June 15th Listening to an An Infamous Army

[TeaAndStrumpets]

I have needed to rely on audiobooks for the last few months, so obviously got myself a big stash of Georgette Heyers! Having worked my way through all the usual suspects I have just arrived at An Infamous Army.

I have read this book SO many times. I do like it but there is a lot of military detail to absorb. Using my ears instead of my eyeballs there has been so much more to enjoy. I was reading it last night, long past my bedtime and hanging on to every word, when I realised the date in the book was the same as the date in my world. So I am thinking of these fictional and real characters as I go through this week.

And then you ought to go on and do the last part of A Civil Contract if you haven't already done it! To follow the timeline properly, you ought to be swapping between the two, but I suppose that's not really practical.

I've tried audiobooks, but can't get on with them. I don't like not being able to flip back to re-read a bit, or skip ahead to the next scene.

Ooh A Civil Contact is waiting for me, I take your point about the dates!

I have never wanted to use audio books because I don't see how I could have them on in the background (as many people seem to do) and my idea of reading is to sit immersed in a book with no distractions....why I usually read in the evening.

One unexpected pleasure has been discovering how much a good narrator can add. It has been a bit of a challenge finding the best narrators as Audible has re-voiced the GH novels. I have never joined anyway so have found other sources, and there are some crackers.

I am back to proper reading once I get new glasses but have enjoyed a change of pace.

Here we are on June 18th!

‘Hard pounding this, gentlemen; let's see who will pound longest.’

How are you getting on with the book?

Have you got the BorrowBox app? That’s my favourite source of Heyer audiobooks.

Book long finished! Listening to The Unknown Ajax for a bit of light relief, then on to A Civil Contract. I haven't read an actual book since April due to cataract surgeries.

@EmpressaurusKitty confess I have never used Borrowbox, sadly not a library member at the moment.

I'm listening to mp3 discs from a seller on eBay (all the 'old' narrators) Very retro with my boom box and headphones. I intend to pass them on to my adult DDs who've been brung up proper 😉

New specs soon, then it's back to actual books!

Is The Infamous Army the one about Waterloo? Thomas Picton - real - mixed in with Dominic's grandddaughter - fictional, in the same book?

Is The Infamous Army the one about Waterloo? Thomas Picton - real - mixed in with Dominic's grandddaughter - fictional, in the same book?

Yes. There are a lot of real people in the book, including Wellington himself.

It also uses the main couple from Regency Buck, Judith and Worth, and Worth's younger brother who falls in love with Barbara. I don't think the chronology works (GH admitted this) but it's nice to see Dominic and Mary again. He is as bloodthirsty and cantankerous as ever!

Regency Buck wasn't a favourite of mine. I remember Worth being too alpha for my taste, and their relationship lacking the wit and sparkle of some of her other couples - though it's a long time since I last read it, so I might see it differently now.

Have always loved Dominic and Mary, though.

Harry Smith from The Spanish Bride - another real person - also makes a brief appearance.

Yes I wouldn't put it at no 1. But the background detail and descriptions win me over. The romance is very understated but satisfying in the end. Worth is so laid-back as a character in An Infamous Army but he is all efficiency when needed. I don't think Judith has any wit or sparkle either! But they seem well suited.

I am listening to A Civil Contract at the moment, my heart is breaking for Jenny but I want to kick Adam. Worth it for Mr C though!

I am listening to A Civil Contract at the moment, my heart is breaking for Jenny but I want to kick Adam. Worth it for Mr C though!

When I first read it, when I was much younger, I was all sympathetic towards Adam and cringed along with him at some of Mr C's excesses.

Now I think Adam should get over himself and Mr C is splendid. She created some wonderful secondary characters, and he is the best.

Very true!

I have enjoyed revisiting all my old favourites. I do think GH is unbeatable. I have read dozens of faux Heyers and they are so unmemorable. Nobody has her wit.

One book I thoroughly enjoyed, though, was Miss Wonderful by Loretta Chase. It has strong echoes of several Heyer books and I could happily read it again. The first few pages are very amusing and it sets off at a gallop.

Thanks so much, it never occurred to me!

Nobody has her wit.

Or her depth of research or her command of the English language or her skill at characterisation.

I'll look out for Loretta Chase.

Hope you find something you enjoy! You can read a sample of Miss Wonderful on Amazon. The hero's father amuses me no end.