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Charity Girl
Escaping a miserable life under her tyrannical aunt, Charity decides to take her chances with her estranged grandfather in London. Now it’s just a matter of finding him… And as a ‘charity girl’, with no dowry and no options, hope can only get her so far.
But with the help of the dashing and kind-hearted Desford, it seems like Charity’s fortunes might be about to change.
But with the help of the dashing and kind-hearted Desford, it seems like Charity’s fortunes might be about to change.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1970
About the author
Georgette Heyer
257 books5,165 followersGeorgette Heyer was a prolific historical romance and detective fiction novelist. Her writing career began in 1921, when she turned a story for her younger brother into the novel The Black Moth.
In 1925 she married George Ronald Rougier, a mining engineer. Rougier later became a barrister and he often provided basic plot outlines for her thrillers. Beginning in 1932, Heyer released one romance novel and one thriller each year.
Heyer was an intensely private person who remained a best selling author all her life without the aid of publicity. She made no appearances, never gave an interview and only answered fan letters herself if they made an interesting historical point. She wrote one novel using the pseudonym Stella Martin.
Her Georgian and Regencies romances were inspired by Jane Austen. While some critics thought her novels were too detailed, others considered the level of detail to be Heyer's greatest asset.
Heyer remains a popular and much-loved author, known for essentially establishing the historical romance genre and its subgenre Regency romance.
In 1925 she married George Ronald Rougier, a mining engineer. Rougier later became a barrister and he often provided basic plot outlines for her thrillers. Beginning in 1932, Heyer released one romance novel and one thriller each year.
Heyer was an intensely private person who remained a best selling author all her life without the aid of publicity. She made no appearances, never gave an interview and only answered fan letters herself if they made an interesting historical point. She wrote one novel using the pseudonym Stella Martin.
Her Georgian and Regencies romances were inspired by Jane Austen. While some critics thought her novels were too detailed, others considered the level of detail to be Heyer's greatest asset.
Heyer remains a popular and much-loved author, known for essentially establishing the historical romance genre and its subgenre Regency romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 503 reviews
May 18, 2020
Charity Girl is one of Georgette Heyer's later and lesser offerings, but I still found it a fairly amusing and engaging read. Thirty year old Viscount Ashley Desford, after getting chewed out by his ailing father for not getting married to Henrietta (Hetta) Silverdale, the neighbor his father picked out for him years ago ("I love her, but only like a sister," is Desford's excuse), takes off to visit his aunt. She invites him to join her at a small, country ball being held at the home of her neighbors, the Bugle family. There Desford meets and flirts with the lovely eldest Bugle daughter, Lucasta. He also meets Charity (Cherry) Steane, the Bugle's sweet, destitute niece, who lives with them and is bullied and treated like a servant.
The next morning, as Desford is driving his carriage back to London, he meets Cherry trudging along the road. She's run away from the Bugles and is hoping that her grandfather, Lord Nettlecombe, will take her in, even though he disowned her father many years ago. Cherry's mother is dead, and her father disappeared a year or so ago and is presumed dead as well. One thing leads to another, and soon Desford is entangled in a series of misadventures as he tries to help Cherry find a permanent place to stay. Luckily he's able to drop Cherry off at his good friend Hetta's home while he's off scouring the countryside for Steane relatives in an effort to help Cherry.
I avoided reading any spoilers for this book, so it was amusing to try to figure out which lady Desford is going to end up with. I had my suspicions but wasn't entirely sure until Heyer tipped her hand about halfway through the book with a few fairly blatant clues.
Desford is heroic and goes far beyond the call of duty; Hetta is intelligent and clear-eyed; Cherry is sweet and unselfish. There are some fairly funny scenes with various colorful relations of Cherry's. Unfortunately none of these characters is particularly memorable.
Even more than most of Heyer's other novels, Charity Girl is really a comedy of errors/manners (a mix of both) much more than than a romance. What romance there is, is extremely perfunctory, taking up less than two pages. But the characters and witty dialogue were enough to see me through it in good humor.
I wouldn't recommend that anyone except a Heyer completist really go out of their way to find and read Charity Girl. It's rather slow-paced, but I enjoyed it well enough, though it's not going on my "reread someday" list. Don’t expect too much from it and you might find it amusing.
The next morning, as Desford is driving his carriage back to London, he meets Cherry trudging along the road. She's run away from the Bugles and is hoping that her grandfather, Lord Nettlecombe, will take her in, even though he disowned her father many years ago. Cherry's mother is dead, and her father disappeared a year or so ago and is presumed dead as well. One thing leads to another, and soon Desford is entangled in a series of misadventures as he tries to help Cherry find a permanent place to stay. Luckily he's able to drop Cherry off at his good friend Hetta's home while he's off scouring the countryside for Steane relatives in an effort to help Cherry.
I avoided reading any spoilers for this book, so it was amusing to try to figure out which lady Desford is going to end up with. I had my suspicions but wasn't entirely sure until Heyer tipped her hand about halfway through the book with a few fairly blatant clues.
Desford is heroic and goes far beyond the call of duty; Hetta is intelligent and clear-eyed; Cherry is sweet and unselfish. There are some fairly funny scenes with various colorful relations of Cherry's. Unfortunately none of these characters is particularly memorable.
Even more than most of Heyer's other novels, Charity Girl is really a comedy of errors/manners (a mix of both) much more than than a romance. What romance there is, is extremely perfunctory, taking up less than two pages. But the characters and witty dialogue were enough to see me through it in good humor.
I wouldn't recommend that anyone except a Heyer completist really go out of their way to find and read Charity Girl. It's rather slow-paced, but I enjoyed it well enough, though it's not going on my "reread someday" list. Don’t expect too much from it and you might find it amusing.
June 9, 2016
Is this even a Heyer novel?!?! What is this??
Okay, alright, I know I'm being harsh. The quality is there. The gorgeous writing is there. The delightful slang, elegant turn of phrases and general Heyer-feels are there. BUT. Who on earth are those flat, boring, two-dimensional characters??! What the heck is that plot? Where is all the fun? The humour, the sparkle, the wit???? After having read such masterpieces as These Old Shades, Devil's Cub, Frederica, Cotillion, Friday's Child, and basically every single other Heyer novel (except The Corinthian, of which I also wasn't a huge fan), Charity Girl feels like a fraud. We all know the greatness of which Heyer is capable, yet she wrote this?? If it had been my first ever Heyer novel I think I might have liked it. It's well-written in classical Heyer style and there is enough going on for a newbie to like, but to a seasoned Miss like myself it falls completely flat because we all know this is just not the author at her best. Mind you, if this is her worst it's better than most people's best, but still. Having being spoilt many times before, I just couldn't bring myself to like this on very much.
Sure, I like the characters. Miss Silverdale is nice, Viscount Desford is nice, Miss Steane is nice, Mr. Carrington is nice, Lord Wroxton is not so nice, Mr. Steane isn't either, and Lady Bugle and her countless daughters are most definitely not nice. Yay. No one really had any personality, or if they did, we had met them before. They didn't stand out, didn't come alive like in the other Heyer books. They didn't become my friends like they usually do, I didn't cheer for anyone, and didn't care who Viscount Desford was going to end up with, because it seemed so unimportant.
The plot was very reminiscent of The Foundling and Sprig Muslin, but at least The Foundling was a wonderful journey of self-realization and Sprig Muslin was hilariously funny. Charity Girl just doesn't cut it. The story was slow, dragged on, and was even sometimes irritating. The romance was unconvincing in the extreme, and although I liked the conclusion, the whole thing had been so bleh that I didn't care much. Already, I have pretty much forgotten everything that happened in this book. And small wonder, because the "Charity girl" mentioned on the cover isn't that present in the story, the hero disappears for a good chunk near the end, and the heroine only puts in a few appearances too.
So I'm not even entirely too sure what this whole thing was about!
I can't say it was a "bad" book, because it isn't and I still had fun reading it aloud practicing my British accent, but if you're looking to get lost in Regency-land and swoon over a dashing hero and become best friends with the heroine, this one really isn't the book for that. A fluffy and slightly diverting read, but really there are more important Heyers out there that need your attention ;)
Buddy-read with Lori :)
Okay, alright, I know I'm being harsh. The quality is there. The gorgeous writing is there. The delightful slang, elegant turn of phrases and general Heyer-feels are there. BUT. Who on earth are those flat, boring, two-dimensional characters??! What the heck is that plot? Where is all the fun? The humour, the sparkle, the wit???? After having read such masterpieces as These Old Shades, Devil's Cub, Frederica, Cotillion, Friday's Child, and basically every single other Heyer novel (except The Corinthian, of which I also wasn't a huge fan), Charity Girl feels like a fraud. We all know the greatness of which Heyer is capable, yet she wrote this?? If it had been my first ever Heyer novel I think I might have liked it. It's well-written in classical Heyer style and there is enough going on for a newbie to like, but to a seasoned Miss like myself it falls completely flat because we all know this is just not the author at her best. Mind you, if this is her worst it's better than most people's best, but still. Having being spoilt many times before, I just couldn't bring myself to like this on very much.
Sure, I like the characters. Miss Silverdale is nice, Viscount Desford is nice, Miss Steane is nice, Mr. Carrington is nice, Lord Wroxton is not so nice, Mr. Steane isn't either, and Lady Bugle and her countless daughters are most definitely not nice. Yay. No one really had any personality, or if they did, we had met them before. They didn't stand out, didn't come alive like in the other Heyer books. They didn't become my friends like they usually do, I didn't cheer for anyone, and didn't care who Viscount Desford was going to end up with, because it seemed so unimportant.
The plot was very reminiscent of The Foundling and Sprig Muslin, but at least The Foundling was a wonderful journey of self-realization and Sprig Muslin was hilariously funny. Charity Girl just doesn't cut it. The story was slow, dragged on, and was even sometimes irritating. The romance was unconvincing in the extreme, and although I liked the conclusion, the whole thing had been so bleh that I didn't care much. Already, I have pretty much forgotten everything that happened in this book. And small wonder, because the "Charity girl" mentioned on the cover isn't that present in the story, the hero disappears for a good chunk near the end, and the heroine only puts in a few appearances too.
So I'm not even entirely too sure what this whole thing was about!
I can't say it was a "bad" book, because it isn't and I still had fun reading it aloud practicing my British accent, but if you're looking to get lost in Regency-land and swoon over a dashing hero and become best friends with the heroine, this one really isn't the book for that. A fluffy and slightly diverting read, but really there are more important Heyers out there that need your attention ;)
Buddy-read with Lori :)
September 17, 2008
Wow. The first Heyer I geniunely, completely disliked. The plot has been done much better before. By Heyer. Many times. There were no hijinx. Just an annoying search for equally annoying, selfish, awful people who weren't even amusing to hear about. The characters were barely people, and when they were, they were terrible or irritating, with the possible exception of the hero, and that's only because he's off-stage or being perfect the whole book. I didn't want to spend time with any of these people. The heroine is a priggish, narrow-minded snob, as is everyone else in the book. It's incredibly classist for a book about "Charity," and the characters spend most of their conversation talking about which family is better than that family, selfish feuds from twenty years ago, and "bad blood." I have no idea why the hero would care for the heroine. Its never really explained to us, and its certainly not shown, which makes the happy ending somewhat out of left field. The stock supporting characters, who are usually the comic relief... were not at all funny. In the least. The pairings were contrived, the plot progression a yawn, and I have no idea how she filled 300 pages with the vicious nothingness that was this book.
All in all, I've probably read 20-something Heyers. I suppose its a good average that it took me this long for me to really dislike one of her books.
All in all, I've probably read 20-something Heyers. I suppose its a good average that it took me this long for me to really dislike one of her books.
December 12, 2019
After rereading The Foundling & Cousin Kate & having an improved opinion of both, I did hope my assessment of Charity Girl would improve. I didn't expect to like this novel, mind, but hoped to find it an average read. Wrong. Charity Girl is still terrible & owes a lot to The Foundling & Sprig Muslin - both far better books. Reading Kloester's biography it sounds like GH wasn't well when she wrote this & genuinely thought she had written a good book. To be honest I had hoped on her usual diet of dexdrine, gin & cigarettes, she had phoned this one in. That at least would have been an excuse!
Not much actually happens in this book, the hero & heroine spend very little time together & the ending feels rushed. & I have read enough times in GH's works about inn servants not being allowed to handle a hero's boots, in case they put a thumb mark on them! I did like some of the minor characters (most notably Simon) &
Now to proofreading criticisms of this particular publication. (Arrow) Page 164, Peccavi is not in italics, but it is in my old Pan copy. The italics make it clear it's a foreign word. When I first read it I thought it was a typo. Worse, they talk about a bumblebroth in the book, but it's called a humblebroth on the back cover. Very sloppy.
The other GH Regency I didn't think much of was Lady of Quality. I may put off that reread for a while.
Not much actually happens in this book, the hero & heroine spend very little time together & the ending feels rushed. & I have read enough times in GH's works about inn servants not being allowed to handle a hero's boots, in case they put a thumb mark on them! I did like some of the minor characters (most notably Simon) &
Now to proofreading criticisms of this particular publication. (Arrow) Page 164, Peccavi is not in italics, but it is in my old Pan copy. The italics make it clear it's a foreign word. When I first read it I thought it was a typo. Worse, they talk about a bumblebroth in the book, but it's called a humblebroth on the back cover. Very sloppy.
The other GH Regency I didn't think much of was Lady of Quality. I may put off that reread for a while.
October 12, 2009
Not one of Heyer's best, but an enjoyable read. This one is mostly a comedy of manners, and while it's never laugh-out-loud funny, I read it with a smile on my face.
The romance is quite weak, although I was glad that the story didn't go in the direction I first expected. These are not modern romances so you must be prepared to enjoy the spectacle of wealthy gentlemen coming to the rescue of hapless females, but Heyer usually comes through with a balanced match.
The prose does bog down a little when Charity's father shows up. There are rather too many obnoxious speeches from him and too many indignant explanations on the part of the hero's friends. The book is also jam-packed with the typical Regency slang, enough to be annoying if you were to read two or three of these books in a row. I'm familiar with most of the slang by now, but there are still a few mysterious expressions.
The romance is quite weak, although I was glad that the story didn't go in the direction I first expected. These are not modern romances so you must be prepared to enjoy the spectacle of wealthy gentlemen coming to the rescue of hapless females, but Heyer usually comes through with a balanced match.
The prose does bog down a little when Charity's father shows up. There are rather too many obnoxious speeches from him and too many indignant explanations on the part of the hero's friends. The book is also jam-packed with the typical Regency slang, enough to be annoying if you were to read two or three of these books in a row. I'm familiar with most of the slang by now, but there are still a few mysterious expressions.
June 9, 2016
I enjoyed reading Charity Girl very much but this is the first Heyer book I have read that slogged through the middle before bringing me to a delightful conclusion. I am a true fan of Georgette Heyer's clean romances and even though this is not her best offering, I still crossed the finish line with a smile!
More a comedy of manners than a romance, Charity Girl has a buffet of regency slang terms that kept me in good humor throughout the entire narrative. That said, many things crossed my mind while I was reading this book. One of them was that the hero is almost too nice and too absent for much of the book. No, really, he's a great guy and that's a good thing. It's just that in other Heyer romances, the reformed rakes have been much more entertaining. Maybe it's just more satisfying to read about a hero that is willing to mend his ways for the sake of love?
The bottom line is, many readers will be tempted to set this book aside when they get toward the middle and they are nodding off due to the leisurely pace and the characters seem to be going around in circles. Do not be fooled by this! Heyer is shamming you! The ending is not to be missed and by the way, everyone gets what they want in the end! I would recommend this book to anyone who is in the mood to read a regency romp. Is that a thing? This is a very delightful regency romp!!! Someone stop me!!
Buddy read with my friend, Anne.
More a comedy of manners than a romance, Charity Girl has a buffet of regency slang terms that kept me in good humor throughout the entire narrative. That said, many things crossed my mind while I was reading this book. One of them was that the hero is almost too nice and too absent for much of the book. No, really, he's a great guy and that's a good thing. It's just that in other Heyer romances, the reformed rakes have been much more entertaining. Maybe it's just more satisfying to read about a hero that is willing to mend his ways for the sake of love?
The bottom line is, many readers will be tempted to set this book aside when they get toward the middle and they are nodding off due to the leisurely pace and the characters seem to be going around in circles. Do not be fooled by this! Heyer is shamming you! The ending is not to be missed and by the way, everyone gets what they want in the end! I would recommend this book to anyone who is in the mood to read a regency romp. Is that a thing? This is a very delightful regency romp!!! Someone stop me!!
Buddy read with my friend, Anne.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2015
1.5
I'll just leave this as an explanation for myself. I cannot believe the same person wrote The Grand Sophy wrote this.
You never get the feeling of who should be together. One of the positive things in this story is the hero himself. He is rarely with the heroine since he is trying to solve Cherry's problem so that could be the reason.
The rest of them are as annoying as they can get. I neither liked snobbish Henrietta, nor Cherry (one of the dumbest characters I've come across in fiction). Everyone else is either horrible and selfish or simply dumb. Except Desford.
I admit that the beginning of the story is pretty good and funny so there's that.
I'll just leave this as an explanation for myself. I cannot believe the same person wrote The Grand Sophy wrote this.
You never get the feeling of who should be together. One of the positive things in this story is the hero himself. He is rarely with the heroine since he is trying to solve Cherry's problem so that could be the reason.
The rest of them are as annoying as they can get. I neither liked snobbish Henrietta, nor Cherry (one of the dumbest characters I've come across in fiction). Everyone else is either horrible and selfish or simply dumb. Except Desford.
I admit that the beginning of the story is pretty good and funny so there's that.
June 7, 2020
Charity Girl is one of Heyer's last novels, and one of the ones with a more mature hero and heroine--which means the romance is so subdued as to be invisible to some readers. But it's quite to my liking, being about friendship and trust, compatibility and companionship.
Ashley Carrington, Lord Desford, has been on the town nearly a decade and has avoided parson's mousetrap. His parents tried to arrange a marriage for him in his youth, to his childhood friend Lady Henrietta Silverdale, but they were just that--friends--and the plan came to nothing. Now in their late twenties, they both seem content with their single state, though alert readers may question why Henrietta is refusing so many suitors when she lives with such a tiresome mother, and why Desford doesn't like any of her suitors!
On a visit to relatives, Desford meets a young girl, Charity (Cherry) Steane, who is the oppressed poor relation of a harpy who's giving a country ball to begin the process of introducing her beautiful daughter into society. Instead of falling for the beautiful daughter, Desford would rather spend time chatting with the sweet-but-pathetic Cherry. On his way back to London the next day, he encounters Cherry trudging along the road, having run away from the cruelties of her aunt's household.
Readers of Heyer will realize at this point that Cherry is destined to play a pivotal role in Desford's future. After realizing she can't be persuaded to return to her aunt's household, he agrees to convey her to London so she can throw herself on the mercy of her grandfather, whom she has never met. Of course, this plan goes awry, and Desford can think of nothing better to do than to leave her in the care of his old friend Hetta while he scours the countryside for the errant grandfather.
This pursuit takes up much of the story, and both Desford's family and Hetta's get dragged into the mess. Along the way we meet several of Heyer's delightfully outrageous characters, both above- and below-stairs and somewhere in between, and our hero gets a chance to learn something about himself. There are elements that echo earlier Heyer novels, but the pieces are shaken up into new patterns so it didn't feel repetitive to me. I enjoyed the self-possession of the protagonists as they sought to unravel the tangle they found themselves in. The romance won't get you all hot and bothered, but I enjoyed the challenges and resolution.
Ashley Carrington, Lord Desford, has been on the town nearly a decade and has avoided parson's mousetrap. His parents tried to arrange a marriage for him in his youth, to his childhood friend Lady Henrietta Silverdale, but they were just that--friends--and the plan came to nothing. Now in their late twenties, they both seem content with their single state, though alert readers may question why Henrietta is refusing so many suitors when she lives with such a tiresome mother, and why Desford doesn't like any of her suitors!
On a visit to relatives, Desford meets a young girl, Charity (Cherry) Steane, who is the oppressed poor relation of a harpy who's giving a country ball to begin the process of introducing her beautiful daughter into society. Instead of falling for the beautiful daughter, Desford would rather spend time chatting with the sweet-but-pathetic Cherry. On his way back to London the next day, he encounters Cherry trudging along the road, having run away from the cruelties of her aunt's household.
Readers of Heyer will realize at this point that Cherry is destined to play a pivotal role in Desford's future. After realizing she can't be persuaded to return to her aunt's household, he agrees to convey her to London so she can throw herself on the mercy of her grandfather, whom she has never met. Of course, this plan goes awry, and Desford can think of nothing better to do than to leave her in the care of his old friend Hetta while he scours the countryside for the errant grandfather.
This pursuit takes up much of the story, and both Desford's family and Hetta's get dragged into the mess. Along the way we meet several of Heyer's delightfully outrageous characters, both above- and below-stairs and somewhere in between, and our hero gets a chance to learn something about himself. There are elements that echo earlier Heyer novels, but the pieces are shaken up into new patterns so it didn't feel repetitive to me. I enjoyed the self-possession of the protagonists as they sought to unravel the tangle they found themselves in. The romance won't get you all hot and bothered, but I enjoyed the challenges and resolution.
August 6, 2019
2019 Review
At the risk of simply parroting other reviewers on here...this isn't Heyer's best. She's done this plot many times before; none of them come across so dry and uninteresting.
There were a few scenes I loved. The younger brother dealing with the con-man. The last scene with the main couple. The lady-housekeeper. But for the most part...I'd rather read The Corinthian. Or Sprig Muslin. Or that one short story in Pistols For Two.
At first I could not figure out why this one failed but I think it comes down to the fact that the main three characters don't interact. Charity/Cherry meets Lord Desford for a few chapters and then they don't see each other till the end. Henrietta takes charge of Charity/Cherry but we never see them interact. We only read of Henrietta worrying about her. And finally, Lord Desford pops by to chat with Henrietta once or twice but their conversations never last long.
It becomes a story where three characters do their own thing and in the case of Lord Desford, their own thing means lots of talk about hitching up horses and dashing uncomfortably across the country.
Which is too bad because Desford certainly has potential and I loved him with Henrietta. I wanted more.
2013 Review
Loved the main couple, didn't care much for the runaway girl
At the risk of simply parroting other reviewers on here...this isn't Heyer's best. She's done this plot many times before; none of them come across so dry and uninteresting.
There were a few scenes I loved. The younger brother dealing with the con-man. The last scene with the main couple. The lady-housekeeper. But for the most part...I'd rather read The Corinthian. Or Sprig Muslin. Or that one short story in Pistols For Two.
At first I could not figure out why this one failed but I think it comes down to the fact that the main three characters don't interact. Charity/Cherry meets Lord Desford for a few chapters and then they don't see each other till the end. Henrietta takes charge of Charity/Cherry but we never see them interact. We only read of Henrietta worrying about her. And finally, Lord Desford pops by to chat with Henrietta once or twice but their conversations never last long.
It becomes a story where three characters do their own thing and in the case of Lord Desford, their own thing means lots of talk about hitching up horses and dashing uncomfortably across the country.
Which is too bad because Desford certainly has potential and I loved him with Henrietta. I wanted more.
2013 Review
Loved the main couple, didn't care much for the runaway girl
October 22, 2013
Like Sprigged Muslin, which has GH's wit and carefully crafted characters but little romance, this story involved the hero, a viscount and heir to a title, becoming entangled with a secondary character, the charity girl of the title, who is not his love interest. He spends much of his time apart from the one with whom he belongs in his effort to help the young girl who was cursed with a louse of a father who's absconded to the continent years ago and is presumed dead. He feels honor bound to help her escape being a drudge for no pay in her tightwad, disapproving aunt's house to a suitable situation. In doing this, he is embroiled in the circumstances, relies on his dear friend next door, but spends most of his time away from her.
It's a well-crafted story but, like Sprigged Muslin, isn't much of a romance. It's more a comedy of errors, with intrigues, lost relatives returning to raise a ruckus over Cherry (Charity), and the viscount finally realizing that he loves his neighbor and loyal friend after a lot of roundaboutations.
I listened to the audiobook of this simply because Daniel Philpott read it, he of the extraordinarily wonderful reading of The Unknown Ajax. He does an admirable job here, too, though there are fewer opportunities to bring diverse characters to life as in TUA. Sadly, it was the story itself that fell flat for me. At least with Sprigged Muslin, the secondary character is very funny while stealing the show. Here, Charity is always on the verge of tears and a semi-ninny.
It's a well-crafted story but, like Sprigged Muslin, isn't much of a romance. It's more a comedy of errors, with intrigues, lost relatives returning to raise a ruckus over Cherry (Charity), and the viscount finally realizing that he loves his neighbor and loyal friend after a lot of roundaboutations.
I listened to the audiobook of this simply because Daniel Philpott read it, he of the extraordinarily wonderful reading of The Unknown Ajax. He does an admirable job here, too, though there are fewer opportunities to bring diverse characters to life as in TUA. Sadly, it was the story itself that fell flat for me. At least with Sprigged Muslin, the secondary character is very funny while stealing the show. Here, Charity is always on the verge of tears and a semi-ninny.
June 7, 2020
Another enjoyable read from Heyer but not one of her best I think. Other than Des running around the country like a headless chicken, not a lot happens. It's much more dialogue than action but the dialogue is brilliant as usual.
This is one where the 'romance' almost happens off the page. It's insinuated and early on we realise that but is keeping it to herself.
I like Des. A good man who does all he can in his power to help people in need.
Lady Silverdale is one of the most self centered people ever and would give you the vapors just having to read about her. The introduction of livened it up towards the end as it had a danger of falling flat.
All in all a good read.
This is one where the 'romance' almost happens off the page. It's insinuated and early on we realise that but is keeping it to herself.
I like Des. A good man who does all he can in his power to help people in need.
Lady Silverdale is one of the most self centered people ever and would give you the vapors just having to read about her. The introduction of livened it up towards the end as it had a danger of falling flat.
All in all a good read.
March 24, 2024
Right book, right time. It took me a little while to get into the story via audiobook but then the story absolutely took off! The narrator, Daniel Philpott, did a super job with the voices. If I had read this earlier in my Georgette Heyer reading days, I think I would have been fooled by the plot but I’m onto her now, and I thought the way she ends the story is perfect. So satisfying. This was such a fun romp and made my cooking, cleaning, and laundry folding so much more fun.
September 28, 2017
A fine, good Heyer's Regency novel. One of shorter. One of her last and I could have seen her professional pen here. One may say: Good job.
Yes, I have noticed many similarities with her other stories, e.g. 'The Foundling', but it didn't bother me because I found here engaging characters (Simon was like some splendid heroes from her other romances, Lady and Lord Wroxton had an interesting own story I am sure) and so beloved Heyer's language/dialogues.
In my opinion, this book had also something important to tell. Reading it I was thinking about 'charity girls'. All those girls/women of those times. Girls which hadn't the meaning. As a rule, women had less possibilities than today, but 'charity girls' had even less. I suspect, that many of them would have had better (happier) life if they had lowered their status (getting married with a farmer or a clerk or even working some lighter physical work). But they were slaves of their class.
So, because it was good written (with a deeper level), pure Heyer and I have a nice time - I am giving it 4 stars.
But I have to admit it hadn't a spark. This spark which made some of Heyer's stories simply marvelous, genial. For example: an adventure in The Foundling, Dominic in Devil's Cub, banter in Faro's Daughter, Sophy in The Grand Sophy. This sparkle, which makes that I want to read it again, even before I finish the book.
Yes, I have noticed many similarities with her other stories, e.g. 'The Foundling', but it didn't bother me because I found here engaging characters (Simon was like some splendid heroes from her other romances, Lady and Lord Wroxton had an interesting own story I am sure) and so beloved Heyer's language/dialogues.
In my opinion, this book had also something important to tell. Reading it I was thinking about 'charity girls'. All those girls/women of those times. Girls which hadn't the meaning. As a rule, women had less possibilities than today, but 'charity girls' had even less. I suspect, that many of them would have had better (happier) life if they had lowered their status (getting married with a farmer or a clerk or even working some lighter physical work). But they were slaves of their class.
So, because it was good written (with a deeper level), pure Heyer and I have a nice time - I am giving it 4 stars.
But I have to admit it hadn't a spark. This spark which made some of Heyer's stories simply marvelous, genial. For example: an adventure in The Foundling, Dominic in Devil's Cub, banter in Faro's Daughter, Sophy in The Grand Sophy. This sparkle, which makes that I want to read it again, even before I finish the book.
December 11, 2018
3.5 stars
Ashley Carrington, Viscount Desford has no intentions of marrying anyone just to please his father, let alone his childhood best friend Miss Henrietta Silverdale. That doesn't mean he wants his Hetta to marry just any prosy old bore that comes along, like Cary Nethercott. Why Hetta would be bored in an instant! Then while attending a party at the Bugle household, Des is bowled over by the beauty of Lucasta Bugle. Pity she has an overbearing matchmaking Mama! Des is smart enough not to get caught in THAT trap. However, Lucasta seems to have a cousin, Charity, known as Cherry, a charity girl made to be a household drudge, despite being of an age to come out. Des is quite taken with the pitiful girl and when he discovers her running away from home the next morning because her aunt has made life intolerable thanks to a brief, stolen conversation with Des, he can't help but intervene and rescue the girl. Des proposes to hare off in search of Cherry's old grandfather, leaving Cherry with Hetta. Henrietta Silverdale is still unmarried and caring for her perpetually "ill" mother, yet she doesn't want to marry Des any more than he wants to marry her! Yet when he comes to her with a wild tale of chivalry, she can't help jump in to rescue him.
This is another fun and wild adventure tale from Georgette Heyer. It isn't one of her best but it has it's moments of brilliance. The plot starts off rather slow with a prolonged argument/conversation between father and son that is full of period slang. If I were a first time reader I would have had a hard time getting through that exchange. Heyer really shows off her research here, employing the Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue in just about every passage of dialogue. That makes the story tough to get through. The plot doesn't pick up until Des rescues Cherry. When Des is on the road searching for Cherry's grandfather or joking with Henrietta, the story is a lot of fun. Heyer borrowed plot elements from previous novels and added her own unique touch of tweaking the characters enough to make the story unique.
Sadly, I found Cherry such a dull and annoying character that I did not enjoy any scene with her. She is so boring and so over the top grateful that I wanted to muzzle her at times. I much prefer the lively Henrietta. Hetta is a great character. Another of Heyer's older ladies, Henrietta has management of her brother's estate until her brother comes of age so she's intelligent and capable. I also love her sense of humor. Because she grew up with the Carrington boys, Henrietta does not have any missish airs. She thinks of Des and his brothers as extra brothers and eagerly participated in all their wild schemes and picked up on their conversations and style of speech. She also knows Des well enough to trust him and believe what he says is true. I really like that kind of relationship. She gets a tiny bit silly at the very end but not too bad. Des and his family have such a great relationship. Des knows his parents love each other and love their children and that makes him a romantic. He refuses to marry for less what his parents have and he knows that when his father rants and raves, it's the gout talking and not Papa's heart. The two men are rather sweet together in their own way. It's refreshing to see a normal, loving family. Too many of the Heyeroes are jaded and cynical because they didn't grow up in a loving household.
As always, the secondary characters shine just as brightly as the main trio. Lady Bugle, Cherry's aunt, is even worse than Mrs. Bennet. She also has several daughters with one ravishing beauty but her attentions to Desford are way too obvious and over the top. Then she takes his rejection of her daughter out on poor Cherry. Her treatment of Cherry is just horrid. Her daughters seem to take after their mother. Corinna, whom Cherry thought was her friend, is a sneak and a tattletale. Her actions towards her cousin are reprehensible. In contrast, the Carringtons are a great family. I could easily see Lord Wroxford ranting at his son and then repenting, while Lady Wroxford soothes his wounded pride and smooths things over with the boys. Simon is a typical young man about town. He's carefree and seems like a "scapegrace" to his father, but when push comes to shove, Simon is as full of family feeling as the boring brother we never meet. Lady Silverdale's constant need for attention, her airs and her "illnesses" drive me crazy. I feel sorry for Henrietta having a mother like that! That lady is just awful! It's a wonder Henrietta hasn't married just to escape her mother. Her chief suitor, Cary Nethercott, does seem like a dull sort without much of a sense of humor. He is kind and honorable though. She could do worse.
Of course the real stand outs are Cherry's relatives. Lord Nettlecombe is not worth pursuing! He is so crotchety and so cheap that I believe he would treat sweet Cherry worse than her aunt does. His son is the most colorful character in this novel and one of Heyer's more unusual, but fun, figures. His speech and manner of dress make him laughable. He's shrewd but still a bit slow on the uptake.
If you love Georgette Heyer, this one is well worth a read, but don't make it your first Regency read.
Ashley Carrington, Viscount Desford has no intentions of marrying anyone just to please his father, let alone his childhood best friend Miss Henrietta Silverdale. That doesn't mean he wants his Hetta to marry just any prosy old bore that comes along, like Cary Nethercott. Why Hetta would be bored in an instant! Then while attending a party at the Bugle household, Des is bowled over by the beauty of Lucasta Bugle. Pity she has an overbearing matchmaking Mama! Des is smart enough not to get caught in THAT trap. However, Lucasta seems to have a cousin, Charity, known as Cherry, a charity girl made to be a household drudge, despite being of an age to come out. Des is quite taken with the pitiful girl and when he discovers her running away from home the next morning because her aunt has made life intolerable thanks to a brief, stolen conversation with Des, he can't help but intervene and rescue the girl. Des proposes to hare off in search of Cherry's old grandfather, leaving Cherry with Hetta. Henrietta Silverdale is still unmarried and caring for her perpetually "ill" mother, yet she doesn't want to marry Des any more than he wants to marry her! Yet when he comes to her with a wild tale of chivalry, she can't help jump in to rescue him.
This is another fun and wild adventure tale from Georgette Heyer. It isn't one of her best but it has it's moments of brilliance. The plot starts off rather slow with a prolonged argument/conversation between father and son that is full of period slang. If I were a first time reader I would have had a hard time getting through that exchange. Heyer really shows off her research here, employing the Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue in just about every passage of dialogue. That makes the story tough to get through. The plot doesn't pick up until Des rescues Cherry. When Des is on the road searching for Cherry's grandfather or joking with Henrietta, the story is a lot of fun. Heyer borrowed plot elements from previous novels and added her own unique touch of tweaking the characters enough to make the story unique.
Sadly, I found Cherry such a dull and annoying character that I did not enjoy any scene with her. She is so boring and so over the top grateful that I wanted to muzzle her at times. I much prefer the lively Henrietta. Hetta is a great character. Another of Heyer's older ladies, Henrietta has management of her brother's estate until her brother comes of age so she's intelligent and capable. I also love her sense of humor. Because she grew up with the Carrington boys, Henrietta does not have any missish airs. She thinks of Des and his brothers as extra brothers and eagerly participated in all their wild schemes and picked up on their conversations and style of speech. She also knows Des well enough to trust him and believe what he says is true. I really like that kind of relationship. She gets a tiny bit silly at the very end but not too bad. Des and his family have such a great relationship. Des knows his parents love each other and love their children and that makes him a romantic. He refuses to marry for less what his parents have and he knows that when his father rants and raves, it's the gout talking and not Papa's heart. The two men are rather sweet together in their own way. It's refreshing to see a normal, loving family. Too many of the Heyeroes are jaded and cynical because they didn't grow up in a loving household.
As always, the secondary characters shine just as brightly as the main trio. Lady Bugle, Cherry's aunt, is even worse than Mrs. Bennet. She also has several daughters with one ravishing beauty but her attentions to Desford are way too obvious and over the top. Then she takes his rejection of her daughter out on poor Cherry. Her treatment of Cherry is just horrid. Her daughters seem to take after their mother. Corinna, whom Cherry thought was her friend, is a sneak and a tattletale. Her actions towards her cousin are reprehensible. In contrast, the Carringtons are a great family. I could easily see Lord Wroxford ranting at his son and then repenting, while Lady Wroxford soothes his wounded pride and smooths things over with the boys. Simon is a typical young man about town. He's carefree and seems like a "scapegrace" to his father, but when push comes to shove, Simon is as full of family feeling as the boring brother we never meet. Lady Silverdale's constant need for attention, her airs and her "illnesses" drive me crazy. I feel sorry for Henrietta having a mother like that! That lady is just awful! It's a wonder Henrietta hasn't married just to escape her mother. Her chief suitor, Cary Nethercott, does seem like a dull sort without much of a sense of humor. He is kind and honorable though. She could do worse.
Of course the real stand outs are Cherry's relatives. Lord Nettlecombe is not worth pursuing! He is so crotchety and so cheap that I believe he would treat sweet Cherry worse than her aunt does. His son is the most colorful character in this novel and one of Heyer's more unusual, but fun, figures. His speech and manner of dress make him laughable. He's shrewd but still a bit slow on the uptake.
If you love Georgette Heyer, this one is well worth a read, but don't make it your first Regency read.
October 8, 2017
The question has been raised in other reviews, "What is this book really about?" Because it doesn't seem to be about romance. I think it could be about "Sons and Brothers", or perhaps "lord Desmond grows up". The relationship between the H and his father and brother is quite lovely.
Charity's father Mr. Steane is a very good character, alarming and funny.
And there is a beautiful quote toward the beginning of the book about the H's father, who is afflicted by gout and very testy:
Upon reading that quote, many many years ago, it became a goal of mine to have someone whose youth I could remember, and who would remember mine, when we were both old. I know that it is easy to go astray when relating fiction to an author's real life, but considering GH wrote this when she was older, and her husband was older than she, it seems that it might be a bit autobiographical.
There are things that don't work in the book, particularly a long scene with H, Charity's grandfather and his new wife. GH has to tell us that it was supposed to be funny by having the H/h laugh about it later. Unfortunately, it's not actually funny. And the quick resolve of the H/h relationship is not credible. It does seem that the book reached an appropriate length and was submitted for publication, and I understand the comments that this book should perhaps be only for GH completists. However, I guess I count in that group. I had to read it, and I still enjoy it.
Charity's father Mr. Steane is a very good character, alarming and funny.
And there is a beautiful quote toward the beginning of the book about the H's father, who is afflicted by gout and very testy:
"I am concerned for you, Mama, far more than I am for him! I don't know how you are able to bear your life! I could not!'
'No, I don't suppose you could,' she responded, looking at him in tolerant amusement. 'You weren't acquainted with him when he was young, and naturally you were never in love with him. But I was, and I remember how gay, and handsome, and dashing he used to be, and how very happy we were. And we still love one another, Ashley."
Upon reading that quote, many many years ago, it became a goal of mine to have someone whose youth I could remember, and who would remember mine, when we were both old. I know that it is easy to go astray when relating fiction to an author's real life, but considering GH wrote this when she was older, and her husband was older than she, it seems that it might be a bit autobiographical.
There are things that don't work in the book, particularly a long scene with H, Charity's grandfather and his new wife. GH has to tell us that it was supposed to be funny by having the H/h laugh about it later. Unfortunately, it's not actually funny. And the quick resolve of the H/h relationship is not credible. It does seem that the book reached an appropriate length and was submitted for publication, and I understand the comments that this book should perhaps be only for GH completists. However, I guess I count in that group. I had to read it, and I still enjoy it.
June 4, 2020
June 2020 reread with the Heyer group: definitely enjoying so far, ready for a fun and funny read!
Still great fun, I enjoyed several humorous secondary characters (Charity’s crotchety grandfather, his new wife, and Wilfred, Charity’s ). Similar plot to some earlier Heyer books I’ve read, but more farcical situations add to the fun. For readers new to Heyer, I wouldn’t start here, but it is an enjoyable read.
2/2009 read: Typical Heyer - sparkling dialogue, sharply drawn characters, amusing plot twists - what's not to love? She's always a treat and a joy to read and read. I'd recommend her to anyone who loves Jane Austen and appreciates historical detail with a healthy dose of humor. Delightful!
Still great fun, I enjoyed several humorous secondary characters (Charity’s crotchety grandfather, his new wife, and Wilfred, Charity’s ). Similar plot to some earlier Heyer books I’ve read, but more farcical situations add to the fun. For readers new to Heyer, I wouldn’t start here, but it is an enjoyable read.
2/2009 read: Typical Heyer - sparkling dialogue, sharply drawn characters, amusing plot twists - what's not to love? She's always a treat and a joy to read and read. I'd recommend her to anyone who loves Jane Austen and appreciates historical detail with a healthy dose of humor. Delightful!
Read
July 21, 2016This a late novel, featuring one of Heyer's plain but kind heroines who has long been in love with the hero, as a younger woman comes along. It reads to me like it was phoned in.
Really only for completists, or for the Heyer fan who loves everything she did, without reserve.
Really only for completists, or for the Heyer fan who loves everything she did, without reserve.
June 19, 2020
I wanted to like the book more as I’ve heard great things about the author but I wasn’t a big fan of this story. In fact I’m being generous with three stars. I didn’t care for the dialogue, didn’t particularly like any of the characters nor the story line. It didn’t really grab me, and I skimmed the end just to see what happened. Just rather blah and boring.
August 14, 2013
Charity Girl definitely isn't the best Heyer novel I've read. It's rather along the lines of Sprig Muslin, just with slightly different detail. That rather reduces its charms for me, having already read Sprig Muslin, and given that the heroines are either not particularly engaging, or we don't see enough of them.
I think I'd have enjoyed it more if I hadn't already read Sprig Muslin, but it's a mild one really by Heyer's standards. There're some amusing characters, but nothing laugh-out-loud, and there's not really any excitement either. I wouldn't read it for a first Heyer novel, definitely (go for The Talisman Ring, which I adore!), or even if you're only a casual fan.
It's well-written, of course, else I'd give it only two stars. I can't bear to do that with something by Heyer, though.
I think I'd have enjoyed it more if I hadn't already read Sprig Muslin, but it's a mild one really by Heyer's standards. There're some amusing characters, but nothing laugh-out-loud, and there's not really any excitement either. I wouldn't read it for a first Heyer novel, definitely (go for The Talisman Ring, which I adore!), or even if you're only a casual fan.
It's well-written, of course, else I'd give it only two stars. I can't bear to do that with something by Heyer, though.
April 30, 2022
Slogging straight through Democracy in America proved untenable, so a little Romance in Britain was in order. This was lots of fun—a melodrama (one half expected the villain to twirl his mustache) with a Cinderella setup.
Reader was good. It was rather surprising to have a male voice for the genre, but the viscount really was the main character, so it was a good choice.
Reader was good. It was rather surprising to have a male voice for the genre, but the viscount really was the main character, so it was a good choice.
September 10, 2019
When Viscount Desford pays a visit to his aunt, little does he know he is going to get embroiled in a brewing scandal. He sees a poor young orphan girl being mistreated by her relatives and decides on an impulse to help her when she decides to run away. After all, all he needed to do was give her a lift to London and deposit her with her grandfather. But he did not reckon on the eccentricities of old men and finds himself saddled with the responsibility of an unmarried, unrelated girl. So what can he do but enlist the help of his best friend, Henrietta Silverdale?
The romance in this is not too heavy, but I really identified with it. It's a beautiful relationship between Desford and Henrietta, based on years of trust, togetherness, and fun. My husband and I were friends for years before we decided to take it forward, so I really identified with this story. I don't think much of whirlwind romances anyway.
But the other aspect of this story is the family relationships. I never expected to read about such healthy relationships in a Regency novel! The Viscount's father is strict, but would never let his children down. The sisters are discriminated against (social norm), but they are very much a part of the family. The Viscount himself comes through for his brothers, and they for him. He also appears to be on great terms with his aunt. This rare aristocratic Regency family really brought in some enjoyment and satisfaction in this otherwise dull book.
While Heyer got the emotions right on this one, I still found the story only mildly interesting. I wasn't very much interested in Charity. As even one of the characters said, she really was boring. Her father was overly caricatured and her grandfather even more so. I did enjoy some of their scenes, though.
Not my favourite Heyer, but not the worst one either. Might read it again, but not in a hurry to return to it anytime soon.
The romance in this is not too heavy, but I really identified with it. It's a beautiful relationship between Desford and Henrietta, based on years of trust, togetherness, and fun. My husband and I were friends for years before we decided to take it forward, so I really identified with this story. I don't think much of whirlwind romances anyway.
But the other aspect of this story is the family relationships. I never expected to read about such healthy relationships in a Regency novel! The Viscount's father is strict, but would never let his children down. The sisters are discriminated against (social norm), but they are very much a part of the family. The Viscount himself comes through for his brothers, and they for him. He also appears to be on great terms with his aunt. This rare aristocratic Regency family really brought in some enjoyment and satisfaction in this otherwise dull book.
While Heyer got the emotions right on this one, I still found the story only mildly interesting. I wasn't very much interested in Charity. As even one of the characters said, she really was boring. Her father was overly caricatured and her grandfather even more so. I did enjoy some of their scenes, though.
Not my favourite Heyer, but not the worst one either. Might read it again, but not in a hurry to return to it anytime soon.
August 11, 2014
I must say, I am a bit disappointed. I pick out Georgette Heyer’s books at random, trying to read them all. Some I LOVE (Venetia, The Unknown Ajax, Arabella), some I absolutely hate (Sprig Muslin, Regency Buck), and some are somewhere in the middle. Those don’t feature characters I loathe and would love to slap some sense into, but they also don’t make me care in the least about the characters’ fates. This is one of these books for me.
The story is almost exactly the same as that of Sprig Muslin (only with a much less despicable girl at the center of the story): pretty, but foolish girl, runs away from the family that took her in (in this case because she was treated as a charity case (hence the title “Charity Girl”) and expected to be almost a servant to the girls), is found by slightly bored, but honorable and faultless aristocrat, who gets himself entangled in her mess –because, well, honestly, as was the case in Sprig Muslin, I have no idea why. Some misguided sense of honor, most likely- , who ends up realizing he has been in love with his best friend –who is always happy to be burdened with the runaway in question and take care of her while the hero sorts out the girl’s mess- all along.
I thought Ashley, Viscount Desford, was slightly boring and uninteresting. He was so nice, so understanding, so perfect, it was sickening. Heyer has written the bored aristocrat who finds and helps a runaway so much better in my opinion (The Corinthian). Cherry was not particularly irritating, but very insipid and easy to be taken advantage of. I wished she would grow a backbone and stand up for herself, but that didn’t happen. I also didn’t care much for Henrietta, Desford’s best friend, who just took in a total stranger, no questions asked, while the hero left to find someone willing to take her off her hands. The love story between Deford and Henrietta also fell much to short, to the point where it made very little sense to me that in the end both proclaimed they had loved each other all along.
To make things worse, this book featured some of the worst names I have yet come across (and having read almost all of Heyers books by now, that is saying something): Lady Sophronia Emborough, Charity “Cherry” Steane, Hephzibah Cardle, and Lucasta, Oenone, Perenna, and Dianeme Bugle. Some of these made me wonder how you would pronounce them that I sometimes forgot to concentrate on what I was reading.
It’s a short, light read that I would only recommend to the most dedicated Heyer fans, because I feel that if you pick this up at random without having read some of her other, more brilliant books, you could get the impression all her books are like this, which is definitely not the case. The second star is purely for the quality of the writing and some funny scenes (which still lacked the sparkling humor found, for example, in The Talisman Ring).
The story is almost exactly the same as that of Sprig Muslin (only with a much less despicable girl at the center of the story): pretty, but foolish girl, runs away from the family that took her in (in this case because she was treated as a charity case (hence the title “Charity Girl”) and expected to be almost a servant to the girls), is found by slightly bored, but honorable and faultless aristocrat, who gets himself entangled in her mess –because, well, honestly, as was the case in Sprig Muslin, I have no idea why. Some misguided sense of honor, most likely- , who ends up realizing he has been in love with his best friend –who is always happy to be burdened with the runaway in question and take care of her while the hero sorts out the girl’s mess- all along.
I thought Ashley, Viscount Desford, was slightly boring and uninteresting. He was so nice, so understanding, so perfect, it was sickening. Heyer has written the bored aristocrat who finds and helps a runaway so much better in my opinion (The Corinthian). Cherry was not particularly irritating, but very insipid and easy to be taken advantage of. I wished she would grow a backbone and stand up for herself, but that didn’t happen. I also didn’t care much for Henrietta, Desford’s best friend, who just took in a total stranger, no questions asked, while the hero left to find someone willing to take her off her hands. The love story between Deford and Henrietta also fell much to short, to the point where it made very little sense to me that in the end both proclaimed they had loved each other all along.
To make things worse, this book featured some of the worst names I have yet come across (and having read almost all of Heyers books by now, that is saying something): Lady Sophronia Emborough, Charity “Cherry” Steane, Hephzibah Cardle, and Lucasta, Oenone, Perenna, and Dianeme Bugle. Some of these made me wonder how you would pronounce them that I sometimes forgot to concentrate on what I was reading.
It’s a short, light read that I would only recommend to the most dedicated Heyer fans, because I feel that if you pick this up at random without having read some of her other, more brilliant books, you could get the impression all her books are like this, which is definitely not the case. The second star is purely for the quality of the writing and some funny scenes (which still lacked the sparkling humor found, for example, in The Talisman Ring).
Read
October 31, 2017Not one of the more successful Heyers, this starts out with the introduction of a billion characters we never meet again, and then involves a lot of travelling in hunt of people, a too-large late appearance of a Falstaff, and very little chance to see the main couple even in the same room. There's not even a powerful trigger for the change of heart, since the couple appear to see each other regularly, and aren't at any real emotional extremis during the story.
Reread notes: liked this more on this re-read, although my note above still stands. I like Hetta rather a lot - she's very capable - and her partner avoiding any hint of the rake, and instead getting along well with practically everyone and being rather nicer than most Heyer heroes.
One thing that really stands out in this book is the overuse of period expressions. Heyer uses them a lot in all her regencies, but this one felt like no character could say anything without ladening on some period colour.
Reread notes: liked this more on this re-read, although my note above still stands. I like Hetta rather a lot - she's very capable - and her partner avoiding any hint of the rake, and instead getting along well with practically everyone and being rather nicer than most Heyer heroes.
One thing that really stands out in this book is the overuse of period expressions. Heyer uses them a lot in all her regencies, but this one felt like no character could say anything without ladening on some period colour.
June 9, 2017
My 30th Georgette Heyer
When Viscount Ashley Desford finds Cherry Steane running away from a life of drudgery with her uncaring relatives, he is determined to escort her to her grandfather in London. But upon arriving to an empty house, Desford places the girl in the care of Henrietta Silverdale, his neighbour and childhood friend.
The book had a promising start. I liked both Desford and Henrietta, but the search for Cherry's grandfather and the appearance of her father were dull events. Cherry and Nethercott's relationship was hammed in so as to make for a perfectly wrapped up ending, but I needed more time with the main couple. Sigh!
When Viscount Ashley Desford finds Cherry Steane running away from a life of drudgery with her uncaring relatives, he is determined to escort her to her grandfather in London. But upon arriving to an empty house, Desford places the girl in the care of Henrietta Silverdale, his neighbour and childhood friend.
The book had a promising start. I liked both Desford and Henrietta, but the search for Cherry's grandfather and the appearance of her father were dull events. Cherry and Nethercott's relationship was hammed in so as to make for a perfectly wrapped up ending, but I needed more time with the main couple. Sigh!
September 1, 2024
2.5 stars
Decent enough. If you like Heyer or Regency pieces, this will likely provide an enjoyable respite, but if this is your first foray into the genre, I would say simply that it is not her finest.
August 2024: I would rate this a 2 this time. It really is lacking the spark and wit of her better ones and the main couple is mostly working entirely off their prior association and share almost no pagetime together so when they get together at the end its not terribly satisfying.
Decent enough. If you like Heyer or Regency pieces, this will likely provide an enjoyable respite, but if this is your first foray into the genre, I would say simply that it is not her finest.
August 2024: I would rate this a 2 this time. It really is lacking the spark and wit of her better ones and the main couple is mostly working entirely off their prior association and share almost no pagetime together so when they get together at the end its not terribly satisfying.
October 11, 2019
Ashley Carrington, the Viscount Desford, was in no hurry to get married, whatever his irritable father, the Earl of Wroxton, had to say about it. But when he came to the aid of an unhappy young runaway by the name of Cherry Steane on the road to London, he soon found himself embroiled in an adventure that demonstrated how little he knew his own heart...
As noted in my review of Heyer's Lady of Quality , the author's later novels are heavily indebted to her earlier work - one might almost say that they were inferior copies of more entertaining fare. Such is certainly the case with Charity Girl, published in 1970, and bearing a striking resemblance to Sprig Muslin . Both feature eligible gentlemen (Viscount Desford and Sir Gareth Ludlow) who come to the aid of taking young runaways ("Cherry" Steane and Amanda "Smith"), whom they place in the home of a trustworthy "older" female friend (Miss Henrietta Silverdale and Lady Hester Theale). Both also feature the hero's realization that he is actually in love with said "friend," and while neither could be described as terribly involving, Sprig Muslin has at least the benefit of coming first, and being (as much as is possible in a Georgette Heyer novel), original. As one of my online friends remarked in another review, couldn't Georgette Heyer have done better than this?
As noted in my review of Heyer's Lady of Quality , the author's later novels are heavily indebted to her earlier work - one might almost say that they were inferior copies of more entertaining fare. Such is certainly the case with Charity Girl, published in 1970, and bearing a striking resemblance to Sprig Muslin . Both feature eligible gentlemen (Viscount Desford and Sir Gareth Ludlow) who come to the aid of taking young runaways ("Cherry" Steane and Amanda "Smith"), whom they place in the home of a trustworthy "older" female friend (Miss Henrietta Silverdale and Lady Hester Theale). Both also feature the hero's realization that he is actually in love with said "friend," and while neither could be described as terribly involving, Sprig Muslin has at least the benefit of coming first, and being (as much as is possible in a Georgette Heyer novel), original. As one of my online friends remarked in another review, couldn't Georgette Heyer have done better than this?
October 31, 2021
This is a cute story, full of witty dialogue and an abundance of Regency slang. Viscount Ashley Desford rescues Cherry when she tries to run away from her horrible aunt and he spends the rest of the story trying to find someone to take her in. He leaves Cherry with his oldest friend and neighbor Miss Hetta Silverdale, while he tries to track down Cherry’s grandfather. There’s very little romance in the story but thankfully Desford winds up with the right woman. Ashley’s brother Simon was a nice surprise and I really liked him, too. This won’t make my list of favorite Heyers but it was still a fun book.
February 8, 2019
3,5 stars
The story is fun and interesting but the romance itself is undeveloped.
I wish I could know why Desmond and Hetta did not get married the first time around. I also wish they would get reunited a few chapters earlier.
The story is fun and interesting but the romance itself is undeveloped.
I wish I could know why Desmond and Hetta did not get married the first time around. I also wish they would get reunited a few chapters earlier.
December 18, 2022
Till the last two pages of the last chapter, I thought this was going to be a 3-star read. Said two pages changed some things for me. I think this is my first regency romance but there was very little romance and a lot was left unsaid, and I liked that? Fun.
January 7, 2012
Apparently I have this little problem when it comes to choosing books from a genre. I find myself choosing the one book that is not representative of the group. Like that time I picked up an Orson Scott Card novel with the intention of giving science fiction a try. I've NEVER read science fiction, and guess what? I still haven't ever read science fiction because I just happened to choose the one Orson Scott Card book that is NOT science fiction.
And I've done it again! My mother is a huge fan of Regency Romances, so I was looking through her shelf of old books, and found Charity Girl. I figured, since it is Georgette Heyer and Georgette Heyer is the queen of the Regencies, this would be the perfect book. (BTW...I have read one contemporary Regency recently, Seeking Persephone, which I did sort of adore. But I wanted an "original" example of the genre, I guess...and now I'm rambling, so moving on.)
The problem is, I didn't pick the prototypical Regency. I picked the one wherein Miss Heyer seemed to be experimenting...maybe? I don't know. But it didn't have the sweet and lovely heroine versus the mean and brooding hero. You know how the story goes down. These two folks are completely incompatible with each other, but for some reason, they are thrust together due to some impossible circumstance. A marriage of convenience takes place early on, and then we wait and see how the two work their differences out. In the mean time, there is a lot of romantic tension because they both like each other and have lots of chemistry, but they are afraid or can't get over their pride, and so you get a glance here or a touch there, and maybe one or two small kisses. But just as in real life, you like the anticipation of the budding romance.
None of that happened here. It wasn't a bad thing, I suppose, and I liked it enough to finish it, but I was hoping for the formula. So maybe two stars is more how I feel about the fact that it was not the book I was expecting, but I gave it three because I honestly did like it. But it really stops at like for me.
But then again, the story did ramble on a bit. Here is a run down of the basic plot: girl runs away from her adopted home; girl is found by a wealthy aristocratic gentleman; gentleman must not break propriety by being seen to have seduced said girl; BUT gentleman cannot leave said girl by the wayside with out assistance; gentleman takes girl to friend and goes in search of girl's grandfather and/or other possible friends to aid in girl's rescue.
And really, the part about searching and searching for the grandfather/friends went on for quite some time, and I was a bit bored with it. There was no real romantic tension between any of the characters. Unlike Seeking Persephone, I didn't find myself screaming inside at the characters to just kiss already. And then (spoiler alert...kind of but not really) the romance wasn't even between this girl and her gentleman rescuer. Ugh. Isn't that all part of the convention? Not here, I guess, because gentleman loves the woman with whom he is completely and totally compatible. That's all fine and well in real life, where people should marry those with whom they are compatible, of course, but this isn't real life, now is it? But then I didn't want him to be with the rescued heroine, either, because Heyer didn't build any romantic tension between those two characters, either.
Do you see what I am saying here??? Stick with the formula, I beg of you!!!
Oh and then the ending, well, wow, it just sped right up and all of a sudden the pickle that these characters are in got actually sort of fun and exciting, and so I would say that the last forty pages or so were a bit redemptive of the drag that was going on there in the middle of the story.
Summary...this isn't a glowing review, but it wasn't a bad book. Just didn't find what I was expecting/wanted.
And I've done it again! My mother is a huge fan of Regency Romances, so I was looking through her shelf of old books, and found Charity Girl. I figured, since it is Georgette Heyer and Georgette Heyer is the queen of the Regencies, this would be the perfect book. (BTW...I have read one contemporary Regency recently, Seeking Persephone, which I did sort of adore. But I wanted an "original" example of the genre, I guess...and now I'm rambling, so moving on.)
The problem is, I didn't pick the prototypical Regency. I picked the one wherein Miss Heyer seemed to be experimenting...maybe? I don't know. But it didn't have the sweet and lovely heroine versus the mean and brooding hero. You know how the story goes down. These two folks are completely incompatible with each other, but for some reason, they are thrust together due to some impossible circumstance. A marriage of convenience takes place early on, and then we wait and see how the two work their differences out. In the mean time, there is a lot of romantic tension because they both like each other and have lots of chemistry, but they are afraid or can't get over their pride, and so you get a glance here or a touch there, and maybe one or two small kisses. But just as in real life, you like the anticipation of the budding romance.
None of that happened here. It wasn't a bad thing, I suppose, and I liked it enough to finish it, but I was hoping for the formula. So maybe two stars is more how I feel about the fact that it was not the book I was expecting, but I gave it three because I honestly did like it. But it really stops at like for me.
But then again, the story did ramble on a bit. Here is a run down of the basic plot: girl runs away from her adopted home; girl is found by a wealthy aristocratic gentleman; gentleman must not break propriety by being seen to have seduced said girl; BUT gentleman cannot leave said girl by the wayside with out assistance; gentleman takes girl to friend and goes in search of girl's grandfather and/or other possible friends to aid in girl's rescue.
And really, the part about searching and searching for the grandfather/friends went on for quite some time, and I was a bit bored with it. There was no real romantic tension between any of the characters. Unlike Seeking Persephone, I didn't find myself screaming inside at the characters to just kiss already. And then (spoiler alert...kind of but not really) the romance wasn't even between this girl and her gentleman rescuer. Ugh. Isn't that all part of the convention? Not here, I guess, because gentleman loves the woman with whom he is completely and totally compatible. That's all fine and well in real life, where people should marry those with whom they are compatible, of course, but this isn't real life, now is it? But then I didn't want him to be with the rescued heroine, either, because Heyer didn't build any romantic tension between those two characters, either.
Do you see what I am saying here??? Stick with the formula, I beg of you!!!
Oh and then the ending, well, wow, it just sped right up and all of a sudden the pickle that these characters are in got actually sort of fun and exciting, and so I would say that the last forty pages or so were a bit redemptive of the drag that was going on there in the middle of the story.
Summary...this isn't a glowing review, but it wasn't a bad book. Just didn't find what I was expecting/wanted.
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