Welcome to my stop for the Classics Circuit Georgette Heyer tour! As a modern classic, this fit perfectly in with Classics Month, and it was also an absolute delight to read.
Celebrated dandy Sir Richard Wyndham is desperate to avoid marriage to a famed iceberg of a woman, who refuses to even consider love as a possibility between them. On the eve of presenting his suite to her father, he of course gets ridiculously drunk. On his stumble home, a young woman falls from a window, straight into his arms. She is trying to escape her own arranged marriage and is determined to get to her country house, where she can instead marry a friend. Richard decides to accompany her, and so begins a tale of hilarious adventure and, in the end, love.
Heyer’s Regency romances are among the most pleasurable books to read. Even when fraught with danger, theft, and compromise, like this one should be, they are still funny and sweet. This couple has a real adventure and it’s obvious that they adore each other as well as the unusual circumstances. As is fairly typical, neither of them realize that they’re in love until the end, but their relationship still manages to grow without them realizing it. And the character interactions really do sparkle. Heyer’s prose is obviously smart and witty and this book will have you smiling as you read it.
I also love that Heyer includes little historical details which more modern romance authors don’t always use to such magnificent effect, like quizzing-glasses and snuffboxes. And I’d never heard of a dandy referred to as a Corinthian before. I’d never heard the terminology anywhere else, but then I don’t generally spend too much time on this particular period in history. Even so, Heyer’s sense of the period is magnificent, and it’s easy to imagine yourself right there with the characters when reading one of her books. I was cheering for this couple from almost the moment they met, and it was utter delight to spend an evening with these people.
As far as Heyer’s Regency romances go, The Corinthian is definitely a good choice. It’s not particularly long, but it’s full of charm and wit, and is well worth a read.
I am an Amazon Associate. I borrowed this book from my local library.
Maybe this is a good one to start with — I haven’t read any of her romances.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Weekend Cooking: Chocolate Raspberry Squares =-.
I love the detail that she uses in her stories. That is so much fun. There is usually one character who just bugs me. Usually a gambling and financially irresponsible brother/uncle/cousin.
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon: Jury Duty Reading =-.
I don’t think a dandy and a Corinthian are the same, exactly. I think a dandy is more fashionable and a Corinthian is more sporty. So one person could be both of them, but I don’t *think* they are the same. Could be wrong, though!
I’ve seen a few positive reviews of The Corinthian lately and they kind of surprise me because it’s not one of my favorite Heyers at all. I really didn’t like Pen. But I think the secondary characters were fun so I should maybe revisit it.
I also love her period detail!!
.-= Aarti´s last blog ..Sunday Salon: Do you fall for the hype? =-.
You know I’m not much for romances, but this might be better than the modern day ones!
Oh noes! I checked you for days because I adore Cotillion! Wasn’t that the one you were going to review? But I’ve always enjoyed The Corinthian too … and it is not referenced quite so often.
So I would love to follow you on twitter (and @heidenkind too) but I can’t figure out your twitter handle.
I read somewhere that Heyer included fake Regency facts in her novels because people would just steal her research without doing it themselves. Then she knew who was copying from her books and who wasn’t… not sure how much good that did her, but I do like the fact that she was a researcher.
.-= heidenkind´s last blog ..Musical Notes–Darkly Luminous and The Prisoner of Zenda =-.
So far I have only read Footsteps in the Dark, a mystery which I did enjoy. Thanks for this review.Hoping to read The Corinthian soon.
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Glad you enjoyed this one! I am a recent convert to Heyer and I love her regency romances.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Book Review: The Cradle =-.
Glad that you loved this book! I have only read one Heyer book, and it was more of a historical rather than a romance. I had a bit of a hard time with it, and am wondering if one of her romances might be more my speed. Great review!
.-= zibilee´s last blog ..The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran – 384 pgs =-.
Aah…I didn’t realize Georgette Heyer qualified as a classic, I would have definitely been able to find the time for Classics Circuit this month then!
I love all her books
.-= Nishita´s last blog ..Once Upon a Time There was a Reading Challenge… =-.
This sounds like a delightful read – I haven’t read any of her romances but they all sound like fun reads so I guess I’ll have to try a few out.
Wow, now that’s a romantic meeting! Sounds like a fun little adventure…
.-= Rebecca Reid´s last blog ..The Masterpiece [L’Oeuvre] by Emile Zola =-.
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