These Old Shades

These Old Shades (1926) Georgette Heyer

This was a reread. I got so depressed by the news I needed something comforting, and this is what I ended up reading.

Some of the bits are somewhat horrifying–and probably not the bits that were originally so. More the whole fact that Alistar will not–cannot even!–marry anyone so far beneath him. No commoners. No bastards.

I recognize this is accurate for the time, but that makes it little less horrifying to think how stratified society was.

Once again, I am so very glad I live in the future and note the past.

So if the accurate historical bits are so awful, why is this comforting? Because it’s actually kinda awesome and funny.

‘Why was she famous? What for?’
‘Principally for her indiscretions.’

‘Your conversation is always so edifying, Rupert. Yet I believe we can dispense with it.’

But I particularly like Léonie.

Perhaps Rupert will come and save me, but I think that I will save myself, and not wait for Rupert…

and

‘Léonie was abducted by a very pretty rogue, and you rescued her.’
‘She rescued herself,’ chuckled Rupert.
‘Yes. I did,’ Léonie nodded.

Three cheers for Léonie!

Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca

 
 

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