The Grand Sophy - Book Review

[desertvixen]

 Lest anyone think I have spent my whole day off looking at the Internet, I also finished The Grand Sophy this morning.  It's not one of my absolute favorite Heyer books - it has to get in line behind Cotillion, The Nonesuch, and The Unknown Ajax - but it is high up on the list. 

The heroine, Sophia Stanton-Lacy, is nothing short of a force of nature.  She reminds me somewhat of Cordelia Vorkosigan - not exactly, mind you - but they both seem to share that quality of convincing people that their idea is the right one, at least while they're talking to you.

The hero, the Honourable Charles Rivenhall, is one of the people who takes care of everyone else, even if his methods aren't always the most appreciated.  He's a little stern, a little bent on doing things his way, and he intends to shoulder the load on his own.

The thing I most enjoy about the book is that it really characterizes one of Heyer's strengths, which is making heros and heroines who go together.  Charles and Sophy will do fine together, because both of them have that need to take care of other people's problems.  She'll keep him from getting too distant and stuffy - he'll keep her from going too far.

The best "romantic scene" in the book is not the rather enthusiastic kiss at the end, but the scene in the sick room where you can feel the change between them. 

The book features two rather "managing" female characters - Sophy, the heroine, and Eugenia, who is initially engaged to Charles - and nicely contrasts the difference between them.  Eugenia is cast as a moralizing, judgemental woman who wants everyone to be the way she thinks is right.  Sophy's managing is more pragmatic - her plan to deal with her cousin Cecelia's infatuation with the unsuitable and unreliable poet Augustus is to let Cecelia spend more time with him, knowing that it will give Cecelia a chance to realize that he's not suitable husband material - or to decide that she really does love him.  if she really does love him, Sophy doesn't want to ostracize Cecelia, but to find a suitable position for him to support a wife.  In short, Eugenia wants everyone to be proper.  Sophy wants people to be happy.

There is a section of the book that has been criticized in some places, and that is the Jewish moneylender, Goldhanger, who is portrayed as somewhat of a collection of negative stereotypes.  For the curious, apparently in some editions of The Grand Sophy, including I believe the last last Harlequin mass-market paperback (which I have at home, and how I first read the book), the reference to Goldhanger's "semitic nose" was omitted.  I'm not sure that really changes anything about the portrayal, since just before that, Hubert explains that he was "forced to go to the Jews".  I didn't notice it when I originally read the book, about five years ago.  This time, I knew it was coming, but I can't say it destroys my pleasure in the rest of the book.  It does fit with the period the book was written about, and doesn't bother me in a way something more contemporary would.  Georgette Heyer didn't make up the anti-Jewish prejudice, it was something that was very real in history, and would remain very real until well into the Victorian era.

 DV

Comments

[stoutfellow.livejournal.com]

The thing that bothers me about the depiction of Goldhanger is that, in Chapter XI, we are several times given a glimpse of his own thoughts, and he is every bit as nasty a character as Hubert and Sophy imagine him. That they accept the stereotype is perfectly comprehensible; that he appears to fit the stereotype is less so.

[desert-vixen.livejournal.com]

It's distasteful, I agree, and perhaps makes the point that Georgette Heyer lived in a different sort of society than we do. I think it would be something to point out, but not something that makes Sophy unreadable.

I find that despite all the people who have said they fell in love with Heyer's books as teenagers, I have enjoyed them more as an adult.

DV

DV

[filkferengi]

It's interesting how we converge & diverge on-list. For example, while you and I both put _Unknown Ajax_ & _Cotillion_ near the top of the favorites list, where you swing _The Nonesuch_, I tend to swing _The Toll-Gate_. Where do you stand on _Masqueraders_ & _Talisman Ring_? How about _The Foundling_?

[desert-vixen.livejournal.com]

I like Ajax because of the complicated family relationships, and because in a crisis, Hugo's the kind of guy I want around. I also like how he won't be bullied by old Lord Darracott.

Cotillion does it for me because of Freddy. He's good at useful stuff, not pointless dramatic stuff. Also, the end bit, starting with the confrontation in the Rectory to their kiss in the carriage never fails to cheer me up.

Toll-Gate was enjoyable, but not really memorable. I haven't bought the Sourcebooks edition yet, but when I do, I'll re-read it.

Haven't read Masqueraders, but isn't it one of the Georgian romances?

Foundling is on my list to read. I think Sourcebooks is putting it out in September or so.

Talisman Ring is one of the ones that's grown on me over the years, like Frederica. I like the pairing, because Tristram is useful (there's sort of a theme here) and Sarah because she has a healthy appreciation of everyday drama, perhaps a little too much for Sir Tristram Shield. The Beau makes a good villain - not a stupid one.

I really enjoyed Spanish Bride although I count that more as a historical novel. Infamous Army falls into the same category, although I enjoyed the family connections in that one.

Regency Buck left me kind of cold.

DV

[filkferengi]

It's been several years since reading it, but _Regency Buck_ left me cold, too. I haven't read _Spanish Bride_ or _Infamous Army_ yet.

Freddy & Hugo rock!

_Masqueraders_ is definitely Georgian & a fun romp.

_Foundling_ is one of my favorites. I don't want to spoil it for you, but will look forward to your review with great anticipation.

Have you read _Reluctant Widow_ yet? It's not top-, but is solid second- or third-tier.