[3WL]⇒ PDF The Nonesuch Georgette Heyer 9780099474388 Books

The Nonesuch Georgette Heyer 9780099474388 Books

Download As PDF : The Nonesuch Georgette Heyer 9780099474388 Books

The Nonesuch Georgette Heyer 9780099474388 Books

Egad! The next time I want a period piece, I'll return to Hardy, the Brontes, Thackeray, Austin, etc!

This is a mildly-interesting "Jane Austin-y" story...Extremely-eligible bachelor meets attractive governess who is indifferent to his charms, goofy nobleman with aspiring mother, ruined grand old house inherited by rich young man, etc., etc. So, most of the characters seemed to be "formula" English-Period-romance characters.

This is my first Heyer book, and it will be my last, because several things.:

First, there is an immense, almost "show-offy," amount of reference to obscure elements of the dress, customs, foods, social mores, etc. Of the era. It is used profusely, in an offhand manner, with no explanation at all. Yes, she's done a massive amount of research, and she obviously knows the Period well. I'm impressed. Was that the intent? If I am presented with something interesting about an era by an author, I want the text to EXPLAIN it! For example, she casually mentions that Waldo ties his tie differently and more elegantly than others. How?! What does it look like?! Or, what's all this business about different types of carriages? What do they LOOK like?! Why are they used and/or regarded differently?!

Also, most of the characters seem to me to be presented in the most shallow and sketchy manner. I never really formed a picture of any of them as PEOPLE. And one of the characters, "Tiffany," is so unpleasant and unattractive as to be unbelievable. No amount of beauty would keep anyone as broadly-drawn as she is circled by the host of admirers Heyer constructs.


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The Nonesuch Georgette Heyer 9780099474388 Books Reviews

I've read more than 20 Georgette Heyer books and this is my favourite. While all of her stories are well-written, the Nonesuch is a joy because the hero and heroine are both very likeable and the book is full of whimsical supporting characters. The dialogue is very funny, and contains many 'home truths'.

Unlike some of Heyer's other heroes, Waldo, has no obvious character faults - despite being handsome, incredibly rich and an excellent sportsman, he is not proud, bored, full of angst, an alcoholic or a gamester. The heroine, Ancilla, is beautiful but by no means the prettiest girl in the village, and makes the best of any situation. Each of them shows good sense and humour in dealing with the scheming and spoilt beauty, Tiffany (and in Waldo's case, his disgruntled relatives). So when we get to the inevitable happy ending, we can be fairly confident that they really will be happy ever after.

The Nonesuch places these 2 paragons in an ordinary village setting. There are no arch villains, no dramatic turns of fortune. Instead, we watch them engage in the delicate task of steering Tiffany and the young Lord Lindeth (Waldo's favourite nephew) away from making poor choices. While Ancilla, as Tiffany's governess/companion, works to persuade her to behave better because it is in her own interest (since it is useless to appeal to Tiffany's better nature), Waldo encourages Tiffany to expose her character in front of Lindeth. The other supporting characters add humour to the situation and make the book a joy to read.
One of the Heyers that I've read a few times but it's not among her best. I really liked Waldo Hawkridge and Ancilla Trent and some of the supporting characters. I could have stood a bit less of the unlikable Tiffany, but she was the catalyst for much of the story development so maybe that wasn't possible. I love Heyer's writing and there was enjoyment to be found there but I would have welcomed one or two comical characters to add a bit more of the savor Heyer is known for, like a Lord Bromford or an Augustus Fawnhope or even a Claud Darracott. The ending seemed very abrupt, especially coming so quickly on the heels of the protagonists working out the miscommunication problem that had separated them, and it's a big part of why this story earned a lower rating.
I've read this and listened to it a couple times, and I like it, but don't love it. This time while I was listening to the audio, I focussed on what bothers me and it's definitely Tiffany! As a secondary character, there's way too much of her and she's incredibly annoying! Have you seen the original Willie Wonka movie, with Varuka stamping her foot and screaming "I want a golden goose!" That's Tiffany in this book. Spoiled rotten, terrible temper which she uses to control the household and get what she wants with absolutely no regard for others' feelings or comfort. She's horrible. I get tired of reading about her.

Sir Waldo is a fine hero, handsome, talented and rich. But he's kind of the strong, silent type and we always seem to be kept at a distance. I preferred his good natured, younger cousin with his open, confiding manners. Fortunately he's prominently featured and gets his own romance in the book. Ancilla is one of my favorite types of heroines - attractive, mature, competent and gracious. This is a good book, but it never wows me and the only strong emotion it illicits is annoyance at Tiffany.
Many many many years ago my sister-in-law was addicted to Georgette Heyer books. She worked in a book store, owned every one her works and drove me nuts trying to get me to read one. I refused.

A month ago I was stuck somewhere with no car and no books. Laugh, if you must but this is my version of the 7th circle in the house of the devil! I was in a panic. There, on a dusty shelf was a single novel The Nonesuch. I had a niggling feeling that karma might be real and maybe didn't always wait 'till you were dead. And it was, of course, a book - my cocaine. On principal I waited as long as I could before I just grabbed it and started to read. Well!

Admitting nothing, I can only write that I am ever so happy that these books are easily available. I intend to read every single one. Of course, there is no reason for me to mention to anyone how completely, idiotically wrong I was. "For no one now lives... who remembers."
Egad! The next time I want a period piece, I'll return to Hardy, the Brontes, Thackeray, Austin, etc!

This is a mildly-interesting "Jane Austin-y" story...Extremely-eligible bachelor meets attractive governess who is indifferent to his charms, goofy nobleman with aspiring mother, ruined grand old house inherited by rich young man, etc., etc. So, most of the characters seemed to be "formula" English-Period-romance characters.

This is my first Heyer book, and it will be my last, because several things.

First, there is an immense, almost "show-offy," amount of reference to obscure elements of the dress, customs, foods, social mores, etc. Of the era. It is used profusely, in an offhand manner, with no explanation at all. Yes, she's done a massive amount of research, and she obviously knows the Period well. I'm impressed. Was that the intent? If I am presented with something interesting about an era by an author, I want the text to EXPLAIN it! For example, she casually mentions that Waldo ties his tie differently and more elegantly than others. How?! What does it look like?! Or, what's all this business about different types of carriages? What do they LOOK like?! Why are they used and/or regarded differently?!

Also, most of the characters seem to me to be presented in the most shallow and sketchy manner. I never really formed a picture of any of them as PEOPLE. And one of the characters, "Tiffany," is so unpleasant and unattractive as to be unbelievable. No amount of beauty would keep anyone as broadly-drawn as she is circled by the host of admirers Heyer constructs.