From My Heyer Shelf

THE GREAT ROXHYTHE by Georgette Heyer

Set in Medieval England, this book was published in 1923.

Often this is a hard one to find. I remember watching several copies on various websites, with prices going up into the hundreds of dollars; then I finally found a copy that was around $32.00 including shipping. Mine is hardcover, without a dust jacket, in very good shape, and a second edition printing. I do not think that a paperback was ever published of this book; although with the new paperback GH re-issues that are coming out this year, I wouldn't be surprised if they are planning to print one now.

As an early Heyer, again, just like the two before it, I think it shows us Heyer's talent and to what we have to look forward. The time period in which it was set was, I believe, a favorite with Heyer. I have read other readers' comments who've not cared for the book because it is so long, because the language is sometimes stilted, and because the ending isn't all they would like it to be.

Personally, I really enjoyed reading the book, once I was able to obtain a copy. I do not believe it will be one that I can re-read regularly like I do so many others, but I believe I'll crave a re-reading once in a while.

The character of Roxhythe, himself, is conceited about his own accomplishments, powers, strengths, charm and wit. But the reader can't help liking him. You see, he really is all the things he says he is; and he is loyal, sometimes uncomprehendingly so, to his King (Charles II) and country. Heyer modeled Roxhythe after The Duke of Buckingham, according to Hode, although she never says what she basis her reasoning on.

The secondary character, Christopher, is one of my favorite of Heyer's. It is through Chris' eyes that we learn to see into Roxhythe; to see past the facade that he puts up for most of the world; to see the deeply-rooted convictions and loyalty, the love that he really has for his country. And it is through Chris' eyes that we see the gentle side of Roxhythe. There is, of course, a love story as well in the plot, and it is, refreshingly, a veryrealistic telling of a relationship between a man and a woman in love.

One of my favorite lines in the book is when Chrisis speaking in some doubt as to Roxhythe's power to get some gentlemen of the court to do his bidding. Roxhythe reassures him on that point, saying simply, "....I am Roxhythe."

As in all of Heyer's novels, there is plenty of humor and wit in ROXHYTHE. The book spans several years, and it is easy to get bogged down in it. It is not her usual fare; set during the intrigue and politics of Charles II's reign, it is a far cry from the Regency- and Georgian-period romances for which she is so well-known. But, especially remembering that Heyer was only 21 at the time of publication, I have to say that the book is quite a splendid accomplishment, and I could only dream of having had the knowledge and ability to write such a book when I was 21 years old.

I read a review in which the writer said that it is not up to Heyer's "usual standards"; considering that it was only the third of her novels to be published, I have to say that she hadn't really yet had time to set any standards. And it should be remembered that she wasn't at all satisfied with it herself (she often wasn't satisfied with her books). And still, though written by an "immature" writer at the time, it is still a very "mature" book. I believe the problem that some people have with the book is that they are accustomed to the light-hearted romances or the wonderfully well-written who-done-its of Heyer; when they finally have the chance to read ROXHYTHE, it is so entirely out of that realm that they are disappointed. So, I advise that if you get the chance to read it, you should do so with an open mind. Imagine it isn't Heyer writing it, but some other 21-year-old, newly published author.

As for the ending -- I appreciated it. I cried, but I thought it was well-done.

Copies of THE GREAT ROXHYTHE can be found at a reasonable price. Do not be suckered into paying a fortune for one. If you are so fortunate as to have a copy in your local library (which I highly doubt) take advantage of it and give it a try.

Actually this should be listed as Heyer's second published novel, I believe. Please see my entry entitled "Yes, I'm A Heyer Addict" for details.

Tags: Georgette Heyer, The Great Roxhythe, Charles II, The Duke of Buckingham

Some Massive Catching Up To Do!

   I have woefully neglected this journal, and I plan to remedy that as soon as possible.  In my defense, I have been busy earlier in the summer with my job winding down; then having the kids home; and then this week, getting them back to school.  Also, I have been trying to discipline myself to work on my own book with some kind of regularity -- so far, so good.

Catching up over the next few days, I plan to write about: THE GREAT ROXHYTHE, which is the next of GH's books in order; June's book of the month; July's book of the month; August's book of the month;  then I will continue with GH's books in order; a mystery that I really love called DEATH IN WHITECHURCH; and then I'll throw in a few more off my shelves as well.  Those are the plans for August, anyway.

                                                                  

May reading on the Heyer List

This month we are reading two books concurrently: THE RELUCTANT WIDOW and DEATH IN THE STOCKS.

I have not read TRW in a long time, and I am glad to be reading it now, because I had forgotton how much I like it. I started reading it yesterday and have had to make myself put it down to do other things.

I have never read DEATH IN THE STOCKS, but I have a copy and will start it next week. I like most of Heyer's mysteries, so I'm sure I'll like this one.

From My Heyer Shelves: Her Second Book

POWDER AND PATCH

First published in 1923 under the title THE TRANSFORMATION OF PHILIP JETTAN, and under Heyer's pseudonym, Stella Martin.

The second book published by Georgette Heyer was Powder and Patch. My copy is a Mandarin paperback. I don't yet have a hard cover copy, but will be looking for one; preferably an old one.

This book is the story of Philip Jettan, a very good, very irreproachable young man, who has all his life been in love with his childhood playmate, Cleone. When Cleone returns from her ladies' seminary, having acquired the polish and accomplishments necessary for a young lady about to be presented to society, she finds fault with Philip because he is not like the foppish dandies she has met in Town. Her heart may whisper his name to her, but as the book says, "Cleone was stern with her heart, for there was much in Mr. Jettan which did not meet with her approval." Even Philip's father wishes there were just a touch more wildness in his son. Philip is a good, steady man, who takes care of his responsibilities, has a good sense of humor and all the best character traits. But Cleone wishes for a little more dash; and she has become accustomed to being flirted with, and Philip does not flirt -- he just says what he thinks.

On the advice of his father and uncle, Philip travels to Paris for an extended visit where he "transforms". He starts dressing, acting and speaking the part of a handsome, foppish, indolent young man of means. He even writes poetry and fights duels!! When Cleone sees him again, it is as if he is an entirely different person. But although this is what she seemingly wanted all along, for some reason she finds she doesn't like it, and wants the old Philip back.

The book is very funny, and although, being only her second published work, it is not one of her best, still she writes it with a lot of insight and her characteristic wit. Of her first two I like it the better.

Actually I believe this was her third published book, with The Great Roxhythe her second. Please see my earlier entry entitled "Yes, I'm A Heyer Addict" for details.

Tags: Georgette Heyer, Stella Martin, Powder and Patch, The Transformation of Philip Jettan

From My "Young Adult" Book Shelves

       BACK HOME  by Michelle Magorian

This was a very good book; for an adult or a teen girl.  It is the story of a twelve-year-old English girl who returns to her home in England after having spent five years in America as an evacuee during WWII.  There are so many differences between the cultures of the two countries and between her family and the family she lived with in America, not to mention the difference in herself between the ages of eight and twelve.

When she gets home she has to get reacquainted with her mother and deal with boarding school and the restrictions normally placed on a girl her age that she hadn't had in America.  The story is so well told, the characters multi-faceted, and the journey they take is one we all take to some extent when faced with the everyday changes of normal life.

I would recommend this book to anyone.   It is a Harper Trophy winner and was published in 1984 by HarperCollins Publishers, Ltd.  The author also wrote GOOD NIGHT, MR. TOM.

Tags: Michelle Magorian, Back Home, Good Night Mr. Tom, Harper Trophy

From My "Old Favorites" Shelves

CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN

by Frank B. Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

This is the orginal story, the real story of the Gilbreth family.

If you have never read this book, you need to get it from your local library right away!  This is such a hilarious and sweet book.  It is written by two (the oldest boy and the third girl) of the children of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth who were both noted motion study and efficiency experts in the early 20th century.

Dad believes that he can run his dozen children just like a factory.   Mom has a little lighter touch, although she ends up backing up dad in almost everything.  The things that this family accomplished, learned and taught others are fantastic.  Real things happen to them; things that happen in every family, like when the oldest girl starts dating and she is plagued by the youngest siblings; like when she wants to wear makeup and have the newest hairstyles against dad's wishes.  Then there are the strange things that could only happen in this family; like everyone having their tonsils out at one time with dad filming the whole thing so he can see if the doctors are doing the procedure as efficiently as possible!!  The family was also instrumental in developing the "touch-type" method of typing.

Frank and Lillian were married in 1904 and did indeed have 12 children.  Frank was the pioneer of motion study and he and his wife became partners in the management consultant firm of Gilbreth, Inc.  Frank died young just before his 56th birthday in 1924, and his wife, ten years his junior, continued his work without him.  She eventually became even more well-known than her husband had been, making a name for herself not only in motion study but in workplace psychology and feminism.

The book is dedicated "To Dad, who only raised twelve children and To Mom, who raised twelve only children".  I think that is a neat dedication.  At the end of the book the two authors give us the best insight into their Dad's real personality.  They tell that someone once asked him what he wanted to save time for.  Their dad answered, "For work, if you love that best, for education, for beauty, for art, for pleasure."  Then he said, "For mumblety-peg, if that's where your heart lies."  I love that quote!

CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN was first published in 1948 and became a bestseller almost immediately.  It was then made into a play and then a motion picture starring Clifton Webb and Myrna Loy in 1950.  The movie version that came out in 2003 I have not seen and cannot bring myself to see.  With something like this book, based on a real family who grew up in a very particular era (1904 to 1924), making it about a modern family just totally changes the whole thing. 

My personal copy of the book is a paperback containing the complete and unaltered text of the original hardcover edition and is published by Bantam Books. 

Tags: By The Dozen, Frank Gilbreth, Lillian Gilbreth, Frank B. Gilbreth Jr., Ernesting Gilbreth Carey, Motion Study

March and April Heyer Book List

  In March I forgot to list what we were reading on the Heyer List.  We read FALSE COLOURS and HELEN.  I didn't actaully read either, though!  Ha!  I'd re-read FC recently, so I just followed along in the discussion.  I didn't get a copy of HEL until right at the end of the month, so I saved all the discussions about it, but didn't read them.  I didn't want them to spoil it.  I will of course, read it now, and I will write about it in here when its turn comes.

In April we are reading.......what else, but......APRIL LADY!  That was one of the first Heyer's I ever read and have re-read it alot, because it was always carried in the local library.  But I really can't say it is a top favorite.  So far the discussion has been good, because so many Heyer readers don't like it and those who do are fiercely loyal to it.  More on AL when its turn comes, as well.