The Grand Sophy

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I enjoyed Shakespeare when I was in school; I am not a fan of prequels. The wording 'fair Rosaline' implies… Sophy had me laughing or smiling through most of the book. She is someone I would love to know in my real life. I loved her and I loved this book. Another little gem found in the wonderful world of books and book friends. ♥ And yes, Sophy finds love herself at the very end! ♥ I also loved the unintentional comedy from characters Sophy’s cousin Cecilia, and her aunt, Lady Ombersley. The idea that “no one can deny that nothing could be more ill-timed than Charlbury’s mumps” made me giggle for hours. My family on my mother’s side are Romany gypsies. Prejudice is still there now. It doesn’t die all at once. Think of the song from “South Pacific,”“You have to be carefully taught.” It’s education that’s the answer, and that takes time.

Jane Austen's purpose in writing her novels was not merely to tell a story. In fact, the story was merely a vehicle to examine critically the mores and customs of the society of her times. In an era where women academicians and philosophers were all but unknown, Austen used the only avenue open to her to espouse her brand of social commentary - the novel.You know, I was researching origins of anti-Semitic stereotypes in fiction while I was writing this review, and the portrayal of the goblins was brought up as exactly as you referenced it – so stereotypical it was like Jar-Jar Binks, only with banking. Yes, the Grand Sophy knows precisely how things should be done, and I would not have it any other way. This was by far my most enjoyable read this year. Fun, engaging and hilarious, I can not recommend it more highly. Sophy is a devilishly fine girl. I really didn't mean to swallow this book whole in one day, but once I got going I couldn't stop. And when Heyer pulls all the main characters together at the end for one of those absurd farcical scenes she does so well, it was comedy heaven.

Sophy strikes me as something of an original manic pixie dream girl, except for the diminutive tone of “pixie” because Sophy is very tall. She’s unconventionally attractive, memorable, energetic, irrepressible, and for God’s sake she comes with a small dog, a parrot, and a monkey. She’s got schemes. Plots! Plans! An almost diabolically ruthless intention to better the lives of everyone around her!

I need a really evil guy for the heroine to vanquish with her charm and some stuff concealed in her muff! This novel was entirely character driven with the charismatic, irrepressible, and fearless Sophia "Grand Sophy" Stanton-Lacy at the epicenter. Sir Horace was widowed when Sophy was around five. Contrary to convention, Sir Horace kept his daughter with him in all of his diplomatic assignments during the Napoleonic Wars. Before duty sent him to Brazil, he lauded his only child as he persuaded his sister Elizabeth - Lady Ombersley - to host Sophia, now twenty, during his South American tour - There’s some in your face anti-Semitism in Dorothy L. Sayers, too. I reread both Heyer and Dorothy L. every year or so and have to brace myself when I know the offending passages are approaching. Can you imagine how Heyer and Sayers would have treated characters of color? This is a really tough question. I oppose taking offensive language or stereotypes out of books, because I think it whitewashes the author’s bias. Sadly, a lot of things are only seen as ‘in poor taste’ if they are about the author, the editor, or someone they care about. And in retrospect, of course. It’s easy to see now. But never underestimate the pig headed ignorance of the past.