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Venetia
Twenty-five years Venetia Lanyon's beauty rivaled only by her sensibility. Intelligent and independent, her future seems safe and predictable. Lovely Venetia despairs of ever meeting the handsome hero of her romantic dreams, but is nearly resigned to spinsterhood, thanks to the enormous amount of responsibility she inherited with a Yorkshire estate and an invalid but precocious brother, Aubrey. She lives in comfortable seclusion in rural Yorkshire, she has never been longer than Harrogate, nor enjoyed the lackluster attentions of any but her two wearisomely persistent suitors. She can not accept to marry the respectable but dull Edward Yardley, she will only marry for love.
Then her long-absent neighbor, thirty-eight years Lord Jasper Damerel, returns home to Yorkshire. In one extraordinary encounter, she meets the infamous neighbor, who knows only by reputation - a gamester, a shocking rake, and a man of sadly unsteady character - and before she knows better, is she in a libertine whose way of life has scandalised the North Riding for years. Lord Damerel found Venetia to be the most truly engaging and wittily perverse female he had encountered in all his life, and determined to woo and win her, he pursues her with a passionate abandon that is soon the talk of the ton. And after her encounter with the dashing, dangerous rake, Venetia's well-ordered life is turned upside down, and she embarks upon a courtship with him that scandalises and horrifies the whole community.
But Venetia has not intention of losing her heart to the rakish lord until she is sure that beneath her swashbuckling ways and shocking manners lies to tend heart belonging to her. And Lord Damerel would marry her in a heartbeat if he did not think it would ruin her. Then she discovers a shocking family secret that changes everything ... It was therefore particularly provoking to find that occasion, Lord Damerel could make up his mind to be idiotically noble....
Then her long-absent neighbor, thirty-eight years Lord Jasper Damerel, returns home to Yorkshire. In one extraordinary encounter, she meets the infamous neighbor, who knows only by reputation - a gamester, a shocking rake, and a man of sadly unsteady character - and before she knows better, is she in a libertine whose way of life has scandalised the North Riding for years. Lord Damerel found Venetia to be the most truly engaging and wittily perverse female he had encountered in all his life, and determined to woo and win her, he pursues her with a passionate abandon that is soon the talk of the ton. And after her encounter with the dashing, dangerous rake, Venetia's well-ordered life is turned upside down, and she embarks upon a courtship with him that scandalises and horrifies the whole community.
But Venetia has not intention of losing her heart to the rakish lord until she is sure that beneath her swashbuckling ways and shocking manners lies to tend heart belonging to her. And Lord Damerel would marry her in a heartbeat if he did not think it would ruin her. Then she discovers a shocking family secret that changes everything ... It was therefore particularly provoking to find that occasion, Lord Damerel could make up his mind to be idiotically noble....
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First published January 1, 1958
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About the author
Georgette Heyer
192books5,284followersGeorgette Heyer was a prolific historical romance and detective fiction novelist. Her writing career began in 1921, when she turned a story for her younger brother into the novel The Black Moth.
In 1925 she married George Ronald Rougier, a mining engineer. Rougier later became a barrister and he often provided basic plot outlines for her thrillers. Beginning in 1932, Heyer released one romance novel and one thriller each year.
Heyer was an intensely private person who remained a best selling author all her life without the aid of publicity. She made no appearances, never gave an interview and only answered fan letters herself if they made an interesting historical point. She wrote one novel using the pseudonym Stella Martin.
Her Georgian and Regencies romances were inspired by Jane Austen. While some critics thought her novels were too detailed, others considered the level of detail to be Heyer's greatest asset.
Heyer remains a popular and much-loved author, known for essentially establishing the historical romance genre and its subgenre Regency romance.
In 1925 she married George Ronald Rougier, a mining engineer. Rougier later became a barrister and he often provided basic plot outlines for her thrillers. Beginning in 1932, Heyer released one romance novel and one thriller each year.
Heyer was an intensely private person who remained a best selling author all her life without the aid of publicity. She made no appearances, never gave an interview and only answered fan letters herself if they made an interesting historical point. She wrote one novel using the pseudonym Stella Martin.
Her Georgian and Regencies romances were inspired by Jane Austen. While some critics thought her novels were too detailed, others considered the level of detail to be Heyer's greatest asset.
Heyer remains a popular and much-loved author, known for essentially establishing the historical romance genre and its subgenre Regency romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,917 reviews
June 8, 2019
June 2019 reread with the Georgette Heyer group!
News flash: I'm not 18 any more. So even though I still have a soft spot for romances in general and Regencies in particular, my appetite for reading about sweet, silly young girls who do brainless things and have Big Misunderstandings with the guy has dwindled to almost zero. When you're yelling "TALK TO EACH OTHER, PEOPLE" at a book, it's not particularly conducive to the romantic feelz.
Which brings me to Venetia. Venetia herself is one of my favorite Heyer heroines: intelligent, witty, resourceful and not easily fazed by events that would make most ladies throw up their hands in despair. She's 25 years old--just about on the shelf by Regency standards. Because her father was a damaged soul, Venetia has spent her entire life in a small town with a very limited circle of friends and acquaintances, but she's nevertheless well-read and socially adept, if rather innocent in the ways of the world.
Enter Damerel: an older man who's a confirmed rake and pretty much doesn't care about anything any longer. Or at least he thinks he doesn't, but underneath there's an intelligent, kind man that his growing friendship with Venetia brings out of hiding. He starts out intending to seduce her--hey, she's a lovely girl and he's bored--but his growing friendship with and respect for her and her brother soon make him realize that he can't do that. Which leads to a moral conundrum for Damerel: his life has been so reprehensible that he's no longer accepted in society, and marrying a sweet younger lady like Venetia would make people despise him even more, and shun them both.
It's lovely to watch Venetia's developing relationship with Damerel. They trade literary quotes and allusions and they just understand each other. Their relationship is in turns witty and heart-wrenching. And way sexier than any other Heyer romance I'm aware of! Heyer never gives you anything more than a kiss--no tangled tongues or groping or anything like that--but you can almost feel the heat rising off the pages when these two are together.
I loved both the humor and the literary allusions and references in this book. I think it's the most intelligently written of the Heyer books I've read. I can feel my brain cells multiplying while I read it. Or expanding. Whatever it is they do.
I found a handy online guide to the literary references in Venetia, which might help other readers too: . This was invaluable in keeping my brain cells from exploding from trying to expand too fast.
And I've changed my mind on this second read: Venetia gets all 5 stars.
P.S. re "orgies": at the end of the bookI read the scene again and personally I'm convinced that that's the right interpretation. Hope that helps!
News flash: I'm not 18 any more. So even though I still have a soft spot for romances in general and Regencies in particular, my appetite for reading about sweet, silly young girls who do brainless things and have Big Misunderstandings with the guy has dwindled to almost zero. When you're yelling "TALK TO EACH OTHER, PEOPLE" at a book, it's not particularly conducive to the romantic feelz.
Which brings me to Venetia. Venetia herself is one of my favorite Heyer heroines: intelligent, witty, resourceful and not easily fazed by events that would make most ladies throw up their hands in despair. She's 25 years old--just about on the shelf by Regency standards. Because her father was a damaged soul, Venetia has spent her entire life in a small town with a very limited circle of friends and acquaintances, but she's nevertheless well-read and socially adept, if rather innocent in the ways of the world.
Enter Damerel: an older man who's a confirmed rake and pretty much doesn't care about anything any longer. Or at least he thinks he doesn't, but underneath there's an intelligent, kind man that his growing friendship with Venetia brings out of hiding. He starts out intending to seduce her--hey, she's a lovely girl and he's bored--but his growing friendship with and respect for her and her brother soon make him realize that he can't do that. Which leads to a moral conundrum for Damerel: his life has been so reprehensible that he's no longer accepted in society, and marrying a sweet younger lady like Venetia would make people despise him even more, and shun them both.
"[I'm] something worse than a fool. Would that she could make of me a saint, or I of her a sinner-- For the first part it's too late, old friend, too late! And for the second--it was precisely my intention, and a rare moment this is to discover that if I could I would not!"What to do? The resolution isn't as simple as you might expect.
It's lovely to watch Venetia's developing relationship with Damerel. They trade literary quotes and allusions and they just understand each other. Their relationship is in turns witty and heart-wrenching. And way sexier than any other Heyer romance I'm aware of! Heyer never gives you anything more than a kiss--no tangled tongues or groping or anything like that--but you can almost feel the heat rising off the pages when these two are together.
I loved both the humor and the literary allusions and references in this book. I think it's the most intelligently written of the Heyer books I've read. I can feel my brain cells multiplying while I read it. Or expanding. Whatever it is they do.
I found a handy online guide to the literary references in Venetia, which might help other readers too: . This was invaluable in keeping my brain cells from exploding from trying to expand too fast.
And I've changed my mind on this second read: Venetia gets all 5 stars.
P.S. re "orgies": at the end of the bookI read the scene again and personally I'm convinced that that's the right interpretation. Hope that helps!
July 27, 2019
Chapter 1, in which I continue my love affair with a most enchanting author!
Chapter 2, in which Venetia is established as a heroine of much wit, honesty, and vitality.
Chapter 3, in which Venetia is contemplative of the rakish Lord Damerel and her brother Aubrey takes a wracking spill.
Chapter 4, in which Venetia and Lord Damerel find the best of all things: friendship.
Chapter 5, in which it is noted that the Scoundrel is but hidden twin to the Good Man: each male contains both sides; the Sensible Woman is best served by accepting that reality.
Chapter 6, in which I return after a sojourn in Venice to Venetia, and find her just as charming as ever.
Chapter 7, in which we enter the excruciatingly finite mind of Edward Yardley, suitor to Venetia.
Chapter 8, in which we enter the intensely melodramatic mind of Oswald Denny, suitor to Venetia.
Chapter 9, in which Venetia jumps from a loft, Oswald loses hold of his senses and showers her with kisses, Damerel adroitly dampens these boyish enthusiasms, and I smile from ear to ear.
Chapter 10, in which Lady Denny realizes, aghast and agog, that true love beats in the hearts of sweet, innocent Venetia and that notorious rake, Damerel.
Chapter 11, in which a frightful ogress enters the story!
Chapter 12, in which the reader is reminded that a heroine's wit and virtues are often best illustrated when she is set against an ogress of the first order.
Chapter 13, in which Damerel fiercely declares his love and Venetia is unperturbed by this statement of the obvious.
Chapter 14, in which the reader recalls that allies with the best of intentions may be more obstinate and troublesome than the worst of enemies.
Chapter 15, in which Venetia awakens into nightmare.
Chapter 16, in which London fails to amuse or even distract.
Chapter 17, in which Inspiration and Understanding strike like twin lightning bolts!
Chapter 18, in which a shockingly exciting secret is revealed.
Chapter 19, in which the shockingly exciting secret is met.
Chapter 20, in which Venetia marshals her force of personality and wields her weapons of wit and earnestness in gentle battle against the idiotish and stoopid well-wishers surrounding her.
Chapter 21, in a which a lady makes clear that she prefers a libertine and his orgies; and in which a perfect tale of quirky romance comes to a perfectly quirky romantic close.
Chapter 2, in which Venetia is established as a heroine of much wit, honesty, and vitality.
Chapter 3, in which Venetia is contemplative of the rakish Lord Damerel and her brother Aubrey takes a wracking spill.
Chapter 4, in which Venetia and Lord Damerel find the best of all things: friendship.
Chapter 5, in which it is noted that the Scoundrel is but hidden twin to the Good Man: each male contains both sides; the Sensible Woman is best served by accepting that reality.
Chapter 6, in which I return after a sojourn in Venice to Venetia, and find her just as charming as ever.
Chapter 7, in which we enter the excruciatingly finite mind of Edward Yardley, suitor to Venetia.
Chapter 8, in which we enter the intensely melodramatic mind of Oswald Denny, suitor to Venetia.
Chapter 9, in which Venetia jumps from a loft, Oswald loses hold of his senses and showers her with kisses, Damerel adroitly dampens these boyish enthusiasms, and I smile from ear to ear.
Chapter 10, in which Lady Denny realizes, aghast and agog, that true love beats in the hearts of sweet, innocent Venetia and that notorious rake, Damerel.
Chapter 11, in which a frightful ogress enters the story!
Chapter 12, in which the reader is reminded that a heroine's wit and virtues are often best illustrated when she is set against an ogress of the first order.
Chapter 13, in which Damerel fiercely declares his love and Venetia is unperturbed by this statement of the obvious.
Chapter 14, in which the reader recalls that allies with the best of intentions may be more obstinate and troublesome than the worst of enemies.
Chapter 15, in which Venetia awakens into nightmare.
Chapter 16, in which London fails to amuse or even distract.
Chapter 17, in which Inspiration and Understanding strike like twin lightning bolts!
Chapter 18, in which a shockingly exciting secret is revealed.
Chapter 19, in which the shockingly exciting secret is met.
Chapter 20, in which Venetia marshals her force of personality and wields her weapons of wit and earnestness in gentle battle against the idiotish and stoopid well-wishers surrounding her.
Chapter 21, in a which a lady makes clear that she prefers a libertine and his orgies; and in which a perfect tale of quirky romance comes to a perfectly quirky romantic close.
September 23, 2021
Edit on 22/09/2021: If you'd like to see an embroidery project I made inspired by this lovely book, head on over to my blog to see it! Hint: blackberries ;)
P.S. - I love this book as much as ever <3 <3
Yorkshire, 1818
*WARNING! Spoilers, gushing, swooning, quoting and rose-petal strewing ahead! ;) (no orgies though, I promise -- read on safely :P)*
O Venetia! Thou hast utterly captured my soul!
"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
And a Damerel by any other name would be just as swoon-worthy!
"I will be calm. I will be mistress of myself."
Because my name is Venetia and I'm one of the most wonderful heroines in all literature. I have lived one of the dreamiest romances possible, and have remained perfectly poised and ladylike through the whole thing, without seeming aloof or uninterested. I am simply awesome, that is all. I am sorry that no one else is ever going to have a romance as breathtakingly beautiful as mine. ;)
"I am determined that nothing but the deepest love could ever induce me into matrimony."
OK, Anne. I know Venetia has completely addled your brain, but there is no need to start quoting classic literature like some foolish bluestocking. You'll never be able to pull it off as swiftly as Damerel and Venetia. NOTHING COULD EVER COMPARE TO DAMEREL AND VENETIA.
(Yes, I know, I know, I use N&S gifs WAY TOO MUCH. But I don't CARE. It's PERFECT here. #sorrynotsorry)
Quite simply, this book is exquisitely sublime. No amount of words to describe its peaceful, quiet beauty and entrancing depth would ever be sufficient. This is a masterpiece of the first order. Possibly Heyer's best novel in terms of perfectly blended substance and romanticism. I.Just.Love.It.
Everyone had been telling me to read this for ages. I knew I would love it, and was so excited to read it that a part of me did not want to read it too soon because...once you read it for the first time, you'll never read it again for the first time. Sure, re-reads are sometimes even better, but they're not the same. You already know just how swoony Damerel really is when you re-read it ;)
"Fair Fatality, you are the most unusual female I have encountered in all my thirty-eight years!" (finally Anne is quoting the right book!)
In what is assuredly the most famous “first encounter� scene in all of Heyer’s books, a returning Lord Damerel looking devilishly handsome on his horse stumbles upon Venetia picking blackberries on his estate grounds, and immediately just starts throwing out quotes and kissing her ruthlessly, you know, like any normal landlord would do. And Venetia? She quotes back. I kid you not, this girl may be inexperienced, but she knows what’s up. You want to act like a cad? Well so be it.
"'[y]our quotations don’t make your advances a whit more acceptable to me � and they don’t deceive me into thinking you anything but a pestilent complete knave!'"
And Damerel is all OH MY GOSH, SHE QUOTES BACK. SHE UNDERSTANDS. SHE’S THE ONE.
Thus it begins, my friends. One of the most beautiful romances I’ve ever read, solidly grounded on friendship, mutual understanding, and true love.
”’Or don’t you know how beautiful you are?�
‘Yes,� replied Venetia, taking the wind out of his sails. ’Item, two lips, indifferent red � �
‘Oh no, you’re quite out, and have gone to the wrong poet besides! They look like rosebuds filled with snow!��
Aren’t they something??! What I wouldn’t give for such an encounter when I go blackberry-picking! Maybe I should try trespassing on some hot guy’s property? ;)
From that first meeting it is obvious that Damerel and Venetia are kindred spirits, and that probably no one else will understand them. Venetia may be “on the shelf�, sheltered in the country, inexperienced and optimistic, but she ain’t dumb. She’s not a chit who can’t tell love apart from attraction, or who is likely to have her head turned just because some swoony hot lord quotes poetry to her and calls her his “dear delight�. No. She falls for Damerel because he’s her soulmate, and she has sense enough to recognize that. Never mind that he’s the rakest rake in England, with a shocking past of wild orgies and seducing married women, or that he’s up to his eyeballs in debts. WHO CARES. VENETIA HAS FOUND A FRIEND. A real friend.
And no one understands. No one gets it. They all think Venetia is going to have her heart broken, that she doesn’t understand what Damerel is up to, that she’s too good and innocent to be with him. They warn her and counsel her and beg her to stay away from him, yet they never once ask her what she feels or what she thinks about him.
If only they knew how alike they are, and what good jokes they share. “OMG YOU’VE JUST HAD THE MOST DIVERTING THOUGHT??!!?!�
Their only ally is Venetia’s hilarious younger brother Aubrey, a smart and sassy scholarly boy who prefers books to people (see? People who prefer books usually understand people better! We know), and who had wonderfully good scenes and witty lines as sharp as rapiers.
The first part of the book passes by quietly, with autumn settling in and Damerel and Venetia being wrapped up in each other, being the best of friends and accomplices. Damerel takes to calling Venetia his “dear delight�, his “fair fatality�, “Admir'd Venetia� and other similar heart-melting nicknames, he keeps telling her she is a beautiful, desirable creature, and that he wouldn’t at all mind kissing her again, and well everything is just so sigh-worthy that you never want it to end.
”’[…]he should have taken you in his arms, like this, and not as though he were a bear, bent on hugging you to death. Nor am I in favour of dabbing kisses all over a girl’s face. If you cannot persuade her, by a ruse, to look up, you should make her do so, with a hand under her chin � thus, my dear delight!’�
BUT THEN, MRS. SCORRIER ENTERS THE PICTURE AND UTTERLY RUINS EVERYTHING.
She meddles, she disturbs everything at Undershaw, she insults Venetia, and she drives everybody batty. I will be honest, the bits about her and her interference in the house were pretty boring, and maybe a bit too long, but mostly, they were infuriating. She was intolerable.
But her arrival is also a catalyst that strikes up a series of unforeseen twists and turns, and the second half of the book is definitely more fast-paced and surprising than the first.
Having been pushed to her limits by Mrs. S., Venetia declares her intention of setting up house in London, which unwittingly prompts Damerel into a most moving love declaration, although interrupted by Aubrey (Aubrey interruption # 1 of about 5000!!), but that leaves you swooning nonetheless.
”’You call me your friend, but I never called you mine, and never shall! You remained, and always will, a beautiful, desirable creature!’�
Ooooh if only Aubrey hadn’t come in at that moment! And if Venetia’s uncle had never come to Yorkshire! How things would have been different!
But as it is, the aforementioned people DID meddle, and in one of the most poignant, heart-breaking scenes I’ve ever read in any romance novel, Damerel suddenly decides to act like the noblest of noble knights, and in so doing breaks Venetia’s heart (and mine!) and his own.
”’Well � thus ends a charming autumn idyll, eh?’�
I just need to give Venetia a big hug.
I was so SHOCKED, so SPEECHLESS when I read that, that I basically dropped my book and sat there gaping for ages.
OH DAMEREL YOU INFURIATING DARLING. HOW COULD YOU!!!
Poor Venetia goes to London with her heart sunk to the lowest depths of despair, but still she’s no fool, and knows something must have happened to make Damerel suddenly change his mind when she had been so sure of his love. She just doesn’t know what.
But oh, when she finds out…oh, when she finds out, Damerel better WATCH IT. Oh, she ain’t gonna let him get away with his darned newfound chilvalry, OH HECK NO!
HE BETTER START STREWING THOSE BLASTED ROSE PETALS!!
ALL THE WAY TO YORKSHIRE!
Venetia: *bursts into Damerel’s dining room while he is quietly intoxicating himself*
Damerel: OH GOD, NO!!! (this is the actual line!! :P :P)
Venetia : OH GOD, YES!! Why do you have to be drunk just now??
Damerel : ASJFKJLKJLK VENETIA!!! VENETIA, IT’S VENETIA! VEEEEEENEEEEETIIIIIAAAAAAA!!!!
*passionate-kissing-fond-embraces-insert-disgusting-sounds-here*
Damerel : * reluctantly pulling away* Ohhhhh why did you come back??! Noooo!! I can’t DO THIS!!
Venetia : I need money to pay the driver, do you have your purse?
Damerel : Venetia, noooo, you weren’t supposed to come back, you can’t � I can’t � ARGH!
Venetia : Please, your purse, I really need to pay my driver!
Imber : *quietly coming in* Uuuhhhh�.miss? You don’t mean to stay here do you?
Venetia : Oh hell yes I am staying HERE! I have been anxiously traveling all day long just to get here, and now you think I’d go away? Uh-uh!!
Damerel : NOOOOOOO!!!
Venetia : YEEESSSSSS! AND I AM STARVING, SO PLEASE GET ME SOME FOOD!!
Damerel : Venetia, please no, YOU CAN’T!!
Venetia : Oh, I see, you have decided to be idiotish again, is that it???
Damerel : Awww “idiotish� *sniff* I never though I would hear you say that again!
Venetia : Oh, I didn’t even notice I said it a lot! Must be quite a number of idiotish people in my life, LOL!
Damerel : Lol!! But�.you can’t stay here!
Venetia : Oh, come on, don’t start again, if you kick me out of your house, I am building me a cabin outside, and will probably die of an inflammation of the lungs, and it will be all your fault!
Marston : Heyyy, Venetia!! Good to see you!
Venetia : Hey, you too! But Damerel here isn’t happy to see me at all and threatens to kick me out!
Marston : No, what a jerk! Here, come upstairs with me.
Damerel : NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
***
Damerel : Alright, so, I have an idea, since you refuse to leave, I'LL leave and go to the inn, that way proprieties will be respected, and isn't that nice? I love proprieties :) And I love how you do your hair now! Very pretty!
Venetia : (Oooh man, is he ever difficult!) Well thank you!
Damerel : A la Sappho it's called right?
Venetia : Oh you wretch, do you know the names of all the types of coiffures??!
Damerel : Yup, pretty much! So, really now, what brought you here?
Venetia : Well duuuhhh, the mail-coach of course!!
Damerel : Don't sass me you little vixen! OHHHH WHY DID YOU COME!!
Venetia : (Ohhhh boy, here he goes again!) Why don't you just kiss me again and stop acting like such a stoopid??!
Damerel : NO! I DO NOT WANT TO KISS YOU! I WAS DRUNK, DARN IT!
Venetia : Aahhh never mind! My food has arrived :D :D
***
Mr. Hendred : Oh thank goodness I arrived just in time! Venetia! What the heck is this I hear about you wanting Damerel to strew rose petals all over for you?
Damerel : Hahahahaha!! At this season???
Venetia : Oh, shut up Damerel! You should've done it a long time ago, so hush!
Mr. Hendred : Or maybe she just didn't want you to indulge in such wasteful habits? I mean, who wastes rose petals like that???!!! But anyways that's NOT the point, the point is, I am here to prevent you from ruining yourself, Venetia!!
Damerel : Yes!!! I second the motion!
Venetia : *major eye roll* HOW ABOUT I TELL Y'ALL WHAT I WANT!! There is no need to overreact! Damerel may be a little older than me, but at least he won't turn out to be my father! ;)
Mr. Hendred : WHAT??!!!
Damerel : HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA OEDIPUS!!! But it's the other way around honey, YOU won't turn out to be MY mother!
Venetia : Oh, same thing! Be quiet!
Mr. Hendred : Geeee...I don't understand anything! Venetia, you seem to be living in a - in a, a....
Damerel : Soap-bubble?
Mr. Hendred : Yes!! Exactly! A soap-bubble!! Girl, WHAT IS GOING ON??
Venetia : Lol, if you think that I think Damerel is a fairytale hero, don't worry, I know he isn't!
Mr. Hendred : Ooooh Venetia, you don't understand! Damerel is a man of the world! He won't be able to reform all his shocking habits just for you! You will be made dreadfully unhappy!
Venetia : *eyes glinting* Well, my love?
Damerel : *eyes glinting back* Well, my dear delight?
Venetia : You'll continue to have orgies?
Damerel : What if I do? What will you do?
Venetia : Oh, I won't mind! I'll just...head up to bed or something!
Damerel : Oh. Wouldn't you want to...participate, maybe?
Venetia : Welll....do you think I'd enjoy myself? ;) ;) ;)
Damerel : OH YOU SHALL HAVE A SPLENDID ORGY JUST FOR YOU, MY DEAREST OF DEAR DELIGHTS!!!
Aubrey : *interrupting for the 5000th time* Heeeyyyy just wanted to ask, but...can we go to Greece for you guys' honeymoon??
Damerel : There won't be a honeymoon, because there won't be a wedding, because there hasn't been a proposal yet, BECAUSE YOU KEEP INTERRUPTING!!
Aubrey : Oh. Well, when you finally propose, can we go to Greece?
Damerel : In the middle of winter? You mad?
Aubrey : Well okay, then it had better be Rome. I would have preferred Greece, but we can go to Rome, and I think Venetia will like it. It's not my honeymoon after all!
Damerel : Just. Get. To. Bed.
Aubrey : Right! The proposal! Goodnight!
Damerel : FINALLY!!! PROPOSAL TIME!!
"'O God, I love you to the edge of madness Venetia!'"
Yes, I really do love you to the edge of madness, Venetia. This is undoubtedly one of my favourite books of all times. I want to buy a whole cart-full and walk around campus handing a copy to everybody. "Read this, it will make you feel better. Read this, it is simply phenomenal. READ IT, I SAY!!"
I could go on and on about this book for ages, but this review is already almost two months late, and no one probably even remembers that I read it. I am so sorry I took ages to write this review (again)! You can blame my addled brain. ;)
Buddy-read with Becca!! :D
P.S. - I love this book as much as ever <3 <3
Yorkshire, 1818
*WARNING! Spoilers, gushing, swooning, quoting and rose-petal strewing ahead! ;) (no orgies though, I promise -- read on safely :P)*
O Venetia! Thou hast utterly captured my soul!
"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
And a Damerel by any other name would be just as swoon-worthy!
"I will be calm. I will be mistress of myself."
Because my name is Venetia and I'm one of the most wonderful heroines in all literature. I have lived one of the dreamiest romances possible, and have remained perfectly poised and ladylike through the whole thing, without seeming aloof or uninterested. I am simply awesome, that is all. I am sorry that no one else is ever going to have a romance as breathtakingly beautiful as mine. ;)
"I am determined that nothing but the deepest love could ever induce me into matrimony."
OK, Anne. I know Venetia has completely addled your brain, but there is no need to start quoting classic literature like some foolish bluestocking. You'll never be able to pull it off as swiftly as Damerel and Venetia. NOTHING COULD EVER COMPARE TO DAMEREL AND VENETIA.
(Yes, I know, I know, I use N&S gifs WAY TOO MUCH. But I don't CARE. It's PERFECT here. #sorrynotsorry)
Quite simply, this book is exquisitely sublime. No amount of words to describe its peaceful, quiet beauty and entrancing depth would ever be sufficient. This is a masterpiece of the first order. Possibly Heyer's best novel in terms of perfectly blended substance and romanticism. I.Just.Love.It.
Everyone had been telling me to read this for ages. I knew I would love it, and was so excited to read it that a part of me did not want to read it too soon because...once you read it for the first time, you'll never read it again for the first time. Sure, re-reads are sometimes even better, but they're not the same. You already know just how swoony Damerel really is when you re-read it ;)
"Fair Fatality, you are the most unusual female I have encountered in all my thirty-eight years!" (finally Anne is quoting the right book!)
In what is assuredly the most famous “first encounter� scene in all of Heyer’s books, a returning Lord Damerel looking devilishly handsome on his horse stumbles upon Venetia picking blackberries on his estate grounds, and immediately just starts throwing out quotes and kissing her ruthlessly, you know, like any normal landlord would do. And Venetia? She quotes back. I kid you not, this girl may be inexperienced, but she knows what’s up. You want to act like a cad? Well so be it.
"'[y]our quotations don’t make your advances a whit more acceptable to me � and they don’t deceive me into thinking you anything but a pestilent complete knave!'"
And Damerel is all OH MY GOSH, SHE QUOTES BACK. SHE UNDERSTANDS. SHE’S THE ONE.
Thus it begins, my friends. One of the most beautiful romances I’ve ever read, solidly grounded on friendship, mutual understanding, and true love.
”’Or don’t you know how beautiful you are?�
‘Yes,� replied Venetia, taking the wind out of his sails. ’Item, two lips, indifferent red � �
‘Oh no, you’re quite out, and have gone to the wrong poet besides! They look like rosebuds filled with snow!��
Aren’t they something??! What I wouldn’t give for such an encounter when I go blackberry-picking! Maybe I should try trespassing on some hot guy’s property? ;)
From that first meeting it is obvious that Damerel and Venetia are kindred spirits, and that probably no one else will understand them. Venetia may be “on the shelf�, sheltered in the country, inexperienced and optimistic, but she ain’t dumb. She’s not a chit who can’t tell love apart from attraction, or who is likely to have her head turned just because some swoony hot lord quotes poetry to her and calls her his “dear delight�. No. She falls for Damerel because he’s her soulmate, and she has sense enough to recognize that. Never mind that he’s the rakest rake in England, with a shocking past of wild orgies and seducing married women, or that he’s up to his eyeballs in debts. WHO CARES. VENETIA HAS FOUND A FRIEND. A real friend.
And no one understands. No one gets it. They all think Venetia is going to have her heart broken, that she doesn’t understand what Damerel is up to, that she’s too good and innocent to be with him. They warn her and counsel her and beg her to stay away from him, yet they never once ask her what she feels or what she thinks about him.
If only they knew how alike they are, and what good jokes they share. “OMG YOU’VE JUST HAD THE MOST DIVERTING THOUGHT??!!?!�
Their only ally is Venetia’s hilarious younger brother Aubrey, a smart and sassy scholarly boy who prefers books to people (see? People who prefer books usually understand people better! We know), and who had wonderfully good scenes and witty lines as sharp as rapiers.
The first part of the book passes by quietly, with autumn settling in and Damerel and Venetia being wrapped up in each other, being the best of friends and accomplices. Damerel takes to calling Venetia his “dear delight�, his “fair fatality�, “Admir'd Venetia� and other similar heart-melting nicknames, he keeps telling her she is a beautiful, desirable creature, and that he wouldn’t at all mind kissing her again, and well everything is just so sigh-worthy that you never want it to end.
”’[…]he should have taken you in his arms, like this, and not as though he were a bear, bent on hugging you to death. Nor am I in favour of dabbing kisses all over a girl’s face. If you cannot persuade her, by a ruse, to look up, you should make her do so, with a hand under her chin � thus, my dear delight!’�
BUT THEN, MRS. SCORRIER ENTERS THE PICTURE AND UTTERLY RUINS EVERYTHING.
She meddles, she disturbs everything at Undershaw, she insults Venetia, and she drives everybody batty. I will be honest, the bits about her and her interference in the house were pretty boring, and maybe a bit too long, but mostly, they were infuriating. She was intolerable.
But her arrival is also a catalyst that strikes up a series of unforeseen twists and turns, and the second half of the book is definitely more fast-paced and surprising than the first.
Having been pushed to her limits by Mrs. S., Venetia declares her intention of setting up house in London, which unwittingly prompts Damerel into a most moving love declaration, although interrupted by Aubrey (Aubrey interruption # 1 of about 5000!!), but that leaves you swooning nonetheless.
”’You call me your friend, but I never called you mine, and never shall! You remained, and always will, a beautiful, desirable creature!’�
Ooooh if only Aubrey hadn’t come in at that moment! And if Venetia’s uncle had never come to Yorkshire! How things would have been different!
But as it is, the aforementioned people DID meddle, and in one of the most poignant, heart-breaking scenes I’ve ever read in any romance novel, Damerel suddenly decides to act like the noblest of noble knights, and in so doing breaks Venetia’s heart (and mine!) and his own.
”’Well � thus ends a charming autumn idyll, eh?’�
I just need to give Venetia a big hug.
I was so SHOCKED, so SPEECHLESS when I read that, that I basically dropped my book and sat there gaping for ages.
OH DAMEREL YOU INFURIATING DARLING. HOW COULD YOU!!!
Poor Venetia goes to London with her heart sunk to the lowest depths of despair, but still she’s no fool, and knows something must have happened to make Damerel suddenly change his mind when she had been so sure of his love. She just doesn’t know what.
But oh, when she finds out…oh, when she finds out, Damerel better WATCH IT. Oh, she ain’t gonna let him get away with his darned newfound chilvalry, OH HECK NO!
HE BETTER START STREWING THOSE BLASTED ROSE PETALS!!
ALL THE WAY TO YORKSHIRE!
Venetia: *bursts into Damerel’s dining room while he is quietly intoxicating himself*
Damerel: OH GOD, NO!!! (this is the actual line!! :P :P)
Venetia : OH GOD, YES!! Why do you have to be drunk just now??
Damerel : ASJFKJLKJLK VENETIA!!! VENETIA, IT’S VENETIA! VEEEEEENEEEEETIIIIIAAAAAAA!!!!
*passionate-kissing-fond-embraces-insert-disgusting-sounds-here*
Damerel : * reluctantly pulling away* Ohhhhh why did you come back??! Noooo!! I can’t DO THIS!!
Venetia : I need money to pay the driver, do you have your purse?
Damerel : Venetia, noooo, you weren’t supposed to come back, you can’t � I can’t � ARGH!
Venetia : Please, your purse, I really need to pay my driver!
Imber : *quietly coming in* Uuuhhhh�.miss? You don’t mean to stay here do you?
Venetia : Oh hell yes I am staying HERE! I have been anxiously traveling all day long just to get here, and now you think I’d go away? Uh-uh!!
Damerel : NOOOOOOO!!!
Venetia : YEEESSSSSS! AND I AM STARVING, SO PLEASE GET ME SOME FOOD!!
Damerel : Venetia, please no, YOU CAN’T!!
Venetia : Oh, I see, you have decided to be idiotish again, is that it???
Damerel : Awww “idiotish� *sniff* I never though I would hear you say that again!
Venetia : Oh, I didn’t even notice I said it a lot! Must be quite a number of idiotish people in my life, LOL!
Damerel : Lol!! But�.you can’t stay here!
Venetia : Oh, come on, don’t start again, if you kick me out of your house, I am building me a cabin outside, and will probably die of an inflammation of the lungs, and it will be all your fault!
Marston : Heyyy, Venetia!! Good to see you!
Venetia : Hey, you too! But Damerel here isn’t happy to see me at all and threatens to kick me out!
Marston : No, what a jerk! Here, come upstairs with me.
Damerel : NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
***
Damerel : Alright, so, I have an idea, since you refuse to leave, I'LL leave and go to the inn, that way proprieties will be respected, and isn't that nice? I love proprieties :) And I love how you do your hair now! Very pretty!
Venetia : (Oooh man, is he ever difficult!) Well thank you!
Damerel : A la Sappho it's called right?
Venetia : Oh you wretch, do you know the names of all the types of coiffures??!
Damerel : Yup, pretty much! So, really now, what brought you here?
Venetia : Well duuuhhh, the mail-coach of course!!
Damerel : Don't sass me you little vixen! OHHHH WHY DID YOU COME!!
Venetia : (Ohhhh boy, here he goes again!) Why don't you just kiss me again and stop acting like such a stoopid??!
Damerel : NO! I DO NOT WANT TO KISS YOU! I WAS DRUNK, DARN IT!
Venetia : Aahhh never mind! My food has arrived :D :D
***
Mr. Hendred : Oh thank goodness I arrived just in time! Venetia! What the heck is this I hear about you wanting Damerel to strew rose petals all over for you?
Damerel : Hahahahaha!! At this season???
Venetia : Oh, shut up Damerel! You should've done it a long time ago, so hush!
Mr. Hendred : Or maybe she just didn't want you to indulge in such wasteful habits? I mean, who wastes rose petals like that???!!! But anyways that's NOT the point, the point is, I am here to prevent you from ruining yourself, Venetia!!
Damerel : Yes!!! I second the motion!
Venetia : *major eye roll* HOW ABOUT I TELL Y'ALL WHAT I WANT!! There is no need to overreact! Damerel may be a little older than me, but at least he won't turn out to be my father! ;)
Mr. Hendred : WHAT??!!!
Damerel : HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA OEDIPUS!!! But it's the other way around honey, YOU won't turn out to be MY mother!
Venetia : Oh, same thing! Be quiet!
Mr. Hendred : Geeee...I don't understand anything! Venetia, you seem to be living in a - in a, a....
Damerel : Soap-bubble?
Mr. Hendred : Yes!! Exactly! A soap-bubble!! Girl, WHAT IS GOING ON??
Venetia : Lol, if you think that I think Damerel is a fairytale hero, don't worry, I know he isn't!
Mr. Hendred : Ooooh Venetia, you don't understand! Damerel is a man of the world! He won't be able to reform all his shocking habits just for you! You will be made dreadfully unhappy!
Venetia : *eyes glinting* Well, my love?
Damerel : *eyes glinting back* Well, my dear delight?
Venetia : You'll continue to have orgies?
Damerel : What if I do? What will you do?
Venetia : Oh, I won't mind! I'll just...head up to bed or something!
Damerel : Oh. Wouldn't you want to...participate, maybe?
Venetia : Welll....do you think I'd enjoy myself? ;) ;) ;)
Damerel : OH YOU SHALL HAVE A SPLENDID ORGY JUST FOR YOU, MY DEAREST OF DEAR DELIGHTS!!!
Aubrey : *interrupting for the 5000th time* Heeeyyyy just wanted to ask, but...can we go to Greece for you guys' honeymoon??
Damerel : There won't be a honeymoon, because there won't be a wedding, because there hasn't been a proposal yet, BECAUSE YOU KEEP INTERRUPTING!!
Aubrey : Oh. Well, when you finally propose, can we go to Greece?
Damerel : In the middle of winter? You mad?
Aubrey : Well okay, then it had better be Rome. I would have preferred Greece, but we can go to Rome, and I think Venetia will like it. It's not my honeymoon after all!
Damerel : Just. Get. To. Bed.
Aubrey : Right! The proposal! Goodnight!
Damerel : FINALLY!!! PROPOSAL TIME!!
"'O God, I love you to the edge of madness Venetia!'"
Yes, I really do love you to the edge of madness, Venetia. This is undoubtedly one of my favourite books of all times. I want to buy a whole cart-full and walk around campus handing a copy to everybody. "Read this, it will make you feel better. Read this, it is simply phenomenal. READ IT, I SAY!!"
I could go on and on about this book for ages, but this review is already almost two months late, and no one probably even remembers that I read it. I am so sorry I took ages to write this review (again)! You can blame my addled brain. ;)
Buddy-read with Becca!! :D
March 30, 2024
I read the Arrow, but I think Arrow got it completely wrong with the cover art on their edition - a plain redhead Venetia, a bland looking, curly haired Damerel! Faugh! I still do have my old falling apart Pan & checked some of the Regency slang to make sure there were no typos (as far as I could tell there weren't!)
Another example of GH experimenting with the genre & my younger self would have found Venetia's realistic expectations for her future happiness & Other than A Civil Contract this was the most realistic of GH's romances. I just loved this deepening, gradual romance & wonderful caste of secondary characters. If I had to pick a favourite it would be Nurse, but Mr Hendreth & Mrs Scorrier also deserve a mention.If the same people who brought us Pride & Prejudice would do it, this could be a wonderful TV movie - could Colin Firth still pass for a hard living 38? (swoon)
Reread 1/6/19 I don't know if I have much to add to my previous comments, upon this reread, other than how well GH pulls all the strands together so well for a wonderful ending. )Oh and that I would pay good money to see
Reread 3/2/23 A wonderful caste of characters. A very dense read that I can't bolt through like I usually do with my 5� Georgette Heyer reads.
Another example of GH experimenting with the genre & my younger self would have found Venetia's realistic expectations for her future happiness & Other than A Civil Contract this was the most realistic of GH's romances. I just loved this deepening, gradual romance & wonderful caste of secondary characters. If I had to pick a favourite it would be Nurse, but Mr Hendreth & Mrs Scorrier also deserve a mention.If the same people who brought us Pride & Prejudice would do it, this could be a wonderful TV movie - could Colin Firth still pass for a hard living 38? (swoon)
Reread 1/6/19 I don't know if I have much to add to my previous comments, upon this reread, other than how well GH pulls all the strands together so well for a wonderful ending. )Oh and that I would pay good money to see
Reread 3/2/23 A wonderful caste of characters. A very dense read that I can't bolt through like I usually do with my 5� Georgette Heyer reads.
April 10, 2025
For those who love a good scandal.
Venetia is quite the free spirit. And while Damerel isn't perfect, I think they make a good pair.
I was also quite shocked at the twist that allowed them to get their HEA!
Didn't see that one coming but I liked it.
Venetia has her own money and doesn't need to marry, nor does she necessarily want to, until she meets her match in Lord Damerel. Unfortunately, his scandalous past makes him a non-option to eligible young ladies like herself. It appears that he ran off with a married woman, lived in sin for a bit, and has spent his remaining time in one rakish escapade after another. So. He's had a bit of fun over the years, yeah?
And has now come back to his family's seat - right next to Veneita's.
Where they soon become fast friends.
I love that they genuinely like each other, and that's probably the main reason I rooted for these two to get their HEA.
But there are several things in the book that are products of its time, and that might make it less enjoyable for some readers.
For example, in the scene where Venetia meets Lord Jasper Damerel, he mistakes her for a servant and proceeds to forcibly kiss her.
Ew. For several reasons.
That didn't exactly endear him to me, but I can still remember thinking this sort of behavior was fun in a fantasy sort of way when I was younger. Authors had to write scenes around the values that were drummed into us as young women, so "forcibly" being kissed or touched (which allowed you to go with the fantasy and still see the girls as good) was pretty much the only avenue available to if you were marketing to the mainstream and wanted to add a bit of spice. Looking back, I try not to dock the book for social issues like that, and this was published in 1958, so...yeah.
I also think some people are thrown by the statement she makes at the end about being ok with the uncertainty that he will be able to remain faithful to her over the coming years.
But to me, that just means she's realistic about life. How can you ever be sure someone won't cheat on you? Is there something out there that I'm unaware of that can give you that 100% guarantee when you get married?
No. There's no promise that isn't breakable, and if you think there is, you're fooling yourself.
I know. I'm such a killjoy.
If you're a fan of Heyer's romances, I think you'll like this, though.
Recommended.
Venetia is quite the free spirit. And while Damerel isn't perfect, I think they make a good pair.
I was also quite shocked at the twist that allowed them to get their HEA!
Didn't see that one coming but I liked it.
Venetia has her own money and doesn't need to marry, nor does she necessarily want to, until she meets her match in Lord Damerel. Unfortunately, his scandalous past makes him a non-option to eligible young ladies like herself. It appears that he ran off with a married woman, lived in sin for a bit, and has spent his remaining time in one rakish escapade after another. So. He's had a bit of fun over the years, yeah?
And has now come back to his family's seat - right next to Veneita's.
Where they soon become fast friends.
I love that they genuinely like each other, and that's probably the main reason I rooted for these two to get their HEA.
But there are several things in the book that are products of its time, and that might make it less enjoyable for some readers.
For example, in the scene where Venetia meets Lord Jasper Damerel, he mistakes her for a servant and proceeds to forcibly kiss her.
Ew. For several reasons.
That didn't exactly endear him to me, but I can still remember thinking this sort of behavior was fun in a fantasy sort of way when I was younger. Authors had to write scenes around the values that were drummed into us as young women, so "forcibly" being kissed or touched (which allowed you to go with the fantasy and still see the girls as good) was pretty much the only avenue available to if you were marketing to the mainstream and wanted to add a bit of spice. Looking back, I try not to dock the book for social issues like that, and this was published in 1958, so...yeah.
I also think some people are thrown by the statement she makes at the end about being ok with the uncertainty that he will be able to remain faithful to her over the coming years.
But to me, that just means she's realistic about life. How can you ever be sure someone won't cheat on you? Is there something out there that I'm unaware of that can give you that 100% guarantee when you get married?
No. There's no promise that isn't breakable, and if you think there is, you're fooling yourself.
I know. I'm such a killjoy.
If you're a fan of Heyer's romances, I think you'll like this, though.
Recommended.
January 5, 2022
What a fun this book was.
I loved Venetia! She was strong headed, witty, and funny. But what set her apart from others was her attitude towards life. Whereas society would find her situation scandalous or pitiable but took it in her stride and knew to enjoy her life. I so admire her for that. She never let other steer her life just because she was of a particular age and was expected to behave in a particular manner.
And how could a less than ordinary man would do, so enter the equally dashing and scandalous, Jasper Damerel. This was a match made in heaven or hell (depends on one's perception). Venetia was swept off her feet but life was not easy and soon found that he was not what he seems to be.
These characters made me smile with their wits and clever conversations. While I liked but this book turned me into a fan and I know I will be picking another Heyer sooner than later.
I loved Venetia! She was strong headed, witty, and funny. But what set her apart from others was her attitude towards life. Whereas society would find her situation scandalous or pitiable but took it in her stride and knew to enjoy her life. I so admire her for that. She never let other steer her life just because she was of a particular age and was expected to behave in a particular manner.
And how could a less than ordinary man would do, so enter the equally dashing and scandalous, Jasper Damerel. This was a match made in heaven or hell (depends on one's perception). Venetia was swept off her feet but life was not easy and soon found that he was not what he seems to be.
These characters made me smile with their wits and clever conversations. While I liked but this book turned me into a fan and I know I will be picking another Heyer sooner than later.
September 6, 2022
Re-read September 2022: A great listen, this time with Melissa. It's a great spouse-time activity.
One of my favorite Heyer romances, I enjoyed listening to this with my youngest as we commuted to and from her school (which is on the way to my work). I'm so glad we've started listening to these outstanding novels (we started with The Grand Sophy). Not only are the stories great, but discussing them with her is an added delight.
One of my favorite Heyer romances, I enjoyed listening to this with my youngest as we commuted to and from her school (which is on the way to my work). I'm so glad we've started listening to these outstanding novels (we started with The Grand Sophy). Not only are the stories great, but discussing them with her is an added delight.
July 19, 2021
This is a sweet little historical romance with a hero and heroine who are like minded in being, smart, witty and refreshingly honest with each other. Unlike most of this genre, the virginal lady knows exactly who the rake is and loves him anyway, because she can see that beneath the veneer of ugly behavior is a kind man.
She, Venetia (ugly name and how is it pronounced?), has seen his kindness in action when her younger brother, Aubrey, who has a lame leg, is injured horse riding near the gentleman's estate and Damerel takes him home to recover. While there, Aubrey is handled beautifully by Damerel who instinctively realizes that the boy hates pity and truly despises being treated like an invalid. The character of Aubrey is wonderful and I soon grew to love him just as much as his sister does. Aubrey is a brilliant scholar and also has a rapier wit like Venetia and although quite acerbic and self-involved, truly loves his sister and wants her to be happy.
All's well that ends well and there are some skeletons in everyone's closet that make this love match, not nearly as unequal as we are led to believe in the beginning.
She, Venetia (ugly name and how is it pronounced?), has seen his kindness in action when her younger brother, Aubrey, who has a lame leg, is injured horse riding near the gentleman's estate and Damerel takes him home to recover. While there, Aubrey is handled beautifully by Damerel who instinctively realizes that the boy hates pity and truly despises being treated like an invalid. The character of Aubrey is wonderful and I soon grew to love him just as much as his sister does. Aubrey is a brilliant scholar and also has a rapier wit like Venetia and although quite acerbic and self-involved, truly loves his sister and wants her to be happy.
All's well that ends well and there are some skeletons in everyone's closet that make this love match, not nearly as unequal as we are led to believe in the beginning.
May 29, 2019
Venetia is many readers� favorite Heyer novel, but not mine. The heroine is older, bolder, and little concerned with the proprieties; she is also kind and thoughtful and beautiful, so you get to have it both ways. The hero is the epitome of Heyer’s rakish strain of male leads, and he comes to Venetia’s neighborhood trailing epigrams and the sulfurous odor of wickedness. They meet and sparks instantaneously fly, but his reputation and secrets from her past generate lots of opposition. The hero, trying to reform and be belatedly (and, it must be said, inconsistently) noble, tries to renounce the heroine, but the heart knows what it knows and a happy ending is guaranteed.
It’s a challenge for a feminist to manage the cognitive dissonance of enjoying romantic fiction, and I believe the root of my dislike for this book lies in the fact that here, the dissonance is not a whisper but a roar. This freethinking heroine is a freethinker only in a 1950s kind of way (the decade when the book was written; it’s set around 1818) that I find particularly toxic. Example: early in the story, when contemplating the life of a rake, our heroine’s thoughts run thus: “With his loves she was as little concerned as with his first encounter with herself [when he seized her, a total stranger, and forcibly kissed her]. That had angered her, but it had neither shocked nor disgusted her. Men—witness all the histories!—were subject to sudden lusts and violences, affairs that seemed strangely divorced from heart or head, and often more strangely still from what were surely their true characters. For them chastity was not a prime virtue: she remembered her amazement when she had discovered that so correct a gentleman and kind a husband as Sir John Denny had not always been faithful to his lady. Had Lady Denny cared? A little, perhaps, but she had not allowed it to blight her marriage.� She eagerly sops up advice like “Never seek to pry into what does not concern you, but rather look in the opposite direction!� (I suppose the wife can just look the other way when she develops syphilis?) In my worldview this is cheating, a profound betrayal, and the wife who accepts it is an enabler. There is no earthly reason for the perpetuation of such a blatant double standard. Men can be as violent and dishonest as they please, because it’s simply their nature? So much for any romantic feelz I might have been building up; I have no desire to imagine myself in her shoes.
That central premise of this book is what most irritates me, but there are other more minor annoyances. It is more explicitly sensual and romantic than most of Heyer’s novels, and I am more attracted to restraint than to overt accounts of emotion and desire. Venetia is a physical being, and her love for the hero is in the reader’s face on every page—for me, that ruins the suspense and leaves me no gaps to fill in with my own imagination. To underscore the couple’s intense attachment, Heyer puts endless epithets in their mouths like “my dear friend� and “my lovely one� and has the heroine lift her face for a kiss (from a man who has not declared his intentions) multiple times. According to the manners of the age, this behavior would make her a strumpet, and I’m embarrassed to be around two people with so little conduct. These are, I suspect, the very qualities of the book that appeal to many readers, so let us simply say it’s not to my taste.
I also find it uneven in a way that Heyer rarely is. Characters occasionally do things that are out of character. The antagonists are caricatures of their types, overdrawn and one-note. And the resolution comes suddenly, in the middle of a scene, when the hero reverses a strongly held position without meaningful explanation. I’ve now given this book every chance I could, read it three times, and life’s too short for any further atttempts.
It’s a challenge for a feminist to manage the cognitive dissonance of enjoying romantic fiction, and I believe the root of my dislike for this book lies in the fact that here, the dissonance is not a whisper but a roar. This freethinking heroine is a freethinker only in a 1950s kind of way (the decade when the book was written; it’s set around 1818) that I find particularly toxic. Example: early in the story, when contemplating the life of a rake, our heroine’s thoughts run thus: “With his loves she was as little concerned as with his first encounter with herself [when he seized her, a total stranger, and forcibly kissed her]. That had angered her, but it had neither shocked nor disgusted her. Men—witness all the histories!—were subject to sudden lusts and violences, affairs that seemed strangely divorced from heart or head, and often more strangely still from what were surely their true characters. For them chastity was not a prime virtue: she remembered her amazement when she had discovered that so correct a gentleman and kind a husband as Sir John Denny had not always been faithful to his lady. Had Lady Denny cared? A little, perhaps, but she had not allowed it to blight her marriage.� She eagerly sops up advice like “Never seek to pry into what does not concern you, but rather look in the opposite direction!� (I suppose the wife can just look the other way when she develops syphilis?) In my worldview this is cheating, a profound betrayal, and the wife who accepts it is an enabler. There is no earthly reason for the perpetuation of such a blatant double standard. Men can be as violent and dishonest as they please, because it’s simply their nature? So much for any romantic feelz I might have been building up; I have no desire to imagine myself in her shoes.
That central premise of this book is what most irritates me, but there are other more minor annoyances. It is more explicitly sensual and romantic than most of Heyer’s novels, and I am more attracted to restraint than to overt accounts of emotion and desire. Venetia is a physical being, and her love for the hero is in the reader’s face on every page—for me, that ruins the suspense and leaves me no gaps to fill in with my own imagination. To underscore the couple’s intense attachment, Heyer puts endless epithets in their mouths like “my dear friend� and “my lovely one� and has the heroine lift her face for a kiss (from a man who has not declared his intentions) multiple times. According to the manners of the age, this behavior would make her a strumpet, and I’m embarrassed to be around two people with so little conduct. These are, I suspect, the very qualities of the book that appeal to many readers, so let us simply say it’s not to my taste.
I also find it uneven in a way that Heyer rarely is. Characters occasionally do things that are out of character. The antagonists are caricatures of their types, overdrawn and one-note. And the resolution comes suddenly, in the middle of a scene, when the hero reverses a strongly held position without meaningful explanation. I’ve now given this book every chance I could, read it three times, and life’s too short for any further atttempts.
March 8, 2023
How to marry a rake before he forgets you and goes on the whoring binge.
This fantastic book is about a beautiful spinster that is a carbon copy of Lizzy Bennet, and the orgy-loving rake participating in a bunch of nonsense and crawling towards a happy ending.
Venetia is thus not very interesting, if you read Pride & Prejudice, you know her. Well, to be honest, she starts out like that and then with every chapter stinks more and more of desperation.
*This after one conversation with him. After their first meeting where he started kissing her against her will.
See, the guy who was forceful the first time he met Venetia, has really a heart of gold and deserves sympathy and open-mindedness, Venetia just has a feeling about him after one conversation, even though he behaved like a debauched slut for years.
But unfortunately it doesn’t apply to females.
Now I want to discuss our rake. See, I’m not a big reader of rake romances, all the rakes I can tolerate are either not really rakes but have this reputation for various reasons, or they perhaps were rakes in their 20s but now are getting bored and tired and just want to settle. This rake is just a rake and he’s loving it. And the funny thing is, he never changes, the heroine just learns to adjust. I mean, this is interesting. Because the first meeting of theirs was him mistaking her for a milkmaid and him trying to take advantage of her. Which she thinks is fair, cause she wore her cheapest oldest dress. And the story ends with her joking that she expects him to have orgies and other women after they marry. And I am positive he will. The ticking clock of the whole romance was her hurrying to get to him before he starts whoring around again and forgets her.
If I was writing the epilogue it would be thus: a pregnant with her 4th child Venetia going on one of her Lizzy’s walks in the fields and encountering the angry father of the ravished and now pregnant milkmaid, third this year. In other words, she’s destined to be another Dolly Oblonskaya.
We also get Heyer’s personal views on marriage through Ventetia (apparently according to her biographer her own marriage was like this). Enjoy:
This worldview that was and still being pushed onto women that other women are just walking vaginas, they don’t mean anything, you’re the intellectual equal, you’re the one he respects and comes back to. I find this so sexist (to both sexes) and pathetic.
No Venetia and Heyer, there are plenty of women out there who are prettier and smarter and funnier and more interesting. That’s not the point of faithfulness in the relationship. And no, men are able to control themselves. Heyer obviously thinks men ain’t shit, just juvenile slaves to passion.
The writing feels so ancient and antiquated, see, Heyer did her research, went through the 10 personal diaries and damn it, she will use every not commonly used world she has found in them! The act of reading her prose should be a chore, because this is a regency romance after all! The book consists of 95% of prose like this:
As a result, I was reading this book for a month and in the end I could finish it by skimming to the finale.
Overwritten, dull and very unromantic.
This fantastic book is about a beautiful spinster that is a carbon copy of Lizzy Bennet, and the orgy-loving rake participating in a bunch of nonsense and crawling towards a happy ending.
Venetia is thus not very interesting, if you read Pride & Prejudice, you know her. Well, to be honest, she starts out like that and then with every chapter stinks more and more of desperation.
Then she knew that it was not anxiety for Aubrey, her first concern for so many years, which made her impatient to reach the Priory, but the desire to be with her friend.
*This after one conversation with him. After their first meeting where he started kissing her against her will.
See, the guy who was forceful the first time he met Venetia, has really a heart of gold and deserves sympathy and open-mindedness, Venetia just has a feeling about him after one conversation, even though he behaved like a debauched slut for years.
And all for a little, plump, black-eyed slut, older than himself, whose marriage-ring and noble degree hid the soul of a courtesan!
‘Good! What a fortunate escape you had, to be sure! I daresay it may not have occurred to you, but I have little doubt that by this time Lady Sophia has grown sadly fat. They do, you know, little plump women!
But unfortunately it doesn’t apply to females.
Now I want to discuss our rake. See, I’m not a big reader of rake romances, all the rakes I can tolerate are either not really rakes but have this reputation for various reasons, or they perhaps were rakes in their 20s but now are getting bored and tired and just want to settle. This rake is just a rake and he’s loving it. And the funny thing is, he never changes, the heroine just learns to adjust. I mean, this is interesting. Because the first meeting of theirs was him mistaking her for a milkmaid and him trying to take advantage of her. Which she thinks is fair, cause she wore her cheapest oldest dress. And the story ends with her joking that she expects him to have orgies and other women after they marry. And I am positive he will. The ticking clock of the whole romance was her hurrying to get to him before he starts whoring around again and forgets her.
nor did she cherish illusions about her love: not for him the life of a celibate, mourning his lost bride: he was very much more likely to seek forgetfulness in excess, and would probably be next heard of flaunting some dazzling lightskirt all over Europe. …any day now Aubrey would leave the Priory, and then, Venetia thought, he would be lost to her indeed.
If I was writing the epilogue it would be thus: a pregnant with her 4th child Venetia going on one of her Lizzy’s walks in the fields and encountering the angry father of the ravished and now pregnant milkmaid, third this year. In other words, she’s destined to be another Dolly Oblonskaya.
We also get Heyer’s personal views on marriage through Ventetia (apparently according to her biographer her own marriage was like this). Enjoy:
He had had many loves; perhaps he had many friends too, with minds more closely attuned to his than she believed her own to be. These troubled her as his loves did not. With his loves she was as little concerned as with his first encounter with herself. That had angered her, but it had neither shocked nor disgusted her. Men–witness all the histories!–were subject to sudden lusts and violences, affairs that seemed strangely divorced from heart or head, and often more strangely still from what were surely their true characters. For them chastity was not a prime virtue: she remembered her amazement when she had discovered that so correct a gentleman and kind a husband as Sir John Denny had not always been faithful to his lady. Had Lady Denny cared? A little, perhaps, but she had not allowed it to blight her marriage. ‘Men, my love, are different from us,� she had said once, ‘even the best of them! I tell you this because I hold it to be very wrong to rear girls in the belief that the face men show to the females they respect is their only one. I daresay, if we were to see them watching some horrid, vulgar prize-fight, or in company with women of a certain class, we shouldn’t recognise our own husbands and brothers. I am very sure we should think them disgusting! Which, in some ways, they are, only it would be unjust to blame them for what they can’t help. One ought rather to be thankful that any affairs they may have amongst what they call the muslin company don’t change their true affection in the least. Indeed, I fancy affection plays no part in such adventures. So odd!–for we, you know, could scarcely indulge in them with no more effect on our lives than if we had been choosing a new hat. But so it is with men! Which is why it has been most truly said that while your husband continues to show you tenderness you have no cause for complaint, and would be a zany to fall into despair only because of what to him was a mere peccadillo. “Never seek to pry into what does not concern you, but rather look in the opposite direction!�
This worldview that was and still being pushed onto women that other women are just walking vaginas, they don’t mean anything, you’re the intellectual equal, you’re the one he respects and comes back to. I find this so sexist (to both sexes) and pathetic.
No Venetia and Heyer, there are plenty of women out there who are prettier and smarter and funnier and more interesting. That’s not the point of faithfulness in the relationship. And no, men are able to control themselves. Heyer obviously thinks men ain’t shit, just juvenile slaves to passion.
The writing feels so ancient and antiquated, see, Heyer did her research, went through the 10 personal diaries and damn it, she will use every not commonly used world she has found in them! The act of reading her prose should be a chore, because this is a regency romance after all! The book consists of 95% of prose like this:
When she was in London, Mrs Hendred’s breakfast was invariably carried up to her bedchamber on a tray, but it was Venetia’s custom, like that of many other ladies of more energetic habit than Mrs Hendred, to rise betimes, and sally forth, either to do a little hum-drum shopping, or to walk in one of the parks. Breakfast was served on her return in a parlour at the back of the house, and such was the esteem in which she was held in the household that it was Worting’s practice to wait on her himself, instead of deputing this office to the under-butler.
As a result, I was reading this book for a month and in the end I could finish it by skimming to the finale.
Overwritten, dull and very unromantic.
March 2, 2021
Here's the thing: This book is one of my all-time favorite books. I've read it so many times by now that I lost count. And yet I never wrote a review, because I could never really find the right words to do this book justice. When I finally convinced two of my good friends to give this book a try, yet another re-read was in order! And guess what, I still love it, and still can't come up with coherent reasons why.
Let's start with the heroine:
"I wish you will tell me some of the things you have done!" "I think not," he said dryly. "I said some of the things you have done!" she exclaimed indignantly. "You can't have spent your whole life getting into idiotish scrapes!" The ugly look vanished as he burst out laughing. "Most of it, I assure you!"
I ADORE Venetia. She is one of the most sensible, level-headed, determined and yet completely loveable heroines I have ever had the pleasure to read about. Whatever life throws at her (and boy does it throw things at her: a terrible, egotistical father who pretty much buries her alive on his secluded country estate, the egotistical brothers who never think about her happiness, the self-centered aunt who doesn't do anything to help alleviate her situation, to name only a few), she somehow remains cheerful and optimistic, never gives up, and always finds a way to be happy with what she has. I truly envy her in that respect. I love how she never tries to change Damerel, how she sees him for exactly what he is, and loves him for all his bad parts together.
Then there's our darling rake, Jasper, Lord Damerel:
"Fair Fatality, you are the most unusual female I have ever encountered in all my thirty-eight years!" "You can't think how deeply flattered I am!" she assured him. "I daresay my head would be quite turned if I didn't suspect that amongst so many a dozen or so may have slipped from your memory." "More like a hundred. Am I never to learn your name?"
I LOVE this man. He comes such a long way in this book, and not because someone forces him to change, but because meeting an innocent little whirlwind who turns his life of debauchery upside down actually makes him re-evaluate his life-choices and accept that he has screwed up and he is not good enough for her as he is. He's no angel, and I love him even more for that. He hasn't been a good landowner or anything, but he does try his best to become one.
I absolutely love his sense of humor! I wish I had someone to trade Shakespearean insults with in everyday conversation...
Which brings me to: the most delicious banter!
"I can't come down that ladder while you stand there watching me." "Can't you? Oh, that's easily remedied!" he retorted, and removed the ladder. It was this impish action which drew the protest from her which Oswald heard. "Fiend!" She said. "Do put it back, and go away!" "Not I!" he replied, grinning up at her. "But it is most unchivalrous of you!" "No, no. On the contrary. The ladder is clearly unsafe."
Oh, the banter. Be still my heart <3 These two are truly equals, if not in education or anything else, but definitely when it comes to wit and humor. They love teasing one another, try to find the most obscure poetry reference to quote and see if the other one recognizes it... I love every moment of it!
Last, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, the narration:
Oh sweet mercy, the heavenly narration <3 Richard Armitage is one of my favorite actors and narrators! He has such a beautiful voice, it's just a delight to listen to. No matter how long the book, he always finds a unique voice for each character that helps you identify who is speaking at every moment without a clue from the text. Even his female characters sounds believable! It's just tremendous fun to listen to him bring a book to live! If you don't believe me, see Becca's review below: he managed to get a complete audiobook hater to admit that this is perfection! At this point I have actually listened to this book more often than I have read it, and trust me, if you hear the man's voice, you'll understand why...
Sadly, this is an abridged version which cut some of my favorite moments, but this in no way dims my love for this production!
There is a reason this is the book I turn to whenever I'm in a slump, or just need a pick-me-up. I love the characters, their determination, the heart and humor, and all of it together makes for one perfect reading experience. If you have never read a Georgette Heyer book, I cannot recommend this highly enough as a starting point!!!
Also, here are the reviews of the two friends I convinced to try this (they both loved it, so YAY):
Lacey's review
Becca's review
Let's start with the heroine:
"I wish you will tell me some of the things you have done!" "I think not," he said dryly. "I said some of the things you have done!" she exclaimed indignantly. "You can't have spent your whole life getting into idiotish scrapes!" The ugly look vanished as he burst out laughing. "Most of it, I assure you!"
I ADORE Venetia. She is one of the most sensible, level-headed, determined and yet completely loveable heroines I have ever had the pleasure to read about. Whatever life throws at her (and boy does it throw things at her: a terrible, egotistical father who pretty much buries her alive on his secluded country estate, the egotistical brothers who never think about her happiness, the self-centered aunt who doesn't do anything to help alleviate her situation, to name only a few), she somehow remains cheerful and optimistic, never gives up, and always finds a way to be happy with what she has. I truly envy her in that respect. I love how she never tries to change Damerel, how she sees him for exactly what he is, and loves him for all his bad parts together.
Then there's our darling rake, Jasper, Lord Damerel:
"Fair Fatality, you are the most unusual female I have ever encountered in all my thirty-eight years!" "You can't think how deeply flattered I am!" she assured him. "I daresay my head would be quite turned if I didn't suspect that amongst so many a dozen or so may have slipped from your memory." "More like a hundred. Am I never to learn your name?"
I LOVE this man. He comes such a long way in this book, and not because someone forces him to change, but because meeting an innocent little whirlwind who turns his life of debauchery upside down actually makes him re-evaluate his life-choices and accept that he has screwed up and he is not good enough for her as he is. He's no angel, and I love him even more for that. He hasn't been a good landowner or anything, but he does try his best to become one.
I absolutely love his sense of humor! I wish I had someone to trade Shakespearean insults with in everyday conversation...
Which brings me to: the most delicious banter!
"I can't come down that ladder while you stand there watching me." "Can't you? Oh, that's easily remedied!" he retorted, and removed the ladder. It was this impish action which drew the protest from her which Oswald heard. "Fiend!" She said. "Do put it back, and go away!" "Not I!" he replied, grinning up at her. "But it is most unchivalrous of you!" "No, no. On the contrary. The ladder is clearly unsafe."
Oh, the banter. Be still my heart <3 These two are truly equals, if not in education or anything else, but definitely when it comes to wit and humor. They love teasing one another, try to find the most obscure poetry reference to quote and see if the other one recognizes it... I love every moment of it!
Last, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, the narration:
Oh sweet mercy, the heavenly narration <3 Richard Armitage is one of my favorite actors and narrators! He has such a beautiful voice, it's just a delight to listen to. No matter how long the book, he always finds a unique voice for each character that helps you identify who is speaking at every moment without a clue from the text. Even his female characters sounds believable! It's just tremendous fun to listen to him bring a book to live! If you don't believe me, see Becca's review below: he managed to get a complete audiobook hater to admit that this is perfection! At this point I have actually listened to this book more often than I have read it, and trust me, if you hear the man's voice, you'll understand why...
Sadly, this is an abridged version which cut some of my favorite moments, but this in no way dims my love for this production!
There is a reason this is the book I turn to whenever I'm in a slump, or just need a pick-me-up. I love the characters, their determination, the heart and humor, and all of it together makes for one perfect reading experience. If you have never read a Georgette Heyer book, I cannot recommend this highly enough as a starting point!!!
Also, here are the reviews of the two friends I convinced to try this (they both loved it, so YAY):
Lacey's review
Becca's review
July 28, 2021
My first thought was what the hell I was doing all this time not reading Georgette Heyer! I can kick myself. Truly. I'm not a romance fan, but I certainly like historical romances. I enjoy being transported to regency and victorian periods. However, while I have read several historical romances by contemporary authors, I have missed out on the classics of Georgette Heyer, the pioneer of Regency romances. When I came across her a few months ago, I was incredulous at my ignorance and was determined to make it up to myself. So here I'm reading my first Heyer and basking in happy contemplation of having found a new author of historical romances.
What I truly liked about Heyer in this novel is the lightness of the story, without any ambitious plot twists and forced suspensions that sometimes ruin the smooth flow of these novels. I've seen this too often in many contemporarily written historical romances. So many authors try to be too clever with the plot, forgetting that it is the simplicity of the plot, the historical setting, the chemistry, and the budding romance of the hero and heroine that attracts most readers to this genre. Light entertainment is certainly what I seek in them. And I'm truly glad to have found an author who has understood this.
Venetia is a sweet romance of two strong characters. I liked both Venetia and Damerel although the latter character was not quite developed. I normally like strong and sensible heroines, and Venetia answers that description. I also liked Venetia's somewhat selfish but affectionate brother. He entertained me well. :) The story is not grand, but it is quite enjoyable. The characters were interesting and the setting felt real. I also liked the contrast Heyer has drawn between the country and city way of life. It showed that there were different standards even among the rich!
I truly enjoyed this book. It was at present the very thing I needed - light, entertaining, and less taxing. I feel her style is the very antidote I need when I'm tired and low-spirited.
What I truly liked about Heyer in this novel is the lightness of the story, without any ambitious plot twists and forced suspensions that sometimes ruin the smooth flow of these novels. I've seen this too often in many contemporarily written historical romances. So many authors try to be too clever with the plot, forgetting that it is the simplicity of the plot, the historical setting, the chemistry, and the budding romance of the hero and heroine that attracts most readers to this genre. Light entertainment is certainly what I seek in them. And I'm truly glad to have found an author who has understood this.
Venetia is a sweet romance of two strong characters. I liked both Venetia and Damerel although the latter character was not quite developed. I normally like strong and sensible heroines, and Venetia answers that description. I also liked Venetia's somewhat selfish but affectionate brother. He entertained me well. :) The story is not grand, but it is quite enjoyable. The characters were interesting and the setting felt real. I also liked the contrast Heyer has drawn between the country and city way of life. It showed that there were different standards even among the rich!
I truly enjoyed this book. It was at present the very thing I needed - light, entertaining, and less taxing. I feel her style is the very antidote I need when I'm tired and low-spirited.
March 27, 2012
I am one of those who steered clear of Georgette Heyer for years, even though I heard the comparisons to Jane Austen, I was afraid they were formulaic romances. To my surprise it wasn't what I feared all those years and proved that breaking out of one's reading comfort zone can be quite rewarding. This was made more enjoyable getting to read this along with Sabrina, who also had some of the same feelings regarding Heyer, and both of us ended up enjoying it.
I was aware Heyer was famous, or some may say infamous, for her Regency cant. I admit to being a bit intimidated with the thought of tackling this period slang, did you know there are about 30 words just for dimwitted? So, to prepare I bookmarked several websites and had the book, , at the ready. At first it was a little difficult and distracting trying to figure out the meaning, but the patient help I received from fellow GR friends was invaluable. Their input made it much more fun, allowing me to relax, stop worrying and make it more of a game instead.
Our heroine, Venetia, "then twenty-two, perilously near to being on the shelf." is quite modern not only for the Regency period but for the 1950's, when this was originally written. She is unconventional with her free thoughts and expressions but at the same time not challenging her family to take care of their responsibilities. I did find her conveniently too naive at times for purposes of the story. Then we have our hero Damarel, that dastardly bad boy and rake, or using Regency cant a rip. He doesn't hide who he is or his past from Venetia, even using his reputation to his advantage at times. As he finds himself falling for Venetia he wins over the reader too. How can one resist lines like this -
The accolades for Heyer's historical detail are justified. Daily life, settings, clothing and manners are richly painted, giving a clear picture of the genteel, decorous yet rigid Regency society. She also presents the limited expectations for women in an unapologetic yet realistic way. Everything is laced with wit and humor.
There are no cardboard cutout characters, they are multi-layered, full of life whether you hate them, love them, laugh at them or barely tolerate them. Venetia's suitors, or men in waiting, as I came to think of them, Edward Yardley and Oswald Denny, had me laughing with their pursuit and dreams of gallantry. I grew to appreciate Aubrey, her younger brother, and how he coped with being lame in a time when such imperfections were unacceptable, shunned and shamed by many.
Heyer cleverly puts all these people together, some we never even meet, some we only briefly meet and some we never expect to meet, yet they are all important to putting the final picture together.
There is no surprise about how things will end, the fun is how they get to happily ever after, including an expected twist I didn't see coming. I loved the endearments they called each other, she called him "The Wicked Baron" and he called her "My Dear Delight". This was my first brush with Heyer and I don't plan on it being my last. Will I judge all her others against this one? I hope not, but Damarel will be hard to top, so only time will tell. On that note I'll let Damarel end this review and prove why he is not easily forgotten.
I was aware Heyer was famous, or some may say infamous, for her Regency cant. I admit to being a bit intimidated with the thought of tackling this period slang, did you know there are about 30 words just for dimwitted? So, to prepare I bookmarked several websites and had the book, , at the ready. At first it was a little difficult and distracting trying to figure out the meaning, but the patient help I received from fellow GR friends was invaluable. Their input made it much more fun, allowing me to relax, stop worrying and make it more of a game instead.
Our heroine, Venetia, "then twenty-two, perilously near to being on the shelf." is quite modern not only for the Regency period but for the 1950's, when this was originally written. She is unconventional with her free thoughts and expressions but at the same time not challenging her family to take care of their responsibilities. I did find her conveniently too naive at times for purposes of the story. Then we have our hero Damarel, that dastardly bad boy and rake, or using Regency cant a rip. He doesn't hide who he is or his past from Venetia, even using his reputation to his advantage at times. As he finds himself falling for Venetia he wins over the reader too. How can one resist lines like this -
What I regret I can never undo, for the gods don’t annihilate space, or time, or transform such a man as I am into one worthy to be your husband.
The accolades for Heyer's historical detail are justified. Daily life, settings, clothing and manners are richly painted, giving a clear picture of the genteel, decorous yet rigid Regency society. She also presents the limited expectations for women in an unapologetic yet realistic way. Everything is laced with wit and humor.
"...my case is clearly past remedy, and I've nothing to do but decide whether to be an aunt to Conway's children, or a mother to Edward's - and I have a lowering presentiment that Edward's children will be dreadfully dull, poor little things!"
There are no cardboard cutout characters, they are multi-layered, full of life whether you hate them, love them, laugh at them or barely tolerate them. Venetia's suitors, or men in waiting, as I came to think of them, Edward Yardley and Oswald Denny, had me laughing with their pursuit and dreams of gallantry. I grew to appreciate Aubrey, her younger brother, and how he coped with being lame in a time when such imperfections were unacceptable, shunned and shamed by many.
"Master Aubrey’s hatred of his disability, and his passionate desire to show himself as hearty and as independent as his more fortunate contemporaries:
Heyer cleverly puts all these people together, some we never even meet, some we only briefly meet and some we never expect to meet, yet they are all important to putting the final picture together.
There is no surprise about how things will end, the fun is how they get to happily ever after, including an expected twist I didn't see coming. I loved the endearments they called each other, she called him "The Wicked Baron" and he called her "My Dear Delight". This was my first brush with Heyer and I don't plan on it being my last. Will I judge all her others against this one? I hope not, but Damarel will be hard to top, so only time will tell. On that note I'll let Damarel end this review and prove why he is not easily forgotten.
"When you smile at me like that, it’s all holiday with me!"
September 7, 2016
Je n'aurais jamais cru que Monseigneur le Duc d'Avon pourrait être remplacé par un autre héros!
When I start to mutter in French, it hints the book must've made an impression. And, dear me, this one did. How could it not? It's very intense for the average Heyer novel, a writer that normally shies away from overt sexiness as a scalded cat from water. A good timing it had, too, for I was on the edge of losing faith in this author's capacity to create masculine characters as interesting as Monseigneur and heroines that weren't behaving like stoopid ten-year-old schoolgirls at the ripe old age of, say, twenty.
But that happened. Enter Jasper, Lord Damerel, aptly described by this line from a poem by another famous rake of the same period, Lord Byron, that our hero quotes:
The way he and Venetia, the best Heyer heroine I've found so far, met is one of the funniest rendezvous I've read in historical romance. That scene of Shakespearean inspiration establishes that Damerel is a jaded rake in semi-retirement that sets out to tease what he thinks is a silly pretty country girl he'll soon forget, but instead finds someone that'll be his best friend and his match. She, who believes herself fit only for spinterhood and taking care of and keeping house for her crippled younger brother, is a very resourceful, optimistic and persistent girl with wits that allow her to keep up with Damerel's quotin' & recitin', and, veering away from the usual plot that has the hero pursue the heroine, it's she who is in charge and has to manoeuvre her way towards attaining her wishes, to her benefit and her brother's. Their relationship builds up at quite an slow pace, and they don't get together until much later, but that doesn't feel like a negative precisely, because they're "together" all the time in the sense that they interact on an almost daily basis, and reading their meetings described, it's possible to witness the growing affection so that the resolution feels a natural conclusion. This is one aspect I particularly like, because sometimes authors make the mistake of bringing a couple together in the last chapter with little buildup and too much conflict thrown in that it is blindingly obvious that it's just for drama. Here, the obstacles aren't the dreaded Big Misunderstanding, but come from social conventions and characterisation, and, I think, are solved as the plot moves.
All is set in the country, save for a brief time in London (which didn't include the "ton," gods be praised!), but not quiet-paced as I'd believed it would as soon as I discovered its setting, it's rather eventful for the narrow scope, thanks to the neighbouring families and Damerel himself, plus Venetia's brother is a strong secondary character. Even the unavoidable pest that populates Heyer's novels brings in some necessary conflict to the narrative, although I wish it hadn't been dropped because the Scorrier/Lady Lanyon plot was, I feel, left without resolution, for good or for bad. You just cannot include an antagonist and then leave them forgotten somewhere. And that, together with the way the Lanyons react to , is the weakest part of the story. It was simply unconvincing that they'd react with so much equanimity given what the lady did and how it affected their lives, and more of that cool anger shown by Venetia should've been in.
I definitely am going to approach the rest of her novels with more hopes about Heyer's writing after this enjoyable read that is going straight to my favourites and after such delightful characters, both male and female (Did I thank the gods already?). Oh, and I give the edge to Damerel on account of his ability to recite all poets worth their salt at appropriate times!
When I start to mutter in French, it hints the book must've made an impression. And, dear me, this one did. How could it not? It's very intense for the average Heyer novel, a writer that normally shies away from overt sexiness as a scalded cat from water. A good timing it had, too, for I was on the edge of losing faith in this author's capacity to create masculine characters as interesting as Monseigneur and heroines that weren't behaving like stoopid ten-year-old schoolgirls at the ripe old age of, say, twenty.
But that happened. Enter Jasper, Lord Damerel, aptly described by this line from a poem by another famous rake of the same period, Lord Byron, that our hero quotes:
"There was a laughing devil in his sneer,
That raised emotions both of rage and fear;
And where his frown of hatred darkly fell,
Hope withering fled, and Mercy sighed farewell!"
The way he and Venetia, the best Heyer heroine I've found so far, met is one of the funniest rendezvous I've read in historical romance. That scene of Shakespearean inspiration establishes that Damerel is a jaded rake in semi-retirement that sets out to tease what he thinks is a silly pretty country girl he'll soon forget, but instead finds someone that'll be his best friend and his match. She, who believes herself fit only for spinterhood and taking care of and keeping house for her crippled younger brother, is a very resourceful, optimistic and persistent girl with wits that allow her to keep up with Damerel's quotin' & recitin', and, veering away from the usual plot that has the hero pursue the heroine, it's she who is in charge and has to manoeuvre her way towards attaining her wishes, to her benefit and her brother's. Their relationship builds up at quite an slow pace, and they don't get together until much later, but that doesn't feel like a negative precisely, because they're "together" all the time in the sense that they interact on an almost daily basis, and reading their meetings described, it's possible to witness the growing affection so that the resolution feels a natural conclusion. This is one aspect I particularly like, because sometimes authors make the mistake of bringing a couple together in the last chapter with little buildup and too much conflict thrown in that it is blindingly obvious that it's just for drama. Here, the obstacles aren't the dreaded Big Misunderstanding, but come from social conventions and characterisation, and, I think, are solved as the plot moves.
All is set in the country, save for a brief time in London (which didn't include the "ton," gods be praised!), but not quiet-paced as I'd believed it would as soon as I discovered its setting, it's rather eventful for the narrow scope, thanks to the neighbouring families and Damerel himself, plus Venetia's brother is a strong secondary character. Even the unavoidable pest that populates Heyer's novels brings in some necessary conflict to the narrative, although I wish it hadn't been dropped because the Scorrier/Lady Lanyon plot was, I feel, left without resolution, for good or for bad. You just cannot include an antagonist and then leave them forgotten somewhere. And that, together with the way the Lanyons react to , is the weakest part of the story. It was simply unconvincing that they'd react with so much equanimity given what the lady did and how it affected their lives, and more of that cool anger shown by Venetia should've been in.
I definitely am going to approach the rest of her novels with more hopes about Heyer's writing after this enjoyable read that is going straight to my favourites and after such delightful characters, both male and female (Did I thank the gods already?). Oh, and I give the edge to Damerel on account of his ability to recite all poets worth their salt at appropriate times!
August 18, 2016
Never in my life have I been so glad of a rainy afternoon. Never so glad that I was bored and typed a name into a search bar to see what would come up.
It was in this slightly unorthodox way that I originally discovered Venetia. In a fit of utter boredom I typed the name “Richard Armitage� (he'd recently become my favourite actor) into the iTunes search bar, and what should appear? ...Three novels by Georgette Heyer, narrated by Richard Armitage.
I need not tell you I was wide awake again after that. Before then a few friends had vaguely recommended Georgette Heyer’s novels to me, but thus far I had lacked the motivation to start finding and reading them. The summaries made them sound to me as if there was nothing much out of the ordinary about them. How wrong could I have been? I absolutely loved Venetia, and I will be endlessly grateful to Richard Armitage for being my unwitting introduction to Georgette Heyer's beautiful world.
Being set in the Yorkshire countryside, the story doesn’t have quite so many upsets and excitements and scrapes of those Heyer stories which take place in the cities. Those stories can be amazingly good fun, and very exciting. But while Venetia lacks those particular excitements, it does have a quiet beauty to it, a serenity and gentle humour that lends it an equal merit to the other more riotous novels, and indeed it is superior to some. I suppose it really depends on what you’re in the mood for, and if you’re in the mood for a unique romance set in the English countryside, this novel is utterly perfect. Besides, Venetia was my first Georgette Heyer novel (not to mention my first Richard-Armitage-narrated novel), and therefore is very dear to me, occupying a small but precious space in my heart.
Miss Venetia Lanyon is one of Georgette Heyer’s slightly older heroines, a young woman who has lived in the countryside for most of her twenty-five years, ever since her mother died when she was a young girl. Her brother Conway has escaped into the wider world by joining the army, and in wilfully and obstinately choosing to remain abroad, he has left the control of the Undershore estate in Venetia’s hands. She has grown to have a kind heart, a brilliant sense of humour, and a taste for adventure. But this sensible girl and stunning beauty can see no choices before her save to be an ageing spinster in her brother’s household, or a wife to one Edward Yardley and the mother of his children... until she chances across Lord Damarel, the “Wicked Baron�.
Though I find it hard to approve of Lord Damarel’s mode of entering the story, like Venetia I was quickly enamoured of him. In the past he has been � we are told � prone to taking one mistress after the other, and engaging in any number of scandalous pursuits. Unfortunately for him, scandalous pursuits tend to be somewhat expensive, and as such he is forced to return to his country estate to “ruralise�, at which point he encounters the lovely Venetia Lanyon.
From this point on we are treated to delightful, witty exchanges between the two characters. Their habit of constantly quoting poetry at each other means that the reader can very quickly feel the rapport form between them, as circumstances conspire to throw them together and become the best of friends. Best of all, they understand one another.
I think what I love about these two characters is that Venetia and Damarel are on very even terms with each other, more so than in any other Heyer novel I’ve ever read. There is no feeling that one, by virtue of experience or age or intelligence, is superior to the other. Of course Lord Damarel has seen a great deal more of the world than Venetia, but as their intellects are equally sharp, this circumstance gives rise to more amusement between them than trouble. Their relationship is certainly one of my favourite romances. With every passing moment that they talk and laugh and discuss things together, you feel more and more certain that these two people were simply made for each other. It’s a lovely thing to behold.
Before Damarel even enters the story, however, we meet his rivals � Oswald, the nineteen year old neighbour to Venetia, and Edward, the man who has for several years considered himself as good as engaged to Venetia, despite having been refused by Venetia and despite the fact that he is not particularly in love with her. To give you an idea of the relative personalities of these contenders for Venetia’s hand, I’ve attempted to represent my reaction to them:
~ When Oswald walks into the room:
~ When Edward walks into the room:
~ When Lord Damarel walks into the room:
Seriously, ladies. You won’t know what hit you.
~ When a man walks into the room, who you think is Damarel and it turns out to be Edward:
The disappointment is indescribable.
Oswald, for his part, is seen by Venetia as too young � at nineteen - to be seriously in love. I think Heyer is playing with a bit of a dangerous double-standard here, as quite a few of her own heroines have been as young as Oswald, even two or three years younger. I do however understand that being able to love rather depends on one’s personal emotional maturity, and by that standard Oswald is certainly far too “young� to be seriously in love with Venetia. Certainly the reader is never under any apprehension that he is a serious rival for Venetia’s affections, and in fact his exploits can be extremely amusing.
Edward, on the other hand, I just want to strangle. He’s the sort of man that is not necessarily stupid or mean or selfish... but with every word that comes out of his mouth you become more and more desperate for a convenient wall to bang your head against to alleviate the boredom and frustration. Or a convenient swing on which to swing around and around in circles... either one will do. He is unbelievably stuffy and patronising, and his arrogance is the more irritating because he isn’t really aware of how arrogant he is. His impertinence extends so far as to try and joke with Venetia and pretend he’s “gone a trifle deaf� when she tells him in no uncertain terms that she will not marry him. (Cue glaring, clenching of fists and stifled screams of frustration - Edward Yardley is honestly so annoying!!)
He is not, however, the only one causing trouble for Venetia and Damarel. Damarel's morally chequered past certainly doesn't help matters, and to replace the upsets and excitements of the city, this novel is so full of meddlers! So many people are utterly convinced they know what is best for Venetia, and have little intention of consulting her before deciding what to do with her life. It is these people that cause the most trouble for the couple. The one glorious exception is Venetia’s younger brother.
Aubrey was certainly not intended as a hero, but in some inexplicable way I found myself falling in love with him almost as much as I was falling for Damarel. Aubrey is seventeen, wonderfully intelligent, entertainingly precocious, and rather touchy about the fact that he walks with a limp, due to a disease that affected his hip joint when he was younger. He enjoys the company of books more than he does most people � save Lord Damarel - and though he can be egotistical and unwittingly selfish, Aubrey will often surprise you by showing the depth of genuine feeling he has for his sister, which is truly touching. He's a difficult character to describe, but anyone who has read about him should understand my fondness for him.
Readers of Heyer's novels will know that they are filled with sparkling wit and exciting twists. Then too, there is always at least one scene where she really uses her writing ability to its utmost and can emotionally destroy the reader in a single chapter. Of course I didn’t know of her habit of doing this when I first read Venetia. However, even after a year of reading some of her other novels, I truly believe this particular scene in Venetia is one of the best she has written. It brings me to tears every single time� and here I must put in a word of praise for Richard Armitage’s narration. His narration is always more than delightful, of course, but here he really comes into his own. The way his tone changes to reflect the complete, heart-breaking sadness is perfect. His voice reflects every nuance of feeling in the scene, and it makes the moment even more powerful.
The audio edition is somewhat abridged, something I was actually grateful for in this case. The original novel can occasionally get slightly bogged down in extraneous detail� and though I don’t generally consider myself a prude, the word “orgy� was used in the final chapter perhaps one too many times for my liking� I believe it was three times in a single page? In any case, I have another reason to be glad of that part being left out of the audio edition. If I had heard Richard Armitage say that word so many times in such quick succession, I believe I probably would have ended up blushing and/or giggling for the better part of a week. Those who know me well know that isn’t quite as much of an exaggeration as it may seem.
In all seriousness, however� inappropriate words aside, Venetia will always be one of my favourite Georgette Heyer novels, and Venetia and Damarel one of my favourite couples. The two of them � and Venetia’s brilliant younger brother � kept me constantly feeling as if I were on the edge of delighted laughter. If you are looking for a wild romp through the Regency world with sword-fights and carriage chases and what have you, this wouldn’t do for you at all. Pick up another Heyer, there are plenty to choose from. But if you are looking for a quiet, wonderful, beautiful novel, Venetia is perfect. If you can listen to Richard Armitage read it to you? So much the better.
It was in this slightly unorthodox way that I originally discovered Venetia. In a fit of utter boredom I typed the name “Richard Armitage� (he'd recently become my favourite actor) into the iTunes search bar, and what should appear? ...Three novels by Georgette Heyer, narrated by Richard Armitage.
I need not tell you I was wide awake again after that. Before then a few friends had vaguely recommended Georgette Heyer’s novels to me, but thus far I had lacked the motivation to start finding and reading them. The summaries made them sound to me as if there was nothing much out of the ordinary about them. How wrong could I have been? I absolutely loved Venetia, and I will be endlessly grateful to Richard Armitage for being my unwitting introduction to Georgette Heyer's beautiful world.
Being set in the Yorkshire countryside, the story doesn’t have quite so many upsets and excitements and scrapes of those Heyer stories which take place in the cities. Those stories can be amazingly good fun, and very exciting. But while Venetia lacks those particular excitements, it does have a quiet beauty to it, a serenity and gentle humour that lends it an equal merit to the other more riotous novels, and indeed it is superior to some. I suppose it really depends on what you’re in the mood for, and if you’re in the mood for a unique romance set in the English countryside, this novel is utterly perfect. Besides, Venetia was my first Georgette Heyer novel (not to mention my first Richard-Armitage-narrated novel), and therefore is very dear to me, occupying a small but precious space in my heart.
Miss Venetia Lanyon is one of Georgette Heyer’s slightly older heroines, a young woman who has lived in the countryside for most of her twenty-five years, ever since her mother died when she was a young girl. Her brother Conway has escaped into the wider world by joining the army, and in wilfully and obstinately choosing to remain abroad, he has left the control of the Undershore estate in Venetia’s hands. She has grown to have a kind heart, a brilliant sense of humour, and a taste for adventure. But this sensible girl and stunning beauty can see no choices before her save to be an ageing spinster in her brother’s household, or a wife to one Edward Yardley and the mother of his children... until she chances across Lord Damarel, the “Wicked Baron�.
Though I find it hard to approve of Lord Damarel’s mode of entering the story, like Venetia I was quickly enamoured of him. In the past he has been � we are told � prone to taking one mistress after the other, and engaging in any number of scandalous pursuits. Unfortunately for him, scandalous pursuits tend to be somewhat expensive, and as such he is forced to return to his country estate to “ruralise�, at which point he encounters the lovely Venetia Lanyon.
From this point on we are treated to delightful, witty exchanges between the two characters. Their habit of constantly quoting poetry at each other means that the reader can very quickly feel the rapport form between them, as circumstances conspire to throw them together and become the best of friends. Best of all, they understand one another.
I think what I love about these two characters is that Venetia and Damarel are on very even terms with each other, more so than in any other Heyer novel I’ve ever read. There is no feeling that one, by virtue of experience or age or intelligence, is superior to the other. Of course Lord Damarel has seen a great deal more of the world than Venetia, but as their intellects are equally sharp, this circumstance gives rise to more amusement between them than trouble. Their relationship is certainly one of my favourite romances. With every passing moment that they talk and laugh and discuss things together, you feel more and more certain that these two people were simply made for each other. It’s a lovely thing to behold.
Before Damarel even enters the story, however, we meet his rivals � Oswald, the nineteen year old neighbour to Venetia, and Edward, the man who has for several years considered himself as good as engaged to Venetia, despite having been refused by Venetia and despite the fact that he is not particularly in love with her. To give you an idea of the relative personalities of these contenders for Venetia’s hand, I’ve attempted to represent my reaction to them:
~ When Oswald walks into the room:
~ When Edward walks into the room:
~ When Lord Damarel walks into the room:
Seriously, ladies. You won’t know what hit you.
~ When a man walks into the room, who you think is Damarel and it turns out to be Edward:
The disappointment is indescribable.
Oswald, for his part, is seen by Venetia as too young � at nineteen - to be seriously in love. I think Heyer is playing with a bit of a dangerous double-standard here, as quite a few of her own heroines have been as young as Oswald, even two or three years younger. I do however understand that being able to love rather depends on one’s personal emotional maturity, and by that standard Oswald is certainly far too “young� to be seriously in love with Venetia. Certainly the reader is never under any apprehension that he is a serious rival for Venetia’s affections, and in fact his exploits can be extremely amusing.
Edward, on the other hand, I just want to strangle. He’s the sort of man that is not necessarily stupid or mean or selfish... but with every word that comes out of his mouth you become more and more desperate for a convenient wall to bang your head against to alleviate the boredom and frustration. Or a convenient swing on which to swing around and around in circles... either one will do. He is unbelievably stuffy and patronising, and his arrogance is the more irritating because he isn’t really aware of how arrogant he is. His impertinence extends so far as to try and joke with Venetia and pretend he’s “gone a trifle deaf� when she tells him in no uncertain terms that she will not marry him. (Cue glaring, clenching of fists and stifled screams of frustration - Edward Yardley is honestly so annoying!!)
He is not, however, the only one causing trouble for Venetia and Damarel. Damarel's morally chequered past certainly doesn't help matters, and to replace the upsets and excitements of the city, this novel is so full of meddlers! So many people are utterly convinced they know what is best for Venetia, and have little intention of consulting her before deciding what to do with her life. It is these people that cause the most trouble for the couple. The one glorious exception is Venetia’s younger brother.
Aubrey was certainly not intended as a hero, but in some inexplicable way I found myself falling in love with him almost as much as I was falling for Damarel. Aubrey is seventeen, wonderfully intelligent, entertainingly precocious, and rather touchy about the fact that he walks with a limp, due to a disease that affected his hip joint when he was younger. He enjoys the company of books more than he does most people � save Lord Damarel - and though he can be egotistical and unwittingly selfish, Aubrey will often surprise you by showing the depth of genuine feeling he has for his sister, which is truly touching. He's a difficult character to describe, but anyone who has read about him should understand my fondness for him.
Readers of Heyer's novels will know that they are filled with sparkling wit and exciting twists. Then too, there is always at least one scene where she really uses her writing ability to its utmost and can emotionally destroy the reader in a single chapter. Of course I didn’t know of her habit of doing this when I first read Venetia. However, even after a year of reading some of her other novels, I truly believe this particular scene in Venetia is one of the best she has written. It brings me to tears every single time� and here I must put in a word of praise for Richard Armitage’s narration. His narration is always more than delightful, of course, but here he really comes into his own. The way his tone changes to reflect the complete, heart-breaking sadness is perfect. His voice reflects every nuance of feeling in the scene, and it makes the moment even more powerful.
The audio edition is somewhat abridged, something I was actually grateful for in this case. The original novel can occasionally get slightly bogged down in extraneous detail� and though I don’t generally consider myself a prude, the word “orgy� was used in the final chapter perhaps one too many times for my liking� I believe it was three times in a single page? In any case, I have another reason to be glad of that part being left out of the audio edition. If I had heard Richard Armitage say that word so many times in such quick succession, I believe I probably would have ended up blushing and/or giggling for the better part of a week. Those who know me well know that isn’t quite as much of an exaggeration as it may seem.
In all seriousness, however� inappropriate words aside, Venetia will always be one of my favourite Georgette Heyer novels, and Venetia and Damarel one of my favourite couples. The two of them � and Venetia’s brilliant younger brother � kept me constantly feeling as if I were on the edge of delighted laughter. If you are looking for a wild romp through the Regency world with sword-fights and carriage chases and what have you, this wouldn’t do for you at all. Pick up another Heyer, there are plenty to choose from. But if you are looking for a quiet, wonderful, beautiful novel, Venetia is perfect. If you can listen to Richard Armitage read it to you? So much the better.
July 11, 2014
Venetia is, without question, my favourite of all Georgette Heyer’s Regency Romances, and I’ve been looking forward to this new, unabridged audio version for some time. Much of the story takes place in the Autumn, and I’ve always felt that the book has a corresponding maturity about it, an almost elegiac feel in terms of the beauty of the prose and in the depth of the characterisation. Damerel is certainly one of Ms Heyer’s most strongly drawn � and sexiest � heroes, and the eponymous heroine is an absolute gem; intelligent, loving, practical and totally devoid of artifice.
Ms Heyer more or less invented the Regency Romance, and authors continue to be inspired to emulate her tales of young bucks and lovely ladies as they navigate their way through the conventions of society and the glittering ballrooms of the ton. Venetia is pretty much the blueprint for the tale of the jaded rake who is reformed by his love for a refreshingly open-hearted young woman, and even though it’s more than half a century old (it was originally published in 1958) it’s still one of the best of its kind.
Venetia Lanyon is twenty-five and lives in Yorkshire with her younger brother, Aubrey, who, at seventeen is already a prodigiously talented scholar. Their older brother is away in the army and assumed his father’s baronetcy upon the latter’s death a short time before the book begins. The children lost their mother shortly after Aubrey’s birth, and their reclusive father selfishly isolated his children as well as himself, so that neither Venetia nor Aubrey has much experience of society, and Venetia was never presented at court as was her due as the daughter of a member of the nobility.
When walking out one day, she is accosted and “ruthlessly kissed� by a man she has never met, who turns out to be her neighbour, the rakish and disreputable Lord Damerel. Their initial meeting is one of the many delights to be found in this book. Venetia is not missish or prudish; she doesn’t faint, run away, slap him or scold him, instead she stands her ground, flings as many quotations back at him as he throws at her and ends up laughing with him:
“Who are you?� he demanded abruptly. “I took you for a village maiden—probably one of my tenants.�
“Did you indeed? Well, if that is the way you mean to conduct yourself amongst the village maidens you won’t win much liking here!�
“No, no, the danger is that I might win too much!� he retorted. “Who are you? Or should I first present myself to you? I’m Damerel, you know.�
“Yes, so I supposed, at the outset of our delightful acquaintance. Later, of course, I was sure of it.�
‘Oh, oh�! My reputation, Iago, my reputation!� he exclaimed, laughing again. “Fair Fatality, you are the most unusual female I have encountered in all my thirty-eight years!�
“Yon can’t think how deeply flattered I am!� she assured him. “I daresay my head would be quite turned if I didn’t suspect that amongst so many a dozen or so may have slipped from your memory.�
Their conversation continues in a like manner, and even at this early stage of the book, it’s clear that theirs has been a true meeting of minds and spirits. Both are more than a little smitten, and when they are thrown into each other’s company following an accident, they are able to spend time together which leads to the blossoming of a tender and deeply affectionate friendship.
If ever there was a couple in a romance that deserved to be called “soul mates�, it is Venetia and Damerel. He is charmed by her complete lack of affectation, her vivacity and wonderful sense of humour. He may be a rake, but he is also clever, intuitive, funny and kind, opening up a whole new world for Venetia by filling a need she’d never before realised:
“Why, oh why did I never know you until now?�
“It does seem a pity,� she agreed. “I have been thinking so myself, for I always wished for a friend to laugh with.�
“To laugh with,� he repeated slowly.
“Perhaps you have friends already who laugh when you do,� she said diffidently. “I haven’t, and it’s important, I think—more important than sympathy in affliction, which you might easily find in someone you positively disliked.�
“But to share a sense of the ridiculous prohibits dislike—yes, that’s true. And rare! My God, how rare! Do they stare at you, our worthy neighbours, when you laugh?�
“Yes! or ask me what I mean when I’m joking!�
But Damerel has seen much more of the world than Venetia has, and knows the damage her association with him could cause to her reputation. So when he realises that he’s in over his head as far as she is concerned and that what he had originally intended as no more than a pleasant diversion has turned into something much more, he tries to distance himself from her in a scene that, even though I’ve read it several times, continues to bring a lump to my throat. Fortunately for both of them, Venetia is not going to let love slip away so easily.
Damerel often refers to Venetia as his “dear delight�, and that’s often how I think of this book � a dear delight. It abounds with literary allusion; the writing sparkles and the interplay between the leads has rarely � if ever � been bettered, either by Ms Heyer or any other author since. The romance is simply beautiful and although the book is squeaky clean, it possesses a sensuality not often found in the author’s work.
This new audio version of Venetia is also a complete delight. Phyllida Nash has already recorded a number of Ms Heyer’s works, so I was pleased when I learned that she was to narrate this, as I knew my favourite story would be in safe hands. She has a deep, mellifluous speaking voice which allows her to voice the male roles comfortably, and her narrative is well paced and beautifully nuanced. Ms Nash has a deft touch with the humour in the story, and is a narrator who “acts� - by which I mean if the text says that a character yawns, they yawn, or if they say something “with a laugh�, then the laugh is present in a naturalistic manner. All the characters are well differentiated by use of a variety of tone and accent so that there is never any confusion as to who is speaking. The two principals are just as expertly portrayed, with Damerel being particularly well characterised and sounding exactly as he should � authoritative, knowledgeable and rather sexy.
I’ve been waiting for an unabridged audio version of Venetia to come along for years, and while the wait has been frustrating, it has also undoubtedly been worth it. Regardless of whether you’re a fan of this particular story, a Heyer fan in general, or if you’ve never read or listened to one of her books before, this is an audio experience that’s sure to enchant.
Ms Heyer more or less invented the Regency Romance, and authors continue to be inspired to emulate her tales of young bucks and lovely ladies as they navigate their way through the conventions of society and the glittering ballrooms of the ton. Venetia is pretty much the blueprint for the tale of the jaded rake who is reformed by his love for a refreshingly open-hearted young woman, and even though it’s more than half a century old (it was originally published in 1958) it’s still one of the best of its kind.
Venetia Lanyon is twenty-five and lives in Yorkshire with her younger brother, Aubrey, who, at seventeen is already a prodigiously talented scholar. Their older brother is away in the army and assumed his father’s baronetcy upon the latter’s death a short time before the book begins. The children lost their mother shortly after Aubrey’s birth, and their reclusive father selfishly isolated his children as well as himself, so that neither Venetia nor Aubrey has much experience of society, and Venetia was never presented at court as was her due as the daughter of a member of the nobility.
When walking out one day, she is accosted and “ruthlessly kissed� by a man she has never met, who turns out to be her neighbour, the rakish and disreputable Lord Damerel. Their initial meeting is one of the many delights to be found in this book. Venetia is not missish or prudish; she doesn’t faint, run away, slap him or scold him, instead she stands her ground, flings as many quotations back at him as he throws at her and ends up laughing with him:
“Who are you?� he demanded abruptly. “I took you for a village maiden—probably one of my tenants.�
“Did you indeed? Well, if that is the way you mean to conduct yourself amongst the village maidens you won’t win much liking here!�
“No, no, the danger is that I might win too much!� he retorted. “Who are you? Or should I first present myself to you? I’m Damerel, you know.�
“Yes, so I supposed, at the outset of our delightful acquaintance. Later, of course, I was sure of it.�
‘Oh, oh�! My reputation, Iago, my reputation!� he exclaimed, laughing again. “Fair Fatality, you are the most unusual female I have encountered in all my thirty-eight years!�
“Yon can’t think how deeply flattered I am!� she assured him. “I daresay my head would be quite turned if I didn’t suspect that amongst so many a dozen or so may have slipped from your memory.�
Their conversation continues in a like manner, and even at this early stage of the book, it’s clear that theirs has been a true meeting of minds and spirits. Both are more than a little smitten, and when they are thrown into each other’s company following an accident, they are able to spend time together which leads to the blossoming of a tender and deeply affectionate friendship.
If ever there was a couple in a romance that deserved to be called “soul mates�, it is Venetia and Damerel. He is charmed by her complete lack of affectation, her vivacity and wonderful sense of humour. He may be a rake, but he is also clever, intuitive, funny and kind, opening up a whole new world for Venetia by filling a need she’d never before realised:
“Why, oh why did I never know you until now?�
“It does seem a pity,� she agreed. “I have been thinking so myself, for I always wished for a friend to laugh with.�
“To laugh with,� he repeated slowly.
“Perhaps you have friends already who laugh when you do,� she said diffidently. “I haven’t, and it’s important, I think—more important than sympathy in affliction, which you might easily find in someone you positively disliked.�
“But to share a sense of the ridiculous prohibits dislike—yes, that’s true. And rare! My God, how rare! Do they stare at you, our worthy neighbours, when you laugh?�
“Yes! or ask me what I mean when I’m joking!�
But Damerel has seen much more of the world than Venetia has, and knows the damage her association with him could cause to her reputation. So when he realises that he’s in over his head as far as she is concerned and that what he had originally intended as no more than a pleasant diversion has turned into something much more, he tries to distance himself from her in a scene that, even though I’ve read it several times, continues to bring a lump to my throat. Fortunately for both of them, Venetia is not going to let love slip away so easily.
Damerel often refers to Venetia as his “dear delight�, and that’s often how I think of this book � a dear delight. It abounds with literary allusion; the writing sparkles and the interplay between the leads has rarely � if ever � been bettered, either by Ms Heyer or any other author since. The romance is simply beautiful and although the book is squeaky clean, it possesses a sensuality not often found in the author’s work.
This new audio version of Venetia is also a complete delight. Phyllida Nash has already recorded a number of Ms Heyer’s works, so I was pleased when I learned that she was to narrate this, as I knew my favourite story would be in safe hands. She has a deep, mellifluous speaking voice which allows her to voice the male roles comfortably, and her narrative is well paced and beautifully nuanced. Ms Nash has a deft touch with the humour in the story, and is a narrator who “acts� - by which I mean if the text says that a character yawns, they yawn, or if they say something “with a laugh�, then the laugh is present in a naturalistic manner. All the characters are well differentiated by use of a variety of tone and accent so that there is never any confusion as to who is speaking. The two principals are just as expertly portrayed, with Damerel being particularly well characterised and sounding exactly as he should � authoritative, knowledgeable and rather sexy.
I’ve been waiting for an unabridged audio version of Venetia to come along for years, and while the wait has been frustrating, it has also undoubtedly been worth it. Regardless of whether you’re a fan of this particular story, a Heyer fan in general, or if you’ve never read or listened to one of her books before, this is an audio experience that’s sure to enchant.
June 8, 2022
3.5 �
This may have been a reasonable sentiment in Regency England. But published in 1958, and it pleasingly reflected a modern sensibility regarding female independence.
What a shame then that 25 year old Venetia lives a very reclusive life in Yorkshire. While her younger brother Sir Conway Lanyon lingers on the Continent with the Army, he has blithely placed all the estate responsibilities upon Venetia's capable shoulders. Tasked also with care of Aubrey, the youngest Lanyon offspring who is disabled, Venetia has all the confidence of the mistress of the household instead of that of a miss-ish girl fresh from the schoolroom.
While wandering on her neighbor's land, Venetia was surprised by Lord Damerel's appearance and brazen greeting. But despite their improper first meeting, sparks fly between them. Their subsequent conversations light up the pages as the other events in this novel are depicted with more gravitas than I've encountered in my two previous Heyer novels.
Their relationship deepens beyond a casual flirtation despite all the warnings Venetia receives about this Rake (yes, with a capital "R"). She has her own mind, and she recognize his generosity of spirit as the Lanyons require assistance.
But as Damerel prolongs his rare visit to his Yorkshire estate, many of Venetia's older friends and family members can no longer refrain from interfering. While Venetia isn't as outrageous as Sophia Stanton-Lacy, she is just as firm-minded and possesses an equivalent level of initiative. I like Venetia a great deal and would question whether she could do better than Damerel if it weren't for their obvious rapport. I also enjoyed how this Regency romance was a strong statement against the patriarchy even as Venetia maneuvered within the social rules of the day to achieve her desired future.
It would be better to marry a man one positively disliked than to remain a spinster.
This may have been a reasonable sentiment in Regency England. But published in 1958, and it pleasingly reflected a modern sensibility regarding female independence.
Venetia had been born with a zest for life ... and a high courage that enabled her to look hazards in the face and not shrink from encountering them.
What a shame then that 25 year old Venetia lives a very reclusive life in Yorkshire. While her younger brother Sir Conway Lanyon lingers on the Continent with the Army, he has blithely placed all the estate responsibilities upon Venetia's capable shoulders. Tasked also with care of Aubrey, the youngest Lanyon offspring who is disabled, Venetia has all the confidence of the mistress of the household instead of that of a miss-ish girl fresh from the schoolroom.
The Wicked Baron, as she had long ago christened Lord Damerel... was considered by the respectable to be the neighborhood's only blot.
While wandering on her neighbor's land, Venetia was surprised by Lord Damerel's appearance and brazen greeting. But despite their improper first meeting, sparks fly between them. Their subsequent conversations light up the pages as the other events in this novel are depicted with more gravitas than I've encountered in my two previous Heyer novels.
"Who are you? Or should I first present myself to you? I’m Damerel, you know."
"Yes, so I supposed, at the outset of our delightful acquaintance. Later, of course, I was sure of it."
"Oh, oh � ! My reputation, Iago, my reputation!" he exclaimed, laughing again.
Their relationship deepens beyond a casual flirtation despite all the warnings Venetia receives about this Rake (yes, with a capital "R"). She has her own mind, and she recognize his generosity of spirit as the Lanyons require assistance.
“I allow you all the vices you choose to claim -- indeed, I know you for a gamester, and a shocking rake, and a man of sadly unsteady character! -- but I'm not so green that I don't recognize in you one virtue and least, and one quality."
"What, is that all? How disappointing! What are they?"
"A well-informed mind, and a great deal of kindness.�
But as Damerel prolongs his rare visit to his Yorkshire estate, many of Venetia's older friends and family members can no longer refrain from interfering. While Venetia isn't as outrageous as Sophia Stanton-Lacy, she is just as firm-minded and possesses an equivalent level of initiative. I like Venetia a great deal and would question whether she could do better than Damerel if it weren't for their obvious rapport. I also enjoyed how this Regency romance was a strong statement against the patriarchy even as Venetia maneuvered within the social rules of the day to achieve her desired future.
September 25, 2019
Here's the thing: This book is one of my all-time favorite books. I've read it so many times by now that I lost count. And yet I never wrote a review, because I could never really find the right words to do this book justice. When I finally convinced to of my good friends to give this book a try, yet another re-read was in order! And guess what, I still love it, and still can't come up with coherent reasons why.
Let's start with the heroine:
"I wish you will tell me some of the things you have done!" "I think not," he said dryly. "I said some of the things you have done!" she exclaimed indignantly. "You can't have spent your whole life getting into idiotish scrapes!" The ugly look vanished as he burst out laughing. "Most of it, I assure you!"
I ADORE Venetia. She is one of the most sensible, level-headed, determined and yet completely loveable heroines I have ever had the pleasure to read about. Whatever life throws at her (and boy does it throw things at her: a terrible, egotistical father who pretty much buries her alive on his secluded country estate, the egotistical brothers who never think about her happiness, the self-centered aunt who doesn't do anything to help alleviate her situation, to name only a few), she somehow remains cheerful and optimistic, never gives up, and always finds a way to be happy with what she has. I truly envy her in that respect. I love how she never tries to change Damerel, how she sees him for exactly what he is, and loves him for all his bad parts together.
Then there's our darling rake, Jasper, Lord Damerel:
"Fair Fatality, you are the most unusual female I have ever encountered in all my thirty-eight years!" "You can't think how deeply flattered I am!" she assured him. "I daresay my head would be quite turned if I didn't suspect that amongst so many a dozen or so may have slipped from your memory." "More like a hundred. Am I never to learn your name?"
I LOVE this man. He comes such a long way in this book, and not because someone forces him to change, but because meeting an innocent little whirlwind who turns his life of debauchery upside down actually makes him re-evaluate his life-choices and accept that he has screwed up and he is not good enough for her as he is. He's no angel, and I love him even more for that. He hasn't been a good landowner or anything, but he does try his best to become one.
I absolutely love his sense of humor! I wish I had someone to trade Shakespearean insults with in everyday conversation...
Which brings me to: the most delicious banter!
"I can't come down that ladder while you stand there watching me." "Can't you? Oh, that's easily remedied!" he retorted, and removed the ladder. It was this impish action which drew the protest from her which Oswald heard. "Fiend!" She said. "Do put it back, and go away!" "Not I!" he replied, grinning up at her. "But it is most unchivalrous of you!" "No, no. On the contrary. The ladder is clearly unsafe."
Oh, the banter. Be still my heart <3 These two are truly equals, if not in education or anything else, but when it comes to wit and humor. They love teasing one another, try to find the most obscure poetry reference to quote and see if the other one recognizes it... I love every moment of it!
This is their relationship in a nutshell:
"As soon as one promises not to do something it becomes the one thing above all others that one most wishes to do!" She turned her head towards her uncle again. "You mean to warn me that he may continue to have mistresses, and orgies, and- and so-on, don't you, sir?" "Particularly so-on!" interpolated Damerel. "Well, how should I know all the shocking things you do? The thing is, uncle, that I don't think I ever should know." "You'd know about my orgies!" objected Damerel. "Yes, but I shouldn't care about them, once in a while. After all, it would be quite unreasonable to wish you to change all your habits, and I can always retire to bed, can't I?" "Oh, you won't preside over them?" he said, much disappointed. "Yes, love, if you wish me to," she replied, smiling at him. "Should I enjoy them?" He stretched out his hand, and when she laid her own in it, held it very tightly. "You shall have a splendid orgy, my dear delight, and you will enjoy it very much indeed!"
There is a reason this is the book I turn to whenever I'm in a slump, or just need a pick-me-up. I love the characters, their determination, the heart and humor, and all of it together makes for one perfect reading experience. If you have never read a Georgette Heyer book, I cannot recommend this highly enough as a starting point!!!
Also, here are the reviews of the two friends I convinced to try this (they both loved it, so YAY):
Lacey's review
Becca's review
Let's start with the heroine:
"I wish you will tell me some of the things you have done!" "I think not," he said dryly. "I said some of the things you have done!" she exclaimed indignantly. "You can't have spent your whole life getting into idiotish scrapes!" The ugly look vanished as he burst out laughing. "Most of it, I assure you!"
I ADORE Venetia. She is one of the most sensible, level-headed, determined and yet completely loveable heroines I have ever had the pleasure to read about. Whatever life throws at her (and boy does it throw things at her: a terrible, egotistical father who pretty much buries her alive on his secluded country estate, the egotistical brothers who never think about her happiness, the self-centered aunt who doesn't do anything to help alleviate her situation, to name only a few), she somehow remains cheerful and optimistic, never gives up, and always finds a way to be happy with what she has. I truly envy her in that respect. I love how she never tries to change Damerel, how she sees him for exactly what he is, and loves him for all his bad parts together.
Then there's our darling rake, Jasper, Lord Damerel:
"Fair Fatality, you are the most unusual female I have ever encountered in all my thirty-eight years!" "You can't think how deeply flattered I am!" she assured him. "I daresay my head would be quite turned if I didn't suspect that amongst so many a dozen or so may have slipped from your memory." "More like a hundred. Am I never to learn your name?"
I LOVE this man. He comes such a long way in this book, and not because someone forces him to change, but because meeting an innocent little whirlwind who turns his life of debauchery upside down actually makes him re-evaluate his life-choices and accept that he has screwed up and he is not good enough for her as he is. He's no angel, and I love him even more for that. He hasn't been a good landowner or anything, but he does try his best to become one.
I absolutely love his sense of humor! I wish I had someone to trade Shakespearean insults with in everyday conversation...
Which brings me to: the most delicious banter!
"I can't come down that ladder while you stand there watching me." "Can't you? Oh, that's easily remedied!" he retorted, and removed the ladder. It was this impish action which drew the protest from her which Oswald heard. "Fiend!" She said. "Do put it back, and go away!" "Not I!" he replied, grinning up at her. "But it is most unchivalrous of you!" "No, no. On the contrary. The ladder is clearly unsafe."
Oh, the banter. Be still my heart <3 These two are truly equals, if not in education or anything else, but when it comes to wit and humor. They love teasing one another, try to find the most obscure poetry reference to quote and see if the other one recognizes it... I love every moment of it!
This is their relationship in a nutshell:
"As soon as one promises not to do something it becomes the one thing above all others that one most wishes to do!" She turned her head towards her uncle again. "You mean to warn me that he may continue to have mistresses, and orgies, and- and so-on, don't you, sir?" "Particularly so-on!" interpolated Damerel. "Well, how should I know all the shocking things you do? The thing is, uncle, that I don't think I ever should know." "You'd know about my orgies!" objected Damerel. "Yes, but I shouldn't care about them, once in a while. After all, it would be quite unreasonable to wish you to change all your habits, and I can always retire to bed, can't I?" "Oh, you won't preside over them?" he said, much disappointed. "Yes, love, if you wish me to," she replied, smiling at him. "Should I enjoy them?" He stretched out his hand, and when she laid her own in it, held it very tightly. "You shall have a splendid orgy, my dear delight, and you will enjoy it very much indeed!"
There is a reason this is the book I turn to whenever I'm in a slump, or just need a pick-me-up. I love the characters, their determination, the heart and humor, and all of it together makes for one perfect reading experience. If you have never read a Georgette Heyer book, I cannot recommend this highly enough as a starting point!!!
Also, here are the reviews of the two friends I convinced to try this (they both loved it, so YAY):
Lacey's review
Becca's review
April 24, 2021
Certainly one of the more sophisticated of Heyer's romance novels.
This one is a top ten favourite, for sure. Loved this one because of the intelligent, reformed rake and his friendship with Venetia's young brother - and how Venetia did not sit back and allow her man to sacrifice their love for her social standing. Go, Venetia!
This one is a top ten favourite, for sure. Loved this one because of the intelligent, reformed rake and his friendship with Venetia's young brother - and how Venetia did not sit back and allow her man to sacrifice their love for her social standing. Go, Venetia!
May 19, 2016
3.5
While reading Venetia I spent half of my time being thrilled (Lord Damerel and Venetia are both wonderful characters) and the other half being frustrated, annoyed and plain angry. There was no middle, people.
On the one hand, you have these two wonderful people. Lord Damerel is said to be every horrible and ugly thing under the sun, but to me he was perfect. He never does anything bad in the book. His actions speak louder than any pretty words could. Although his first appearance isn't exactly something to praise, he could be one of my favourite characters so far. Yes, he had depleted his own fortune but, as he said, they will live comfortably.
I loved Venetia too. She is so refreshingly honest without being too naive or stupid. A couple of times I wanted her to be more rude (some people more than deserved it), but she never allowed those situations to go too far. The one time I needed her to speak up and put the horrible people where they belong, she did just that.
On the other hand, Venetia's meddling family and friends were a bit too much. I hated Edward and the way he acted with her, as if she doesn't know her own mind. Speaking of all those annoying meddling people, I must say I loved every Aubrey moment. Venetia's younger brother was great. Whenever someone needed a put-down, Aubrey was perfect for the role.
Overall, an enjoyable, although a bit exaggerated, story with two wonderful main characters.
While reading Venetia I spent half of my time being thrilled (Lord Damerel and Venetia are both wonderful characters) and the other half being frustrated, annoyed and plain angry. There was no middle, people.
On the one hand, you have these two wonderful people. Lord Damerel is said to be every horrible and ugly thing under the sun, but to me he was perfect. He never does anything bad in the book. His actions speak louder than any pretty words could. Although his first appearance isn't exactly something to praise, he could be one of my favourite characters so far. Yes, he had depleted his own fortune but, as he said, they will live comfortably.
I loved Venetia too. She is so refreshingly honest without being too naive or stupid. A couple of times I wanted her to be more rude (some people more than deserved it), but she never allowed those situations to go too far. The one time I needed her to speak up and put the horrible people where they belong, she did just that.
On the other hand, Venetia's meddling family and friends were a bit too much. I hated Edward and the way he acted with her, as if she doesn't know her own mind. Speaking of all those annoying meddling people, I must say I loved every Aubrey moment. Venetia's younger brother was great. Whenever someone needed a put-down, Aubrey was perfect for the role.
Overall, an enjoyable, although a bit exaggerated, story with two wonderful main characters.
March 23, 2021
5 STARS
Oh, I loved this one. And just to be clear, this was not the paperback, but the audiobook. Again, Richard Armitage. I sure hope he plans to read the whole lot of her books! What a delight to listen to! I must go look for another to start.
“O God, I love you to the edge of madness, Venetia, but I'm not mad yet--not so mad that I don't know how disastrous it might be to you--to us both. You don't realize what an advantage I should be taking of your innocence.�
Oh, I loved this one. And just to be clear, this was not the paperback, but the audiobook. Again, Richard Armitage. I sure hope he plans to read the whole lot of her books! What a delight to listen to! I must go look for another to start.
May 25, 2020
"O God, I love you to the edge of madness, Venetia, but I'm not mad yet--not so mad that I don't know how disastrous it might be to you--to us both!"
Damerel
"You call me your friend, but I never called you mine, and never shall! You remained, and always will, a beautiful, desirable creature!"
Venetia
Damerel
"You call me your friend, but I never called you mine, and never shall! You remained, and always will, a beautiful, desirable creature!"
Venetia
November 12, 2015
At five-and-twenty Venetia Lanyon has never been in love. All her experience with romance comes from between the covers of a book. All her experience of the world outside her Yorkshire village comes from the books she has read. Yet, she does not dream of romance and is content to run her family's estate while her eldest brother is with the Army of Occupation on the Continent. She enjoys the company of her younger brother Aubrey and when Conway returns home and Aubrey goes to University, Venetia plans to set up house for herself and Aubrey. Marrying her neighbor Edward Yardley does not factor into her plans, despite what Edward may think. While out berry picking one afternoon, Venetia runs into the "Wicked Baron", Lord Damerel, her nearest neighbor and the object of village gossip. She's been told that Lord Damerel is a wicked libertine who, on his on his most recent visit, held an "orgy" (wild drunken party with gentlemen and women of loose morals). When Damerel steals a kiss from pretty Venetia, she does not scream or swoon. Instead, she responds with an angry retort and witty quotations from her favorite books. When Aubrey meets with an accident that forces him to recover at Damerel's home, Venetia and Lord Damarel discover an easy friendship that comes from a shared love of literature and the same sense of humor. Even after Aubrey returns home, Damerel remains in Yorkshire long after he was expected to return to London. The so-called Wicked Baron earns the enmity of both Edward and Venetia's much younger suitor, Oswald Denny. Then comes a day when Venetia is forced to think about her future and what she wants for her future happiness. Damerel is forced to confront his own feelings and finds that his original plan has gone awry. What will their fates be?
This is my top Georgette Heyer and one of my top Regency books. I love everything about this book, especially the characters. First we have the unconventional heroine, Venetia, who is neither young nor silly. She's sensible, has a pragmatic nature and a wicked sense of humor. She shares her sense of the absurd with Lord Damerel, which is why I think they make the perfect couple. They fell into friendship first based on mutual interests and personality type. Then they fell into love. Georgette Heyer was more concerned with relationships of the mind "true meeting of like minds" than with passion but this book also sizzles with unstated passion. You can feel the bond between the heroine and hero as their relationship develops.
Many people dislike Damerel and dismiss him based on his reputation alone. This is true for readers as well as characters in the book. If you read the novel closely, you will know that Damerel is not an unrepentant rake or libertine. If he was a libertine, he would have seduced Venetia and been done with it. If he was unrepentant, he would have gone back to London or to his friend's hunting box to carouse. If the reader pays attention, they will note that Damerel's man, Marston notes that his master only drinks to excess when he's bored or really upset. In fact his whole career as a rake began with ONE mistake in his youth. He got carried away with a youthful passion and then was labeled black by all who knew of him. He then proceeded to live up to his reputation because why not? If everyone thinks him so bad then so be it! However, in the few months the story takes place we get to know him quite well and understand that he's sensitive about his wicked reputation. He feels deeply that his family was prepared to write him off. Yes the first time he met Venetia he behaved very badly, but the way it's written we know it's supposed to be funny, especially when Venetia does not behave as a typical heroine in a romance. Her behavior intrigues and attracts Damerel but it takes Aubrey's accident to really bring them together. The ONLY time he gets drunk after the initial "meet cute" is towards the end when he's suffering. If he was an unrepentant rake, he would be drunk a lot more and not care. He wouldn't have been so good with Aubrey or had such a great time exchanging witty banter with Venetia. I think Damerel must be based on Rhett Butler or Rhett based on a GH hero! I disliked Rhett in the movie because he did drink to excess at times and he did not share a true connection with Scarlett (who I hated even more).
Some readers take exception to the "boys will be boys" attitude of the novel but you must remember that the story takes place in 1818 and was written in 1958. Neither time was a great time for women and in the context of marriage at that time, it makes perfect sense. People married for money and power. If a husband and wife had some degree of affection for one another, they were lucky. A wife was supposed to turn a blind eye to her husband's extramarital activities. "Thou shall be discreet" was the cardinal rule of relationships. To be fair, many women also had affairs. At the end of the novel, Damerel is honest about not sure if he can entirely reform and Venetia is fine with that. For one thing, she's bored. Also, she loves him enough to know that his love for her will never change no matter what he does. I think he can be faithful because he'll never be bored with such a good friend by his side and he'll be busy dealing with her brothers and their problems. The relationship between Lord and Lady Steele is nice because he flatters her vanity and she allows him to flirt. They accept one another for who they are and Venetia knows that. She accepts Damerel for who he is and unlike Edward, he appreciates her true self. Thus I think they will have a long, happy marriage.
The plot develops well until Ch. 11 when it reaches a painful turning point. The actions from there until Ch. 20 are difficult to read. I always have a hard time with this section of the novel. Georgette Heyer once again creates quirky secondary characters and Mrs. Scurrier is one of the best. I love to hate her. The plot winds up a little too quickly and needs a bit more at the end.
The plot and the characters truly make this one of Georgette Heyer's best among her many masterpieces.
This is my top Georgette Heyer and one of my top Regency books. I love everything about this book, especially the characters. First we have the unconventional heroine, Venetia, who is neither young nor silly. She's sensible, has a pragmatic nature and a wicked sense of humor. She shares her sense of the absurd with Lord Damerel, which is why I think they make the perfect couple. They fell into friendship first based on mutual interests and personality type. Then they fell into love. Georgette Heyer was more concerned with relationships of the mind "true meeting of like minds" than with passion but this book also sizzles with unstated passion. You can feel the bond between the heroine and hero as their relationship develops.
Many people dislike Damerel and dismiss him based on his reputation alone. This is true for readers as well as characters in the book. If you read the novel closely, you will know that Damerel is not an unrepentant rake or libertine. If he was a libertine, he would have seduced Venetia and been done with it. If he was unrepentant, he would have gone back to London or to his friend's hunting box to carouse. If the reader pays attention, they will note that Damerel's man, Marston notes that his master only drinks to excess when he's bored or really upset. In fact his whole career as a rake began with ONE mistake in his youth. He got carried away with a youthful passion and then was labeled black by all who knew of him. He then proceeded to live up to his reputation because why not? If everyone thinks him so bad then so be it! However, in the few months the story takes place we get to know him quite well and understand that he's sensitive about his wicked reputation. He feels deeply that his family was prepared to write him off. Yes the first time he met Venetia he behaved very badly, but the way it's written we know it's supposed to be funny, especially when Venetia does not behave as a typical heroine in a romance. Her behavior intrigues and attracts Damerel but it takes Aubrey's accident to really bring them together. The ONLY time he gets drunk after the initial "meet cute" is towards the end when he's suffering. If he was an unrepentant rake, he would be drunk a lot more and not care. He wouldn't have been so good with Aubrey or had such a great time exchanging witty banter with Venetia. I think Damerel must be based on Rhett Butler or Rhett based on a GH hero! I disliked Rhett in the movie because he did drink to excess at times and he did not share a true connection with Scarlett (who I hated even more).
Some readers take exception to the "boys will be boys" attitude of the novel but you must remember that the story takes place in 1818 and was written in 1958. Neither time was a great time for women and in the context of marriage at that time, it makes perfect sense. People married for money and power. If a husband and wife had some degree of affection for one another, they were lucky. A wife was supposed to turn a blind eye to her husband's extramarital activities. "Thou shall be discreet" was the cardinal rule of relationships. To be fair, many women also had affairs. At the end of the novel, Damerel is honest about not sure if he can entirely reform and Venetia is fine with that. For one thing, she's bored. Also, she loves him enough to know that his love for her will never change no matter what he does. I think he can be faithful because he'll never be bored with such a good friend by his side and he'll be busy dealing with her brothers and their problems. The relationship between Lord and Lady Steele is nice because he flatters her vanity and she allows him to flirt. They accept one another for who they are and Venetia knows that. She accepts Damerel for who he is and unlike Edward, he appreciates her true self. Thus I think they will have a long, happy marriage.
The plot develops well until Ch. 11 when it reaches a painful turning point. The actions from there until Ch. 20 are difficult to read. I always have a hard time with this section of the novel. Georgette Heyer once again creates quirky secondary characters and Mrs. Scurrier is one of the best. I love to hate her. The plot winds up a little too quickly and needs a bit more at the end.
The plot and the characters truly make this one of Georgette Heyer's best among her many masterpieces.
January 8, 2017
I LOVED this book. It's definitely my favorite Heyer and probably my favorite regency romance. The entire book made me laugh, from descriptions of Oswald Denny attempting to become the Corsair to the many delightful exchanges between Damerel and Venetia, who are a couple that are truly fun to read about. Every character is fully realized, from the odious Edward Yardley (someone I wish I could have shaken!) to the self-absorbed Lady Steeple. This world feels real, and firmly grounded in the right era.
Heyer is the gold standard of regency romance because she doesn't take modern characters and put them onto a flimsy background: she actually writes characters and plots that take place in 1816 England. Venetia is an unusual girl (practically on the shelf, at the advanced age of five-and-twenty), but she's firmly planted in the era and isn't an anachronistic heroine with modern ideas. Heyer's ability to write characters who are slightly outside of the norm, but who aren't marching around demanding the vote, makes her books fun to read. And her knowledge of regency fashion is unparalleled:
I love Venetia, I love Damerel, I love Aubrey, I love every impulse that wars inside Oswald Denny's breast, and I really, really enjoyed this book.
Heyer is the gold standard of regency romance because she doesn't take modern characters and put them onto a flimsy background: she actually writes characters and plots that take place in 1816 England. Venetia is an unusual girl (practically on the shelf, at the advanced age of five-and-twenty), but she's firmly planted in the era and isn't an anachronistic heroine with modern ideas. Heyer's ability to write characters who are slightly outside of the norm, but who aren't marching around demanding the vote, makes her books fun to read. And her knowledge of regency fashion is unparalleled:
The silly pigeon rigged himself out as fine as fivepence, and trotted round to Grosvenor Square looking precise to a pin: Inexpressibles of the most delicate shade of primrose, coat by Stultz, Hessians by Hoby, hat � the Bang-up � by Baxter, neckcloth � the Oriental, which is remarkable for its height � by himself. Add to all this a Barcelona handkerchief, a buttonhole as large as a cabbage, a strong aroma of Circassian hair-oil, the deportment of a dancing-master, and a lisp it took him years to bring to perfection, and you will perceive that Alfred is not just in the ordinary style!
I love Venetia, I love Damerel, I love Aubrey, I love every impulse that wars inside Oswald Denny's breast, and I really, really enjoyed this book.
June 6, 2008
Its said that Georgette Heyer created the Regency romance genre, and future authors used her books as their model. It is my opinion that they used this specific book as a model. At least, the good ones did. This particular book felt much more modern than the other ones, in the sense that I've seen other authors try to rip off this story and its tone in more recent books many many times. But that's because its very well done and very enjoyable. The romance centers on a friendship rather than a real courtship. Its two people, Venetia and her rakish neighbor Lord Demerel, who really enjoy each other's company and are very convincing as friends who eventually realize that they're in love with each other. It doesn't feel contrived in the least. It's not sickeningly romantic, but rather sweet. Also, I love the supporting characters of Venetia's scholarly brother and her crotchety old Nurse. I laughed my way through most of this and finished it in a wonderful, relaxing afternoon. One of Heyer's best, and highly recommended to newcomers to her books (though I still think starting with The Grand Sophy or Cotillion is best).
March 3, 2021
Reread February 2021 (5 stars)
Still a favourite, I stand by my old review 100%.
Read July 2019 (5 stars)
After or maybe alongside "The Grand Sophy" this has so far been my favourite Heyer novel.
I love Venetia as a main character since she is extremely resourceful, determined in pursuit of her goals and bewilderingly patient with the ignorant, meddling and condescending men in her life while still never missing an opportunity to give them a good "set-down", as they say.
This book was also quite different from my other Heyer reads, since the male love interest this time isn't actually the most eligible bachelor but quite the opposite. Damerel is more than a confirmed rake, but actually quite on the outs with society after he ran off with a married woman in his youth. This scandal has come to haunt him for the rest of his life and after meeting and falling in love with Venetia he finds he cannot actually subject her to the consequences of his own past actions that would no doubt befall her as well.
Compared to the romances in The Grand Sophy or Frederica there is much more melodrama and back and forth in this particular relationship. There's a healthy amount of brooding and self-loathing to be found especially with Damerel, but honestly at this moment, after the more subdued romances of my previous reads, that is exactly what I required. Especially since this book steps up the steaminess quite a bit (by Heyer standards mind you) and the characters kiss a good amount more 😉
Venetia and Damerel also have palpable chemistry throughout the book and are beneath it all just genuinely good friends, which is always a plus in my book.
Despite the slight flair for the dramatic, the plot never felt overly contrived to me and there were even some interesting twists at the end that brought some fresh wind to the story.
Overall, this was a fantastic little book especially suited to those readers who love to indulge in a little romantic fantasy of turning a bad boy good every now and then... Or I guess not remain quite so good yourself in the end ;)
Still a favourite, I stand by my old review 100%.
Read July 2019 (5 stars)
After or maybe alongside "The Grand Sophy" this has so far been my favourite Heyer novel.
I love Venetia as a main character since she is extremely resourceful, determined in pursuit of her goals and bewilderingly patient with the ignorant, meddling and condescending men in her life while still never missing an opportunity to give them a good "set-down", as they say.
This book was also quite different from my other Heyer reads, since the male love interest this time isn't actually the most eligible bachelor but quite the opposite. Damerel is more than a confirmed rake, but actually quite on the outs with society after he ran off with a married woman in his youth. This scandal has come to haunt him for the rest of his life and after meeting and falling in love with Venetia he finds he cannot actually subject her to the consequences of his own past actions that would no doubt befall her as well.
Compared to the romances in The Grand Sophy or Frederica there is much more melodrama and back and forth in this particular relationship. There's a healthy amount of brooding and self-loathing to be found especially with Damerel, but honestly at this moment, after the more subdued romances of my previous reads, that is exactly what I required. Especially since this book steps up the steaminess quite a bit (by Heyer standards mind you) and the characters kiss a good amount more 😉
Venetia and Damerel also have palpable chemistry throughout the book and are beneath it all just genuinely good friends, which is always a plus in my book.
Despite the slight flair for the dramatic, the plot never felt overly contrived to me and there were even some interesting twists at the end that brought some fresh wind to the story.
Overall, this was a fantastic little book especially suited to those readers who love to indulge in a little romantic fantasy of turning a bad boy good every now and then... Or I guess not remain quite so good yourself in the end ;)
November 14, 2019
I’m really sorry, but I didn’t liked it� I suppose the story could have been interesting, but the writing style was too confusing for me.
Maybe the above is the writing style for the period, but I had a tough time getting what the author meant� I had to make a grammar exercise: which is the main sentence? Which is the secondary?
Sorry, but when I read I want to be entertained�
And let’s talk about another strange word? Here a lot of characters� ejeculate!!!!
The first time I read it, I thought it was an error, but it kept reappearing!
So, these are the two main reasons, but there’re also others that involve the story itself�
I couldn’t understand why Venetia couldn’t shake off the idiots in her life: Edward and Oswald.
Edward is obviously a mama-boy and also somewhat heard of hearing, because the poor Venetia cannot convince him that she doesn’t want him! Sanctimonious idiot!
Oswald is a young puppy who just wants what he wants, but at least he was excluded from the story much sooner than Edward.
And shell we talk about Mrs. Scorrier? A social climber who just want to take Venetia’s place! Rude and nasty, But Venetia doesn’t put her down even when she went and offend her lame brother!
The problem is that Venetia doesn’t want to hurt the feelings of every person who’s near her, even if they’re making her life miserable! I wanted to yell at her to throw them all out of her life with a good kick on their collective backside!
Now about Jasper� he was the supposed villain here that everybody and their neighbours wanted to remove from Venetia’s life. And I don’t get why� There was some very crooked explanation given by her aunt about his being a rake and Venetia being too virtuous for him, but I didn’t understand it at all� Something to do with her age and beauty and his rakish ways� Mah�
I didn’t find Jasper wicked at all: he was the exact opposite! He was intelligent and nice and friendly. The only one not against him was Venetia’s brother Aubrey.
Aubrey is the most grey-area character here. He’s very clever, but very young and selfish and doesn’t help Venetia in any way. He’s supposedly supportive of her against Mrs. Scorrier, but doesn’t realize that it would be more helpful is he went away.
Now, the issue with Venetia’s mother� Gah� Gah for several reasons: a degenerate mother, selfish woman and idiot to boot. But my biggest problem is that everybody, and I stress EVERYBODY, new that she wasn’t dead, but nobody thought to tell that to Venetia!!!!
I’m really, really sorry, but this was not for me�
Unfortunately there was no possibility of following it up in the accepted mode, and although several susceptible gentlemen inveighed bitterly against the barbarity of a parent who would permit no visitor to enter his house none of them was so deeply heart-smitten after standing up with the lovely Miss Lanyon for one country-dance as to cast aside every canon of propriety (as well as to the horrid dread of making a great cake of himself) and ride out of York to Undershaw, either to hang about the gates of the Manor in the hope of achieving a clandestine meeting with Venetia, or to force his way into the house.
Maybe the above is the writing style for the period, but I had a tough time getting what the author meant� I had to make a grammar exercise: which is the main sentence? Which is the secondary?
Sorry, but when I read I want to be entertained�
And let’s talk about another strange word? Here a lot of characters� ejeculate!!!!
The first time I read it, I thought it was an error, but it kept reappearing!
So, these are the two main reasons, but there’re also others that involve the story itself�
I couldn’t understand why Venetia couldn’t shake off the idiots in her life: Edward and Oswald.
Edward is obviously a mama-boy and also somewhat heard of hearing, because the poor Venetia cannot convince him that she doesn’t want him! Sanctimonious idiot!
Oswald is a young puppy who just wants what he wants, but at least he was excluded from the story much sooner than Edward.
And shell we talk about Mrs. Scorrier? A social climber who just want to take Venetia’s place! Rude and nasty, But Venetia doesn’t put her down even when she went and offend her lame brother!
The problem is that Venetia doesn’t want to hurt the feelings of every person who’s near her, even if they’re making her life miserable! I wanted to yell at her to throw them all out of her life with a good kick on their collective backside!
Now about Jasper� he was the supposed villain here that everybody and their neighbours wanted to remove from Venetia’s life. And I don’t get why� There was some very crooked explanation given by her aunt about his being a rake and Venetia being too virtuous for him, but I didn’t understand it at all� Something to do with her age and beauty and his rakish ways� Mah�
I didn’t find Jasper wicked at all: he was the exact opposite! He was intelligent and nice and friendly. The only one not against him was Venetia’s brother Aubrey.
Aubrey is the most grey-area character here. He’s very clever, but very young and selfish and doesn’t help Venetia in any way. He’s supposedly supportive of her against Mrs. Scorrier, but doesn’t realize that it would be more helpful is he went away.
Now, the issue with Venetia’s mother� Gah� Gah for several reasons: a degenerate mother, selfish woman and idiot to boot. But my biggest problem is that everybody, and I stress EVERYBODY, new that she wasn’t dead, but nobody thought to tell that to Venetia!!!!
I’m really, really sorry, but this was not for me�
November 14, 2021
Venetia would be one of my favorite Heyers if it didn't start with a scene that would meet the legal requirements of sexual assault. Rakish Lord Damerel sees a beautiful girl in a rumpled dress picking blackberries on his land, assumes she is a tenant or country girl, and then
Look, I don't mind my heroes arrogant or rude or grumpy, but assault-y is a different matter entirely. This episode is more or less laughed off, with Damerel chastened only by the fact that Venetia turns out to be gentry (as if consent didn't matter for the poor), but I find it much less forgivable than the thing that established Damerel's reputation as a rake 22 years ago - running off with a married lady of quality. At least she consented.
Damerel improves greatly upon acquaintance, but that beginning is rough. Venetia is one of Heyer's most romantic books in that the focus remains on the couple - no mysteries, comedic hijinks, or attempted murders. And once past that appalling initial scene, it's a charming story of a friendship formed over mutual frankness and liveliness of mind, and of earnest good intentions that end up backfiring before they can be set right again. Venetia, one of Heyer's most forthright and proactive heroines, ends up taking things in hand rather splendidly.
Although I generally dislike reforming-the-rake stories (surely one of the reasons women stay in abusive relationships with men they think they can 'save'), I do like the way the easy, comfortable way these two interact, and also how they both acknowledge Damerel's checkered past without shame or unease:
Georgette Heyer is also queen of the understated burn, and she is relentless here with the socially ambitious mushroom as well as the obliviously selfish. Mrs. Scorrier is a gem of awfulness that anyone who's ever been embroiled in a petty power struggle will surely relate to:
And Venetia's kindly-intentioned but shallow aunt:
0/0 stars for the first encounter between Venetia and Damerel, 4.5 for all of the subsequent ones. It's so close to being apex Heyer, yet it just doesn't start on the right foot.
Venetia then found herself being ruthlessly kissed. Her cheeks much flushed, her eyes blazing, she fought strenuously to break free from a stronger hold than she had ever known, but her efforts only made Damerel laugh
Look, I don't mind my heroes arrogant or rude or grumpy, but assault-y is a different matter entirely. This episode is more or less laughed off, with Damerel chastened only by the fact that Venetia turns out to be gentry (as if consent didn't matter for the poor), but I find it much less forgivable than the thing that established Damerel's reputation as a rake 22 years ago - running off with a married lady of quality. At least she consented.
Damerel improves greatly upon acquaintance, but that beginning is rough. Venetia is one of Heyer's most romantic books in that the focus remains on the couple - no mysteries, comedic hijinks, or attempted murders. And once past that appalling initial scene, it's a charming story of a friendship formed over mutual frankness and liveliness of mind, and of earnest good intentions that end up backfiring before they can be set right again. Venetia, one of Heyer's most forthright and proactive heroines, ends up taking things in hand rather splendidly.
Although I generally dislike reforming-the-rake stories (surely one of the reasons women stay in abusive relationships with men they think they can 'save'), I do like the way the easy, comfortable way these two interact, and also how they both acknowledge Damerel's checkered past without shame or unease:
He even made her laugh, for when she was talking about the delights of shopping in Paris he said: "And for hats of the first style of elegance, Phanie!" which surprised a little trill of mirth out of her. "Yes! How did you know?" she asked, looking innocently up at him.
Venetia choked, and saw a muscle quiver in the corner of Damerel's mouth. But he said gravely: "I fancy I must have heard the name on the lips of some lady of my acquaintance."
Georgette Heyer is also queen of the understated burn, and she is relentless here with the socially ambitious mushroom as well as the obliviously selfish. Mrs. Scorrier is a gem of awfulness that anyone who's ever been embroiled in a petty power struggle will surely relate to:
It was the first of the many hasty interventions she felt herself obliged to make during the course of what she bitterly described as a truly memorable dinner-party, for while Aubrey offered no unprovoked attacks he was swift to avenge any hint of aggression. Since he made it abundantly plain that he had constituted himself his sister's champion, and won every encounter with the foe, Venetia could only suppose that Mrs. Scorrier was either very stupid, or compelled by her evil genius to court discomfiture.
And Venetia's kindly-intentioned but shallow aunt:
The only fault Mrs. Hendred had to find in the news was that the Queen should have chosen to die on the 17th instead of the 18th November, for the 17th was the day fixed for the ball she was giving in Venetia's honour. Few things could have been more provoking.
0/0 stars for the first encounter between Venetia and Damerel, 4.5 for all of the subsequent ones. It's so close to being apex Heyer, yet it just doesn't start on the right foot.
October 3, 2011
I started reading Georgette Heyer when I was a teenager, some thirty five years ago, when my mother gave me Friday's Child and told me she thought I would enjoy it. Since then I have read all the romances, a number of them countless times. They have long been the books I turn to when I'm feeling unwell, a bit fragile, or when it's cold and wet and I need a comfort read!
Just recently I have started listening to audiobook versions of Heyer novels. I did not think that I would enjoy listening to book readings, but I have been acquiring audiobooks to give to my mother, who has lost her sight and have greatly enjoyed listening to them myself. This brings me to Venetia. I still have my first copy of Venetia, a 1971 paperback edition, now showing signs of multiple re-reads. I am currently listening to the unabridged audiobook read by Sian Phillips. (There is an abridged version available and as much as I appreciate the narrator, Richard Armitage, I am sure I would get annoyed listening to an abridged version of such a well-loved book.)
I realized this afternoon, as I listened, that I always feel tears come to my eyes at exactly the same place in the narrative. Feeling weepy is not my usual reaction to reading Heyer. Indeed, off the top of my head, I think that the only other one of her books to have that effect on me is Sylvester, in which a scene towards the end of the book never fails to bring a lump to my throat. Venetia may not be great literature, but in my view it has quiet emotional power, great sweetness and an engaging narrative. It is a book that I have probably read upwards of a dozen times over the years. I am sure that I will read it (or listen to it) many more times in years to come. Venetia is one of Heyer's most likeable heroines and Damerel is one of her most attractive heroes. The minor characters are interesting and even Flurry the dog is beautifully realized! Venetia is definitely on my Top Five Heyer list. Today it's my absolute favourite, but I suspect that's only because it's the one that's engaging me right now!
Update: 5 October 2011. I have just finished a re-read of this novel, as a buddy read with my friend Jemidar. This time I read it on kindle, to save my 1971 paperback edition from further wear and tear. It remains as special to me as ever, my pavlovian response of tearing up in the middle of chapter 15 quite unchanged.
Just recently I have started listening to audiobook versions of Heyer novels. I did not think that I would enjoy listening to book readings, but I have been acquiring audiobooks to give to my mother, who has lost her sight and have greatly enjoyed listening to them myself. This brings me to Venetia. I still have my first copy of Venetia, a 1971 paperback edition, now showing signs of multiple re-reads. I am currently listening to the unabridged audiobook read by Sian Phillips. (There is an abridged version available and as much as I appreciate the narrator, Richard Armitage, I am sure I would get annoyed listening to an abridged version of such a well-loved book.)
I realized this afternoon, as I listened, that I always feel tears come to my eyes at exactly the same place in the narrative. Feeling weepy is not my usual reaction to reading Heyer. Indeed, off the top of my head, I think that the only other one of her books to have that effect on me is Sylvester, in which a scene towards the end of the book never fails to bring a lump to my throat. Venetia may not be great literature, but in my view it has quiet emotional power, great sweetness and an engaging narrative. It is a book that I have probably read upwards of a dozen times over the years. I am sure that I will read it (or listen to it) many more times in years to come. Venetia is one of Heyer's most likeable heroines and Damerel is one of her most attractive heroes. The minor characters are interesting and even Flurry the dog is beautifully realized! Venetia is definitely on my Top Five Heyer list. Today it's my absolute favourite, but I suspect that's only because it's the one that's engaging me right now!
Update: 5 October 2011. I have just finished a re-read of this novel, as a buddy read with my friend Jemidar. This time I read it on kindle, to save my 1971 paperback edition from further wear and tear. It remains as special to me as ever, my pavlovian response of tearing up in the middle of chapter 15 quite unchanged.
March 12, 2015
Oh. My.
After years of ignoring this book on my shelf (I think it's the cheesy '80's cover), I have now found my new favorite Georgette Heyer. Oh. My.
This book has everything! A saucy young lady with an oddball family. A leading man who is just as witty as she is. Meddling neighbors. Meddling family. And scandal after scandal after SCANDAL. Divorce! Secret marriage! Overbearing in-laws! Rakes! Elopements! Squandered fortunes!
Venetia's delightfully witty responses to everyone from her bookish brother to her dull-as-a-brick suitor to her surprise stepfather are priceless. So much fun! I couldn't put it down!
After years of ignoring this book on my shelf (I think it's the cheesy '80's cover), I have now found my new favorite Georgette Heyer. Oh. My.
This book has everything! A saucy young lady with an oddball family. A leading man who is just as witty as she is. Meddling neighbors. Meddling family. And scandal after scandal after SCANDAL. Divorce! Secret marriage! Overbearing in-laws! Rakes! Elopements! Squandered fortunes!
Venetia's delightfully witty responses to everyone from her bookish brother to her dull-as-a-brick suitor to her surprise stepfather are priceless. So much fun! I couldn't put it down!
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