I have to admit that I'd barely heard of EM Forster a few years ago. Indeed, I would probably not even have picked up one of his books had I not seen the excellent film version of 'A room With A view' many years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
So when I saw 'A room with a view' as an inexpensive paperback, I was interested enough to read it.
The story is about a young woman called Lucy. It opens when she is on holiday in Italy with her companion/chaperone Miss Bartlett. They are complaining about the lack of a view in their rooms, and are overheard by two gentlemen, a father and son. These gentlemen persuade them to have their rooms, since they have been to Italy before and aren't bothered about the view.
Lucy rather likes George, the younger man, but they get a little too close too quickly. So they move on, and lose touch - only to end up living in the same neighbourhood.
The book is well-written and full of irony. I thought it amusing in places, but a bit long-winded too. It's a book about relationships, with a happy ending - but all in all, I think this is one of the very few books where I actually preferred the film version.
The book has become a classic, and is thus is almost continually in print.
I try to limit myself to only one or two Georgette Heyer books at a time, as I like to read them all sporadically, but to leave a gap of at least four or five years each time I re-read one. However this is the third I have read in a row; once started, it's difficult to resist others!
'Cotillion' features Kitty, the orphaned ward of Mr Penicuik. He calls the family together to announce that he has decided to leave his fortune to Kitty, if she marries one of his great-nephews.
Kitty thinks she loves Jack, and he is Mr Penicuik's favourite great-nephew, but Jack does not turn up for the meeting, nor does he offer to marry Kitty. So she suggests a pretend engagement to Freddy, her dandy cousin who lives in London. This is because she wants to escape from the restrictive lifestyle imposed by Mr Penicuik, and spend a season in London.
Freddy, who is very good-hearted, agrees reluctantly. Then he finds his hands much fuller than he expected trying to guide Kitty in matters of fashion and etiquette.
Lots of humour, interesting people, and a most satisfactory ending. Definitely recommended. Regularly in print.
(You can also read a longer review of 'Cotillion', which I wrote on re-reading the book five years later)
How I love Georgette Heyer's novels. They are a wonderful escape from the real world - comfort reading at its best. Her characters are excellent, her conversations filled with irony, her plots fast-paced and very clever. I re-read all her books every so often, and enjoy them just as much on the third or fourth read as I did the first time.
'Bath Tangle' features Lady Serena, a spirited young beauty. After the death of her father, she is furious to learn that her fortune is held for her by Lord Rotherham, to whom she was one engaged.
She takes a house with her young widowed stepmother Fanny, of whom she is very fond. Then Serena meets Hector, a man to whom she was once very attracted. They become friendly, and decide to become engaged.
Unfortunately, Fanny discovers - gradually - that she is in love with the gentle Hector.
It's quite a moving book, which is resolved perfectly, in Georgette Heyer's usual brilliant style.
Definitely recommended.
Still in print in the UK; available second-hand fairly readily.
(I re-read this eight years later: here's my longer review of Bath Tangle in 2008)
