- Unknown Binding
- Publisher: Arrow Books (2004)
- ISBN-10: 0091904188
- ISBN-13: 978-0091904180
- Product Dimensions: 17.8 x 11 x 4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,065,626 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Black Sheep
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
'Black Sheep' is one of Georgette Heyer's later Regency novels and shows all her skills as a writer, including her much-praised historical accuracy for this period. The 'Black Sheep' of the title is Mr Miles Calverleigh, a gentleman who was sent to India twenty years before after shaming his family. Unfortunately for Miss Abigail Wendover, the absent Mr Calverleigh's nephew Stacy is apparently trying to beguile her spirited niece Fanny in order to get his hands on her fortune. Abigail and her sister Serena have stood as parents toward Fanny for many years but Abigail begins to discover that Fanny has grown up enough to want to rely less on her aunt and more on her own heart.
It is into this situation that Miles Calverleigh steps, having finally returned from India. The first scene between him and Abby, a case of mistaken identity, is a wonderful example of Heyer's skill in writing two spirited and interesting characters. Abigail tries to get Miles to help separate his nephew from her niece but she finds herself thwarted by his apparent lack of interest in the cares of others and his apparent wish to thwart her own strict views on being a support to her own sister which may prevent her from following her heart.
There are some similarities between this book and 'Lady of Quality', also written late in Heyer's career, not least in the age of the heroes and heroines who aren't the youngsters of 'Friday's Child' or 'Cotillion' but are mature people who may perhaps feel that the opportunities in life have passed them by. As usual the side characters are excellent in this story, including the very amusing Mrs Clapham and even the straighlaced James Wendover. This book seems to contain less of the cant phrases that can render some characters in other books almost incomprehensible but the overall standard of dialogue is excellent. 'Black Sheep' makes an excellent introduction to Heyer's Regency novels and can be enjoyed again and again.
Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008
It is into this situation that Miles Calverleigh steps, having finally returned from India. The first scene between him and Abby, a case of mistaken identity, is a wonderful example of Heyer's skill in writing two spirited and interesting characters. Abigail tries to get Miles to help separate his nephew from her niece but she finds herself thwarted by his apparent lack of interest in the cares of others and his apparent wish to thwart her own strict views on being a support to her own sister which may prevent her from following her heart.
There are some similarities between this book and 'Lady of Quality', also written late in Heyer's career, not least in the age of the heroes and heroines who aren't the youngsters of 'Friday's Child' or 'Cotillion' but are mature people who may perhaps feel that the opportunities in life have passed them by. As usual the side characters are excellent in this story, including the very amusing Mrs Clapham and even the straighlaced James Wendover. This book seems to contain less of the cant phrases that can render some characters in other books almost incomprehensible but the overall standard of dialogue is excellent. 'Black Sheep' makes an excellent introduction to Heyer's Regency novels and can be enjoyed again and again.
Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I love reading, and if ever I want a book to take me out of myself after a long day, I reach for Georgette Heyer...
On my list of GH favourites, Black Sheep has to rate fairly high. Not only does it capture the feeling of beautiful Regency Bath so well that I feel I am taking a turn about the famous Pump Room and elegant streets myself, but it brings together two infectious characters that I immediately warmed to. Abby the heroine, described by herself as a 'staid old aunt' when in fact she is a stylish witty woman in her late twenties, has never been attracted to any man enough to relinquish her single status. Until, that is, the arrival of the indolent, rakish Miles, the 'Black Sheep' of the noble Calverleigh family banished to hot climates years before for his wild ways. The tale centres on the love story of these two whilst Abby struggles with the guardianship of her wilful, pretty niece, who is heiress to a tidy fortune and being pursued by the slimy if artful Stacy Calverleigh, Miles's impoverished nephew.
A wonderful story with a good mix of humour and some nice little twists provided by cheeky Miles. Get comfortable, open the book and enjoy!
On my list of GH favourites, Black Sheep has to rate fairly high. Not only does it capture the feeling of beautiful Regency Bath so well that I feel I am taking a turn about the famous Pump Room and elegant streets myself, but it brings together two infectious characters that I immediately warmed to. Abby the heroine, described by herself as a 'staid old aunt' when in fact she is a stylish witty woman in her late twenties, has never been attracted to any man enough to relinquish her single status. Until, that is, the arrival of the indolent, rakish Miles, the 'Black Sheep' of the noble Calverleigh family banished to hot climates years before for his wild ways. The tale centres on the love story of these two whilst Abby struggles with the guardianship of her wilful, pretty niece, who is heiress to a tidy fortune and being pursued by the slimy if artful Stacy Calverleigh, Miles's impoverished nephew.
A wonderful story with a good mix of humour and some nice little twists provided by cheeky Miles. Get comfortable, open the book and enjoy!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I read `Black Sheep' when it was first published and it has lost none of its charm on re-reading. Abigail Wendover is one of Heyer's most endearing older heroines with a great deal of common sense and a disinclination to bow to convention. She lives in Bath with her older sister Selina and their young niece Fanny.
Unfortunately while Abby was away from Bath visiting one of her other sisters, Fanny has become the object of a fortune hunter - Stacy Calverleigh. Stacy's estranged Uncle Miles Calverleigh returns unexpectedly from India and becomes acquainted with Abby who hopes to involve him in her plan to detach Stacy from her niece.
What follows is a lively fast paced plot with some truly memorable characters - Miles Calverleigh himself, the delightful Fanny, hypochondriac Selina and the outrageous Mrs Clapham who plays a small but important part in the story. As ever the plot is intriguing and characters realistic and Bath society is well portrayed. The dialogue is witty and entertaining and many of the incidents are really funny. This is a feel good story ideal for these winter evenings. It would be a good introduction to Georgette Heyer's work for anyone who has not read any of her books before as I think it is possibly one of her best.
Unfortunately while Abby was away from Bath visiting one of her other sisters, Fanny has become the object of a fortune hunter - Stacy Calverleigh. Stacy's estranged Uncle Miles Calverleigh returns unexpectedly from India and becomes acquainted with Abby who hopes to involve him in her plan to detach Stacy from her niece.
What follows is a lively fast paced plot with some truly memorable characters - Miles Calverleigh himself, the delightful Fanny, hypochondriac Selina and the outrageous Mrs Clapham who plays a small but important part in the story. As ever the plot is intriguing and characters realistic and Bath society is well portrayed. The dialogue is witty and entertaining and many of the incidents are really funny. This is a feel good story ideal for these winter evenings. It would be a good introduction to Georgette Heyer's work for anyone who has not read any of her books before as I think it is possibly one of her best.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Just perfect.
I've recently come back to Georgette Heyer after many, many years and I'm really enjoying reading old favourites over again. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Paddy
One of my all time favourites
An older hero, and an older heroine. A regular 'Black sheep', and a woman who is tied to her family. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mountain lady
A lovely giggle inducing romance
Another wonderful tale from Georgette Heyer. Some similarities with other stories, but still a delight. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Ju
A good read
Another good Georgette Heyer book. Good story involving a young,feisty heiress and a fortune hunter, but there is a more interesting underlying story involving the heiress's Aunt. Read more
Published on 22 May 2009 by Esta
gorcious
This is much alike the lady of quality. At some place I died with laughter. There are nice turns in the plot which takes you aback. See it for yourself. Read more
Published on 22 April 2008 by lady
Black Sheep - Exceleent
This story is rather similar to "A lady of Quality", and is much the best of the two. It was written earlier, whilst Georgette Heyer was still at the height of her powers. Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2007 by Elizabeth Trigg
One of Heyer's best
I've only recently discovered Heyer and am slowly reading my way through them - and have to say this is one of my favourite's so far. Read more
Published on 22 Oct 2006 by Roman Clodia
All the excitement of sky-diving in period costume!
This book has it all. You really are introduced to the characters to the extent where you care what happens to them and my stars, what does happen to them! Read more
Published on 5 Jun 2001
A really positive, to the point recommendation.
Georgette Heyer is a master of writing historically accurate fiction without swamping the reader with dry facts. Read more
Published on 25 Sep 2000
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