Whenever Karen and I run a ‘club’ year, somebody reads a Georgette Heyer novel. I don’t know how many she wrote, but my guess would be thousands. And every time I say ‘How on earth have I not yet read anything by Heyer?’
I think it’s partly because of the historical fiction angle, and partly because the name ‘Georgette’ is so odd. It’s certainly not for lack of trust in the legions of people who love her. And, you know what, all those people were right. I still haven’t actually read a physical Heyer novel, but I spent the Bank Holiday weekend stuck on the motorway, listening to an audiobook of April Lady read by Eve Matheson.
April Lady was published in 1957, which places it somewhere in the second half of Heyer’s writing career – it’s one of her Regency novels, and I finished it without having any idea what the title refers to. The main characters are Nell Cardross and her husband, the Earl of Cardross, or Giles. She is young and beautiful, from a relatively unwealthy family, and I do stress the word ‘relatively’. Cardross, on the other hand, has money all over the place – but wants to make sure his wife isn’t too profligate with spending, and doesn’t hide bills from him. This is the gist of the opening scene and, indeed, the entire plot.
There is a curious sort of ‘Gift of the Magi’ theme to the central couple: neither knows how much the other loves them. Giles thinks Nell married him for his money; Nell thinks Giles married her for her looks, and for convenience. Nell’s mother – described as having ‘more hair than wit’ – has told Nell to stay undemonstrative, so as not to annoy her husband, and not to question any extra-marital dalliances he might have.
For her part, Nell discovers an unpaid dressmakers bill for £300. She doesn’t think she can take it to her husband – because she fears his anger, but mostly because she fears it will confirm his belief that she is mercenary.
And so much of April Lady is Nell’s attempts to get her hands on the money without Giles knowing – and without taking the advice of her exuberant, funny, and mildly immoral brother Dysart. (His suggestions include selling her marital jewellery and making fakes, ordering more dresses to keep the dressmaker busy, and even dabbling as a highwayman.)
As I listened, I expected this to be the opening scene to a much more complex plot – but this is what sustains the whole novel. There is a parallel plot with Cardross’s sister Letty. who reminded me a lot of Lydia Bennet with her impetuousness and high drama – she is yearning to marry Mr Allendale before he heads to Brazil, but needs her brother’s permission. These two plots cleverly overlap, but Heyer is brilliant at sustaining this central motivation throughout April Lady, without flagging.
My favourite thing about the novel is how delightful all the characters are. Nell is perhaps a little too straitlaced to be truly entertaining, but I adored her wastrel brother, her impulsive sister-in-law, and her witty, calm husband. He might be the villain of the piece in another writer’s hands, but he reminded me of a kinder Mr Bennet – teasing people, especially his sister, while implacable in his own choices.
And, gosh, this novel is funny. I laughed a lot in the car – my favourite bit being a friend of Letty’s who has rehearsed various dramatic speeches about never giving away Letty’s secret plan, only nobody else seems to give her cues or react as she would like.
Ultimately, of course, all ends well and everything is explained – but not before some misunderstandings and complications come along. I genuinely cared about the happiness of these characters, though never felt a moment’s anxiety that the happy ending might not come.
I’ve used two Austen comparisons already, and I think any comparisons that have been made between Heyer and Austen are justified – at least to an extent. Heyer’s plot is not as keenly plotted as Austen’s, nor her characters in April Lady quite as immortal, but it was a truly wonderful read that exceeded my fairly high expectations. My first Heyer, but definitely not my last.
At last! A great review of an underappreciated writer. Heyer is wonderful and I love the novels I’ve read (admittedly confined to the Regency ones; I’ve not done the mysteries or the “straight” historical fiction — think there’s one of the latter about Waterloo). Heyer is a wonderful writer and her Regency novels are leagues beyond the average product of the romantic genre to which they’re usually assigned. Her plots are gossamer light (so are Saki’s, frequently. Think Unbearable Bassington) but you don’t read her novels for plot! I agree that the comparison to Austen isn’t totally wide of the mark. Although (as you note), her characters aren’t as well developed (I never have the impression, as I do with Austen, that Heyer’s characters or the world they live in ever actually existed) she has the same sense of comedic timing and an incredible way with dialogue, which can be very witty . I think one factor setting her novels apart is her research; she gives the sense that the costumes, language and setting are all quite realistic, which makes the ridiculous plots all the funnier.
BTW I think The Unknown Ajax is even better than April Lady. Ditto for The Black Sheep.
Thanks! I agree with everything you say – and thanks for the recommendations. I took on trust all her period detail, so I’m glad it is accurate – though it never feels like it is taking over the story and characters.
My English teacher Miss Flint (joint author with her sister of Poetry in Perspective and prose in Perspective if you ever came across these at school) used to recommend Georgette Heyerdahl as a gateway read to Jane Austen for those who weren’t quite ready for the real thing.
Personally I associate these books with illness, the perfect light read when recovering from ‘flu, tonsillitis etc.
Oh yes, I can see they would be great sickbed reads!
Oh hooray! So glad you liked it. I encouarged another blogger to read Heyer’s romances and was ad that she was underwhelmed by The Grand Sophy (which is not actually my personal favorite, but many love it). You will surely also have some you love more than others, but at least your first was a good experience.
I have to put in a word for False Colours, which started me on my own Heyer kick — it’s about a pair of twins and I think you’d enjoy it!
Oo twins definitely sells it to me!
Goodness, I’m glad you liked it. I think the best comparisons to Heyer are P.G. Wodehouse and R. L. Stevenson – it’s the humour of one with the love of adventure of the other. I’ve read these books a lot and think underneath the froth there’s often a lot more going on, but mostly they exist to entertain and are still successfully doing so 100 years after she was first published. If you’re ever at a loose end on a Sunday evening between 7 and 8 the #GeorgetteHeyerReadalong on twitter is fun – we start a new book this week – although the threads might get a bit baffling for someone who isn’t a fan, the summaries of the books are great.
Interesting, I can’t see the Wodehouse connection yet, but maybe I need to read more. And I have only read Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde of RLS, which I’m assuming isn’t the one you’re thinking of :D
Wodehouse in that the main intention is to be amusing, and no, I’m thinking more of Kidnapped, and The Master of Ballentrae end of Stevenson, although Heyer does occasionally make Gothic forays in her romances.
Like you, I don’t think I’ve ever read Heyer, but she was so prolific that there’s usually one of her books for a club. I don’t know that there’s anything for 1976, but I really think I’ll have to giver her a try!
Sadly she died in 1974, so no Heyer for this book club. When you’re in a Wodehouse but with proper romance mood though, look her out
We can both be belated converts!
A Civil Contract is akin to Sense and Sensibility
Excellent!
Now you know what we’ve been talking about! There is lots more fun in store for you.
She’s one of those authors I kinda knew I’d love, but it still took time to get to her… Beverley Nichols was another, and now I adore him.
You have so many good books ahead of you! I have been reading Heyer over and over and over for about 35 years and she never gets old (though I just thought about that number and apparently I do.) A few of my particular favorites are The Unknown Ajax, A Civil Contract, and Cotillion. I might need to go pull one off the shelves and reread it now. It is always a good time for Heyer.
Hurrah! Now, of course, I’ll buy up dozens…
No, no… not Austen. This sounds more Wilde than Austen. One joke, lots of misunderstandings, lots of false starts in trying to make things right, and lots of stupid mistakes. Wilde through and through! Never read her either, but hm… maybe I should.
Wilde is wonderful, but this is much closer to Austen in terms of style. And think of the misunderstandings in Sense and Sensibility!
Awww, I’m glad you liked this! I have read a few Heyer books, and I maybe don’t love her as much as some folks do, but her books are definitely very comforting and nice. Can I recommend The Grand Sophy for your next one? It’s about a whirlwind of a girl who puts everything in order, with great efficiency.
You certainly can, thank you for the recommendation!
Oooh, so fun! I love Heyer, and I can’t wait to see your reviews of others in the future. I haven’t read April Lady, but it sounds like a treat. I always think I’ve made progress in reading the majority of Heyer’s novels and then I discover I’m not even close. Lol
She was certainly prolific!
There’s nothing like a Heyer novel for mere escapism. I haven’t read this one, but it does sound like fun.
My first and still favorite is still The Reluctant Widow.
I tell everyone who reads Heyer this, to the point that I am a bit of a broken record, but if you like audio, I heartily recommend Richard Armitage’s narration of a few Heyer novels. Absolutely wonderful.
Reluctant Widow is a great title!
You talking about Heyer is clearly the most delightful thing I’ve come across this week! I am obviously a big Heyer fan (could not have done ACOB without her) so look forward to seeing how you get on with her other books. My favourites are The Grand Sophy, Sylvester/i>, <Frederica, A Civil Contract, and The Talisman Ring but there are so many fun ones. And if you want more audiobooks, the few abridged ones read by Richard Armitage are superb.
Aw I’m glad, Claire! I was hoping to find one of these in my shopping trip – and they even had a Heyer shelf, but didn’t have these.
I steer clear of anything abridged, I have to confess.
Hooray!! I have loved her since my teens and she’s someone I will always go back to you. You can indeed trust the historical accuracy and although she does recycle plots and plot devices, they are always irresistible!
Yes, a reliable author can get away with recycling, for sure.
I’ve never read Heyer and think I should, particularly after your review and a Backlisted podcast discussion of Venetia. I’m not normally a fan of historical fiction either but I do like funny books with engaging characters. I’ll search out an audio book to try
She definitely gets past the historical fiction prejudice I have!
Over many years, I have collected nearly every book Heyer wrote, from the romances, to histories, to the detective mysteries. I think I may be missing 3 novels to have a 100% collection. I reread Heyer over and over again, and I am looking for the CD audiobook for each title now. “The Reluctant Widow”, “Fredericka”, “The Unknown Ajax”, and “Why Shoot a Butler” are my go-to novels for chuckles and passing an occasional rainy day. I keep them on a handy bookcase because I reread most of them frequently. Anyone who has never read a Heyer maybe should begin with “The Reluctant Widow”. It has humor, mystery, a country setting, a deteriorating country estate, and a big dog.