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Set in the Georgian period, about 20 years before the Regency, These Old Shades is considered to be the book that launched Heyer's career. It features two of Heyer's most memorable characters: Justin Alastair, the Duke of Avon, and Leonie, whom he rescues from a life of ignomy and comes to love and marry.
The Duke is known for his coldness of manner, his remarkable omniscience, and his debauched lifestyle. Late one evening, he is accosted by a young person dressed in ragged boy's clothing running away from a brutal rustic guardian. The Duke buys "Leon" and makes the child his page. "Leon" is in fact Leonie, and she serves the Duke with deep devotion. When he uncovers the true story of her birth, he wreaks an unforgettable revenge on her sinister father in a chilling scene of public humiliation.
PRAISE FOR GEORGETTE HEYER:
"Our Georgette Heyer display of the Sourcebooks reprints has been a huge success, not only to those early fans like myself, but to many new readers who appreciate her style and wit."
Nancy Olson, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NC
"Reading Georgette Heyer is the next best thing to reading Jane Austen."
Publishers Weekly
"Wonderful characters, elegant, witty writing, perfect period detail, and rapturously romantic. Georgette Heyer achieves what the rest of us only aspire to."
Katie Fforde
"Absolute monarch of the Regency romance."
Kirkus Reviews
One
His Grace of Avon Buys a Soul
A gentleman was strolling down a side street in Paris, on his way back from the house of one Madame de Verchoureux. He walked mincingly, for the red heels of his shoes were very high. A long purple cloak, rose-lined, hung from his shoulders and was allowed to fall carelessly back from his dress, revealing a full-skirted coat of purple satin, heavily laced with gold; a waistcoat of flowered silk; faultless small clothes; and a lavish sprinkling of jewels on his cravat and breast. A three-cornered hat, point-edged, was set upon his powdered wig, and in his hand he carried a long beribboned cane. It was little enough protection against footpads, and although a light dress sword hung at the gentleman's side its hilt was lost in the folds of his cloak, not quickly to be found. At this late hour, and in this deserted street, it was the height of foolhardiness to walk unattended and flaunting jewels, but the gentleman seemed unaware of his recklessness. He proceeded languidly on his way, glancing neither to left nor to right, apparently heedless of possible danger.
But as he walked down the street, idly twirling his cane, a body hurled itself upon him, shot like a cannon-ball from a dark alley that yawned to the right of the magnificent gentleman. The figure clutched at the elegant cloak, cried out in a startled voice, and tried to regain his balance.
His Grace of Avon swirled about, gripping his assailant's wrists and bearing them downwards with a merciless strength belied by his foppish appearance. His victim gave a whimper of pain and sank quivering to his knees.
‘M'sieur! Ah, let me go! I did not mean — I did not know — I would not — Ah, m'sieur, let me go!'
His Grace bent over the boy, standing a little to one side so that the light of an adjacent street lamp fell on that white agonized countenance. Great violet-blue eyes gazed wildly up at him, terror in their depths.
‘Surely you are a little young for this game?' drawled the Duke. ‘Or did you think to take me unawares?'
The boy flushed, and his eyes grew dark with indignation.
‘I did not seek to rob you! Indeed, indeed I did not! I — I was running away! I — oh, m'sieur, let me go!'
‘In good time, my child. From what were you running, may I ask? From another victim?'
‘No! Oh, please let me go! You — you do not understand! He will have started in pursuit! Ah, please, please, milor'!'
The Duke's curious, heavy-lidded eyes never wavered from the boy's face. They had widened suddenly, and become intent.
‘And who, child, is "he"?'
‘My — my brother. Oh, please —'
Round the corner of the alley came a man, full-tilt. At sight of Avon he checked. The boy shuddered, and now clung to Avon's arm.
‘Ah!' exploded the newcomer. ‘Now, by God, if the whelp has sought to rob you, milor', he shall pay for it! You scoundrel! Ungrateful brat! You shall be sorry, I promise you! Milor', a thousand apologies! The lad is my young brother. I was beating him for his laziness when he slipped from me —'
The Duke raised a scented handkerchief to his thin nostrils.
‘Keep your distance, fellow,' he said haughtily. ‘Doubtless beating is good for the young.'
The boy shrank closer to him. He made no attempt to escape, but his hands twitched convulsively. Once again the Duke's strange eyes ran over him, resting for a moment on the copper-red curls that were cut short and ruffled into wild disorder.
‘As I remarked, beating is good for the young. Your brother, you said?' He glanced now at the swarthy, coarse-featured young man.
‘Yes, noble sir, my brother. I have cared for him since our parents died, and he repays me with ingratitude. He is a curse, noble sir, a curse!'
The Duke seemed to reflect.
‘How old is he, fellow?'
‘He is nineteen, milor'.'
The Duke surveyed the boy.
‘Nineteen. Is he not a little small for his age?'
‘Why, milor', if — if he is it is no fault of mine! I — I have fed him well. I pray you, do not heed what he says! He is a viper, a wild-cat, a veritable curse!'
‘I will relieve you of the curse,' said his Grace calmly.
The man stared, uncomprehending.
‘Milor' — ?'
‘I suppose he is for sale?'
A cold hand stole into the Duke's, and clutched it.
‘Sale, milor'? You — ?'
‘I believe I will buy him to be my page. What is his worth? A louis? Or are curses worthless? An interesting problem.'
The man's eyes gleamed suddenly with avaricious cunning.
‘He is a good boy, noble sir. He can work. Indeed, he is worth much to me. And I have an affection for him. I —'
‘I will give a guinea for your curse.'
‘Ah, but no, milor'! He is worth more! Much, much more!'
‘Then keep him,' said Avon, and moved on.
The boy ran to him, clinging to his arm.
‘Milor', take me! Oh, please take me! I will work well for you! I swear it! Oh, I beg of you, take me!'
His Grace paused.
‘I wonder if I am a fool?' he said in English. He drew the diamond pin from his cravat, and held it so that it winked and sparkled in the light of the lamp. ‘Well, fellow? Will this suffice?'
The man gazed at the jewel as though he could hardly believe his eyes. He rubbed them, and drew nearer, staring.
‘For this,' Avon said, ‘I purchase your brother, body and soul. Well?'
‘Give it me!' whispered the man, and stretched out his hand. ‘The boy is yours, milor'.'
Avon tossed the pin to him.
‘I believe I requested you to keep your distance,' he said. ‘You offend my nostrils. Child, follow me.' On he went, down the street, with the boy at a respectful distance behind him.
They came at last to the Rue St-Honoré, and to Avon's house. He passed in with never a glance behind him to see whether his new possession followed or not, and walked across the courtyard to the great nail-studded door. Bowing lackeys admitted him, looking in surprise at the shabby figure who came in his wake.
The Duke let fall his cloak, and handed his hat to one of the footmen.
‘Mr Davenant?' he said.
‘In the library, your Grace.'
Avon sauntered across the hall to the library door. It was opened for him, and he went in, nodding to the boy to follow.
Hugh Davenant sat by the fire, reading a book of poems. He glanced up as his host came in, and smiled.
‘Well, Justin?' Then he saw the shrinking child by the door. ‘Faith, what have we here?'
‘You may well ask,' said the Duke. He came to the fire, and stretched one elegantly shod foot to the blaze. ‘A whim. That dirty and starved scrap of humanity is mine.' He spoke in English, but it was evident that the boy understood, for he flushed, and hung his curly head.
‘Yours?' Davenant looked from him to the boy. ‘What mean you, Alastair? Surely — you cannot mean — your son?'
‘Oh, no!' His Grace smiled in some amusement. ‘Not this time, my dear Hugh. I bought this little rat for the sum of one diamond.'
‘But — but why, in heaven's name?'
‘I have no idea,' said his Grace placidly. ‘Come here, rat.'
The boy came to him timidly, and allowed Justin to turn his face to the light.
‘Quite a pretty child,' the Duke remarked. ‘I shall make him my page. So entertaining to possess a page, body and soul.'
Davenant rose, and took one of the boy's hands in his.
‘I suppose you will explain, some time or another,' he said. ‘For the present, why not feed the poor child?'
‘You are always so efficient,' sighed the Duke. He turned to the table, on which a cold supper was laid, awaiting him. ‘Wonderful. You might almost have known that I should bring home a guest. You may eat, little rat.'
The boy looked up at him shyly.
‘Please, milor', I can wait. I — I would not eat your supper. I would rather wait, if — if you please.'
‘I do not please, my child. Go and eat.' He sat down as he spoke, twirling his quizzing glass. After a moment's hesitation the boy went to the table and waited for Hugh to carve him a leg of chicken. Having supplied his wants, Hugh came back to the fire.
‘Are you mad, Justin?' he asked, faintly smiling.
‘I believe not.'
‘Then why have you done this? What do you, of all men, want with a child of his age?'
‘I thought it might be an amusement. As you doubtless know, I am suffering from ennui. Louise wearies me. This' — he waved one white hand towards the famished boy — ‘is a heaven-sent diversion.'
Davenant frowned.
‘You surely do not intend to adopt the child?'
‘He — er — adopted me.'
‘You are going to make him as your son?' persisted Hugh incredulously.
The Duke's eyebrows rose, rather superciliously.
‘My dear Hugh! A child from the gutter? He shall be my page.'
‘And what interest will that afford you?'
Justin smiled, and his glance travelled to the boy.
‘I wonder?' he said softly.
‘You have some special reason?'
‘As you so sapiently remark, my dear Hugh, I have some special reason.'
Davenant shrugged his shoulders, and allowed the subject to drop. He sat watching the child at the table, who presently finished his repast, and came to the Duke's side.
‘If you please, sir, I have finished.'
Avon put up his eyeglass.
‘Have you?' he said.
The boy knelt suddenly, and to Davenant's surprise, kissed the Duke's hand.
‘Yes, sir. Thank you.'
Avon disengaged himself, but the boy knelt still, looking up into the handsome face with humble eyes. The Duke took a pinch of snuff.
‘My esteemed child, there sits the man you had best thank.' He waved his hand towards Davenant. ‘I should never have thought of feeding you.'
‘I — I thanked you for saving me from Jean, milor',' the boy answered.
‘You are reserved for a worse fate,' said the Duke sardonically. ‘You now belong to me — body and soul.'
‘Yes, sir. If you please,' murmured the boy, and sent him a swift glance of admiration from beneath his long lashes.
The thin lips curled a little.
‘The prospect is no doubt pleasing?'
‘Yes, sir. I — I would like to serve you.'
‘But then, you do not know me very well,' said Justin, with a slight chuckle. ‘I am an inhuman taskmaster, eh, Hugh?'
‘You are not the man to care for a child of his age,' said Hugh quietly.
‘True, very true. Shall I give him to you?'
A trembling hand touched his great cuff.
‘Please, sir —'
Justin looked across at his friend.
‘I do not think I shall, Hugh. It is so entertaining, and so — er — novel, to be a gilded saint in the eyes of — er — unfledged innocence. I shall keep the boy for just so long as he continues to amuse me. What is your name, my child?'
‘Léon, sir.'
‘How delightfully brief!' Always a faint undercurrent of sarcasm ran beneath the surface of the Duke's smooth voice. ‘Léon. No more, no less. The question is — Hugh will of course have the answer ready — what next to do with Léon?'
‘Put him to bed,' said Davenant.
‘Naturally — And do you think — a bath?'
‘By all means.'
‘Ah yes!' sighed the Duke, and struck a handbell at his side.
A lackey came in answer to the summons, bowing deeply.
‘Your Grace desires?'
‘Send me Walker,' said Justin.
The lackey effaced himself, and presently a neat individual came in, grey-haired and prim.
‘Walker! I have something to say to you. Yes, I remember. Walker, do you observe this child?'
Walker glanced at the kneeling boy.
‘Ay, your Grace.'
‘He does. Marvellous,' murmured the Duke. ‘His name, Walker, is Léon. Strive to bear it in mind.'
‘Certainly, your Grace.'
‘He requires several things, but first a bath.'
‘Ay, your Grace.'
‘Secondly, a bed.'
‘Yes, your Grace.'
‘Thirdly, a nightgown.'
‘Yes, your Grace.'
‘Fourthly, and lastly, a suit of clothes. Black.'
‘Black, your Grace.'
‘Severe and funereal black, as shall befit my page. You will procure them. No doubt you will prove yourself equal to this occasion. Take the child away, and show him the bath, the bed, and the nightgown. And then leave him alone.'
‘Very good, your Grace.'
‘And you, Léon, rise. Go with the estimable Walker. I shall see you to-morrow.'
Léon came to his feet, and bowed.
‘Yes, Monseigneur. Thank you.'
‘Pray, do not thank me again,' yawned the Duke. ‘It fatigues me.' He watched Léon go out, and turned to survey Davenant.
Hugh looked full into his eyes.
‘What does this mean, Alastair?'
The Duke crossed his legs, and swung one foot.
‘I wonder?' he said pleasantly. ‘I thought that you would be able to tell me. You are always so omniscient, my dear.'
‘Some scheme you have in mind, I know,' Hugh said positively. ‘I have known you long enough to be sure of that. What do you want with that child?'
‘You are sometimes most importunate,' complained Justin. ‘Never more so than when you become virtuously severe. Pray spare me a homily.'
‘I have no intention of lecturing you. All I would say is that it is impossible for you to take that child as your page.'
‘Dear me!' said Justin, and gazed pensively into the fire.
‘For one thing he is of gentle birth. One can tell that from his speech, and his delicate hands and face. For another — his innocence shines out of his eyes.'
‘How very distressing!'
‘It would be very distressing if that innocence left him — because of you,' Hugh said, a hint of grimness in his rather dreamy voice.
‘Always so polite,' murmured the Duke.
‘If you wish to be kind to him —'
‘My dear Hugh! I thought you said you knew me?'
Davenant smiled at that.
‘Well, Justin, as a favour to me, will you give me Léon, and seek a page elsewhere?'
‘I am always sorry to disappoint you, Hugh. I desire to act up to your expectations on all possible occasions. So I shall keep Léon. Innocence shall walk behind Evil — you see, I forestall you — clad in sober black.'
‘Why do you want him? At least tell me that?'
‘He has Titian hair,' said Justin blandly. ‘Titian hair has ever been one of — my — ruling — passions.' The hazel eyes glinted for a moment, and were swiftly veiled. ‘I am sure you will sympathise with me.'
Hugh rose and walked to the table. He poured himself out a glass of burgundy, and sipped it for a time in silence.
‘Where have you been this evening?' he asked at length.
‘I really forget. I believe I went first to De Touronne's house. Yes, I remember now. I won. Strange.'
‘Why strange?' inquired Hugh.
Justin flicked a grain of snuff from his great cuff.
‘Because, Hugh, in the days, not so long since, when it was — ah — common knowledge that the noble family of Alastair was on the verge of ruin — yes, Hugh, even when I was mad enough to contemplate marriage with the present — er — Lady Merivale — I could only lose.'
‘I've seen you win thousands in a night, Justin.'
‘And lose them the following night. Then, if you remember, I went away with you to — now, where did we go? Rome! Of course!'
‘I remember.'
The thin lips sneered a little.
‘Yes. I was the — ah — rejected and heart-broken suitor. I should have blown my brains out to be quite correct. But I was past the age of drama. Instead I proceeded — in due course — to Vienna. And I won. The reward, my dear Hugh, of vice.'
Hugh tilted his glass, watching the candle-light play on the dark wine.
‘I heard,' he said slowly, ‘that the man from whom you won that fortune — a young man, Justin —'
‘— with a blameless character.'
‘Yes. That young man — so I heard — did blow his brains out.'
‘You were misinformed, my dear. He was shot in a duel. The reward of virtue. The moral is sufficiently pointed, I think?'
‘And you came to Paris with a fortune.'
‘Quite a considerable one. I bought this house.'
‘Yes. I wonder how you reconcile it with your soul?'
‘I haven't one, Hugh. I thought you knew that.'
‘When Jennifer Beauchamp married Anthony Merivale you had something approaching a soul.'
‘Had I?' Justin regarded him with amusement.
Hugh met his look.
‘And I wonder too what Jennifer Beauchamp is to you now?'
Justin held up one beautiful white hand.
‘Jennifer Merivale, Hugh. She is the memory of a failure, and of a spell of madness.'
‘And yet you have never been quite the same since.'
Justin rose, and now the sneer was marked.
‘I told you half an hour ago, my dear, that it was my endeavour to act up to your expectations. Three years ago — in fact, when I heard from my sister Fanny of Jennifer's marriage — you said with your customary simplicity that although she would not accept my suit, she had made me. Voilà tout.'
‘No.' Hugh looked thoughtfully across at him. ‘I was wrong, but —'
‘My dear Hugh, pray do not destroy my faith in you!'
‘I was wrong, but not so much wrong. I should have said that Jennifer prepared the way for another woman to make you.'
Justin closed his eyes.
‘When you become profound, Hugh, you cause me to regret the day that saw me admit you into the select ranks of my friends.'
‘You have so many, have you not?' said Hugh, flushing.
‘Parfaitement.' Justin walked to the door. ‘Where there is money there are also — friends.'
Davenant set down his glass.
‘Is that meant for an insult?' he said quietly.
Justin paused, his hand on the door-knob.
‘Strange to say it was not. But by all means call me out.'
Hugh laughed suddenly.
‘Oh, go to bed, Justin! You are quite impossible!'
‘So you have often told me. Good night, my dear.' He went out, but before he had shut the door bethought himself of something, and looked back, smiling. ‘A propos, Hugh, I have got a soul. It has just had a bath, and is now asleep.'
‘God help it!' Hugh said gravely.
‘I am not sure of my cue. Do I say amen, or retire cursing?' His eyes mocked but the smile in them was not unpleasant. He did not wait for an answer, but shut the door, and went slowly up to bed.
1 His Grace of Avon Buys a Soul 1
2 Introducing the Comte de Saint-Vire 13
3 Which Tells of a Debt Unpaid 27
4 His Grace of Avon Becomes Further Acquainted with his Page 33
5 His Grace of Avon Visits Versailles 49
6 His Grace of Avon Refuses to Sell his Page 65
7 Satan and Priest at One 79
8 Hugh Davenant is Amazed 93
9 Léon and Léonie 103
10 Lady Fanny's Virtue is Outraged 113
11 Mr Marling's Heart is Won 129
12 His Grace of Avon's Ward 135
13 The Education of Léonie 143
14 The Appearance on the Scene of Lord Rupert Alastair 151
15 Lord Rupert Makes the Acquaintance of Léonie 163
16 The Coming of the Comte de Saint-Vire 173
17 Of a Capture, a Chase, and Confusion 179
18 The Indignation of Mr Manvers 189
19 Lord Rupert Wins the Second Trick 201
20 His Grace of Avon Takes Command of the Game 217
21 The Discomfiture of the Comte de Saint-Vire 227
22 The Arrival of Another Player in the Game 241
23 Mr Marling Allows Himself to be Persuaded 251
24 Hugh Davenant is Agreeably Surprised 263
25 Léie Curtsies to the Polite World 275
26 The Presentation of Léonie
27 The Hand of Madame de Verchoureux 307
28 The Comte de Saint-Vire Discovers an Ace in his Hand 321
29 The Disappearance of Léonie 329
30 His Grace of Avon Trumps the Comte's Ace 341
31 His Grace of Avon Wins All 359
32 His Grace of Avon Astonishes Everyone for the Last Time 369
Balina
Posted August 21, 2011
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This was a fantastic read. i couldn't put it down.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 30, 2003
I am so glad that this book has been republished. I am a huge Georgette Heyer fan and These Old Shades was one of her books which I did not have. This book was sooooo good. It made me laugh out loud numerous times and by the end of the book I actually had tears in my eyes. For a book to do that is indeed a book worth reading! For those who have never read Georgette Heyer's books, you are in for a real treat. She is the writer that all other regency romance writers are judged by and she still, many years after her death, is the best regency romance writer of all time.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.If this had been my first book by Heyer, I doubt I would have read any more of hers, which is a shame because she's one of my favorite authors. This one, though, was difficult for me to get through.
First of all, I had a hard time with the hero, Justin Alstair, the Duke of Avon. His motives at times seemed highly questionable. He claims he knew from the first that his new page was a girl, yet he let her continue with the charade much longer than seemed necessary; in fact, he went out of his way to flaunt his new page all over Paris society, taking her into places that few men brought their pages, places that were not at all suitable for a nineteen-year-old girl. I know it was all part of his plot to ruin his old rival, the Comte de Saint-Vire, but it showed a tremendous lack of respect for Leon/Leonie as a fellow human being rather than a disposable pawn. The fact that he called her his child over and over in the story was also a bit disturbing, given where readers know the story is going to end up. Leon/Leonine's slavish devotion to him, too, seems to be a bit much. Their relationship just had a few too many "ick" factors for me to be completely comfortable.
If you can get past the hero and heroine's questionable motives and actions, though, many parts of the story are enjoyable and trademark Heyer. The secondary characters are, as always, wonderfully drawn. The antagonist is delightfully evil, and the plot itself is good. The last third or so of the book did have my complete interest as much of the first half did not. All in all, I'm not sorry I read this one, but I am very glad that it wasn't my introduction to this author.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 3, 2001
Once you read Georgette Heyer, no other historical romance writer will do. Her books are witty, fun, romantic, and historically accurate in their depiction of modes and manners. These Old Shades adds mystery and clever plot twists to the mix, making for a delightful read that will leave you wanting more.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 16, 2012
I say yes it is. I defy anyone not to fall for this heroine and for the hero, who first uses her for revenge and falls in love along the way. Set in the time of Louis XIV, this is set in Paris and England. An easy read, a good intro to Georgette Heyer, but it sets the bar way high for other historical romances. Five * not nearly enough! Sequel: Devil's Cub is also quite wonderful (Heroine shoots hero!) Third book "An Infamous Army" is about Waterloo and great granddaughter of Alastair who resembles great-granny.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Schmooby-Doo
Posted May 27, 2011
This book and its sequel (Devil's Cub) are books I read at least once a year. For decades now, Leonie has been a friend I love to meet again and again. I own it in hardback and a few beater paperbacks and now on Nook! This is one of G. Heyer's early works and it is just so good. Great dialogue, settings, fashion. The basic plot is a haughty, omniscient duke rescues a pageboy from the streets of 18th century Paris. But is the boy all he seems to be? It is very stylized, which is why it's so correct for the time frame. Heyer's gift is making the times she writes about so real you really wonder if she had a secret time machine. She is unbeatable! Highly recommended!!! I'd give it TEN stars if I could! I'd also recommend THE GRAND SOPHY too!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 20, 2010
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This was an extremely beautiful romantic story. It showed a love that slowly and unconsciously grew as Justin Alastair, the Duke of Avon, tried to solve the "puzzle" that Leon/Leonie represented. For all the good it did him to keep her at arm's length, her unconditional love for him torn the walls that he surrounded himself. In the end, instead of using her as the key to his own vengeance, he learned to love and treasure her as the key to his heart. Overall, it was a very touching story. My favourite G.H. book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.samNY
Posted March 18, 2010
This is a review for all Heyer's stories - they are fun and entertaining and not sappy romances as some supposedly "regency romances" are. She pokes gentle fun at the mores and traditions of the time; there is humor in every book as well as a fun romance. Thanks for reprinting her! She is a classic that should be in every book lover's library.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 20, 2010
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I loved this book. It is very much an historical romance novel. Heyer's description of the clothing of the characters was very well done and gave one an idea of how people dressed in the time period. The adventure itself and the mystery surounding the main characters was very well written and done. Not quite Agatha Christie but very close to her style of adventure.
The only downside to this period novel was what year it takes place. You had to piece together the clues in the description of the costumes to ascertain the year. If one knows the style of dress for each century you were able to figure it out very quickly, if not, you were out of luck and had to hope to get some other type of clue.
I also recommend that you start with this book in the series and not purchase the 2nd or 3rd first. It will only confuse you with her referals to the past books. Once I read this book I went back to the 2nd novel and was better able to enjoy it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 16, 2010
i have been reading her books since i was 16. they are so detailed its like you're there. her knack for detail is superb. i love all of her romance novels -this being my favorite- and also its sequel devils cub.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 10, 2010
this has been my favorite book since I read it at age 14 my copy is falling apart from so many readings. I also reccommend the Sequel DEVIL'S CUB about the Justin and Leona's son
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 16, 2012
One of my favorite Heyer books. Alaistair is close to being unredeemable--he wins a fortune from some man who then kills himself. He plays to the end and leaves him nothing so you know what he's capable of. Leonie is only a tool to get at Saint Vire but it's something about her that doesn't add up and only someone who been around and doesn't take things at face value would eventually figure out. It takes a couple of readings to get the gist of the slang and manners and how honor carries all in that society before you appreciate the exquisite writing of Georgette Heyer. This is not a one time quick read but an adventure that you would want to take many times in your life.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Fricka
Posted June 20, 2012
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These Old Shades is one of my favorite Georgette Heyer romance novels. The book is the first of three in the chronicle of the Alastair family, and introduces the readers to Justin Alastair, also known as His Grace of Avon. The plot line has already been more than adequately dealt with in previous reviews, so I'll focus on what makes this book such fun to read time and time again. Heyer provides such character insight, and her dialogue is absolutely charming. For example, this exchange between the Duke and his page Leon, from Chapter Five: " ' I think I have a very bad temper,' he remarked naively. 'M.le Cure would have made me do penance for it. He talked to me about it--oh, often!'
'You do not appear to have profited unduly from his discourse,' replied Avon dryly.
'No, Monseigneur. But it is difficult, you understand. My temper is too quick for me. In a minute it is up, and I cannot stop it. But I am nearly often sorry afterwards.' " Thus with a few short sentences, Heyer presents the character attribute of Leon the page(later Leonie, the Duke's ward) and the Duke's response to her confession. Heyer also gives the reader insight into the world of the aristocracy in France and England during the Georgian period. Although the timing of this book and its successor, Devil's Cub, are in the Georgian period, Heyer's writing made her the Standard Bearer of the Regency Novel. Any regency fan who hasn't read Heyer should do so, as they are wonderful reading. Highly recommended.
songbirdsue
Posted June 4, 2012
I found this very interresting and intertaining. I did not feel the romance at all though. It was more mystery for me as well as some charater development. This time period is always fascinating. The story is cute.
Anonymous
Posted November 6, 2011
I tend to get a little confused, until I sort out all the different characters and their names when reading books with this much depth. I enjoyed the challenge. I fell in love with all the characters and their individual personalities. The story line was most intriguing and very entertaining.
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Posted September 19, 2011
I read these stories for the details in period houses, clothing, politics and gardens.
Nice to have a decent story as well. All the bases are covered, beautiful people and not so beautiful. Rich , Poor and of course a shocking bit of sex.
Heyer does it all, will keep reading these books
ArdentBibliophile
Posted September 10, 2011
I was looking for an old-fashioned romance, and this is definitely it. The characters were extremely well written. I only gave it three stars because the romance part was pretty abrupt. Despite that, a thoroughly enjoyable book.
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Posted August 21, 2011
This is a book i love & often recommend. And usually i hate books with a huge age difference between hero & heroine. But Leonie is so much fun; of course Avon can't help falling in love. Rupert is a great character, too. Great intro to historical romance.
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Posted May 25, 2010
I Also Recommend:
I enjoyed reading this novel- but I love to read anything that has similar writings of an Jane Austen novel and Georgette Heyer does that with her romance novels. They are quite funny in the characters remarks, etc. I do recommend this novel.
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Posted April 24, 2010
This book was given to me so I didn't read the back cover to find out what it was about. I knew the whole story, minus a few details, within the first 25 pages. Disappointing. The details about 18th century dress was enjoyable, though.
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Overview
Set in the Georgian period, about 20 years before the Regency, These Old Shades is considered to be the book that launched Heyer's career. It features two of Heyer's most memorable characters: Justin Alastair, the Duke of Avon, and Leonie, whom he rescues from a life of ignomy and comes to love and marry.
The Duke is known for his coldness of manner, his remarkable omniscience, and his debauched lifestyle. Late one evening, he is accosted by a young person dressed in ragged ...