The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer

These books are classics for a reason, the writing is simply superb.

So much period detail and character are given with simply scene setting and dialogue. Unlike modern writers the author does not resort to the internal voice to tell the audience about the characters, they are simply present on the page. Heyer writes with a omnipotent narrator, which does create a certain distance with the reader but is very effective in maintaining mysteries of character and dealing with a ensemble cast.

The female lead is a trouble-maker of note but is saved from being too annoying or unbelievably competent by her charm and forthrightness. None of her manipulations are done out of malice or selfishness. She is in some ways the strong female lead we have been looking for: Courageous, doesn’t let societal judgements stand in her way, strong, empathetic and (the thing hollywood cant wrap its mind around so cant get right) doesn’t use her sexuality as a tool. While the male lead, Charles, is saved from appearing a brute by the obvious signs of intelligence and compassion.

You read this story for Sophy’s plots rather than the romance and in fact the romance doesn’t feel inevitable the way most modern (enemies-to-lovers) stories do. Heyer does a marvellous job of showing the clashes between Charles and Sophy, then odd moments of them enjoying each other’s company (including bantering) while still hating each other. The thawing comes only in about the last quarter of the book.

Some readers might wonder what the attraction (the cement) of the relationship is and I would suggest it is that they are a match for each other. His temper cant bow her and her antics ultimately amuse him. He understands that she will never be conventional. You can see them getting into scrapes together going forward.

It does feel a bit long, but its a refreshing breath away from the formula of modern romances.