The Foundling (original 1948; edition 2009)

Probably in the top 10 Georgette Heyers for me. I liked that the main character was male and he was interesting on top of it! [Oct. 2008]
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Wherein the ingenue is a duke. ( )

After reading the first chapter of this book, I had low expectations for the rest. Not surprising, since this is not my usual genre. I was pleasantly surprised, however. The characters, though unrealistic, were engaging and the plot exciting enough to hold the reader. If this is a good example of regency romance, I believe I will be reading more of this genre in the future. ( )

Do you like historical fiction? Romantic comedy? Historical romantic comedic fiction? A wee bit of slapstick with your costume drama?

Then mayhaps you should give Georgette Heyer a read.

Because DUDE, she has got it going on! In spades!

Incidentally, what does that mean? Got it in spades? Is it a card reference?

Ahem. Anyway. Sorry.

So, The Foundling. By Georgette Heyer. Hilarious. So, so, so good. Perhaps my most favorite one yet.

The Foundling features Gilly. Gilly is the Seventh Duke of Sale. And he is extremely young. Like, 24 years young. Gilly’s family are, rather, uh, well overprotective doesn’t seem strong enough. They are obsessed with his safety, his delicacy, his health, mind, weight, heart, hair, and toenails. Well, not THAT obsessed, but you get the idea. They are extremely CONCERNED about Gilly.

One day, Gilly decides he has had enough. He is a MAN, dangnabit, and by God, he is going to prove it!

So he sets out, incognito, on a journey through the countryside. On this journey he meets an intriguing cast of characters including a runaway school boy, a beautiful orphan and an extremely…oh…interesting villain. One review I read calls this villain “one of literature’s most appealing and well-spoken comic villains” (doesn’t that alone make you want to read it?? I mean, come on! Well-spoken AND comic? Be still my wee heart!). Gilly plunges into intrigue after intrigue, one true to Heyer mishap after the other and the result is delightful.

Tis the time of year to give, so give Heyer a chance. Read her and weep with laughter. Snort with glee. And bask in the glow that is a contented read. This is the perfect time to curl up on the couch with your favorite blanket and a nice hot mug of tea and good ole Georgette. Heyer is teh awesome. ( )

Enjoyable! The young Duke of Sale kicks over the traces and vanishes from the solicitous care of his Uncle and retainers. Some of Ms Heyer's themes of youth, coming of age, the problems of dealing with your relations and love are handled better in some of her other books (this one gets a bit long and complicated at the end) but it is still an enjoyable read. Interesting to see a bullying tutor called Snape! Wonder if JKR is a Heyer fan! ( )