, her choice of Smith for a pseudonym; Neil is also 24, and also a brigade-major, by the way.
Mod
I think the point about the very young heroine is that it's her inexperience and innocence, often coupled with a liveliness and disregard for (or ignorance of) convention, that drives the plot. These girls find themselves at sea in a situation they have little control over, which may be caused by the older hero or resolved by him, or a bit of both. She's a damsel in distress, though mercifully not usually a drippy one.
The older heroines are much more in charge of things: Hero's story could never have happened if she'd been 26, any more than Frederica's could have if she'd been 16. And of course, Sprig Muslin couldn't work with a 29-year-old Amanda and a 16-year-old Hester.
I wasn't well today, so I read Sprig Muslin in one sitting over the day. Here's my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...I actually enjoyed it much more than I expected to! I last read it in my early 20s, so it's been a long time :)
I think I was able to appreciate Amanda's naivety much more than I did when I was closer to her age. Also, the plot is very much a triangle, though not a "love triangle". Once I understood that, I read the book on its own merits, not my expectations.
Personally, I didn't feel Hester had enough chance to shine. Unlike others here, I liked Neil. Amanda was probably going to need someone who can see through her, and who won't stand any nonsense from her. There were suggestions she knew that herself. And I liked Hildebrand. In fact, I felt the story took off once he joined the cast. The plot became more interesting, and the scenes in the inn garden were delightful.
I would not have re-read it if it hadn't been our monthly read, but I'm glad I did, and now I have it back on my shelf, I'll likely read it again.
Susan in Perthshire wrote: "sabagrey wrote: "For me, the interest in Sprig Muslin was to see how GH used the historical The Spanish Bride material for romances set in England. I think GH was inspired by Juana Sm..."I've also wondered if her very young heroines were intended to be relatable to her very young readers! Although, I was fourteen when I read Black Sheep, my first Heyer, and didn't mind that Abby was in her twenties. I liked her much more than the teenage Fanny, but other readers of the time period might have had different feelings. I do agree with those who say that the youth of these women made their antics possible.
Mod
I like Neil, too. Amanda urgently needs someone who will set boundaries - as Neil says himself, her character has been ruined by her over-indulgent grandfather and aunt, and something has got to be done about it soon.
As we saw, she doesn't readily accept that anybody else knows better than she does, which is why Gareth had so much trouble with her; but she does accept it from Neil, and she does care what he thinks of her. If he can get her to understand that there are ethical as well as practical reasons why she can't always have everything she wants, then there's hope for her. Living with the army, where she will be surrounded by people living under discipline and see that even Neil has to obey orders, and where she won't be the centre of attention, will be the saving of her (we can hope).
Neil does underestimate Amanda's managing skills, and, I suspect, is a bit inclined to see her as a delicate flower to be protected; but I think she'll surprise him. The only difficulty will be if he can't give up the reins once Amanda has grown out of needing his guidance - but there's no reason to suppose he won't.
Mod
The source is Chapuys, the Spanish Ambassador, the representative in England of her nephew, the King of Spain and Emperor Charles V. He reported to Charles that the embalmer
... had found the body and all the internal organs as sound as possible except the heart, which was quite black and hideous, and even after he had washed it three times it did not change color. He divided it through the middle and found the interior of the same color, which also would not change on being washed, and also some black round thing which clung closely to the outside of the heart.Modern medical opinion seems to be unanimous that it was a 'melanotic sarcoma' - a cancer - but a 'thing which clung' does make it sound like a little monster!
(https://www.tudorsociety.com/catherin...)
Amanda's delight in the story and complete lack of squeamishness indicate both her childishness and unconventionality.
Jenny wrote: "Incidental to the novel, I know, but Hildebrand's gruesome story of Katherine of Aragon's blackened heart has often made me wonder what the truth behind it is, so I've just looked it up.The source..."
This reminds me of the story of the "true" Venetia (Digby, (view spoiler)) - there also was an autopsy after her early and sudden death, and the brain was found missing. Huh???? - no modern medical explanation forthcoming ;-))
Mod
8-o I found myself looking for Facebook's 'Wow' response!
Jenny wrote: "Incidental to the novel, I know, but Hildebrand's gruesome story of Katherine of Aragon's blackened heart has often made me wonder what the truth behind it is, so I've just looked it up.Wow, Jenny, thank you!
I haven't been reading along, since Sprig Muslin is one of my least favourite Heyers, but I've been enjoying everyone's comments here and now I think I will re-read the book, after all, by your lights, as soon as I get back to France where I think I've left it – or maybe Mummy has it, a good excuse to ring her ;-).
Jenny wrote:Amanda's delight in the story and complete lack of squeamishness indicate both her childishness and unconventionality.
as well as how well she will do "following the drum".
Georgette Heyer Fans
Books mentioned in this topic
The Spanish Bride (other topics)The Spanish Bride (other topics)
The Spanish Bride (other topics)
The Spanish Bride (other topics)
Sprig Muslin (other topics)
How did you like it? Any favourite characters / episodes? If it was a re-read, do you feel the same about it as you did, or notice anything new?