Page 8 | Georgette Heyer - give me your top five

throwaway25 · 2025-06-24T17:34:32+00:00

Heyer is my go-to when I’m down in the dumps and is like lying in a massive warm bath of comfort. Just finished re-reading Sylvester, Venetia and Frederica. What are your absolute top fives for my next read? Strong, dashing hero is compulsory of course.

EmpressaurusKitty · 24/06/2025 20:40

Lovemyassistancedog · 24/06/2025 20:39

If I read several of her novels in a row, I sometimes accidentally start speaking like one of her characters which can be embarrassing.

You make a cake of yourself and sound like a bobbing block?

Lovemyassistancedog · 24/06/2025 20:39

If I read several of her novels in a row, I sometimes accidentally start speaking like one of her characters which can be embarrassing.

Original poster

throwaway25 · 24/06/2025 20:37

Every time I read one I immediately want to start speaking like her characters. The language is just wonderful

OP posts:

Topjoe19 · 24/06/2025 20:33

God I love Georgette Heyer! Can't pick a top five.

YesThatsATurdOnTheRug · 24/06/2025 20:27

I am so so jealous of anyone who has Heyers left to read. I can still remember the feeling of starting a new one, not knowing who would be in it or what would happen! My all time favourite comfort food.

tsmainsqueeze · 24/06/2025 20:25

I haven't got a favourite but just came on to say how much i love her, i haven't read one for a while but this thread has made me want to re-read my large pile of her novels.
Controversial maybe but i think she's a better writer than Jane Austin for this genre.

Blimeyblighty · 24/06/2025 20:24

Oh I do love Black Sheep.

I like to read GH, Eva Ibbottson & Joan Aiken’s sequels to Jane Austen when I am down in the dumps.

EmpressaurusKitty · 24/06/2025 20:22

An Infamous Army was recommended to students at Sandhurst as a way of learning about the battle of Waterloo. jenniferkloester.com/an-infamous-army-a-triumph/

TeaHagTeaBag · 24/06/2025 20:22

Frederica is probably my most read book. I love it. And False Colours but I think I'm older than poor Mama which is worrying.

Lovemyassistancedog · 24/06/2025 20:20

Regency Buck
Sylvester
Arabella
Devil's Cub
Friday's Child
The Corinthian

I couldn't eliminate one so had to name six.

JoanOgden · 24/06/2025 20:17

Civil Contract is absolutely my favourite!

Then probably An Infamous Army, Venetia, Frederica and An Unknown Ajax

Original poster

throwaway25 · 24/06/2025 20:16

Honestly this thread is almost as much of a balm as Georgette herself. I’m making such a long list!

OP posts:

EmpressaurusKitty · 24/06/2025 20:13

HonoriaBulstrode · 24/06/2025 20:11

One of the reasons I love Georgette Heyer is her wonderful secondary characters. Nicky in The Reluctant Widow. Jerry Chirk in The Tollgate. Sir Hugh with his strong views on smuggling in The Talisman Ring. Sherry's friends in Friday's Child. Felix in Frederica and Edmund and Sir Nugent in Sylvester.

No-one has mentioned A Civil Contract. It's a bit different from her usual type of book, and probably best read when you're a bit older, with a bit of life experience. It has probably the best secondary character of them all - Jonathan Chawleigh.

Oh YES. And Lydia Deverill.

I love the way the relationship develops between Adam & Jenny.

HonoriaBulstrode · 24/06/2025 20:11

One of the reasons I love Georgette Heyer is her wonderful secondary characters. Nicky in The Reluctant Widow. Jerry Chirk in The Tollgate. Sir Hugh with his strong views on smuggling in The Talisman Ring. Sherry's friends in Friday's Child. Felix in Frederica and Edmund and Sir Nugent in Sylvester.

No-one has mentioned A Civil Contract. It's a bit different from her usual type of book, and probably best read when you're a bit older, with a bit of life experience. It has probably the best secondary character of them all - Jonathan Chawleigh.

EmpressaurusKitty · 24/06/2025 20:10

The first one I read was The Quiet Gentleman. I came across it at my local library & was hooked.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 24/06/2025 20:06

EmpressaurusKitty · 24/06/2025 19:57

There’s a fantastic audiobook of Cotillion read by Phyllida Nash that has me howling with laughter every time - she does Freddie especially well.

I haven’t read The Talisman Ring but The Masqueraders has a cross-dressing brother & sister. And yes to the very tall couple in The Tollgate.

Edited

Ooh yes - The Masqueraders. I love that one!

Dolamroth · 24/06/2025 20:01

I adore The Convenient Marriage (poor Rule having to put up with the eyebrows 🤣)

And The Talisman Ring is an absolute hoot.

dimples76 · 24/06/2025 20:01

Mine are:

Cotillion
The Black Sheep
Devil's Cub
Regency Buck
The Nonesuch

Be4thedawn · 24/06/2025 19:59

These Old Shades and Devil's Cub

hororumandbrandy · 24/06/2025 19:58

Black sheep 😀Over and over and over.

EmpressaurusKitty · 24/06/2025 19:57

There’s a fantastic audiobook of Cotillion read by Phyllida Nash that has me howling with laughter every time - she does Freddie especially well.

I haven’t read The Talisman Ring but The Masqueraders has a cross-dressing brother & sister. And yes to the very tall couple in The Tollgate.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 24/06/2025 19:55

I think The Talisman Ring and The Tollgate might be my favourites. If memory serves, The Tollgate has the best (very tall???) hero of them all. And is The Talisman Ring the one with the brother and sister and some cross dressing, or am I mixing it up with something else?

Talisin · 24/06/2025 19:55

Fredrica
Venetia
These Old Shades
Arabella
The Nonesuch

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 24/06/2025 19:51

And The Foundling.

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 24/06/2025 19:51

Friday’s Child
False Colours
The Unknown Ajax
Cotillion
Sylvester