The Rake

Good ol' angst and insecurity, I wouldn't read historical romances without it. I ADORED Alys, related a lot too, except for her background. As the book's dedication indicates, it's a bit preachy about the AA approach to alcoholism, but while Reggie's journey to sobriety does dominate the tale, there is enough of Alys' struggle with her sense of self to balance it and make me like it. (3.5 stars)

Both Reggie and Alys are broken, but for different reasons. They repair each other and themselves while they build a beautiful and loving friendship. While I could relate to Alys' plight of not feeling attractive, as I think most women could, I was the most touched by Reggie's struggle with drinking. We have probably all known someone who drinks too much. For me, I lost a cousin due to drunk driving—and the driver was his own mother. It's the reason I've never even touched a drink. Because I know that I could end up doing something deeply regretful because I would not have control of my faculties. The way alcohol is sprinkled throughout the book in such a deceptively casual way makes the severity of his alcoholism all the more show more poignant. It had seeped into every area of his life and was steadily taking him over completely.

In the end, Reggie becomes sober for himself, just as Alys chooses to live for herself. The most important scene for me was near the end, when Reggie chooses to throw away the brandy, even when he thinks he's alone and there's no one there to judge him and he can't hurt anyone but himself. As he realizes: "Pride was how one behaved when others were watching. Honor was what a man did when there was no one else to see" (387). Though he starts out as the Despair of the Davenports, a dissolute and disreputable rake, Reggie turns out to be the most honorable of men. show less

The nineteenth was TBRChallenge day, to give an idea of how busy I've been, I started this book like March 5th and just finished today. But, I got it done. Persistence, let us all move thusly. The month's theme was Rizz, and though it may seem amazing, I've never read The Rake by Mary Jo Putney, so I immediately thought of it, because rakes and rizz, am I right?! Y'all, I got the tired middle aged rake. Which, fine, lol. There was no syphilis (Yeah!) but there was alcoholism. This book was featured on a lot of All Time Bests lists back in the day and if you're going to pick it up now, I'd say take into consideration the first publishing date of 1989, to give it some of the import it deserves in how it connects alcoholism and disease, show more something that is widely more accepted in this day and age.

Ex. of his rizz:
With a horrid sense of discovery, Alys realized how charming Davenport could be with a sparkle in his light blue eyes and a wide smile that invited her to smile with him.

Ex. of her rizz:
"Good Lord, Lady Alys, your eyes don't match."
"Really?" she said with asperity. "I never noticed."
"Indoors the gray-green eye looks more or less like the brown one, but in this light the difference is striking," he said, ignoring her sarcasm. "A most unusual feature, but then, you are a most unusual woman."

I've read a few Putney's and recognized a lot of names in this, so consider this loosely set in a series but the “Despair of the Davenports” has just been misplaced as heir when a cousin appears. Reggie (pour one out for the heroes once named Reggie, as I don't think we'll have any for a long time) is in his late thirties and now that his uncle who had to take him in when his family died, has also passed on, he has lost his taste for trying to embarrass the family. His heir cousin isn't a bad guy and alerts him to the fact that he should have inherited his childhood home all along. So, world weary of London, Reggie decides to go visit his old home. There he finds a steward who looks exceptionally well in pantaloons, discovering a “Lady Alys” has been hiding her gender and running his estate.

Under the world-weary air were tolerance and intelligence that would be a credit to anyone. And he had the tiredest eyes she had ever seen.

With povs from Alys, readers are let in that she's been on the run from her father after she overheard her betrothal say he was only marrying her for her money and found her a “bossy long leg”. Her father wouldn't let her break the betrothal and years later she survived hiding out as a governess and now estate manager, who also is the guardian of a young woman and her two younger brothers. There's some tension at first with Alys wondering if Reggie will fire her out of hand and Reggie trying to fight his attraction to her.

In a way, they were opposite sides of the same coin: The rake and the reformer, both stubborn and proud. One a destroyer, one a builder. One a cynic, one a dreamer.

I was very busy this month but oof, I struggled with this one, it liked to ramble. I mean, we had a sheep washing scene, lol. Who was going on about wanting more historical details in their romance? Couldn't be meeeeeee! I was tempted at times to call this men's fiction for a little bit because of the struggling with wanting a drink, not wanting a drink and remembering his childhood issues Reggie, but that was at my more petty moments. Alys' issues with not feeling attractive take up a good amount of time too. Basically, Reggie doesn't want to live up to his reputation anymore (throughout the story you learn some undeserved there) and Alys needs to accept Reggie finds her attractive. There's two other side romances, numerous povs from secondary characters, and a villain arc that brings some danger. I don't know, I love you all and I know this is a favorite, but, eek, I was bored a good portion of this.

What really sheared my sheep in this was the 1989 issue tackling you could feel happening:

"I have only one more question at the moment. As an eager reformer, have you had everyone on the estate vaccinated against smallpox?"
Alys was startled. "No, I've encouraged vaccination, but some of the workers are very suspicious about 'newfangled ideas.' Only about half the people would agree to it, and I don't really have the authority to insist on something like that." In fact, she had railed, begged, and pleaded with the tenants, enraged by their pigheaded stubbornness.
"In that case, I will issue my first order." His gaze met hers, cold determination in the depths of his eyes. "Everyone who is not vaccinated within the next month will be dismissed and evicted. There will be no exceptions."

Reggie don't play, and neither should you.

"If her husband had assaulted another woman as he did her, he could have been convicted and jailed. But since she was his wife, beating her was perfectly legal, unless he actually murdered her. There was no possibility of divorce. Violence isn't enough to free a wife of her husband."

Say it with me, “No fault divorce”.

"Allie, sex is a very basic part of the human animal, and it's a great tragedy that men and women almost never talk freely about it. Respectable women are taught that ignorance and distaste are signs of refinement. Heaven knows how you survived that kind of upbringing with your passion intact, but don't ever be ashamed of what you are, or what you feel."

Ok, so this sexual freedom, we love! But also beware that the “slut” other woman was a hell of a drug trope in this publishing era and this book does not escape it.

And because I can't help myself:
He drew her into waltz position, one strong hand on her waist and the other clasping her gloved hand firmly. "Good girl," he said softly as they began dancing.

Romance, good girling since 1989!

He stared down at her, raw emotion in his eyes. "Could you bear it if he does disinherit you?"
"Yes," she said flatly. "Could you bear it if he doesn't?"
He let his breath out in an explosive sigh. "I don't know."

The end gives us Alys' true identity coming into the mix and Reggie not liking the idea that she is actually more wealthy than him and ok, maybe thinks he's not good enough for her. I can see how Reggie's struggle with alcoholism and linking it to a disease would feel more impactful in the original year this was published and there was a decent amount of time dedicated to showing him struggling and have setbacks before he realized how he just had to be abstinent (there was some slight give it over to God that I wasn't thrilled with but ymmv). For more modern reading sensibilities, there was even too many povs and side stories going on for me and it made it kind of boring and scattered. I was also getting frustrated with Alys “I'm tall and ugly”, like girl, he's thirsting hard and everyone sees it. I guess I can see how it felt impactful at the time but sorry to say, I can see why it's falling off newer Best of lists. show less

"The Rake", by Mary Jo Putney, features an unusual historical romance story line. The title character is not just a self-indulgent pleasure-seeker, he is a true alcoholic. He suffers blackouts with loss of memory, violent mood swings, and depression. Reginald Davenport, trapped by his heritage, and unbeknownst to him, denied his true birthright, loses his family at a young age. Forced into a regimented education, treated with cruelty and disdain, Reggie learns how to protect himself from others. Keenly intelligent, capable, and sharp of wit, Reggie rebels against his societal limitations by engaging in wild behavior and excessive drinking. Closing in on age forty, Reggie is a man who seems fated to meet an early, unfortunate death. A show more chance at redemption comes when his cousin helps him to regain his childhood home, which had been unrightfully withheld from Reggie by the uncle who was his guardian. Arriving at Strickland, his ancestral estate, Reggie is shocked to find that the extremely competent steward of the property is a woman. Not just any woman, but a tall, intriguing, intelligent woman. Lady Alys Weston is not a classic beauty, but she has a unique loveliness all her own. As kind as she is keen, Alys is unlike any other woman Reggie has ever met. She finds him to be equally captivating, and even though she sees the signs of dissipation from his roguish ways, Alys senses that there is much more to Reggie than his appearance indicates. The two form a good working relationship, with attraction simmering just below the surface. Alys has three wards in her care, a young lady blooming into womanhood and the girl's two younger brothers. As they all spend time together, sharing meals and other activities, Reggie enjoys his makeshift "family". He throws himself into the care and operation of the estate, about which he is extremely knowledgeable. He and Alys have great mutual respect, and each begins to yearn for the possibility of a life together. However, Reggie's drinking still threatens to win the battle for his soul, and there are other dark forces at work. Alys has secrets of her own, and she and Reggie have common enemies. Will Reggie conquer his own demons and vanquish the threats to his newfound family happiness? Can Alys face her past and embrace her future? Mary Jo Putney paints a revealing portrait of a man struggling with alcohol addiction and the effects his disease has on those around him. As with many who suffer with alcoholism, it is also a condition shared with other family members. In Reggie's case, his father was also an alcoholic, something that Reggie had blocked out along with other unpleasant memories. I applaud Mary Jo Putney for showing the complexities of the alcoholic personality. Reggie is not the usual romantic hero, but he is ultimately quite worthy.

Book Copy Gratis Kensington Books show less

Once upon a time, I used to read historical romances for the tummy-fluttering love scenes between the heroes. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way I seem to have overdosed on them, so these days I am rather indifferent to this part of the story. Oh, but if it's missing then I'm definitely taking one star away (I'm not reading these for the plot!)

The Rake is extremely well-written which really made up for my apathy towards this genre. Despite the unusual nature of a working-girl heroine, given the time frame, having a female steward as one of the main characters actually worked fine for me. And I also liked how she didn't deny that "oh-so-shameful" part of her that liked men. The hero's alcoholism is also treated quite realistically.

I show more was not too keen on the ending, however. The story seemed to have ingested way too much Red Bull after the "big discovery", and the action just sped up about thrice as much as before. On the one hand, this was not exactly unexpected, on the other hand, I rather liked the pace set by the previous 90% of the story.

So the actual score would be more along the lines of 3.6/5 stars, but if I have to round it off, I guess it does deserve more than 3 stars.

============================================
review of the 1st book: The Diabolical Baron show less

Reginald Davenport is a disinherited alcoholic rake. Lady Alys Weston has been sort of masquerading as a man in order to keep her job as steward of Davenport’s newly acquired estate. The two are about to meet and their lives will be forever altered.

I loved it! The hero is flawed and the heroine is strong. The story flowed smoothly, the plot was engaging and the characters were interesting. I loved how Davenport struggled to beat his addiction to alcohol. It was a compelling account and had me rooting for him to win even when he fell off the wagon.

Alys was no simpering heroine. She was strong in body and spirit, intelligent and not afraid to try new methods to make the estate she was in charge of prosperous for all who lived show more there.

This was a first read of Putney’s work for me, but I enjoyed this book so much it won’t be the last.

*The publisher provided a copy of this book to me for review. Please see disclaimer page on my blog. show less

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present you my nomination for Most Tormented Hero of the Romantic world: Mr Reggie Davenport.

Reggie is a consummate rake. Which means that he spends his days doing nothing but indulging himself with women, gambling and all-nighters. He also has the usual issues: difficult childhood, no one who really loved him after his family died when he was 8, plus the fact that his inherited rights have been denied to him. You must be asking yourself, how is he different from the truckload of Tormented Heroes around?

The difference is that he has a serious drinking problem. He is also suffering from depression: he realises that he has nothing to live for and at the age of 37 he cannot keep up with his younger mates. He is show more suffering from constant memory loss that usually follows a night of debauchery and it is not unusual that he wakes up feeling like the world is crumbling apart, full of bruises he does not know how he came about or money he does not remember he won. A voice keeps telling him that this way of life is going to kill him and he despairs.

So it is no surprise when he jumps at the chance life is giving him when his cousin, who recently inherited the family title, decides to give his mother’s estate back to him. Strickland is where he was born and where he lived a happy life until he was 8, a estate that it should have been his for years but his eviiiiil uncle wouldn’t allow it. I could not help but to think that Strickland was to Reggie what Tara was eventually to Scarlett O’Hara– a lifeline, a source of strength where he could go and try to change his life.

But things are not as easy as it seems – he may have left the way of life behind but the drinking problem follows. To begin with, he doesn’t think it is a problem, he thinks he is in control and can choose when and how much to drink so he starts his new life full of hope. Strickland is a highly successful enterprise all because of his industrious steward who has been running the place very efficiently for 4 years so it was very surprising when he arrives there and realises that the steward is a woman! Enters the heroine, Lady Alys Weston.

Alys is a 30 year old spinster who is also running from her past. She is capable, smart and has earned her living for years as a governess and later on as the steward of Strickland, a job she got based purely on her references. Reggie’s uncle never interviewed her for the position and everyone in London just assumed she was a man. She is accepted and respected by everyone in the region and soon enough by Reggie too, who realises that she is brilliant at what she does.

On top of her brains, she also has a heart – she has 3 wards that she must raise by herself and she is the friend who provides Reggie with the support that he needs.
I loved Alys – she is a force to be reckoned with but to me, the book belongs to Reggie and his struggle to fight his inner demons, to stop drinking and to become a better man so that he could be with Alys.

As I read the book, I wanted so very much to see him win this fight that I was quite taken aback by my reaction. I have rooted for heroes before, I have suffered as they suffered, I had a most guttural reaction when Derek Craven was crying at the end of Dreaming of You and I thought I was going to dehydrate when Heathcliff heard that Cathy was dead in Wuthering Heights. But this was the first time I actually yelled at a book: every time Reggie thought about succumbing to his urge to drink I would scream “Do not do it Reggie!” or “STEP AWAY from that drink cabinet NOW” . Yes, I can see how this book helped me to prove to my partner that I am not crazy.

I was very surprised to see how delicately and yet seriously, the author dealt with the issue of alcoholism in the book. But this is still a romance novel and there are also moments that there are silly, flirty and sensual and a few secondary plots there were also interesting. And of course, eventually we are granted with the happily ever after that these two deserve.

Notable quotes/parts: I just LOVED the scene where Reggie succumbs and drinks and is caught by Alys. What ensues is a must gut-wrenching moment: he finally realises that he has no control and runs like he is being chased by demons until he collapses and prays. Alys finds him later and they just hold hands and talk for hours. It was sweet and we see how much these two mean to each other. Yes, they lust for each other but they are first and foremost, friends.

Additional Thoughts: In the book, Reggie finds in his library a pamphlet called The Effects of Ardent Spirits Upon Man written by one Benjamin Rush in 1784. This is when he realises that his drinking is a real problem. I looked it up - and this pamphlet is real. It just so happens that Benjamin Rush (who by the way, is a Founding Father of the USA and co-signer of the Declaration of Independence) was the one to introduce the idea of "addiction". From wikipedia: "Prior to his work, drunkenness was viewed as being sinful and a matter of choice. Rush introduced the idea that the alcoholic loses control over himself and identified the properties of alcohol, rather than the alcoholic's choice, as the causal agent. He developed the conception of addiction as a form of medical disease and finally developed the idea that abstinence is the only cure for addiction".

So interesting. And I learnt this by reading a romance novel, a genre that is seen as trash. Oh, the irony.

Verdict: oh, definitely a keeper, it should be read by any romance lover. I want to read more of Mary Jo Putney, can someone recommend which one I should pick up next?

Full Review at:
http://thebooksmugglers.blogspot.com/2008/01/title-rake-formerly-rake-and-reform... show less