The Duchess

Oh, Jude. I've been reading your romance novels since I was sneaking them into my house sandwiched between classics so my parents were none the wiser that their middle schooler was reading books with naughty bits. You know you're an old favorite--a comfort read. I wanted to give it 4 stars, except reading this as an adult exposed some uncomfortable truths about you, old favorite, spinner of yarns.

"He had seen, as Claire had said of him, savagery beyond compare. Once in a village in Africa, to celebrate his arrival they had crucified a man. He had seen hundreds of slave caravans. The 'civilized' world was so horrified at the indignity of slavery, but Trevelyan could tell them that what went on in the villages of primitive people on a show more daily basis made slavery look like a seaside holiday." (113-114)

That's...there's a lot going on there. I mean, gross colonialism re: 'darkest Africa,' with a nice side of slavery apologism thrown in for good measure. It's not like this is isolated. Later on, our hero recounts to the heroine a time when he was asked to impregnate a whole village of African women (in...you know...Africa. The country/village of Africa).

And these are asides. Let's not even get into exotic "Pesha" and their backwards barbaric customs and unimaginable poverty.

This all served to sour the book for me quite a lot. show less

Jude Deveraux is an author I first read many years ago and while some of her books definitely do not age well I do think the Montgomery/Taggert saga books do continue to be basically enjoyable to read. I have always enjoyed the interactions her characters have had and the places she sets the story. The plot can be a bit thin but overall I think it's a good beach read.

The Duchess kept me avidly turning pages. I am a big fan of books set in Scotland so that kept me interested and I loved the travels of Captain Baker and Claire and Vellie falling in love with one another. Claire and Harry were together for all the wrong reasons so their was no love lost between them. The friendship between Claire and Vellie was very natural and the story flowed perfectly along. A really good read.

This story was largely boring and occasionally awkward. Not a worthwhile book.

one of my first books on cassette, and an awesome romance. Trevelyan was incredible in audio. During the lost period so not sure when read

From Publishers Weekly
Mutual deception lies at the heart of this agreeable romp set in 1883 Scotland. American money (Claire Willoughby) is to snare a Scottish title (Harry, 11th duke of MacArran). But Claire's parents are bankrupt and spend Claire's dowry on their own lavish pleasures. Unknown to the Willoughbys, Harry's family is also penniless and counting on Claire's inheritance to upgrade their 12th-century estate, Bramley House. On a prenuptial visit, Claire meets an enigmatic rogue named simply Trevelyan. In fact, he is the true duke, Harry's older brother, and leads a spectacular double life as a Sir Richard Burton-esque explorer, Capt. Frank Baker. Recuperating from a debilitating illness, Trevelyan hides in a carefully show more concealed section of Bramley House. Claire, restless and inquisitive, stumbles through secret passageways and locates Trevelyan's exotic nook. Unaware that he is Harry's brother as well as the explorer whose books she has read with such eagerness, Claire strikes up what begins as a spirited friendship with Trevelyan. Soon Claire entertains second thoughts about Harry, who is far too devoted to his horses and to his mother, the sinister Duchess Eugenia. Written with a light touch and a quick wit, this latest offering by veteran romance novelist Deveraux ( Mountain Laurel ) contains numerous surprises in its final, exuberant chapters.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. show less

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