(no subject)

[sixbeforelunch]

I'm looking for a readable book about Georgian and Regency England. I know readable is a judgment call. I guess what I'm looking for is something with a good deal of humor and a very easy, non-pompous writing style. Something almost Bryson-esque in style. Does such a thing exist?

Comments

Re: Georgian and Regency England

[sixbeforelunch]

Yes, I meant non-fiction. I should have made that clearer.

I have had Georgette Heyer recommended to me so many times lately that I finally had to go ahead and order one of her books. The Nonesuch. Hopefully it lives up to all the hype. *g*

Re: Georgian and Regency England

[cesy]

The Nonesuch isn't one of my favourites. It's probably quite good for getting a feel for her writing and the period, but parts of the plot feel a little clichéd. This is more because other people have copied her than it being derivative when she wrote it, which is a frequent problem with Heyer. It still amuses me that she invented a new genre, saw all the people copying her badly, and turned round and parodied them.

If you want military stuff and a feel for the war, The Spanish Bride is slightly more readable than An Infamous Army. If you want slightly earlier Georgian stuff, I can recommend The Masqueraders, which is a ridiculous romp full of hilarious cross-dressing mix-ups. The Talisman Ring and The Unknown Ajax both have stuff about smuggling, if you're interested in that. For spa towns, there are three major books set in Bath: Lady of Quality, Black Sheep and Bath Tangle. For detail on the Prince Regent, Regency Buck is good. If you want purer history, Royal Escape is all about Charles running away to France, though I found it heavier going than some of her other books. I don't know if any of that helps you.