Helpful Score: 1
My mom recommended this author after we talked about how I enjoy Jane Austen. The vocabulary was quite a challenge as the characters use the jargon and slang of the times and some of these words do not even show up in an Internet search! ("ton" as in the elegant set, "nangeens" as in some kind of pants). I was most captivated by the portrayal of Tiffany Wield, the spoiled, vain and incredibly headstrong charge of the governess heroine. Tiffany often seemed unbelievable in her obstinacy, but then again in real life I occasionally run into people whose foibles veer into the unbelievable! The Nonesuch (Sir Waldo) and his love interest (the governess Miss Trent) are a mite too perfect but still fun. I found it hard to believe that when discussing Miss Trent's horse, Sir Waldo says "I wish I had the mounting of you" and this passed as normal conversation, not a double entendre! The book was a fun romp and I will read another Heyer some day.
SERIOUS SPOILER ALERT> Do not continue to read if you want to be surprised!:
What I loved: Sir Waldo was not only humourous but ever so kind at heart. The fact that he cared for orphans was sweet and showed what kind of man he really was. Also, that he did not care so much for propriety and set his own rules while still being gentle. I truly enjoyed that Ancilla was a governess.
What I did not like: Tiffany the brat! Seriously, I felt Ancilla should have had more of a firm hand on her. I would have liked to have saw Tiffany's progress in the book at becoming a better person instead of everyone accepting her for what she was. I know it ended with her getting severely reprimanded but still! It should have came so much sooner. I almost couldn't stomach her attitude. I also would have a liked a bit more romantic dialogue between the two main characters. Perhaps had the story continued just until he came back to actually "claim" her as his wife instead of just plans.
For this I would give it a 3.75 but since there is not option I gave it a 3.5. I really enjoyed the main personalities of the main characters and who they were.
What I loved: Sir Waldo was not only humourous but ever so kind at heart. The fact that he cared for orphans was sweet and showed what kind of man he really was. Also, that he did not care so much for propriety and set his own rules while still being gentle. I truly enjoyed that Ancilla was a governess.
What I did not like: Tiffany the brat! Seriously, I felt Ancilla should have had more of a firm hand on her. I would have liked to have saw Tiffany's progress in the book at becoming a better person instead of everyone accepting her for what she was. I know it ended with her getting severely reprimanded but still! It should have came so much sooner. I almost couldn't stomach her attitude. I also would have a liked a bit more romantic dialogue between the two main characters. Perhaps had the story continued just until he came back to actually "claim" her as his wife instead of just plans.
For this I would give it a 3.75 but since there is not option I gave it a 3.5. I really enjoyed the main personalities of the main characters and who they were.
It seems presumptuous to find fault with Heyer, but my enjoyment of the novel was really dragged down by how much space, time, and effort is given to the spoiled brat character. Try Madeleine Robins' old Regency "My Dear Jenny", which is basically the same story with the same wit and more actual romance.
This is one of my favorite Georgette Heyer novels. It's a very sweet and natural romance, rather than the more typical love-hate relationships that, although still entertaining, I don't like quite as much. I really admired the heroine and couldn't help falling in love with the hero myself. I highly recommend it.
Reviewer: Mariam "meme05" (Bahrain) -
The Nonesuch is a lovely story about a rich man, Waldo that inherited a house and wants to turn it into an orphanage. He comes from a long line of Philanthropists. He is known as the nonesuch, because he is perfect or as close to perfect as can be. He is the leader of Corinthians ((A group of men that love to practice all sorts of sports)). He goes to visit the house unsuspecting that in that simple county he will find the woman of his heart, Ancilla. She is a governess/companion of Tiffany Wield. A very beautiful young woman that is very, very selfish. I highly recommend this read Georgette Heyer is a writer of the first water. Every time Waldo enters the room and Ancilla is there I feel my stomach do a flip-flop. I simply adored it!
The Nonesuch is a lovely story about a rich man, Waldo that inherited a house and wants to turn it into an orphanage. He comes from a long line of Philanthropists. He is known as the nonesuch, because he is perfect or as close to perfect as can be. He is the leader of Corinthians ((A group of men that love to practice all sorts of sports)). He goes to visit the house unsuspecting that in that simple county he will find the woman of his heart, Ancilla. She is a governess/companion of Tiffany Wield. A very beautiful young woman that is very, very selfish. I highly recommend this read Georgette Heyer is a writer of the first water. Every time Waldo enters the room and Ancilla is there I feel my stomach do a flip-flop. I simply adored it!
This was a set back and enjoy book. I had read some very time consuming and deep books but this one really lightened it up.
Another enchanting Regency romance from the first and best.
A Regencey Romance from the author who practically developed the genre! copyright: 1960's....this edition, recent reprint with a forward by MaryJo Putney.
clean new book from non smoking home. good book, love story.
