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Henry "Monty" Montague was bred to be a gentleman. His passions for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men, have earned the disapproval of his father. His quest for pleasures and vices have led to one last hedonistic hurrah as Monty, his best friend and crush Percy, and Monty's sister Felicity begin a Grand Tour of Europe. When a reckless decision turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt, it calls into question everything show more Monty knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores. show lessTags
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Waterbuggg Both books feature a small group of young adults trying to solve a mystery. They both have funny parts but also deal with serious issues surrounding identity and have a bit of violence.
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If someone had said even six months ago that “fluffy, queer, romantic historical YA that doesn’t shy from the darker sides of history” was a thing, I’d have been skeptically intrigued. If someone had added, “and it’s also a social justice issue novel”, I’d have declared it impossible. You’d think that mix would result in something heavy-handed, forced, or so packed that you can’t see the plot for the plot elements … and yet here we are.
First, the story: fun, exciting, full of interesting history and settings. It hit the beats of a road trip or adventure novel without feeling quite like either, and kept delivering unexpected moments and twists. I liked the characters too, even the minor ones. They didn’t exactly show more feel real like some characters do, but they felt believable and Lee never slotted anyone purely into a trope. I wanted to slap Monty for being a jerk a fair bit and scream at the main trio to get out of their heads and think about their situation—and emotional involvement doesn’t always happen, with me. I tend to be more distant of a reader.
Now, the social justice stuff. There is so much, guys. You know how there are novels that go around booklr that are basically catalogues of what not to do when talking about privilege? This one should really be going around as an example of how to do it right. Lee tackles everything from class to race to gender to disability with nuance and compassion, and Monty’s journey from being pretty much a total prick to being aware of how lucky he is is absolutely fantastic. Life-giving, even. (And yes, super-diverse cast, even the bit parts.)
I do have a few historical nitpicks, like how the narration sounds a little modern for a guy from 16-something and the introduction of a semi-magical McGuffin, but eh, whatever. It’s YA and fluff and I can’t expect perfect accuracy, I don’t think. Not when everything else is so absolutely on point.
But, to boil everything down, go read it, it’s awesome, you won’t be disappointed. Put it on your summer reading list.
Warnings: Abuse; alcoholism; homophobia, sexism, and racism between characters; internalised homophobia, somewhat; mention of asylums and 17th-century mental health treatments; one scene with very mild gore.
8/10 show less
First, the story: fun, exciting, full of interesting history and settings. It hit the beats of a road trip or adventure novel without feeling quite like either, and kept delivering unexpected moments and twists. I liked the characters too, even the minor ones. They didn’t exactly show more feel real like some characters do, but they felt believable and Lee never slotted anyone purely into a trope. I wanted to slap Monty for being a jerk a fair bit and scream at the main trio to get out of their heads and think about their situation—and emotional involvement doesn’t always happen, with me. I tend to be more distant of a reader.
Now, the social justice stuff. There is so much, guys. You know how there are novels that go around booklr that are basically catalogues of what not to do when talking about privilege? This one should really be going around as an example of how to do it right. Lee tackles everything from class to race to gender to disability with nuance and compassion, and Monty’s journey from being pretty much a total prick to being aware of how lucky he is is absolutely fantastic. Life-giving, even. (And yes, super-diverse cast, even the bit parts.)
I do have a few historical nitpicks, like how the narration sounds a little modern for a guy from 16-something and the introduction of a semi-magical McGuffin, but eh, whatever. It’s YA and fluff and I can’t expect perfect accuracy, I don’t think. Not when everything else is so absolutely on point.
But, to boil everything down, go read it, it’s awesome, you won’t be disappointed. Put it on your summer reading list.
Warnings: Abuse; alcoholism; homophobia, sexism, and racism between characters; internalised homophobia, somewhat; mention of asylums and 17th-century mental health treatments; one scene with very mild gore.
8/10 show less
4.5 stars
It occurs to me then that perhaps getting my little sister drunk and explaining why I screw boys is not the most responsible move on my part.
HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT! This book made my heart race in every direction possible. The writing style was superb and detailed descriptions of each European setting. THE REPRESENTATIONS. THE CHARACTERS.
Ok Monty, he's so self-centred and so egocentric but he's a character who you love to hate. Then there's Percy who's literally a cinammon bun who you want to hug forever and he deserves to be happy forever. Last, but not least, Felicity. She is the most amazing character you can ever love. Seriously, she is so badass and she defies eveything thrown towards her, also she's so outspoken show more all the time. The relationships between these three characters are so good as well.
The plot was gripping, with all the adventure and that slow burning romance which made me want to make Monty and Percy kiss already.
In conclusion, I absolutely loved this book and kind of regretted waiting this long and putting it on hiatus (even though my library took so many months to get the physical copy), but I'm so glad that I got to read this as a physical copy! show less
It occurs to me then that perhaps getting my little sister drunk and explaining why I screw boys is not the most responsible move on my part.
HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT! This book made my heart race in every direction possible. The writing style was superb and detailed descriptions of each European setting. THE REPRESENTATIONS. THE CHARACTERS.
Ok Monty, he's so self-centred and so egocentric but he's a character who you love to hate. Then there's Percy who's literally a cinammon bun who you want to hug forever and he deserves to be happy forever. Last, but not least, Felicity. She is the most amazing character you can ever love. Seriously, she is so badass and she defies eveything thrown towards her, also she's so outspoken show more all the time. The relationships between these three characters are so good as well.
The plot was gripping, with all the adventure and that slow burning romance which made me want to make Monty and Percy kiss already.
In conclusion, I absolutely loved this book and kind of regretted waiting this long and putting it on hiatus (even though my library took so many months to get the physical copy), but I'm so glad that I got to read this as a physical copy! show less
This book was a DELIGHT and I enjoyed it A LOT, something that is probably evident from the fact that I basically inhaled it over the space of 36 hours. It contains so many things that I find highly engaging in its themes and setting and characters--oh, the characters. They sound like a joke--a gentleman of colour, a sulky bi boy and an uppity young woman walk into a bar--but they were each of them so elegantly and cannily and deeply rendered, put in context and chafing against it, that it's just poetry in motion. There's just enough fantastical to the historical, both of them so deftly done. And the whole thing is just outrageously readable, our viewpoint narrator both funny and fragile, flawed to hell and back and just helpless enough show more to be sympathetic. I mean, the book even contains one of my least favourite romance-hindrances, the one where there would be no problem if they just talked to each other, but the characters are so strongly rendered that it makes total heart-breaking sense that they simply cannot do that talking. Not yet. They have to grow their way to it.
I am now having that worst of book hangovers, where my brain is all, "read more, read more!" craving the goodness we've had going on, but I cannot possibly engage with another story right now. show less
I am now having that worst of book hangovers, where my brain is all, "read more, read more!" craving the goodness we've had going on, but I cannot possibly engage with another story right now. show less
After reading so many good things about this book for months now, my expectations were quite high and I am happy to say it didn’t disappoint. I had a lot of fun and there were quite a few laugh out loud moments which is such a refreshing change from all the intense fantasy books that I usually read.
Monty maybe a self-absorbed, slightly narcissistic rake, but he is so full of charm that I couldn’t help but like him. Being in his head the whole time, we get to know all his insecurities and uncertainties and get to see a vulnerable side to him that he doesn’t really show to others. There were times when I wanted to shake him and make him see some sense, but then I also felt bad for him. Percy is his best friend whom he has secretly show more been in love with for quite awhile. Percy is the one person in his life who is calm and composed and keeps him grounded. Their relationship is so wonderful with their quiet understanding, meaningful silences and just so much love for each other even if they are unable to express it properly.
Felicity is a fiery feminist in the 18th century who has strong opinions, is very smart and wants to pursue medicine, but is not allowed due to the restrictions on women. At the beginning, they don’t really have a warm sibling relationship but as they travel together, it was great to see them get to know each other in a different light, away from the judgmental eye of their father. The scene where Monty tries to explain his sexuality to Felicity and she tries to understand him but can’t really accept it as natural is very poignant.
The whole journey includes some very unrealistic (borderline fantastical) encounters with highwaymen, pirates, alchemists and sinking islands but this book is about what they learn about themselves and each other through the journey. The love story is absolutely adorable and I really wish there was an epilogue about their later life. The dialogue is part cheesy part sassy but extremely entertaining, however, the author uses this same light tone to touch on difficult topics like homophobia, racism, privilege, sexism, mental health stigma and abuse. But ultimately this is a coming of age story of Monty – him growing up and learning to understand and care for others, realizing what is most important in his life and gaining the confidence to go for it. And find his true happiness!!!! show less
Monty maybe a self-absorbed, slightly narcissistic rake, but he is so full of charm that I couldn’t help but like him. Being in his head the whole time, we get to know all his insecurities and uncertainties and get to see a vulnerable side to him that he doesn’t really show to others. There were times when I wanted to shake him and make him see some sense, but then I also felt bad for him. Percy is his best friend whom he has secretly show more been in love with for quite awhile. Percy is the one person in his life who is calm and composed and keeps him grounded. Their relationship is so wonderful with their quiet understanding, meaningful silences and just so much love for each other even if they are unable to express it properly.
Felicity is a fiery feminist in the 18th century who has strong opinions, is very smart and wants to pursue medicine, but is not allowed due to the restrictions on women. At the beginning, they don’t really have a warm sibling relationship but as they travel together, it was great to see them get to know each other in a different light, away from the judgmental eye of their father. The scene where Monty tries to explain his sexuality to Felicity and she tries to understand him but can’t really accept it as natural is very poignant.
The whole journey includes some very unrealistic (borderline fantastical) encounters with highwaymen, pirates, alchemists and sinking islands but this book is about what they learn about themselves and each other through the journey. The love story is absolutely adorable and I really wish there was an epilogue about their later life. The dialogue is part cheesy part sassy but extremely entertaining, however, the author uses this same light tone to touch on difficult topics like homophobia, racism, privilege, sexism, mental health stigma and abuse. But ultimately this is a coming of age story of Monty – him growing up and learning to understand and care for others, realizing what is most important in his life and gaining the confidence to go for it. And find his true happiness!!!! show less
This was amazingly fun! The narrator was fantastic and really brought the story to life.
Monty gets shipped off to the continent for a Grand Tour with his BFF Percy and his younger sister Felicity. Unfortunately, they are also saddled with a chaperone who is bound and determined to not let them have any fun. But then Monty's poor life choices leads to them hastily leaving Paris and then on the run.
I cannot believe how much the author was able to redeem Monty. I started out hating the snot out of him and wanting to smack his privileged white male face. He's selfish, hedonistic, short-sighted, and completely out of touch with why biracial Percy or his bluestocking sister may not have the same privilege as him. And despite Monty being show more bisexual and having been caught with boys (and lived through the fallout), he still has rich white boy privilege oozing out of his pores.
But as the book continues, he grows and matures and does so much inner soul searching that he comes out truly a better person and I love him for it.
Personal relationships and character growth aside, the plot of this was also just super fun. There was a lot going on in this plot. There's a evil Duke, right hand man to the king of France. There's highwaymen, pirates, alchemy, and so much more! I loved this a lot. show less
Monty gets shipped off to the continent for a Grand Tour with his BFF Percy and his younger sister Felicity. Unfortunately, they are also saddled with a chaperone who is bound and determined to not let them have any fun. But then Monty's poor life choices leads to them hastily leaving Paris and then on the run.
I cannot believe how much the author was able to redeem Monty. I started out hating the snot out of him and wanting to smack his privileged white male face. He's selfish, hedonistic, short-sighted, and completely out of touch with why biracial Percy or his bluestocking sister may not have the same privilege as him. And despite Monty being show more bisexual and having been caught with boys (and lived through the fallout), he still has rich white boy privilege oozing out of his pores.
But as the book continues, he grows and matures and does so much inner soul searching that he comes out truly a better person and I love him for it.
Personal relationships and character growth aside, the plot of this was also just super fun. There was a lot going on in this plot. There's a evil Duke, right hand man to the king of France. There's highwaymen, pirates, alchemy, and so much more! I loved this a lot. show less
I just finished The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee and found this to be a fun romp through the 18th century as I read about Henry “Monty” Montague’s Grand Tour. At the age of eighteen, he is sent off to Europe for a year of enlightenment accompanied by his sister, Felicity and his best friend Percy Newton. After enjoying the sights of Paris he is instructed to deliver Felicity to her finishing school, drop Percy off at law school in Holland and then return home ready to settle down and learn about the business of running the family estate and becoming an adult.
In reality, Monty is desperately in love with Percy but afraid to tell him of his feelings. Percy is also hiding a huge secret, and Felicity would show more rather study medicine than social airs and graces. Monty’s father has been trying to beat the devilishness out of him but the young man continues to go from one escapade to another. Sending these three off to Europe, even with a designated supervisor, is asking for trouble and trouble is exactly what they find. All too soon, the three young people are involved with evil nobles, highway robbers, mad scientists, and pirates as they lurch around Europe in an effort to solve a number of dilemmas.
As both a chronicle of adventures and a rather sweet love story, The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue works. Throughout the course of the story it touches upon issues of sexuality, gender, race and abuse without once seeming to preach or interrupting the flow of the story. This book is a YA story that tells it’s readers that even though it can be difficult to be true to one’s own self, it can also be rewarding to drop the camouflage and expose that true self to the world. show less
In reality, Monty is desperately in love with Percy but afraid to tell him of his feelings. Percy is also hiding a huge secret, and Felicity would show more rather study medicine than social airs and graces. Monty’s father has been trying to beat the devilishness out of him but the young man continues to go from one escapade to another. Sending these three off to Europe, even with a designated supervisor, is asking for trouble and trouble is exactly what they find. All too soon, the three young people are involved with evil nobles, highway robbers, mad scientists, and pirates as they lurch around Europe in an effort to solve a number of dilemmas.
As both a chronicle of adventures and a rather sweet love story, The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue works. Throughout the course of the story it touches upon issues of sexuality, gender, race and abuse without once seeming to preach or interrupting the flow of the story. This book is a YA story that tells it’s readers that even though it can be difficult to be true to one’s own self, it can also be rewarding to drop the camouflage and expose that true self to the world. show less
At Sledge-Lit last year, I was talking to Jeannette Ng, author of Under the Pendulum Sun, and we were discussing the novels of Georgette Heyer, and Jeannette recommended The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue (she was clearly a fan as she’d decorated her nails in homage to the book). When I got home that evening, sat watching telly and having a drink or two, as you do, I found myself visiting the website of a well-known online retailer and ordering myself a copy of the book, as you, er, do… And now I have read it. Well, I complained earlier in this post that “feel-good” and “quirky” are not descriptors that draw me to a book, and there’s a lot in The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue that would normally mean I show more wouldn’t touch it with a bargepole. For one, it’s YA. The narrator, Monty, is a bisexual teenager, the son of an earl. In eighteenth century England. In a novel written by an American woman. His sister, Felicity, is a bluestocking who wants to study medicine, and Percy, his best friend (for whom he’s burning a torch), is the adopted mixed parentage son of a family of Quality. The two guys are off on a Grand Tour, delivering the sister to a finishing school en route in Marseilles. In Paris, they’re invited to a party at Versailles, where Monty, who is a complete rake, upsets the the king’s ex-PM, the Duke of Bourbon, steals something from him, and then makes a complete tool of himself by running around the famous garden stark bollock naked after being caught in flagrante delicto… Except the item he stole proves to be important, especially to the Duke of Bourbon. It’s a box with a combination lock, and it contains a key to a tomb in which can be found an alchemical pancea. So Monty, Percy and Felicity are forced to go undercover and travel incognito to Barcelona to find the original owner of the box… The novel is told entirely from Monty’s point of view and he’s not at all convincing as an eighteenth-century teenager – and did they allow children out of the schoolroom before the age of twenty-one in the 1700s? The prose tries for British, but a quarter of the way in gives up, then it’s all “goddamn” this and “goddamn” that. But pretty much everything Monty does or says results in a lecture from the other characters. Percy lectures him on his white privilege; Felicity lectures him on his male privilege; yet’s he’s bisexual and there’s little discussion of that, other than a generic condemnation by society (the author says in an afterword she researched “mollies”, but Monty doesn’t feel like a person who would be part of molly culture). The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue reads like contemporary characters in an historical setting. Lee is quite good at plotting, and she is generally good at setting the scene. But the characters do not convince. And the frequent lectures feel contemporary. When I compare a book like this to, say, William Golding’s Rites of Passage, then there’s no comparison. Golding’s novel does more, and more convincingly, in half the pages than The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue. True, it doesn’t include the lectures on privilege, and there’s certainly a place for that, and I rue that fiction has to include such explicit lectures – but that says more about modern society and fandom than it does an individual novel. All told, The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue was not for me. The lessons it was teaching, I have been taught elsewhere (not that it isn’t an ongoing process)… which meant I looked at other elements of the story. And there, it failed. I can’t fault its objectives, but I wasn’t impressed. show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
- Original title
- The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
- Original publication date
- 2017-06-27
- People/Characters
- Henry "Monty" Montague; Percy Newton; Felicity Montague; Louis Henri, Duke of Bourbon
- Important places
- Cheshire, England, UK; Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Venice, Veneto, Italy; Oia, Santorini, Greece; Santorini, Greece; Paris, Île-de-France, France (show all 7); Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
- Epigraph
- He saunter’d Europe round,
And gather’d ev’ry vice on Christian ground; . . .
The Stews and Palace equally explored,
Intrigued with glory, and with spirit whored;
Tried all hors-d’œuvres, ... (show all)all liqueurs defined,
Judicious drank, and greatly daring dined.
—Alexander Pope, The Dunciad
Let me put it like this. In this place, whoever looks seriously about him and has eyes to see is bound to become a stronger character.
—Goethe, Italian Journey - Dedication
- FOR BRIANA AND BETH
L’AMOUR PEUT SOULEVER DES MONTAGNES. - First words
- On the morning we are to leave for our Grand Tour of the Continent, I wake in bed beside Percy.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)And what a sky it is.
- Blurbers
- Cherrix, Amy; Strolle, Rachel; Darling, Wendy; Bowman, Erin; Legrand, Claire
- Original language
- English
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- LGBTQ+, Teen, Young Adult, Fiction and Literature, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
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- 813.6 — Literature & rhetoric American literature in English American fiction in English 2000-
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- PZ7.1 .L42 .G — Language and Literature Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Juvenile belles lettres
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