Georgette Heyer's Cousin Kate

I recently had the opportunity to read Georgette Heyer's Cousin Kate.  The idea of a Gothic Romance presented by the famous Ms. Heyer sounded intriguing indeed.  Then I read what Jane Aiken Hodge had to say about the book in her biography The Private World of Georgette Heyer and I began to wonder just what I had gotten myself into.  I won't go into what Hodge has to say about the book, though she does call it "that odd book".  Apparently Heyer was ill at the time she wrote it and not particularly enthusiastic about how it turned out.  At the time she had been writing her Medieval novel (the historical novel left unfinished at her death that she considered to be her masterpiece), though I should say she wished she could be writing that other novel.  Instead she was writing the sorts of books that paid the bills and earned her a devoted following.

I was a little apprehensive to read it.  It was a slow starter for me, and it has a decidedly darker feel to it than any of her other books I've read.  There is a thread of romance running through the story, though there is a more restrained and hushed feel to it--not the sparkly wit that's so in evidence in her other works.  Heyer deals with far more serious themes this time around, which she wasn't quite so successful at compared to her more lighthearted Regencies. 

Cousin Kate is Kate Malvern who is essentially an orphan at the ripe old age of 24.  Her mother died when she was young, and Kate "followed the drum" as the saying goes.  Her father was an officer and fought in the Peninsular War where she travelled where he did.  Though of good stock, at his death Kate's father left her with nothing but debts, so she finds herself impoverished and must find her own way in the world.  Perhaps that's nothing for us, but for a young woman in Regency England of good parentage and no family or money, she has few options.  She's ill-suited for work as a governess, not having quite the right sort of genteel background and education useful for teaching her young charges, though she's a smart and industrious young woman.  With nowhere to turn she goes back to her old nursemaid who's now married with a family of her own.  

Mrs. Nidd isn't about to allow her Kate to try and find work as an abigail (read lady's maid) or worse as a seamstress.  Surely a lady such as Kate, even in straitened circumstances, deserves a more respectable situation.  So she writes to an aunt of Kate's without her knowledge.  Minerva Broome is Kate's father's half sister.  It's a bit complicated but surely family is family even if there was a falling out years ago.  And Aunt Minerva Broome comes to her rescue takes her back to the majestic family estate, Staplewood.       

Staplewood.  This is where things get a little strange, but when it comes to Gothic novels, strange is usually par for the course.  Kate is expecting to stay the summer and to serve as a companion for her younger cousin, Minerva's only child, Torquil.  Torquil's a beautiful but odd boy.  Her junior by five years, Kate seems to get on well with him--able to soothe his excitable nature.  He suffers from a delicate constitution and often is laid low by terrible migraines.  Due to his infirmities he's never been away from home to study or is allowed in greater Society to mingle.  It seems to suit the family just fine as Torquil's father is also of a sickly nature.  Many years prior Minerva and Sir Timothy removed to the countryside permanently to lead the quiet life.  Staplewood became Minerva's obsession and she turned it into a showcase--a grand country manor that can rival all of the best of them. 

Behind the beautiful facade, however, there's something not quite right about Staplewood, or it's inhabitants.  Everything is quite proper and even elegant, but it's also lacking in warmth.  The more time Kate spends with this new family of hers, the more she realizes that things don't quite add up.  Underneath Minerva's friendly, poised exterior it becomes obvious that she's socially ambitious and manipulative.  She cares for her family, but she seems to care for Staplewood more.  And there's more to Torquil's illness than anyone is willing to share with her.  After a while Kate begins to wonder just why she was really brought to Staplewood.  Kate's one ally is her cousin Phillip who's not welcomed by everyone in the household, which makes for uncomfortable situations.  

As Gothic novels go Cousin Kate has all the right elements.  A menacing country house set on sweeping grounds, strange knocks in the night, locked doors, family secrets, and whispers of madness.  The creepiness is there, but somehow the story still lacked the right tension that I've come to expect in a good Gothic novel.  I hate to admit this, but  it just didn't feel entirely convincing.  There were aspects to the story I liked, but overall it felt a little uneven.  While not my favorite Heyer, it was still an entertaining if unusual read.  I'd recommend this one to Heyer fans who've read a variety of her work and want to try something a little different.  If you're new to Georgette Heyer, I think I'd start with one of her other novels.  My favorites so far being A Civil Contract, Faro's Daughter and Lady of Quality.  Given that Heyer wrote over fifty novels, one that doesn't work so well isn't so surprising.  And I still have lots to discover.  Next up is The Corinthian, which I expect to be a little more up my alley!        

Comments

[Kristen M.]

Great review. Totally the same as I felt. I have actually just started My Lord John (the book she was working on when she died) and apparently it's only one third of the story she wanted to tell. It's a hard one to get into because she uses a LOT of period language that doesn't flow well in my modern brain. We'll see if I get used to it though.

[litlove]

I'm a Heyer fan, but I confess I've never strayed far from the jolly books. I loved Faro's Daughter, and Lady of Quality for instance (and The Grand Sophy is probably my all-time favourite). Still, this one sounds unusual and I'll be writing about Heyer as a mother who really did manage to stay sane and write a great deal! So perhaps I might try it one of these days. It's very good review, Danielle, in that you're clear about its strengths and weaknesses.

[Vipula Gupta]

Thanks for updating the blogroll :)

[Vipula Gupta]

I have read exactly one Heyer book till now - I believe this will be my second one.

[Lisa]

I've yet to read anything by Heyer. It sounds like maybe I shouldn't start with this one if it's that different from most of her books. Nice review.

[Stefanie]

It sounds like such a promising book too!

[iliana]

It definitely sounds "darker" than any of the Heyer books I've read. Do you know if this is the only gothic romance she wrote? I'm curious if any of her other books fall in this category. I recently read some of her mysteries and while I liked them, I didn't love them. I think I much prefer her novels like Lady of Quality or Regency Buck - these are so fun and witty.

[Danielle]

Kristen--I look forward to hearing what you think of My Lord John. It was interesting reading the Heyer bio and hearing about this book, which she loved working on. I know she tried to make it very much of the period, but I'm not sure how I would do with the language either. I think I prefer her more lighthearted comedies, though some of the historical books sound good, too.
Litlove--I think I prefer her lighter novels--those comedies of manner that she was so good at. I'll have to look for The Grand Sophy--that one sounds very popular and was just reissued over here (or is about to anyway). I'll look forward to hearing what you have to say about her--she certainly did manage to have a nice private home life yet she wrote consistently all her life, too!
Vipula--Thanks for letting me know your link had changed. I really need to go through and make sure mine are all working! And I hope you enjoy reading Heyer. I absoutely don't want to put anyone off reading Cousin Kate--it was good, but I just happen to prefer some of her other books!
Lisa--It is unusual compared to her other works. I think you can't miss with just about any of her books, though I think I prefer the lighter ones, and perhaps those with a tad less Regency slang (though that can be fun, too).
Stefanie--It did sound promising and it was good, just not quite what I was expecting. Though I will say Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is my favorite Gothic, and it's really hard to beat her!
Iliana--It was very different than her others, but I'm still glad I read it. I thought I read she had a couple Gothics, but I'm not sure which other one is similar in tone (might be interested in reading it, too). I still have to try her mysteries, but it's the lighter ones that I really enjoy!

[Dorothy W.]

Very good to know a little more about this novel. When it comes to Heyer, I'm likely to pick up whatever I happen to see, and it sounds like this one really isn't the best one for me to turn to next. I'm a fan, but not so devoted I am willing to read the less-successful books. I'm curious to hear about the next Heyer novel you're reviewing!

[Rebecca]

This was actually my first Heyer years ago, and one of my first gothics as well. I remember finding it slightly odd! I'd love to go back and reread it to see how it compares now.

[Danielle]

Dorothy--I loved The Corinthian and will be writing about it tomorrow. Cousin Kate was okay, but it just wasn't really my thing either. I love her more easy going, humorous stories that she's so good at. It's a good thing she stuck to those types more than darker, gothic stories!

[Mike B.]

I should be receiving my first Heyer novel shortly, thanks to Iliana. I've been reading so much about her lately that she's a must read. Much like last year and Colette. Everyone was blogging about her and she became a quick favorite of mine as well. Hopefully Heyer follows suit.

[Danielle]

Mike--I love Colette--and I would love to read more of her work! Heyer is good fun-just pure entertainment of the fluffy kind! I hope you enjoy her as well. Very different than Colette, though I'm sure you know that already! :)