Heyer Society: Insights About an Icon

by Mary Jo

Few authors can be credited with inventing a genre, but Georgette Heyer is one of them. Her witty and insightful novels set in early 19th century British society created an irresistible world that has been drawing in readers and writers for decades.

I am one of them. My first novel, The Diabolical Baron, had a few hints of the writer I've developed into, but overall, it's so influenced by Georgette Heyer that I should probably pay royalties to the Heyer estate. <G> I cherish the discussions I've had with other Regency writers on Our First Heyer Novel.

Heyer's work and world are continuing sources of fascination, and now writer Rachel Hyland has just published a delicious collection of essays about that work and world. Heyer Society: Essays on the Literary Genius of Georgette Heyer.

Just reading the titles of the essays is mouthwatering, but even better, today we're lucky enough to have as a Word Wench guest Jennifer Kloester, who is probably the world's leading authority on Georgette Heyer. Author of the definitive Georgette Heyer biography, Jen is a novelist in her own right, and a contributor to Heyer Society.

MJP: Jen, I'm going to ask you to riff on the essays, but naturally I have to ask this: What was your own first Georgette story?

JK: These Old Shades - the first for many Heyer fans I think and what an introduction! I'd never read anything like it and I just loved "Satanas" - Justin Alastair, the Duke of Avon. He's sinister, cynical, omniscient and just fabulous. I adored him. That was until I met Heyer's other male leads like Mr Beaumaris (sense of humour), Freddy Standen (hidden depths), Hugo Darracott (my favourite), Miles Calverleigh (master strategist). Avon was soon supplanted by other, more worthy men but you never forget your first Heyer, do you?

MJP: One really doesn't. <G> Sign me up for Hugo Darracott and Miles Calverleigh!  Can you tell us a bit about Rachel Hyland, editor and publisher of this essay collection?

JK: Rachel is amazing. She's a huge Heyer fan obviously and she's super smart and dynamic. I love her energy and enthusiasm as well as her initiative in putting together this excellent anthology. Rachel's determined to get Heyer out to an even broader audience and I'm delighted to be able to help. Rachel's inspired me in so many ways and it's a privilege to work with her.

MJP: Who are some famous Heyer fans?

JK: Nora Roberts is a big fan and so is Stephen Fry who unveiled the Blue Plaque at Heyer's birthplace in Wimbledon in 2015. Stephen is a true Heyer fan and such a brilliant speaker he gave a great speech at the unveiling. Queen Elizabeth is a Heyer fan and Lord Somervell bequeathed his entire Heyer collection to the Inner Temple library. I've been told Edmund Hillary was a Heyer fan and I love to imagine him reading her in the Himalayas! So many wonderful Regency authors are Heyer fans too including Stephanie Laurens, Word Wenches own Anne Gracie, Eloisa James, Mary Balogh, and of course the wonderful Mary Jo Putney :D

MJP: Heyer Society is a lovely book to browse (starting with the pun in the title! Because "Heyer" is pronounced "Higher." <G> ) Are there any essays you particularly enjoyed?

JK: So many - it's a feast of ideas and I loved reading so many different takes on Heyer's novels. I really enjoyed the essay about the suppressed novels - Heyer's four contemporaries - especially as the author, Maura Tan, was new to Georgette Heyer and these novels were her introduction.

The essay on Penhallow is a fascinating read. I love Penhallow so at first I wasn't sure I'd like this essay but read on and you'll see why it's so good. Susannah Fullerton's essay on Jane Austen's influence on Heyer is delightful, as is Clara Shipman's wonderful "Learning! with Georgette Heyer".

Rachel Hyland has contributed three essays to the anthology and I think many Word Wenches fans will totally agree with her thoughts about "Growing Up with Heyer". Oh, I could go on (and on) but I think readers will have their own favourites because there's just so much delicious food for thought and for discussion in Heyer Society: the Literary Genius of Georgette Heyer.

MJP: Jen, thanks so much for visiting the Word Wenches to tell us about this wonderful new Heyer essay book from Rachel Hyland!

A free e-copy of Heyer Society will be given to one between now and Thursday midnight, so tell us what you think about Georgette Heyer, and what you'd like to read about her!

Mary Jo, adding a picture of Stephen Fry and the prestigious Blue Plaque honoring the birthplace of Georgette Heyer in London

 

Comments

[Jen Kloester]

Thanks so much for having me on Word Wenches. You're all so inspiring. I think Miss Heyer would be proud to be in such company.

[Vicki L.]

I LOVE GH....Right now I have Georgette Heyer by Jennifer Kloester sitting next to me waiting to be read. I need to finish it by Dec 24th for my Reading Challenge. It was great fun looking at all the pictures, now I need to read all the words. Ahem.

As to what I want to read about her - anything! I would like to know more about the suppressed novels because I have to tell you, there were depressing. I did get them when they were reissued in HB all those years ago (and read them). I've kept them because they were so expensive to get but never opened them again.

[Anne Hardy]

I've enjoyed Georgette Heyer's novels - both the Regency romances and the murder mysteries - since high school, over 40 years ago. My mother introduced me to murder mysteries by British authors like Dorothy Sayers, Josephine Tey and Georgette Heyer. I then found 'Frederica' in my high school library, around the same time that I read Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' for the first time. I was impressed by the characters, witty dialogue, humour and good sense of period and set out to find all of her other historical novels.
I would like to read about the suppressed novels.

[Betty Schulz]

Devil's Cub....my first. Of course my library includes many of Georgette Heyer's novels, (you can't have too many).

[Monique Flasch]

The Grand Sophy was my first. I loved it and scooped up more. Nowadays I have a fondness for the Unknown Ajax and Frederica. But next week I could have a different answer. There's always Venitia! So looking forward to these essays!

[Mary M.]

I think Black Moth was my first Heyer, but then I glommed them all so quickly I can't be sure. That was about 1K Regencies and several decades ago! Of course, I read Ms. Kloester's book when it first came out and realized that Heyer's life was just as interesting as her novels. Three items that stood out to me were: hardly anyone knew that author Georgette Heyer and Mrs. George Ronald Rougier were the same person; her research and writing of An Infamous Army were so good it was studied by military cadets at Sandringham; and soldiers in trenches in WWII requested and enjoyed her books as a distraction and soothing bit of home. What an amazing woman!

[Annette N]

I wish that Ms Heyer got more credit for her mysteries. Most people know her Regencies, (and I love them)but I feel her terrific plotting and character development in her mysteries have been over looked.

But, then, a good writer, is a good writer, is a good writer. And she was a terrific writer.

[Gail]

I was a high school teacher when I saw a fellow teacher reading The Grand Sophy in the break room. I've loved Heyer since that day. At the time, I had to haunt used book stores to find copies of her other works. Some of my copies are about to fall apart they've been read so much.

[Mary T]

I discovered Ms. Heyer rather late through blogs like this one. I have only read a couple of her books - THE GRAND SOPHY and FREDERICA. But loving biographies as I do, I think the next book that I order will be GEORGETTE HEYER by Ms. Kloester.

[Kathy K]

I didn't start reading romance until the 1980s and I started with Regencies, especially GH. I loved the sharp dialogue and the way one could be perfectly rude by being exactly polite. I've read all or almost all of her novels, but I don't remember which one was first. I especially loved Venetia and the Devil's Cub. No matter how many times, they always made me laugh out loud.

[Pamela DG]

Georgette Heyer is one of the authors my Mom and I shared. We would talk for hours about the books. We have since shared other books from authors we enjoyed. Now reading Heyer is bittersweet because the books are so much a part of my memory of Mom.

[Pamela DG]

My Mom introduced me to her books, too. Sprig Muslin was my first. We shared a lot of the same authors you mentioned.

[Janice]

THE GRAND SOPHY was my first Heyer and then I grabbed them up as fast I could find them. ALthough not a series writer I did enjoy the connected books best: THESE OLD SHADES, THE DEVIL'S CUB and INFAMOUS ARMY which also brought in the lovely characters from REGENCY BUCK. I was very impressed to learn that Heyer's description of the Battle of Waterloo was cited by some British military colleges for its detail and meticulous recreation. Wow, right? Her world was one I most longed to live in....carriages, huge houses, ball, lovely gowns, jewels and of course, the perfect escort....sigh. I have copies of all of her novels, including the mysteries, which are brilliant. I've read Ms Kloester's biography and look forward to reading the essays.

[Sue McCormick]

After my daughters and I had read Venetia, a favorite meal-time opener (but never at breakfast) was "The fox got in the chickens last night."

[Sue McCormick]

I have enjoyed this discussion enormously. I'm not sure which Heyer we read first, but I learned about at a Science Fiction Convention, when a group of SF Fans (including Mrs. Poul Anderson) met in the corridors before going off to the function room they had rented for their Georgette Heyer tea.

I began reading the mysteries as soon as I began reading the regencies. My first mystery was Blunt Instrument.

[Nancy L Gessner]

I love GH’s books! I recall saving my money and going to a small local bookstore to buy them in paperback. Each one was a new adventure! My first was “The Grand Sophy”. I was hooked. I have read and reread all of her books including the mysteries. My favorites are the ‘Alastair-Audley” books. My favorite is “An Infamous Army” which got me interested in learning more about the Battle of Waterloo. All of her books were so meticulously researched that when I read other authors I am looking for that same level of background/setting accuracy and if it isn’t there I am disappointed.
I am definitley putting “Heyer Society” on my TBR list!

[Beverly Abney]

My first Heyer title was A CIVIL COTRACT and I still re-read it every now and then. I was working in the library by then and had no trouble finding other titles and other Regency authors. That time period and the style and Heyer's great plotting really appealed. So many delicious comic moments!(THE GRAND SOPHY has a great one.)

[Lila Rives]

I discovered GH novels almost 2 years ago, the first probably was The Grand Sophie. But I immediately binged on as many as I could get my hands on. Some of my favorites are The Nonesuch, The Unknown Ajax, Sylvester and The Convenient Marriage! I never read mystery or murder books, but if I run out of her romance books, I may give those a try too. Thanks for a chance to win the Heyer Society. It sounds fascinating.💐

[Valerie]

I'll always remember reading These Old Shades and laughing to the point of crying on my bus commute reading about the 'pig' person. I still smile when i think of it. It would be great to have more insight to ms Heyer's life and background and her thoughts on life current and past.

[Kantu]

I remember reading GH books (just a couple), when I was VERY YOUNG. It was my first introduction to romance. And I remember exchanging these romance novels with classmates in school. The discussions, the shivers, the imaginations, the anticipation of something like this happening to one of us, ram rampant. We progressed to Barbara Cartland, and discovered Harlequin and Avon books. All this happened in Jakarta, Singapore and India. Since then, being sooooooooo much older (only chronologically and the with accompanying ailments), I find my recollection of the storylines in non existent. I would love to revisit those lovely memories. As the blog has certainly whetted my appetite for romance all over again.
Regards
Kantu

[Teresa Broderick]

I love love love Georgette Heyer!!! I'm in a GH group on GoodReads and we read a different one of her books every month. I discovered her only about twenty years ago and I've reread her books so often I've lost count. They always make me laugh out loud and when I'm feeling down they're a comfort read to me. I've been waiting for this book to be released and look forward to it.
I've also read Jennifer's biography and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Sally Fortney]

I read all the Georgette Heyers including the mysteries many, many years ago but I kept the romances. Don't have time to reread them but maybe someday. Too bad they don't make movies of some of them.

[Jane]

I have loved Georgette Heyer's books since I first began reading them, back when I was 14. I think my first was Sprig Muslin, but like you, I now more greatly appreciate Hugo Darracott and Freddy Standen. Frederica is another book that grows on one, as well. I am really looking forward to reading this book. Thanks for telling us about it.

[Larisa LaBrant]

I like her dialog ,the snap and sass. The manners and settings...and how she spawned an entire genre.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Jen, from what I've read, she rather disdained fans and wasn't keen on being idolized, but too bad. We get to think of her as "Saint Georgette." *G*

[Kareni]

I read many Heyer novels back in the seventies and eighties. I credit her writing with my good SAT vocabulary scores!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Kantu, how lovely that her books were read around the world! Most of her books are now available as ebooks everywhere, so you might dabble in them again. VENETIA is always a good place to start, but I'm biased. *G*

[Mary Jo Putney]

LOL, Kareni! Most of us who have been reading addicts since childhood have good vocabularies, but Georgette Heyer certainly contributed greatly to that!

[Mary Jo Putney]

My first Heyer was SYLVESTER, and I'm still very fond of it. I discovered her in the basement of the Economy Bookstore in downtown Syracuse. There were tables of stripped paperbacks on sale for a nickel each. I didn't know that selling stripped books was illegal, and a nickel was money I had to think about spending, but I decided to try a book by this Heyer person, who was well represented. And I came back again, and again, and again. I've bought copies of those books multiple times over the years so I don't feel too guilty about the illegality. But Sylvester was definitely a gateway drug!

[Jen Kloester]

Well, she didn't like people who gushed or were pretentious but she'd have laughed at the idea of Saint Georgette!! I love it though :D

[Jen Kloester]

I think lots of readers find the contemporary novels hard to read after the pleasure of her Regencies and Georgian novels - they're so very different. I got a lot out of the suppressed novels when I was writing the biography though. They have a lot to say about the period and they reflect a lot of Heyer's own ideas about men and women and society. I confess I do think Barren Corn a fascinating story and a remarkable achievement. I do ope you enjoy the biog.

[Jen Kloester]

I'm a big Josephine Tey and Dorothy L Sayers fan too, Anne. Such wonderful writers. I think the suppressed novels are worth reading if only for the insight they offer into Heyer's worldview at the time.

[Jen Kloester]

I love Sprig Muslin. Hester Theale is my favourite Heyeroine!

[Jen Kloester]

So true - you can't have too many. I have hardbacks, paperbacks, first editions, cheap editions ... :D Devil's Cub is such a wonderful book and she really enjoyed writing it too.

[Jen Kloester]

I always struggle to pick just one favourite Heyer novel and totally understand the changing fondness. You'll probably enjoy Rachel Hyland's essay Arabella to Venetia - she is really insightful about how our favourite Heyer changes as we grow older.

[Mary Slack]

I alternated between her Regancies and her mysteries, and loved them all. I always felt good after reading a Heyer book. They're fun to go back and reread. She definitely got me started on Regencies in the early 1980s.

[Jen Kloester]

I recently re-read The Black Moth and was reminded of just how good a writer GH was even at 17! It's a big accomplishment. I'm so glad you enjoyed the biog and that those three points stood out. I actually have a copy of Faro's Daughter that had been given to soldiers during WWII. It must have provided real escape from the horrors of battle. Thanks for posting.

[Jen Kloester]

I agree. Death in the Stocks is a terrific mystery and I love the characters in Behold, Here's Poison and Envious Casca. GH was just so good at character - they really live for me. Her mysteries are all still in print and I think that says a lot about their quality.

[Jen Kloester]

The Grand Sophy is one of my favourite re-reads and my paperback copy is in pieces. I can't bear to part with it though because it was one of the first Heyers I read and I can truthfully say that Georgette Heyer changed my life.

[Jen Kloester]

I'm so glad you discovered her novels and I hope you read more of the. Cotillion and Venetia and Sylvester and the Talisman Ring are all wonderful too. I do hope you enjoy the biography if you decide to order it. I loved writing it.

[Laura Boon]

I do love Georgette Heyer and I am very glad Anne Gracie alerted me to the publication of "Heyer Society". It's on my Christmas wish list! Just like Jennifer, my first Heyer was These Old Shades and it changed my world. I think Justin Alastair is responsible for my love of bad boys even when my intellect argues that I'd never love them in real life.

[JAZMIN PULLI]

I'm currently rereading Jennifer Kloester's GEORGETTE HEYER'S REGENCY WORLD (2005), a treasure trove of amusing info about the Regency period, particularly in relation to Georgette Heyer's Regency novels. Except for the morbid 'Cousin Kate', I love all of GH's romances. My favourites are 'The Talisman Ring' (the most hilarious), 'Cotillion' (Freddy Standen's such a darling!), and 'The Unknown Ajax' (Hugo Darracott is amazing!).

[QNPoohBear]

I first discovered Heyer late- about 10 years ago, after reading some Jane Austen spin-offs that didn't satisfy my need to know WHY certain things happened and WHO minor characters were. Georgette Heyer gives me all the satisfaction my nerdy brain wants, plus a bit of romance to please what's left of my teenage romantic heart.

Also, what Larisa LaBrant said...
"I like her dialog ,the snap and sass. The manners and settings...and how she spawned an entire genre."

and what Kareni said about SAT scores. For me it was GREs ha ha!

My favorites are Frederica for the humor and Venetia for the romance.

[Karin]

I'm not sure what my first Heyer book was. I'm sure it was a long time ago, because when I was growing up the local libraries carried her books, but none of the mass market romance paperbacks, and I was desperate for anything with a bit of romance in the plot. I've probably reread Devil's Cub more than any other, but The Toll Gate and The Unknown Ajax are also favorites. I also really enjoyed Simon the Coldheart, I guess that's an offbeat choice. There are still some Heyers I haven't read, I like to think I am saving them for an emergency!

[Linda S.]

Like Karin I read my first Heyer so long ago that I can't remember which title it was. I'm glad you mentioned Freddy Stanton, though, because he is one of my favorite heroes. Hidden depths, indeed. And I think Heyer managed the four stories in Cotillion very elegantly (admittedly, one couple is seen mostly through letters). I also love many of the minor characters with Gil, Ferdy, and George from Friday's Child and Felix Hethersett from April Lady some of my favorites. All the grandmothers, great-aunts, and so forth who step in to save the day are great, too. And for comic relief, the fop in Sylvester beats all comers!