Sprig Muslin was so far outside of my comfort zone I continually postponed reading it. Out of library renewals, I finally sat down and read the book and I am so glad I did. While I did have to spend some time looking up words and phrases like "box her ears", abigail and dropsy, I found myself swept away in a world very much like those created by Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters, but with a touch more adventure. Sir Gareth was very entertaining, but I spent most of the book wanting to smack Amanda right in the mouth. She was one of those characters that you hate, but know how necessary they are to the story. And what a good story it was, with an ending that could only be described as completely heartwarming. ( )

Although plagued by a heroine who, however resolute, can only be described as a tiresome little chit of a girl, "Sprig Muslin" turns out to be a charming read. Rescuing an innocent girl who has run away from home in order to compel her grandfather's consent to her marriage, Sir Gareth Ludlow finds that not only does she refuse to tell him her true name, but that she is endlessly inventive in her attempts to escape his well-meaning efforts to prevent her ruining herself. Various cross-country chases ensue and a number of people are brought within the sphere of the impossible Amanda's machinations, including a mild-mannered spinster who has just rejected Sir Gareth's marriage proposal because she doesn't want a marriage of convenience.

Although a bit slow, "Sprig Muslin" offers many opportunities for Heyer to demonstrate her gift for the comedy of manners, all culminating in the bucolic orchard at a country inn, with a confrontation among most of the characters that is almost Shakespearian in its delightful absurdity. Well-done, but a bit of a slog to get to it, and I had long since tired of Amanda by then. The other main female character, Lady Hester, is an appealing character, but her suppressed sense of absurdity is just a bit TOO suppressed to make her a fully engaging heroine. That leaves us with the hero, Sir Gareth, whose flexibility and aplomb in dealing with a succession of ridiculous situations are the highlight of the novel.

On the whole, charming, but a lesser effort of Heyers--not in the top dozen.

I like the contrast between the two heroines - Amanda is quite bold while Lady Hester is quite the opposite. Not my favorite Heyer, but enjoyable none the less ( )

This was my first introduction to Georgette Heyer, but hopefully not my last! What a delightfully funny and absurd romp of a romance. I quite liked Sir Gareth & Lady Hester and Amanda - what a handful! I'm not generally a fan of romance novels, but I believe Ms. Heyer will have to be the exception. Also, nice that this was a clean and morally sound story. ( )

Sir Gareth he saves an unwilling young miss from social ruin by taking her to the home of Lady Hester--the women he is planning on becoming betrothed to--but he is surprisingly rebuffed by Lady Hester! In the meantime, the "young miss" escapes in the carrage of an aging roue. Sir Gareth again catches her, but now a youth tries to save the young miss from Sir Gareth and ends up shooting him. The young miss hits upon the idea of Lady Hester coming to chaperon/nurse the three of them...All's well that ends well....