August 16th marks Georgette Heyer’s birthday. In several comments on my book reviews some readers have made it a point to mention that Georgette is no Jane Austen and termed her novels mere romances. Ah, but they are so much more. I love her novels in part because they remind me vividly of the satirical prints that were so popular during Jane Austen’s day. Observe the dandy at left in the print below, then read Georgette’s description of Sir Nugent!
Beside Sylvester’s quiet elegance and Major Newbury’s military cut she had been thinking that Sir Nugent presented all the appearance of a coxcomb. He was a tall man, rather willowy in build, by no means unhandsome, but so tightly laced-in at the waist, so exaggeratedly padded at the shoulders, that he looked a little ridiculous. From the striking hat set rakishly on his Corinthian crop (he had already divulged that it was the New Dash, and the latest hit of fashion) to his gleaming boots, everything he wore seemed to have been chosen for the purpose of making him conspicuous. His extravagantly cut coat was embellished with very large and bright buttons; a glimpse of exotic colour hinted at a splended waistcoat beneath it; his breeches were of white corduroy; a diamond pin was stuck in the folds of his preposterous neckcloth; and he wore so many rings on his fingers, and so many fobs and seals dangling at his waist, that he might have been taken for a jeweller advertising his wares. – Georgette Heyer, Sylvester
Astley's Amphitheatre
Here is her passage about Astley’s Amphitheatre in Cotillion:
Though Meg might cry out against so unsophisticated an entertainment, Mr. Westruther knew Kitty well enough to be sure that she would revel in it. Had it been possible, he would unhesitatingly have taken her to Astley’s Amphitheartre, and would himself have derived a good deal of amusement, he thought, from watching her awe and delight at Grand Spectacles, and Equestrian Displays. But the Amphitheatre, like its rival, the Royal Circus, never opened until Easter Monday, by which time, Mr Westruther trusted, Kitty would have returned to Arnside.
Vauxhall Gardens, Samuel Wale, c. 1751
By way of whiling away the eveing Sherry escorted his bride to Vauxhall Gardens. Here they danced, supped in one of the booths on wafter-thin slices of ham, and rack-punch, and watched a display of fireworks. – Friday’s Child
He complied with this request, backing the phaeton into place on the right of the landaulet, so that although the high perch of the phaeton made it impossible for his sister to shake hands with Frederica she was able to exchange greetings with her, and might have maintained a conversation had she not decided that to be obliged to talk to anyone sitting so far above her would soon give Frederica a stiff neck. – Frederica
A Kiss in the Kitchen, Thomas Rowlandson
‘But if she knew that you do not mind George’s having kissed me -‘
‘But I do mind!’ said Sherry, incensed.
‘Do you, Sherry?’ she asked wistfully.
‘Well, of course I do! A pretty sort of a fellow I should be if I did not!’
‘I won’t do it again,’ she promised.
‘You had better not, by Jupiter!’ – Friday’s Child
Time and again the zany plots and witty conversations in Georgette’s novels echo the Regency prints that I love to study. Yes, she is no Jane Austen, but as an interpreter of the Regency era, she is priceless.
As a birthday gift, please click on this link to read her short story, A Proposal to Cecily.
Jane Austen's World 
Vic,
Interesting take on Heyer, but I find more elegance in her writing that to me lifts it beyond the satirical prints. The heroines are also somewhat modern compared to Austen’s and certainly tell people off very readily.
Heyer wrote during a period when movies were fantastic – and the dialog was wittier and at a faster pace and better written than today’s movies. I find her sense of drama on par with the best of these movies. I just watched the 1939 Man in the Iron Mask on You Tube (full length) and the dialog is snappy with William Warren, the King of the Pre-codes, turning in another great performance.
I agree, Patty. The connection to satirical prints came to me last night. It’s another way of viewing her. I love Heyer’s books and make no apology for reading her novels avidly.
Thank you for this link. Vic
I love Georgette Heyer. I was introduced to her books at about 13 by my mum. She had amassed a lovely collection with a variety of differing cover styles.
Her books are the perfect way to unwind and revisit a time of great elegance. I was born in totally the wrong time.(admittedly, I would have needed pots of money.)
Ever since then GH is the one author I can turn to for a thoroughly good read. Her books are a great comfort to me and also were the start of my love of all things elegant and period (any period, regency, renaissance etc). Imagine visiting a National Trust home and being able to visualize the characters in situ. FABULOUS!
My favourite stories…These Old Shades and Devils Cub. Perfection!
This is great Vic! – makes me want to re-read my Heyers all over again, along side my Rowlandson and Cruikshank!
Georgette Heyer’s dialogue is always a great read! However, her historical detail drew me to look things up, and study history just for fun. Her attention to detail and historical accuracy is so amazing. I loved her books as a teenager for the romance; I enjoy them as much now for the dialogue and the historical notes. Thanks, Vic!
Thank you for sharing the short story on your wonderful blog. I love Georgette Heyer’s Regency novels.
Bonsoir Vic,
J’adore toutes ces belles gravures! Tout est intéressant sur ton blog!
J’aime beaucoup!
Continue à nous informer sur l’époque de Jane Austen!
Bises,
Dentelline
While I love the satirical fun that Heyer pokes at characters like Nugent Fotherby, in my way of thinking her solid sense of history and the witty conversation, particularly among the young men in any of her books, mark her levels above the standard genre writer. And, while most of her romances are genre in format, some of then, like the Alastair trilogy and select novels like Venetia and A Civil Contract move her out of that somewhat suspect category. She will remain a favorite with me forever. Jane certainly has the art, but Georgette is no slouch, worked hard on her backgrounds which Jane ignored, and gave us some 50 books to love and appreciate…..
Thank you for introducing me to someone new. Going to look for her books soon.
Great post!
Vic,
my mother loves The Grand Sophy, the only book I found translated into Brazilian Portuguese.
I just want to thank you for your blog and sharing such a wonderful world with us. I just wanted to share two sites I have just come across. myb you will already know of them.
http://www.girlebooks.com
lots of free books to download, Great on my new phone.
and
http://www.project gutenburg.com
Both sharing many royalty free (FaNTASTIC OLD!) books and options to purchase others.
i HOPE YOU FIND SOMETHING TO READ TODAY! i DID!
Hugs
VEE
PS. I bought G Heyer’s BLACK SHEEP today to add to my collection. 1970’s cover of course. The covers read as a teen stay my favourites!
Hugs VEE
Thanks for stopping by, Veronica. And thanks for the two links. They are fabulous! Vic