Powder and Patch (Unabridged) [Audio Download]

Reading the other reviews of Heyer's Powder and Patch, I am amazed at the a.) poor and b.) luke-warm reception given to this scintillating and very human love story by an author of exceptional talents.

I would recommend the book highly to anyone who loves romance and especially regency romance - the atmosphere created by Heyer is, as always, powerfully evocative of the period and, in my opinion, every bit as wonderful to read and re-read as any of her late classics, i.e. Devil's Cub or These Old Shades. Though perhaps without the darker irony.

Two young people gradually fall in love, then fall into a silly misunderstanding exacerbated by piqued pride and two very stubborn natures. Charming, charming, charming. And highly readable!

I am a really big fan of Georgette Heyer's work, but this book was a disappointment. Originally entitled "The Transformation of Phillip Jettan" the story is about a young man who is in love with his neighbour Cleone Charteris but she wants someone a little more exciting. When a newcomer arrives in their locality and shows Cleone all the areas in which Phillip is wanting she rejects Phillip.

And then the book became disappointing. Phillip went to France to learn to be a painted dandy - and thus to become the opposite of what he was before. There are various interesting events like him fighting a duel and then his reacquaintance with Cleone but overall this didn't work for me. The misunderstandings between the young couple were irritating.

Probably part of the reason I didn't like this book is that Phillip turned himself from a traditional Heyer hero into a painted fop, the traditional Heyer butt of jokes. I found myself disliking Phillip and finding Cleone stupid, shallow and annoying.

The book receives 3 Sterne from me as it's written with the usual Heyer excellence but there are a score of better books by this author.

When I see the 3-star reviews I can only say that those readers have not read the book properly.

Young Phillip Jettan knows his neighbour's daughter Cleone is his soulmate. There is no bone to pick about that. But if you go to a girl to ask her to be your wife, you don't make it elaborately clear that you went to the momentous trouble as to clean your boots, chance your cloths as not to smell of horses and - sacrifice above all - leave the dogs behind! If you then proceed with your task in presuming the proposal as being accomplished and accepted, so as not to make such a fuss about it all, you may not wonder that you are dispatched back home with a flea in your ear.
Poor Phillip cannot comprehend that no girl with a shred of natural pride likes to be taken for granted, even if she loves the man dearly and appreciates his otherwise excellent qualities. He is in shock, and as such a victim to his fathers gentle wishes to give him, belatedly, a proper education in manners.
He is sent to his uncle who takes him to Paris. Here it is soon clear that Phillip is no yokel. There is a sinister plan for revenge in his heart and he sucks up all the foppish manners and mannerisms he can get hold of in King Louis' kingdom. He learns to dance, to fence, to flirt - and to paint his face. In no time he is the toast of the town thanks to his candid charms and natural shrewdness. He even fights a duell with a man who has spread mean remarks about Cleone's flirts at home.
Cleone, piqued, has long left home for London where she has made a similar career. She does not know that the woman the fight was about is she herself. She is in dispair and wants Phillip the Yokel back.
Phillip, hearing of Cleone's contests, returns instantly to London where he exacts his revenge. He flirts with Cleone not more than with any other girl, shows favour of older beauties and plays the man about town, making it clear that he has his proposal of marriage consigned to the dustbin.
Cleone is in tears; not that Phillip sees any of them. She flirts vehemently with others.
A letter from Phillip to his father has the poor man in a dither. His beloved son, Phillip Jettan, lover of landlife, horses and dogs is not willing to come back at once, but is rather desirous to take pleasure in town life for an indeterminate time? Father flies to London to inspect his truant offspring. The situation begins to hang in the ballance. Has Phillip overdone his revenge? Is Cleone to console? Gets father his beloved son back?
How the riot ends you must read for yourself in this Heyer masterpiece.
This is a heartwarming story about pride and not taking everything for granted, as well as appreciating the things you have.