Independence, Incivility, and Infuriating Chaperons!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: Purchased
TYPE OF NOVEL: Regency Romance
SETTING: Regency Bath
SYNOPSIS: At the age of twenty-nine, the wealthy, beautiful, and greatly admired Annis Wychwood sets up her own establishment in Bath. And to appease her family, she takes a chaperon with her. Determined not to marry, Annis has refused many proposals already; and like Elizabeth Bennet, she does not intend to marry unless induced by the deepest of affection. Annis’s well-ordered life receives a shaking up when she decides to help a young heiress, Lucilla Carleton, who has attempted to run away from home. Now Annis, herself, is in the role of temporary chaperon and must contend with all the responsibilities and obligations involved…including dealing with her young charges’ ill-mannered and abominably rude guardian…
WHAT I LOVED:
- An Independent Woman: I love and admire Annis so much! I love a heroine who is fiercely independent, and that thinks and cares for herself. It is all the more impressive that she does so at a time period where it was more uncommon and considered improper. I greatly enjoyed seeing Annis’s strength and courage rise with every attempt to intimidate or command her. She stands up to her brother, to Lucilla’s guardian, and to many others who try to bend her to their will. Talk about your obstinate, headstrong girls!
- Sibling and Sibling-In-Law Dynamic: I enjoyed Annis’s relationship with her brother Geoffrey, and his sweet wife Amabel. It is evident they all care for each other and have real affection, but I appreciate how Annis knows it is best that they don’t all live in the same household! Geoffrey put me in mind of John Knightley a bit – I think it was because he can be a bit brusque and controlling but is a man who cares deeply for his family. And Amabel felt similar to Isabella Knightley with her gentle nature and solicitous care to all whom she loves.
- Is Incivility the Food of Love?: Oliver Carleton is offensive, indifferent, brutally honest, and a perfect adversary for our fiercely independent Annis. At each exchange they cross swords, set up each others’ bristles, and rake each other over the coals. Their conversations were dripping with provocation, acerbity, and intelligent wit – Georgette Heyer at her best! I greatly enjoyed seeing this couple fall in love with each other through their verbal sparring. I think they both fell in love with each other because they were “sick of civility, of deference, of officious attention” and have finally found a counterpart with whom they can go toe-to-toe!
WHAT I AM CONFLICTED ABOUT:
- Maria Farlow: At first I delighted in her overly-garrulous and inconsequential speeches (more Heyer genius at work!) – this dependent cousin was similar in situation and speech to Miss Bates (who I adore!). But the more we progressed into this story, the more Maria became jealous and resentful, and her speeches became selfish, petulant, and exasperating! I ended up feeling greatly irritated and out of patience with Maria – but maybe that is how we were supposed to feel about her?
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- Left Dangling: There is plenty of drama introduced regarding Lucilla, Ninian, and their families. And while I didn’t mind the page time spent on Annis and Oliver, I felt like Ms. Heyer didn’t follow through with some of the secondary characters’ storylines. What happens when Ninian returns home? How does Lucilla view her future living arrangements? Do their families become involved? Oh, and what happens to Maria? (not that I care greatly!) The resolution for this story felt incomplete and a little abrupt.
OTHER OBSERVATIONS:
- Unique Names: There are so many unique names that I have never heard or seen anywhere prior to reading this book: Annis, Amabel, Ninian, Lucilla.
- Contagious!: LOL! This might be because I’m reading this story in the time of COVID, but while repeatedly kiss someone recovering from influenza is wildly romantic, I couldn’t help think of and fear the spread of the infection!
CONCLUSION:
I adore the combination of a mature, confident, and strong heroine with an unlikely, rakish and ungentlemanly hero in Lady of Quality! While it might not be the most developed and brilliant of Georgette Heyer’s comedies, Lady of Quality is a vastly entertaining read full of wit, charm, and exhilarating sparks!
For the past seven years I’ve made it a tradition to post a review near/on Georgette Heyer’s birthday (August 16th) in celebration! I’ve read several Heyer novels not during August too, you can find all my reviews below:
Arabella I Black Sheep I Cotillion I Devil’s Cub I Faro’s Daughter
Friday’s Child I Sylvester: Or The Wicked Uncle I The Black Moth I The Convenient Marriage
The Grand Sophy I The Masqueraders I These Old Shades I Venetia
I hadn’t heard of this title, thanks for the review because I think I’ll like headstrong Annis!
You’re right about the “names”, they’re really unique. The only one I knew was “Lucilla”.
I understand what you say about “contagious ” LOL: lately while watching movies on the TV and people appeared kissing each others or walking hand by hand or attending an event with many people, I found myself saying to the TV screen: “Are you crazy? You can’t stay so close!”.
I hope you have a beautiful day tomorrow and enjoy your “special” day 😉
A big (and totally safe) hug, my friend!
Thanks so much for checking out my review, Teresa! I am glad to hear you share some similar initial reactions that I did!
Thank you so much. You are so sweet to remember!
As you know, I’m a huge fan of all Georgette Heyer books including this one although I admit it isn’t one of my very favourites.
Yes I think Maria’s character was planned, I haven’t read it for a while but doesn’t Annis arrange for her to live with Mrs Butterbank? (That may be a different Book?)
I’m glad you enjoyed it Meredith. Stay safe!
It wasn’t as stellar as all her other stories. That makes sense if we were supposed to dislike Maria – job well done, Ms. Heyer! I think that was a different book since I don’t recall a character being introduced with that name. The way they left it in this one was that maybe she would be “gifted” to Amabel, but George sounded like that was the last thing he would want to have happen.
I’m a huge Heyer fan and love the books. This wasn’t a favorite but reading it with the GH group on GR lately I came to appreciate it more. Maria drove me to distraction and I felt like screaming every time she appeared in the story.
Great review Meredith.
That’s great that you appreciated it more when reading with a group. 🙂 And lol! So glad it wasn’t just me! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Teresa!
I love all of Georgette Heyer’s romances. Two headstrong people falling in love is a great theme. I agree that we are supposed to love Maria in the beginning but gradually wish her ‘at Jericho’. Thanks for sharing your review!
For sure! I guess since there really isn’t a proper antagonist for us to loath, Maria steps into that role! 😉
I, too, love Heyer. And coincidentally I had also just read this book. I love her more “mature” women who stand up against society’s “rules.” Heyer is the queen of witty banter and I love learning the “slang” of the time. Her books always cheer me up. What a nice tradition for her birthday!
So happy to hear you read this one recently! Yes – the dialogue is always one of the best parts! I especially like it with characters like Annis and Oliver who are witty and have sharp tongues!
I love Heyer as well. I couldn’t get into her mysteries or histories as much. Honestly I read so many I can’t recall this one well. I did recently reread Sprig Muslin, Faro’s Daughter, The Corinthian and Arabella. I was trying to find an easy entry into Heyer for my 14 year old granddaughter. She got Faro’s Daughter at the library. (Too complicated) I also got her a book on slang during the Regency period. I definitely didn’t want her getting the wrong idea about people “Making love” in those books. Thanks for your Heyer tribute. I may need to reread that one also.
I have yet to try her mysteries, Suzan. I have two and keep thinking they would be fun to read – I hope I like them!
That’s great that you are wanting to share Heyer with your granddaughter! How wonderful! I’ve read – out of the ones I’ve read maybe I’d recommend trying Cotillion or Devil’s Cub – those are some fun ones she might easily get into! Of Sprig Muslin and The Corinthian which one did you like more – I haven’t read either of those.
I love your annual Heyer birthday reviews. You get me enthused to dive back into her fun Regency world. I know I read this one, thank you GoodReads, but I remember little about it. Must re-read. 🙂
Aww! Thank you, Sophia It is lovely of you to check out my review! Hope you enjoy the reread when you get the chance! I know I feel the same way with some of the ones I read awhile ago.
The names are very old school. My grandpa had an older sister named Annis.
denise
I guess so! Haven’t really heard them anywhere else. Neat!!
Today is also my grandson’s birthday…just a coincidence. I have not read this one of Heyer’s books although I have read and enjoyed others of her’s. Thanks for your excellent review, Meredith. I have only read 9 of her books so I am way behind.
Fun! There is sooooo many compared to Jane Austen! It will take me years to read them all!
Hey Birthday Girl! 😀 This crept up on me way too quickly, I have been rereading this hoping to finish before your review. I knew what happened, but forgot how it played out. When looking at my list of G.H. books to reread, I’ve never picked this one as it has so many similarities to Black Sheep and I like that one a whole lot better.
I had forgotten the old school names. Some of the surnames are rather humorous too. Maria Far-low, for an example. I suspect Heyer’s readers at the time of publication may have knowledge lost to us regarding other names to understand their wry humor. I did like the two main characters and their fireworks verbal interactions. But I still liked Abigail Wendover and Miles Caverleigh from Black Sheep better. I’ll finish Lady of Quality and maybe appreciate it more this time. You can’t help but like Annis.
Love these birthday tributes to Heyer Meredith, I look forward to them each year. Great review! Hope you and Mr. B. are having a fab weekend.
Thank you, Michelle! You are such a dear! I know what you mean – I prefer Black Sheep too! It is interesting how much the two have in common with each other!
Annis is terrific! I hope you enjoy your reread – thank you for joining me on this tradition!! That is a lovely surprise!
Hope you are staying safe and well!!!