HEYER, Georgette

[BlueMtn]

Okay, don't laugh, and I'm sure these books will date me - but I love the regency stories of Georgette Heyer.  These are not your bodice rippers, but wonderful character driven stories that worked within the universe they were created for.  The supporting cast was also delightful, and even if you knew nothing about the times, you were just transported and could easily get what was happening and why.  Think of Jane Austen - lite!

Some favorites:
The Unknown Ajax
The Grande Sophie
Devils Cub
These Old Shades
The Convenient Marriage
Black Sheep
Frederica

[jikie]

These are not your bodice rippers, but wonderful character driven stories that worked within the universe they were created for.  The supporting cast was also delightful, and even if you knew nothing about the times, you were just transported and could easily get what was happening and why.

True! Heyer's my fallback author, so I re-read her stuff everytime I hit a reading slump.
These Old Shades and Devils Cub are two of my favorite books of all times, but two other personal favorites are Venetia and Bath Tangle.

[BlueMtn]

True! Heyer's my fallback author, so I re-read her stuff everytime I hit a reading slump.
These Old Shades and Devils Cub are two of my favorite books of all times, but two other personal favorites are Venetia and Bath Tangle.

Yes!  If you want to just feel good and lose oneself in witty dialogue I'll add to your list:  Black Sheep, The Grand Sophy, Frederica, The Convenient Marriage,  The Corinthian, The Nonesuch, The Unknown Ajax   

[Marirra]

No, reading those books has nothing to do with a certain age. I am 21 and read & enjoy them. When I was 14 my mother read The Grande Sophy to me in one night. She had all the books, too, so in the following weeks I submerged in this world. Somehow they are comforting. And I really enjoy the conversations in the books. Yes, I know it's crazy, but I doo 

[BlueMtn]

I first read Georgette Heyer as a teenager, and that was many decades ago.  They have stood the test of time; I still enjoy going back and re-reading them now and then.  They just have a simple charm and wit that one needs once in a while.

[kitkat9000]

Just happened to notice this this and thought "what the hell".

In 2011, while perusing the new fiction shelf, I grabbed a couple of mysteries written by Ms. Heyer. When I took the books to my Mom (she loves to read but doesn't always want to go to the library) she exclaimed how much she'd loved reading Heyer's Regencies when she was younger and just married. I asked about the author, because my mom was married in 1955...and I didn't really think Ms. Heyer could still be alive. She wasn't. Anyway, the acquisitions dept for my library had pruchased the Heyer books as they'd recently been rereleased. Mom was thrilled as I was able to pick up most of her romances (save 3-4) and all of her mysteries. After hearing her wax rhapsodic about the books (most though not all) I decided to read some of them. At the time I was in a romance mood, and as I love Regencies, started there and ended up reading them all. Some of the books were too silly for words and I hated them, most were okay to good, and about 6 of them made it to my reread shelf. Those I absolutely loved. I'm unable to recall all of the titles, but BlueMtn you listed some of my absolute favorites: These Old Shades, Devil's Cub and The Grand Sophie were the absolute best.

On a side note: has anyone read the book Georgeete Heyer's Regency World by Jennifer Kloester? It's an interesting book that details and defines words, phrases and customs of the era. Ms. Kloester also included (very) brief biographies of some of the most well known and major players of the time. Oh, and according to Amazon she released a biography of Ms. Heyer herself in January, which I've not yet read.