The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer

by Natasa Djordjevic - 11:03 AM

Title: The Grand Sophy

Author: Georgette Heyer

Published: June 3rd 2004

Publisher: Arrow

Pages: 328

ISBN: 0099465639

Synopsis:

Resourceful, adventurous and utterly indefatigable, Sophy is hardly the mild-mannered girl that the Rivenhalls expect when they agree to take her in. Kind-hearted Aunt Lizzy is shocked; stern Cousin Charles and his humorless fiancée Eugenia are disapproving.

With her inimitable mixture of exuberance and grace Sophy soon sets about endearing herself to her family, but finds herself increasingly drawn to her cousin. Can she really be falling in love with him, and he with her? And what of his betrothal to Eugenia?

My Review:

“A man who would contract the mumps,” declared Cecilia, “would do anything!” Lady Ombersley saw nothing unreasonable in this pronouncement, nor was she surprised that his lordship’s un-romantic behavior had given Cecilia a distaste for him. She had herself been sadly disappointed, for she had thought him a man of sense, certainly not one to be succumbing to childish ailments at inopportune moments.

I’ve enjoyed almost every Georgette Heyer novels and Sophy is still my favorite. It has excellent pacing, compelling plot twists, and entertaining characters. The book has a lively and delightful dialogue for which Heyer is famous for.

What makes this novel work for me is not only the clever plotting and the many escapades that Heyer has Sophy pull, but also the magnificent way in which Heyer paints her characters. I notice that the secondary characters are often just as rich as the main players, and it holds true for this book, too.

The main character, Sophy, I think is a good role model. She is brave; she is capable and self-confident, fun and likable - she is almost irresistible. Sophy is a character you cannot help but fall in love with and admire!

Miss Eugenia Wraxton: Charles Rivenhall’s fiancée is the complete opposite. She is serious, devoted to the strictures of propriety, and a bit cold, something of a lady should look like given the time of the story.

I don’t want to give the plot away as you need to experience this novel for yourself, but I will say the word fascinating came to my mind often as I was reading along. It is full of history and wit and kept me hooked.

Summary:

Superbly written, like all of her novels. The Grand Sophy is an amusing example of what Historical /Regency fiction should be! You HAVE to read this!