Hello, I was struck by how similar our reactions to the Zodiac killer book were, and then sought out some of your other reviews, which I enjoyed thoroughly.

Lähettänyt: delphica 8:13 pm (EST) Sep 19, 2007

Those who don't "get" appeal of THESE OLD SHADES by Georgette Heyer might also try sequel DEVIL'S CUB in which many favorite characters from first novel appear (sort of like THREE MUSKETEERS) a little more than "Twenty years later", when their grown children have entertaining romantic problems.

Amusing Alastair siblings first appeared under different names in Heyer's earlier novel BLACK MOTH; which may explain more about why this "disfunctional" family turned out the way they are--and might make Tracy/Justin more likeable to you?

Heyer's CONVENIENT MARRIAGE, set during age of Marie Antoinette, also has believable romance between older man (of 35) and unusual headstrong teenage heroine (turned 17).

As I think Avon's worldly-wise sister Lady Fanny comments, relationship between Justin & his former ward works, transforming him because he sees courageous Cinderella as someone to protect and cherish, awakening his noble instincts and buried decency to restore what was stolen from her.

If Leonie is annoying to you, maybe it's because you haven't read much other popular fiction of the time, with different depictions of feminine charms than now. Or is it her Frenchisms? She's got to be quick-tempered to echo parent.

Have you read any Geoffrey Farnol? (another popular early 20th century writer of historical fiction--see heroine and "villaness" of Pirate adventure MARTIN CONNINGSBY'S VENGEANCE, sequel to BLACK BARTLEBY'S TREASURE); I can picture them played by Selma Hayek and Madonna (guess in which roles).

I was taken aback by very popular early 20th century novel THE SHEIK, made into Rudolph Valentino film (talk about creepy relationship between heroine & hero! Not for the easily shocked--at least if you can read between the fade outs).

Comparing REBECCA by Daphne Du Maurier on www.bookcrossing.com to a long out of print "contempory novel by Heyer that could have inspired better-known book, I also was reminded of Daphne's grandfather's TRILBY, a smash-hit in its time. Compare character Svengali to Avon (both are sort of Pygmalion figures) and you might see Justin in a far better light!

Lähettänyt: DesertIslandia 8:43 pm (EST) Aug 29, 2007

Although Richard II is my favourite play, I fully aggree with what you wrote in your review about This happy breed of men, &c.. This is one of the only speeches I learnt at school in my English class (in France) forty years ago. (Maybe another one was Baa, baa, black sheep, but that's another register...)

Lähettänyt: Pepys 3:18 am (EST) Mar 2, 2007

I have "Office Hours" open in another tab and ran across your LT via the "what books do you share with only one ohter user". I'd say it's an odd concidence, but loving books + internet shoud lead to LT.

Lähettänyt: orangejulia 8:56 pm (EST) Dec 16, 2006

I'm glad you liked my Macbeth review. I find many of yours very true, especially your words about Huck Finn. The part where Huck decides to go to hell and steal Jim out of slavery is one of my favourite scenes in all of Mark Twain.

Lähettänyt: xicanti 10:52 pm (EST) Oct 28, 2006

My question is, how did you move all those books from Dublin to Los Angeles?

Lähettänyt: glowing-fish 2:03 pm (EST) Aug 28, 2006

I am so insanely, insanely jealous. But you got a souvenir for me! So I shall forgive you.

And probably start saving up $125,000 so that one day I too may own a first edition of Pride and Prejudice.

Lähettänyt: siriaeve 6:02 pm (EST) Aug 26, 2006

Glad you liked the reviews. I've made it my project to review every book I have read from this year onward. Since I started this project in June, I've had to play catch up with the reviews, but nine more or so and I'll be up to date.

"The Long Room" eh? You're right, that is poetic. To me, any place with a mass concentration of literature has its own beauty, but it's always nice to see a place where the appearance matches the dignity of what it holds (though I will admit that Powell's City of Books in Portland OR is still one of my favorite places on God's Green Earth. Ugly as a concrete wart, but beautiful nonetheless).

Lähettänyt: coffeezombie 10:38 pm (EST) Aug 25, 2006

I did! You are a bad influence (and yes, I know I had my account first)

And a first edition of P&P? What what how?

Lähettänyt: siriaeve 8:36 pm (EST) Aug 25, 2006

We share a nice little stack of books. Lot of my faves in there: William Golding, Borges, Henry James, etc. I've heard of the Trinity College library before, but that is the first picture I've ever seen of it. Heavenly.

Lähettänyt: coffeezombie 1:27 pm (EST) Aug 24, 2006

Travel Far, Pay No Fare is a great book! Every time I cull my books to get rid of some to make room, it makes the cut. I enjoyed it enough to give it a permanent place on my shelves. I'm surprised you are the only other one with it here! The others don't know what they are missing!

Lähettänyt: sd_sugarmagnolia 3:29 pm (EST) Aug 19, 2006

Evil is a very good way to describe me, yes. But I am a good evil, a shiny evil!

Also, have you seen that the Hewlett now has a blog? I am entranced.

Lähettänyt: siriaeve 8:03 am (EST) Aug 17, 2006