Georgette Heyer's The Cotillion

I did something yesterday that I always think about doing, but never, ever do.  I spent nearly all day curled up under a blanket reading a book.  There is a catch, however.  A virus walloped me well and good over the weekend, and I was in the recuperation stage.  Perhaps not the best circumstances for enjoying a book, but reading kept my mind off being generally miserable.  There was something really comforting about picking up the Georgette Heyer book that I started last year and finally finishing it.  I had not gotten very far into the book last year as it was sort of a slow start, so it had been set aside.  Timing was perfect yesterday, though, to read Heyer.

Georgette Heyer's The Cotillion has a decidedly different feel to it than An Infamous Army.  It was much more playful and amusing.  As I was reading I felt like I had been plucked from the 21st century and dropped smack dab into 1800s Regency England.  The clothes, the food, the houses, and especially the language put me in mind of a Regency drama.  Actually I think I had in mind Masterpiece Theatre's Persuasion which I had watched the night before and enjoyed (with a few tiny quibbles).  I just wanted that feeling to continue, so the Heyer seemed the perfect book to pick up.  I didn't actually mean to read it all, but once I started I couldn't stop until I got the end (some three hundred pages later).

The story revolves around Kitty Charing a penniless orphan at the mercy of her eccentric guardian Mr. Penicuik.  He's wealthy, but miserly and has it in his mind to offer Kitty a handsome dowry, but only if she agrees to marry one of his great-nephews.  None seem particularly attractive--Reverend Hugh is rather closed minded, Lord Dolphinton is a bit slow and terrified of his mother, Freddy Standon is more interested in the cut of his clothes than in romance.  And then there is Jack Westruthers.  Rakishly handsome, he's ignored his great-uncle's summons.  Although Kitty gets an offer or two, none will tempt her as the man she's attracted to isn't there.

She's ready to run off to London and try her luck finding a job when she hatches a plan to go to Town in a far more elegant manner.  She manages to talk Freddy into agreeing to a betrothal--but not a real one.  In the words of Kitty, they would only be hoaxing.  Kitty is prepared to be on her own, but first she wants to see London, and the only way her guardian will let her go is with a suitable chaperon.  What's more proper than staying in the home of her betrothed's family.  Once in London she gets mixed up in all sorts of trouble.  The novel is a light-hearted and very charming story with just the right amount of romance thrown in.  Immediately upon finishing it I wanted to go to Amazon and order more Heyer novels, but there are only the two I've mentioned in this post in print in the US.  I'm contemplating ordering a few from the UK (I know I could look for used copies, but the new ones are so nicely designed with such pretty covers...).  It seems like Heyer is a much beloved author and with two of her novels read (and many more to go) I can see why! 

Comments

[Marg]

This was a completely different feel to An Infamous Army. I am hoping to read some more Heyer now too! Not sure which ones, but I do think I can get a fair few from the library.

[Jaimie]

I hope you feel better soon. A virus is no fun. It sounds like a fun way to recuperate, however!
Take care!

[Danielle]

Marg--My library has some, but they also have quite a few that are large print, which I can't take to reading. I wouldn't mind owning some of those nice new UK editions (unless they start getting published quicker here in the US). I liked Infamous Army, but this one was a lot of fun to read--sort of funny and laid back. You'll have to let me know which others you choose! Everyone seems to have their own favorites!
Jaimie--I could feel it coming on last week, but after a day or so I thought I felt better. I'm not sure what happened, but I then felt much worse over the weekend. I probably should have taken it easy right when I felt bad. I'm usually pretty healthy--it's been a while since I've felt this miserable. Thanks for the nice thoughts--I am on the mend now, though.

[Matt]

I have a feeling that everyone over here is coming down with something. I hope you feel better, and take care. :)

Now that you have finally picked it up from last year and finished it makes me want to plunge right into it. The book has been sitting in the house somewhere. Thank you for a lovely review.

[tanabata]

Hope you feel better soon. Your method of recuperation sounds pretty good though.
So how was Persuasion?

[Stefanie]

A nice way to recuperate and by the sound of it, a perfect book to recuperate with! Hope you're feeling better soon!

[Lisa]

Sorry you were feeling bad, but what a great way to spend the day! I haven't read any Heyer, but have heard a lot of people discuss her work. Thanks for the review.

[Dorothy W.]

Feel better soon! I think Heyer is the perfect way to spend a sick day. It's really too bad her books aren't more readily available -- I'm surprised, actually, as they are so good and people seem to like them.

[Andi]

Wow, congrats on a great day of reading, although I hate that it was because of a virus.

I definitely need to give Heyer a try since you enjoyed An Infamous Army and this one so much.

And quibbles seem to be the consensus on Persuasion. I'm not watching it because I haven't read the book yet, but I probably will watch at some point.

[Kirsten]

I've been meaning to check this author out - thanks for posting the synopsis here. And feel better!

[Litlove]

I agree that Georgette Heyer is perfect convalescence material! But poor you, Danielle! I do hope you are feeling better now.

Oh and yes, the new covers are so very pretty. The Book Depository has those cheap posting rates, no??

[jenclair]

Hope you are feeling better. Although the comfort of spending the day curled up under a blanket with a good book sounds great - the virus part doesn't sound like any fun at all.

[iliana]

Hope you are feeling better! At least you were able to enjoy your book. I have this one patiently waiting on my stacks. It looks like it'll be such a fun read. Have you tried mooching any Heyer books? I really would like to read her mysteries but have had no luck finding those.

[Euro Crime (Karen M)]

Yes Bookdepository has free shipping cost to anywhere in the world (amazingly!).

[Danielle]

Matt--It was a fun read. The beginning was a little slow, but it is worth it to stick with it.
Tanabata--Yes, I suggest everyone curl up with a good book when they are feeling a bit under the weather.
Stefanie--Definitely the perfect comfort read.
Lisa--She's a fun author. I don't think I would ever have picked her up if I hadn't gotten a reader's copy initially, but now I am hooked.
Dorothy--I looked at the Sourcebooks website and it looks as though another title is due out in the next few months. I suppose they will slowly be reiussing the books.
Andi--Persuasion is my favorite Austen book (from the ones I've read). And Heyer is a fun read as well.
Kirsten--Hopefully now that her books are being reissued here they will be more readily available and she get a new audience.
Litlove--Very pretty covers. I have been contemplating a Book Depository order...
Jenclair--It would have been nice to curl up and not feel sick, but a book always makes it a little better.
Iliana--That's right, she did write some mysteries, too. I have looked on Bookmooch, but can't decide. There are more copies available from readers abroad than in the US. I'll keep watching, though.
Karen--Thank goodness for the Book Depository. I don't know how they do it, but I had to stop ordering from the UK as Amazon's shipping prices were so high. Now I can do so without feeling too guilty!