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Fantasy Mystery Romance Comics Non-Fiction

These Old Shades

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

These Old Shades (1926) Georgette Heyer

These_Old_ShadesThere is so much to delight in, in this story. Justin Alastair, Duke of Avon, is unrepentant about his deserved reputation as Satanas–the Devil.

I never have intentions. That is why mothers of lovely daughters eye me askance.

He has done pretty awful things, and isn’t particularly sorry about any of them. And certainly never hides anything he has done.

But when he rescues Leon all but off the streets, Leon insists upon worshiping him no matter how brutally honest he is about his past and his motives (which are rarely clean to anyone but himself).

It’s actually quite amazing how likable Avon becomes, no matter how despicable he acts, and what we know he has done in the past.

And then there is Leon/Leonie, who is quite unlike what you would expect from the time.

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

But she is also quite reasonable, given her past–and her temper.

What is fascinating is how casually bloodshed and violence are viewed. Duels aren’t yet illegal, and those of good blood are quite willing to spill the same, over insults real and imagined.

Which is not to say this story isn’t funny, because Avon is very witty.

‘Where was I?’
‘You were not, my dear. We are breathlessly awaiting your arrival.’

And reading this as an ebook is even better than the paper book, at least for me, because I could look up translations and etymologies and all kinds of interesting things. (Even though I remain irritated that the Kindle doesn’t have a Latin to English translation. Boo.)

Published by Sourcebooks Landmark

 

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