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The Grand Sophy

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'The Grand Sophy' by Georgette Heyer follows the unconventional and independent Sophy as she descends upon her cousins' household, determined to shake things up and set their lives straight. With her vibrant personality and fearless attitude, Sophy manages to untangle various problems in her cousins' lives and meddles in their romantic affairs, all while maintaining a strong sense of good judgment and intelligence. The book is set in the Regency era and offers a classic Georgette Heyer Regency romance with cleverly interwoven plotlines, great characterizations, and gentle humor, making it an enjoyable and charming read for fans of historical romance.

Sophy's character stands out as a strong and intrepid female lead, willing to go against societal norms and follow her own path while still adhering to the rules of society with a touch of feminism and humor. The story unfolds with Sophy's audacious and outrageous behavior, providing hilarious episodes throughout the book and showcasing her as one of Heyer's most memorable and delightful creations. Overall, 'The Grand Sophy' offers a delightful and entertaining read filled with witty dialogue, lively characters, and a cleverly plotted storyline that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

Characters:

The characters are vibrant and engaging, with Sophy as a particularly assertive heroine, balancing comedic and serious tones throughout her interactions with the eccentric cast.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by witty, engaging prose and lively dialogue, enhancing the reading experience with humor and charm.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features an independent heroine whose arrival at her relatives' home leads to significant disruptions, as she attempts to resolve their romantic and financial difficulties through her wit and clever maneuvers.

Setting:

The setting is Regency England, showcasing the societal norms and domestic life, primarily within the Ombersley household.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk and engaging, keeping the story lively through a series of humorous and romantic developments.
THE BUTLER, recognizing her ladyship’s only surviving brother at a glance, as he afterward informed his less percipient subordinates, favored Sir Horace with a low bow, and took it upon himself to say...

Notes:

The Grand Sophy was published in 1950 but is set in the Regency era, specifically in 1816.
The central character, Sophy Stanton Lacy, is portrayed as independent, witty, and unconventional for her time.
Sophy was raised by her father, a diplomat, and has experience with high society, which allows her to navigate and manipulate social situations.
The story revolves around Sophy's visit to her aunt's family, the Ombersleys, who are in disarray due to various romantic entanglements and financial issues.
The novel is noted for its humor, engaging characters, and sparkling dialogue, appealing to fans of romantic comedies.
Sophy's adventures include managing her cousins' romantic dilemmas and confronting a moneylender, which highlights her proactive character.
The book is regarded as one of Georgette Heyer's finest works and is often recommended for newcomers to her writing.
The narrative includes a subplot that has been criticized for its anti-Semitic portrayal of a Jewish moneylender, which some modern readers find troubling.
Heyer is recognized as a pioneer of the Regency romance genre, influencing many authors that followed her.
The Grand Sophy has been described as a romantic comedy, often compared to Jane Austen's works, but with a more modern sensibility.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains problematic elements, particularly antisemitism related to a character, which may be distressing for modern readers.

Has Romance?

The novel is rich in romantic interactions, particularly between Sophy and Charles, creating a compelling romantic plot.

From The Publisher:

IF YOU LOVE BRIDGERTON, YOU'LL LOVE GEORGETTE HEYER!

'A rollicking good read that will be of particular joy to Bridgerton viewers ... the permanent glister of scandal [...] ties the whole thing together' INDEPENDENT

'One of my perennial comfort authors. Heyer's books are as incisively witty and quietly subversive as any of Jane Austen's' JOANNE HARRIS

'Absolutely delicious tales of Regency heroes. . . Utter, immersive escapism' SOPHIE KINSELLA

The charming Sophia Stanton-Lacy is a force to be reckoned with.

When Sophy is sent to stay with her London relatives, she finds her cousins in quite the tangle.

Cecilia is besotted with an attractive but feather-brained poet, Hubert has fallen foul of a money-lender, and the ruthlessly handsome Charles is engaged to a pedantic bluestocking who seems to bring out the worst in him...

Fortunately, Sophy has arrived just in time to sort them all out - but Charles is eager to rid his family of her meddlesome ways. Has the Grand Sophy finally met her match?

'Georgette Heyer's Regency romances brim with elegance, wit and historical accuracy, and this is one of her finest and most entertaining ... Escapism of the highest order' DAILY MAIL

'Rapturously romantic' KATIE FFORDE

'If you haven't read Georgette Heyer yet, what a treat you have in store!' HARRIET EVANS

'Georgette Heyer is unbeatable.' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Ratings (18)

Loved It (8)
Liked It (5)
It Was OK (5)

Reader Stats (34):

Read It (19)
Want To Read (10)
Not Interested (5)

2 comment(s)

Loved It
3 weeks

After years of hearing rave reviews about this book, I finally got around to reading it. I'm glad I did; it was adorable! Regency heroines are usually so bland and proper but Sophy is spunky and witty. She reminded me of a grown-up Pippi Longstocking. I wanted to have a cup of tea with her.

There were so many interesting characters and story lines in this book. When they finally all jumbled together, I laughed out loud. This book is a little Jane Austen, a little cheesy regency romance and whole a lot of fun. It's also completely clean (the opposite of my other favorite authors V.C. Andrews and Laurell Hamilton) - I think there were two kissing scenes in the whole book!

 
Loved It
2 months

Heyer is the forgotten heir of Jane Austen. The main difference: where Austen's humor is bone dry, Heyer edges toward wacky (wacky Regency? Trust me, it works). If Heyer lacks Austen's edge, it is because Austen wrote about her social contemporaries, and Heyer wrote in the mid 20th century. Highly recommended for Austen fans (I'm looking at you Lauren).

 

About the Author:

Author of over fifty books, Georgette Heyer is the best-known and best-loved of all historical novelists, who made the Regency period her own. Her first novel, The Black Moth, published in 1921, was written at the age of seventeen to amuse her convalescent brother; her last was My Lord John. Although most famous for her historical novels, she also wrote eleven detective stories. Georgette Heyer died in 1974 at the age of seventy-one.

 
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