Saturday, March 6, 2010

Review: The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer

I have only read one other Heyer so far. People are forever comparing her to Jane Austen or calling her the Jane Austen of her time. She's also credited as the inspiration for today's romance authors. And so I thought I should probably read something of hers. But instead of reading things, I just amassed a large collection of books she'd written. Then a couple of months ago, I finally managed to pull one off the shelf and read it. It was Powder and Patch. And I didn't love it. But I could see glimmers of what everyone told me would be there in the best Heyer novels. So when I was choosing which one to dive into next, I opted to read the one that is listed on the 100 Best Romance Novels of the 20th Century on GoodReads. If there was going to be one that would enchant me like so many people had told me these novels would, this would be it. And it absolutely was. I practically exploded with glee as I read along.

Sir Horace Stanton-Lacy steamrollers his sister into agreeing to keep his little Sophia while he is abroad in Brazil without warning her to the full extent that Sophy has earned her nickname of The Grand Sophy, simply making fond, parental clucking noises and then blowing out the door for distant points of the globe. So the Ombersley family has no idea what a force to be reckoned with they are about to encounter. Cousin Charles has become the nominal head of the family since he has dragged his father out of the River Tick, leaving his uncle as a mostly ineffectual figurehead. Charles has also gotten engaged to a woman who is as staid and uptight as it is possible to be, without a stick of fun or amusement in her. The rest of the family has resigned themselves to having Charles marry her but Sophy is convinced she can show him the error of his ways and get his dreadful fiance to be the one to cry off their engagement as well. As if that weren't enough maneuvering for one miss, she also has a plan to seperate her cousin Cecelia from the ineffectual, mooning poet over whom Cecelia's gotten her petticoats in a knot. Despite all of these plans, the vast majority of the family feels Sophy is a breath of fresh air, with only Charles being frustrated and flying into tantrums over her interferences, at least until he recognizes her for the wonder she is (and even then she frustrates him beyond all expression). Sophy's tactics and maneuverings throughout the novel would have made Wellington proud. She is a skilled manipulator and bends people to her will despite their misgivings. While this makes her sound less than appealing as a character, she's actually charming and fun and out to make life better for everyone around her so she can be forgiven for manipulating things a bit.

Heyer has written a completely and totally delightful heroine in Sophy. Her actions and misdeeds actually make the reader chuckle and root for her ultimate successes. Charles alternates between exasperation and fondness for Sophy and his character sets hers off quite well. Aunt Ombersley is silly and over the top but quite fun as she dithers and dilly-dallies, allowing Sophy to run the show. There is almost a caperish feel to some of the misadventures in here but they add to the rollicking good atmosphere. Zany and sparkling, this is the Heyer who earns such kudos and raves from all and sundry. And having tasted this one, I am eager to read more.


This post is a part of the Georgette Heyer Tour for the Classics Circuit in March. Check the website for other tour stops throughout the month.

12 comments:

  1. The Grand Sophy is my favourite Heyer, so I'm glad you enjoyed it! I'm terribly jealous that you're just starting to read Heyer, that you still have so many lovely discoveries ahead of you: Frederica, Sylvester, The Regency Buck...What fun!

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  2. Great review! I've never read anything by Heyer but I keep hearing good things about her! This sounds like a great way to get started.

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  3. Found you on the Book Blogger Hop. Here's where you can find my blog and contest.

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  4. This is one of my favorite Heyers, so I'm glad you enjoyed it. I didn't like Powder & Patch much, either. Sophy is just so much fun. And the ducklings!! :-)

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  5. I've been known to do that too--decide I need to read an author and suddenly have several of his or her books which I still haven't read. I am glad you finally got the chance to read one of Heyer's books. I haven't yet. I admit to being a little shy of them. I am glad you enjoyed this one.

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  6. Great review. I loved The Grand Sophy also. She is so outrageous and funny. Can I recommend Friday's Child for your next read? It was Georgette Heyer's personal favorite and one of mine too.

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  7. I'm glad you liked it, since I was one of the many recommending it.

    You could read Venetia next; I think it fits in with your sex theme. It's one of the few Heyers where you can imagine the characters doing it.

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  8. Good review! I read The Grand Sophy last year, and was surprised by how much I liked Sophy--I'm not sure why I expected to be irritated by her, but like you, I found her refreshing.

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  9. I am so glad you enjoyed your foray with Heyer for the tour! I'll admit to not liking the book I chose, but I would definitely be willing to give her a second chance. The Grand Sophy sounds like one I definitely need to consider!

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  10. I haven't read anything by Heyer yet, but Cotillion is sitting on my shelf waiting patiently.

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  11. I'm so glad you loved it! It does sound like a fun caper. Although I also didn't enjoy my first Heyer novel, it sounds like I need to give her another chance -- maybe this one!

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  12. The Grand Sophy is a fantastic Heyer novel. You've just gotta love Sophy, and Charles. At first you think he's a stick in the mud but Sophy fixes him right up and brings out the best side of his personality unlike his fiancee.

    You should also read also Friday's Child, Frederika, The Corinthian, Devils Cub, Regency Buck, Arabella, Black Sheep; my god I could go on. GH is a brilliant writer and although the romance isn't overly done, it's enough to make you sigh with happiness yet laugh for the same reason.

    I actually fell out of my chair laughing while reading The Corinthian.

    I've had a love affair with GH's books since I read Devils Cub when I was 15, She's an author that just doesn't get old no matter how many times you read her books.

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