Helpful Score: 1
Written with Georgette Heyer's typical elegance and style, I very much enjoyed this book. It was well paced and intelligent. I would perhaps have enjoyed having the hero and heroine spend a little more time together, but that is a small quibble when permitted to spend a few lovely hours in the inimitable world of Miss Heyer.
Helpful Score: 1
Lady of Quality is a brilliant book, one of Heyer's best and the last she wrote before her death. It is the story of the relationship between Annis Wychwood, a mature lady who hasn't ever married as she hasn't found the right man, despite being offered marriage on numerous occasions, and Mr Oliver Carleton, a brash and forthright man who isn't particularly attractive and has a reputation as a rake.
The book is utterly convincing in showing how these two widely different people come to care for each other. Although Mr Carleton acknowledges that Miss Wychwood is beautiful, it is not that about her that attracts him; she certainly doesn't fall for him because of his looks or manners but something about the way that he speaks to her honestly and that they have a meeting of minds. It is interesting to watch them sparring with each other over his Ward Lucilla's care and how to help her keep out of trouble.
What I really enjoyed about this book was its honest portrayal of the faults of people - particularly Mr Carleton's - but the acknowledgement that people can and will change if the right circumstances arrive. The humorous interaction between Annis and her family members, particularly her garrulous chaperone, are very amusing. The final scene where Mr Carleton storms into Annis's bedroom and throws out Maria the chaperone is everything that women who like masterful men could wish for!
As all Heyer books, this one is chock-ful of fascinating period detail, the language that they use is accurate, and the description of life in Bath in the early 1800s is fascinating.
The book is utterly convincing in showing how these two widely different people come to care for each other. Although Mr Carleton acknowledges that Miss Wychwood is beautiful, it is not that about her that attracts him; she certainly doesn't fall for him because of his looks or manners but something about the way that he speaks to her honestly and that they have a meeting of minds. It is interesting to watch them sparring with each other over his Ward Lucilla's care and how to help her keep out of trouble.
What I really enjoyed about this book was its honest portrayal of the faults of people - particularly Mr Carleton's - but the acknowledgement that people can and will change if the right circumstances arrive. The humorous interaction between Annis and her family members, particularly her garrulous chaperone, are very amusing. The final scene where Mr Carleton storms into Annis's bedroom and throws out Maria the chaperone is everything that women who like masterful men could wish for!
As all Heyer books, this one is chock-ful of fascinating period detail, the language that they use is accurate, and the description of life in Bath in the early 1800s is fascinating.
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent book with one of my favorite couples. Annis and Oliver gradually come to care for each other in spite of her family and his nephew........the rotter.
Loved the story.
One of Heyer's Regency triumphs - a joy to read and reread, as suitable for a mature adult as the younger reader. This glimpse into a lifestyle that exists no longer underlines the universality of love and all the emotions of the human heart. I adore Heyer's works and this is one of my top 5 favorites!
The Lady of Quality is Miss Annis Wychwood, rich, beautiful, independent, and, at twenty-nine, considered long past marriageable age. She lives in her own house in Bath with an elderly and garrulous cousin, foisted on her by her very correct brother, Sir Geoffrey Wynchwood, to keep tongues from wagging. When Miss Wynchwood agrees to take Lucilla Carlton, an engaging seventeen year-old heiress, under her wing, the arrangement is condemned by almost everyone-her scandalized chaperon, Sir Geoffrey, and Lord Bechenham, her most persistent suitor. The only exception is Lucilla's guardian. Mr. Oliver Carleton, known by all to be the rudest man in London.
I love this author & have all of her books. I have probably read all of them at least 3 times each & will continue to read them forever. The only reason I am giving it up is Because I have two copies!
Yet despite what her sister in law said, beautiful Annis Wynchwood had no yearning for the chains of wedlock. She chose to be free to live her own life as she broke the hearts and dashed the hopes of her legion of lordly suitors. But she had never known a gentleman as handsome, heartless, and hopelessly reprobate as the notorious Oliver Carleton. And when the most liberated lady of the ton met the most unrepentent rake of the realm, icy pride and heated passion joined in a tug of war that only love could win.
A rather short novel from Georgett e Heyer. As always a delightful romp between 2 persons of character. I've been reading these novels since I was in my teens and I am enjoying them as much now as I did 55 years ago.
Good story
You can't go wrong with this one. Regency at it's early best. Truly literature, not romance. My copy has no dust jacket, but it's a beauty non-the-less.
