Venetia by Georgette Heyer Published by Arrow on February 28, 2023
Pages: 332
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In all her twenty- five years, lovely Venetia Lanyon has never been further than Harrogate, nor enjoyed the attentions of any but her two wearisomely persistent suitors. Then, in one extraordinary encounter, she meets a neighbour she only knows by reputation- the infamous Lord Damerel- and before she knows better, is egging on a libertine whose way of life has scandalised the North Riding for years.
There is a reason that Georgette Heyer is renowned as a more contemporary Jane Austen. Writing in the 1920s until the 70s, her books created the Regency England romance genre. Many of the current historical romance novelist of today emulate Heyer’s plots, style, and general whimsy for the genre (See Eloisa James).
And for an introduction into Heyer, there is no better place to start than Venetia.
It is a wonderful tale of a country miss running the estate while her elder brother is away at war (and derelict in his duties) and the gentlemen who court her.
Caring for her brother who is disabled and a dedicated scholar who sometimes lives in abstraction, Venetia is a kind and elegant character who is determined to marry for love. And it finds her in the form of the very naughty rakehell neighbor, Lord Damerel. As a 25 year old woman who has been denied a Season, she has found fulfillment in her duties at her brother’s house. Two local men have been vying for her hand, with little success. Enter Damerel.
There is much humor and well-tuned details about Regency life, perfect for balancing out the romantic aspects of the book.
Naturally, it’s also a kisses only book with none of the risqué scenes of many contemporary hist-rom, so safe to gift to readers not interested in the steamy action.
What most amazing everyone is how very likable Heyer’s characters are, and how readable she is for writing in the 40s and 50s. (Venetia was published in 1958).
Jane Austen fans will love it, too, as Heyer tries to diligently stick to the true form of Regency.
Overall, a wonderful predecessor to modern hist-rom, and one I would definitely recommend reading!
