Category — Georgette Heyer Novels

Do you think that Georgette Heyer heroines would make good role models?

I don't mean instead of real people but kind of in addition to them. Sort of as a model to learn how to be more feminine from?

I LOVE Georgette Heyer! She has to be one of my favourite writers. I only have 2 of her regency books to read so I am reading slowly!

I think that there is a lack of young celebrities who are moral and responsible and would be good role models for the younger generation. Georgette Heyer books show mostly traditional roles for male and female characters and they are quite moral and generally the romance side doesn’t go beyond kissing and even after marriage any further stages aren’t described or really discussed.

I think there is a heroine and hero for everyone in at least one of her books. Plus Regency dress especially for the women is very feminine and romantic and given that Heyer is delightful in her description there is a chance to really build up a picture of the characters.

Her heroines are wonderful and they all seem so different. They are more independent and impetuous than say Jane Austen heroines. They range between endearing, outrageous, innocent, assertive and spirited. I love her books because they are romantic and sweet and the period detail is pretty much perfect plus there are dashing heroes and disreputable rakes!

I like the idea of using them for inspiration as the Regency morals and manners always appeal to me! Although I guess that makes me a little old fashioned! Even though the characters get into scrapes they learn from them and of course love conquers all and good triumphs over evil!

They are like a glimpse into a world of lords and ladies, balls and carriages, walking dresses and calling cards! I also like the way Heyer uses actual Regency words, slang and colloquialisms.

I think I first really got into Georgette Heyer books as, when I was younger, I could see a fair bit of myself in some of the heroines as they was sheltered, a little innocent and I wanted to be feisty and daring like some other heroines! Perfect rainy afternoon reading!

If you like her Regency books I think you may like Georgette Heyer’s Regency World by Jennifer Kloester. Wow I really ramble when talking about books!!

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The Regency debutante comes in very handy for authors like me, even though she is as individual as the writers who create her. She can appear in just about all shapes and sizes--within a framework of having the ability to attract "Mr. Right," of course. (In other words, she can be anything as long as it's attractive enough for the purposes of a romance.)

Half the fun of a Regency (or any romance) is being able to understand and relate to the heroine; therefore, she must be wonderful in some ways and definitely lacking in others; she must be attractive but not so perfect that you can't believe in her; she must strike a chord in every female reader who picks up your book, and any writer can create such a character simply by making her human. That is the one thing we ALL have in common, our humanity, with all its foibles and faults.

But what is a Regency debutante? How is she different from other fictional heroines?

A dictionary will tell you that a debutante is "a young woman making a formal debut into society." In our case, it is Regency society, which is the other half of the fun of a Regency novel. No other time period was quite like the Regency; Jane Austen taught us how to poke gentle fun at it while also caring about those who were part of it; and Georgette Heyer showed us ways to really turn up the volume (of fun), concocting plots full of characters plucked from many layers of that society.

The interesting thing about the debutante of the Regency, is that she could be most anyone, from anywhere. Families came from abroad for the 'season' to debut their favored young ladies among the English rich. Most of the time, they, too, had money and therefore were supremely 'qualified' to join the "marriage mart." But they might also be hiding a bankruptcy--it wasn't always easy to discover the truth in those days of slow travel and communication (by today's standards).

Likewise, any country miss and her mama might aspire to a London "season" and there was always the chance of making an astounding success. (You see how it easily makes for the stuff of romance novels?)

So the Regency Debutante was any young lady of gentle birth making her "come out" into the wider society of adults of her community; If she were wealthy or could gather enough financial backing, (or had good connections) she could make that debut into London or Bath society, circles where the possibility of making a good match (marriage) were greater.

Not all Regency novels use debutantes as their heroines, but to understand what "the season" was about, one must recognize this formal female creature! She often was not in for fun and games, despite the whirl of social entertainments on her schedule, but if she happened to be pretty, and even more important, wealthy, then upper class society was sure to welcome her in.

Another aspect that makes Regencies so enjoyable is the clothing needed for the debutante's season. The quantity AND the quality--it all counted, and it all makes for fun reading. That, along with descriptions of social customs and manners, makes delving into the era an experience you will likely want to do again and again.

The Regency? You've got to love it!

Linore Rose Burkard writes Inspirational Regency Romance as well as articles on Regency Life, Parenting, and Self-Improvement. She publishes a monthly eZine "Upon My Word!" which you can receive for FREE by signing up at her website [http://www.Linoreroseburkard.com/Regency_eZine.html] quickly and easily. To see Regency House Christmas: The Definitive Guide to A Remarkably Regency Yuletide! Go Here [http://www.LinoreRoseburkard.com/ChristmasBook.html] Ms. Burkard graduated from the City University of New York with a Magna Cum Laude degree in English Literature, and now lives in Ohio with her husband and five children. A former homeschooling mom, she now enjoys more writing time, as well as reading, decorating, movies with happy endings, and family nights!

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