I’m reading this one now and really enjoying it. I’m newer to Heyer and I think this is about my 5th one. Heyer’s writing seems to be so consistently good! I love the humor in her books as well.
Always a delight and privilege to hear Susannah's insights into Heyer -- and into literature in general. We were very proud to play this video at our recent HeyerCon in Melbourne, and we are always proud to call Susannah one of our Patronesses. The most selfish character Heyer is surely Conway, but the other Lanyon men are also very much in the running.
Many thanks for all the support images of the places, houses, people and the various covers for Venetia. One of my favourites, always enjoyably rereadable. (A Convenient Marriage and Cotillion also favourites!) Brilliant plotting, dialogue and characters as always.
Again dear susanna you have given a most interesting talk about one of my favorite authors. I discovered gorgette heyer in my adolecence and read all her books some of them several times.venetia was the first I read. And ir is true that is a study about selfishness even if I dont agree about abruey . I think he is more self absorved than selfish and since he is lame in a world that men are supose to be heart and healthy and is as isolated as venetia he has fallen on the world of books so this is all he cares about.he cares about venetia but has nothing in comon with her and does really not understand love or couples. My favorite gorgetty heyer books are the grand sophy and the talisman ring also a reluctant widow .
Heyer's novels are wonderful comfort reads. Like you, I first read her as a teenager and have loved her books ever since. You made excellent points about Aubrey - in an era when men were expected to be elegant, sporty and strong, it is especially hard for him. And he does love his sister, so perhaps self-absorbed is the right word. Many thanks for your comments.
Venetia is certainly one of her very best! Great characters and detail, so much fun and the typical humor that makes reading GH so very enjoyable. I have a pretty fair collection of the audiobooks too, and when read by a good actor they are superb listening and often laugh out loud funny. Must also comment on the wonderful Arthur Barbosa jacket covers. They are just stunning and I wish they could still be in use. I don't have many of those.
Thank you for quoting directly from the book -and in character. Quite charming. I appreciate the theme explained thoroughly, not missing a soul, because they each contributed to this suspenseful dissonance that wasn’t resolved until the very last page.
GH books kept me going at boarding school: in my early teens, they were regarded as a sort of "gentle introduction to Jane Austen" before we were old enough for the real thing. But I think this does her novels a great disservice, as they stand for stylishness, wit and romantic warmth on their own. And she experimented with tone, plot and character, even if she described in correspondence her heroes and heroines as types. If I am feeling low in spirits, a reaquaintance with one of her novels will cheer me up a great deal! One thing I find interesting is that her style resists being read aloud or dramatised: it is always better on the page. (No criticism implied!)
I agree that whenever one is feeling a bit down, or frazzled, Heyer's novels are the perfect tonis. She was masterly in the way she created character, Regency setting and dialogue. Howver, I can't agree about her style resisting being read aloud. My favourite way of experiencing her novels is to listen to the fabulous audio versions of them - so well read, laugh-out-loud funny, and sheer delight.
I discovered Georgette Heyer in my teens, and had read most of her books (including the detective novels) by my early 20s. I was never drawn back to Venetia, and it wasn't one of my favourites. However, now I've watched your video, I'm planning to buy that Folio Society copy in the New Year, and I'll be interested to read it from a more mature perspective.
Thank you Susannah. It was very interesting. I must admit, I had never heard of this novel before watching your vlog. I have put Venetia on hold at my local library (I did this while listening to your talk). For some reason, I wondered what the name Venetia meant. I only found (in my very short search online) that the name Venetia means, in Celtic ‘Blessed’ and in Italian means ‘From Venice’. I also found out Georgette Heyer’s father was a French teacher at Kings College School and her mother a talented cellist who studied at the Royal Academy of Music. It seems Georgette grew up in a highly cultured home. I look forward to reading the novel Venetia 🦋
Heyer was a remarkable woman and since her first book was published 100 years ago this year, her books have never been out of print. I am hopefully going to be planning a Heyer conference next year, so do get busy reading hre books. They are fantastic on audio!
My favorite Heyer novel is Sylvester too! I just reread Venetia. This is an excellent analysis. During my recent reread I kept comparing it to Regency Buck, mostly because of the first encounter between the romantic interests and also because frankly the plots doesn't quite work for me. I do think Venetia is the better novel. I really appreciate your insight! I will think of the story and characters in a new light.
I like many of GH's novels, but I am afraid Venetia left me a bit cold. It's partly because not a lot happens in the novel (compared to many of her books), but mostly because of what is effectively a sexual assault near the start and, worse, at the end she basically gives Dammerol permission to be unfaithful and he doesn't deny that he will! The novel is enjoyable in parts, and our heroine can be fun in true GH style, but this seeming lack of a true bond at the end, and the slowish pace put me off.
I’m reading this one now and really enjoying it. I’m newer to Heyer and I think this is about my 5th one. Heyer’s writing seems to be so consistently good! I love the humor in her books as well.
Always a delight and privilege to hear Susannah's insights into Heyer -- and into literature in general. We were very proud to play this video at our recent HeyerCon in Melbourne, and we are always proud to call Susannah one of our Patronesses.
The most selfish character Heyer is surely Conway, but the other Lanyon men are also very much in the running.
Many thanks for all the support images of the places, houses, people and the various covers for Venetia. One of my favourites, always enjoyably rereadable. (A Convenient Marriage and Cotillion also favourites!)
Brilliant plotting, dialogue and characters as always.
So glad you enjoyed the video talk. Isn't it a fabulous book.
Again dear susanna you have given a most interesting talk about one of my favorite authors. I discovered gorgette heyer in my adolecence and read all her books some of them several times.venetia was the first I read. And ir is true that is a study about selfishness even if I dont agree about abruey . I think he is more self absorved than selfish and since he is lame in a world that men are supose to be heart and healthy and is as isolated as venetia he has fallen on the world of books so this is all he cares about.he cares about venetia but has nothing in comon with her and does really not understand love or couples.
My favorite gorgetty heyer books are the grand sophy and the talisman ring also a reluctant widow .
Heyer's novels are wonderful comfort reads. Like you, I first read her as a teenager and have loved her books ever since.
You made excellent points about Aubrey - in an era when men were expected to be elegant, sporty and strong, it is especially hard for him. And he does love his sister, so perhaps self-absorbed is the right word. Many thanks for your comments.
Venetia is certainly one of her very best! Great characters and detail, so much fun and the typical humor that makes reading GH so very enjoyable. I have a pretty fair collection of the audiobooks too, and when read by a good actor they are superb listening and often laugh out loud funny. Must also comment on the wonderful Arthur Barbosa jacket covers. They are just stunning and I wish they could still be in use. I don't have many of those.
Thank you for quoting directly from the book -and in character. Quite charming. I appreciate the theme explained thoroughly, not missing a soul, because they each contributed to this suspenseful dissonance that wasn’t resolved until the very last page.
Venetia is awesome! It would make a great movie
GH books kept me going at boarding school: in my early teens, they were regarded as a sort of "gentle introduction to Jane Austen" before we were old enough for the real thing. But I think this does her novels a great disservice, as they stand for stylishness, wit and romantic warmth on their own. And she experimented with tone, plot and character, even if she described in correspondence her heroes and heroines as types. If I am feeling low in spirits, a reaquaintance with one of her novels will cheer me up a great deal! One thing I find interesting is that her style resists being read aloud or dramatised: it is always better on the page. (No criticism implied!)
I agree that whenever one is feeling a bit down, or frazzled, Heyer's novels are the perfect tonis. She was masterly in the way she created character, Regency setting and dialogue. Howver, I can't agree about her style resisting being read aloud. My favourite way of experiencing her novels is to listen to the fabulous audio versions of them - so well read, laugh-out-loud funny, and sheer delight.
I discovered Georgette Heyer in my teens, and had read most of her books (including the detective novels) by my early 20s. I was never drawn back to Venetia, and it wasn't one of my favourites. However, now I've watched your video, I'm planning to buy that Folio Society copy in the New Year, and I'll be interested to read it from a more mature perspective.
Thank you Susannah. It was very interesting. I must admit, I had never heard of this novel before watching your vlog. I have put Venetia on hold at my local library (I did this while listening to your talk). For some reason, I wondered what the name Venetia meant. I only found (in my very short search online) that the name Venetia means, in Celtic ‘Blessed’ and in Italian means ‘From Venice’. I also found out Georgette Heyer’s father was a French teacher at Kings College School and her mother a talented cellist who studied at the Royal Academy of Music. It seems Georgette grew up in a highly cultured home. I look forward to reading the novel Venetia 🦋
Heyer was a remarkable woman and since her first book was published 100 years ago this year, her books have never been out of print. I am hopefully going to be planning a Heyer conference next year, so do get busy reading hre books. They are fantastic on audio!
My favorite Heyer novel is Sylvester too! I just reread Venetia. This is an excellent analysis. During my recent reread I kept comparing it to Regency Buck, mostly because of the first encounter between the romantic interests and also because frankly the plots doesn't quite work for me. I do think Venetia is the better novel. I really appreciate your insight! I will think of the story and characters in a new light.
Thanks so much for your comments. It is a fabulous novel and I'm glad I made you think about it in new ways.
I guess Venetia needs to be the next Heyer I try out. ♥️
It's a gorgeous novel!
I like many of GH's novels, but I am afraid Venetia left me a bit cold. It's partly because not a lot happens in the novel (compared to many of her books), but mostly because of what is effectively a sexual assault near the start and, worse, at the end she basically gives Dammerol permission to be unfaithful and he doesn't deny that he will!
The novel is enjoyable in parts, and our heroine can be fun in true GH style, but this seeming lack of a true bond at the end, and the slowish pace put me off.
Oh I am sorry you don't like it so much. It's one of my top favourites.