These Old Shades: Historical Novel

Georgette Heyer

Nov 2023 · DigiCat

About this ebook

This book acts as a window into 18th-century life in France and England and presents the period extraordinary. The witty dialogues, mixed with a suspenseful story of vengeance, great characters, and the ability to break the genre rules, makes this work stand out. Heyer writes vivid, opinionated characters; although she makes her side characters just as vibrant and delightful as her central ones. Fortune favors Justin Alastair, the shallow, bored and infamous Duke of Avon, casting in his way, during one night in Paris, the means to take revenge from his enemy, the Comte de Saint-Vire. Avon encounters an abused boy, Léon Bonnard, whose red hair, deep blue eyes, and black eyebrows somewhat indicate him to be the child of Comte. But the question about who Léon really is gets answered later in this outstanding novel. The Duke of Avon is portrayed as an unfriendly man who has never truly cared or loved anyone or anything, nor has he ever received love.

About the author

Georgette Heyer (1902–1974) was an esteemed English novelist and short story writer, highly reputed for her works in historical romance and detective fiction. With over 50 books to her name, she had an exceptional knack for creating vibrant Regency-era settings, bustling with wit and spirited dialogue. A notable title, 'These Old Shades' (1926), is often appraised for its vivid characters, such as the enigmatic Duke of Avon, and Heyer's exquisite fidelity to the period's language and social mores. Heyer's literary style is marked by her meticulous research, which allowed her to portray a richly detailed authentic historical tableau that became the hallmark of her romances and mysteries. Her work has been continuously in print due to its enduring popularity, contributing to her posthumous reputation as the queen of Regency romance. Heyer's influence extends beyond her stories; she has been credited with establishing the historical romance genre as a significant and lucrative field in 20th-century publishing. Despite her notable lack of personal publicity and her preference for private life, Heyer's legacy endures through her comprehensive, transportive narratives, capturing the essence of the era with humor and flair.