Powder and Patch

Rating:
Summary: It's ok
Review: Dissatisfied with Philip's easygoing, country manners, Cleone Charteris rejects Philip Jettan's marriage proposal, in the hopes that he'll acquire town polish and social graces. Of course, Philip immediately leaves town for just such a purpose. He returns duly, painted, powdered, with all the affected mannerisms of a fop in order to teach Cleone a lesson; does she in fact want a painted puppet or the genuine Philip?

"Powder and Patch" was one of Georgette Heyer's earlier works and, in my opinion, doesn't possess the same degree of charm, wit and fluidity of her later works (It was written when she was 21). I admired the honesty and intelligence of the hero, Philip Jettan, who consistently remained true to himself and to his love. Cleone Charteris, Philip's love interest, however, was a bit irritating. Although it's clear that she loves Philip at the start of the book, she's unhappy that he's "a country bumpkin." When he returns to her a refined gentleman, she's even more dissatisfied. Cleone was just too finicky and scatterbrained a heroine for my tastes. She had absolutely no idea what she wanted through 99% of the book. As a reader, it was too frustrating trying to understand or tolerate her. In addition, the advice from Cleone's aunt to Philip that he should treat her with a firm hand and "master her" was a bit grating, but perhaps that's just because I'm reading it too much from a 21st century perspective. That phrase just didn't sit too well with me; I think that that took away from my enjoyment of the book, especially since it was repeated several times in "Powder and Patch." In addition, as the title implies, this is a Georgian era book, not a Regency. (Men of fashion wore face powder and face patches during the French-styled Georgian period) I personally prefer Regencies to Georgian novels. Furthermore, there's a fair sprinkling of French in this book, a language that I unfortunately never studied. I know Spanish and Italian, so I had a basic understanding of the dialogue but I felt that I missed out on some subtle nuance or some cleverly inserted Heyer wit. Overall, I think the book is fair but definitely not one of Heyer's best novels. It's certainly not on par with "Frederica" or the "The Grand Sophy," which I think are her greatest works.



Rating:
Summary: Brush up on your French!
Review: I found that this work lacked the gripping characters, suspense and hilarity that characterise the author's other works. The characters were particularly disappointing; the heroine is a work of insipidity and the hero moves from being a stiff, but likeable country bumpkin to an irritatingly controlling male who is invested overnight with incredibly pretentious society manners.

Nonetheless, the period detail is fascinating as always and there are moments of fun. I'd also recommend brushing up on your French before reading this book. I don't know any, so perhaps that's why I didn't enjoy it much.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining,
Review: I recently rediscovered this book and was happy to have found it again. I enjoyed it much better the second time around.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining,
Review: I recently rediscovered this book and was happy to have found it again. I enjoyed it much better the second time around.

Rating:
Summary: Georgette Heyer at her best
Review: This book is one of my favorite Georgette Heyer romances (you simply can't pick one favorite!). Phillip Jettan is a man who disdains the current fashion for powdered wigs and light-hearted flirtation, but he adores his childhood friend Cleone who has tasted the elegance of a London season and isn't content with her crude lover. With the help of his frivolous Uncle Tom he sets off for Paris, and is transformed into "le petit Philippe" who becomes the darling of French society - much to the dismay of Cleone! This story sparkles with witty dialogue, and wonderful descriptions of costumes and festivities of the 1700's. I re-read it at least once a year and I enjoy it as much as the first time, again and again!

Rating:
Summary: witty and humourous early work
Review: This is one of my favourites, in spite of the fact that it is an early work (circa 1930) and as such lacks some of the polish and more rounded character portrayals we have all come to love and expect from Georgette Heyer. It is also a much shorter novel and is told in a very straightforward manner. However Ms Heyer's effervescent wit and obvious ability to tell a good and humourous story is already evident, thus making "Powder and Patch" an enjoyable and worthwhile read.

Much to the chagrin of his father, Maurice Jettan, and his childhood sweetheart, the beautiful Cleone Charteris, Philip Jettan, is perfectly happy being a man of the country. Not for him the perfumed manners of the London drawing rooms! Unfortunately for Philip, Cleone has spent some time in London, where her beauty and grace had been much feted, and in a much more elegant and witty manner than Philip's unvarnished and from the heart declarations. Cleone would like Philip to acquire some city polish. And in this her desires are matched by Philip's father, Maurice. And so together the pair conspire; and the upshot of which is that Philip takes off for Paris in a fit of rage. Have Cleone and Maurice done the right thing? Is a more polished Philip what they really want? Cleone is beginning to wonder if she may have made the mistake of her life in scorning Philip's honest and unvarnished outpourings of love...

I'll admit the first time I read this novel, I kept hoping that Philip would meet some nice and sensible young lady in Paris who would make him forget Cleone Charteris. Part of the problem was that I found myself unable to understand exactly what Cleone and Maurice found so wanting in Philip. Philip Jettan was sincere and true, unlike a great many romance heroes who (by comparison) come across as insincere women-haters. Years later I understood that "Powder and Patch" was actually a comedy of manners, written very much in the style of an 18th century play. Understanding this allowed me appreciate Cleone more. The joy to be gleaned from this novel is from "watching" Philip blossom and become more polished, watching him trying to teach Cleone a much needed lesson or two, and watching quick tempered Cleone react to everything that's unfolding before her eyes. So that the happily-ever-after few pages when it (finally) came was tender and satisfyingly well worth the wait. Witty and lighthearted, "Powder and Patch" is a read not to be missed.

Rating:
Summary: Fairy Floss !!!
Review: This is pleasant piece of fluff as unsubstantial as a sweet meringue. Cleone, beautiful as only a Heyer heroine can be, has been loved by her neighbour Philip since childhood and is piqued to find herself taken for granted by this very decent but unpolished young man. She advises him to take himself off to gain a bit of charm and polish, but when he returns, painted, powdered and mincing in satins and lace and affecting a languid air, she realises that she prefers the honest young man to the fop that he seems to be. Of course it's all an act and true love wins out in the end.