This Mass Market Paperback Book item from Harlequin was reviewed on 7-Oct-2008.
Search ISBN:0373836848 offer from Abebooks or used books from Alibris. The Quiet Gentleman Reference Book. Classifications : Classics British Chinese General German Greek Japanese Latin American Medieval Roman Russian Spanish & Portuguese United States Literature & Fiction Subjects Books Classics General Literature & Fictio . Click the following link to view the cover of The Quiet Gentleman. Related topics: Classics. British. Chinese. General. German. Greek. Japanese. Latin American. Medieval. Roman. requestid: 35821178-8d8c-411e-a9e1-4560fc1279b2
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1) Mass Market Paperback Book The Quiet Gentleman by Harlequin. An indifferent Heyer novel, however, is worth three books by a lesser author.
My problems with this book are that I found it difficult to like the protagonist (I didn´t dislike him, either; I simply found him uninteresting), I found the plot very easy to predict, and the romance seemed to me to spring up out of the blue. Most of Heyer´s novels are much better than this, with beautifully-drawn characters and believable romances.
If this were by anyone else, I probably would have given it 4 stars, but it´s only an average Heyer novel and not an outstanding one.¤ 2) Mass Market Paperback Book The Quiet Gentleman by Harlequin. While this is not one of my favorite Heyers, it is an enjoyable comedy of manners. I place it in my second tier of Heyer books. In addition to unexpected matches, there is an element of mystery, as our hero faces repeated attacks upon his life.
¤ 3) Mass Market Paperback Book The Quiet Gentleman by Harlequin. I am rereading this novel for the ump-teenth time (I have a much yellowed 1951 paperback edition of this novel, imprinted by ACE Books). I have always enjoyed this novel because there is something so very endearing about Gervase Frant, the 7th Earl of St.Erth.
Upon this rereading I have noticed that the social comedy and satire in this novel is the *wickedest* of all of Georgette Heyer´s novels. This is a novel rich in all aspects of novel writing, not merely a good regency romance, but a good novel. It captures the feel of Jane Austen´s novels more than any other of Heyer´s novels. The description of the Stanyon Castle and of each member of the Frant family are deliciously frank and snide. The conversations between members of the Frant family are so comedic that I stop and reread passages in order to savor them (like a really wonderful flavor of ice cream - yummy!).
Gervase was hated by his father, the 6th Earl, because he looks like his beautiful mother, the Earl´s first wife. Gervase´s mother ran away with a lover when Gervase was young and the 6th Earl never forgave her or Gervase.
Upon the death of his first wife, the 6th Earl remarried and his second wife gave him two children, a son Martin and a daughter Louisa. Gervase´s half-brother and sister look like the 6th Earl, unmistakeably Frant-ish, as well as Gervase´s cousin Theo Frant (son of the 6th Earl´s younger brother).
The 6th Earl, his second wife, and their children have always expected that Martin, the second son, would become the 7th Earl. Martin has been raised and indulged as the heir apparent all his life. Since Gervase entered the army during the Napoleanic Wars, it was expected by all the Frants (except of course Gervase), that he would be conveniently killed in the War. They consider it quite shocking and inconsiderate of Gervase not to have been killed in the Spanish campaigns or during Waterloo (some delightful conversations occur about Gervase´s lack of foresight in not getting himself killed or even wounded followed by "politically correct" recanting). Upon his death the 6th Earl left all of his unentailed property to Martin, beggaring the Earldom in order to leave as much away from Gervase as possible.
A year after the 6th Earl´s death, Gervase finally arrives at Stanyon. He has deliberately stayed away for the whole year to avoid going into official mourning for a father who treated him shabbily (Gervase dislikes his father as much as his father disliked Gervase). The members of the Stanyon household upon the arrival of Gervase are: Lady St.Erth (Gervase´s step-mother), Martin Frant (his half-brother), Reverend Felix Clowne (my lord´s Chaplain, most appropriately named), Theodore Frant (Gervase´s cousin and my lord´s estate agent), and Miss Drusilla Morville (a guest). Later they are joined by the Viscount, Lord Ulverston (Lucius "Lucy" Austell, heir to the Earl of Wrexham, and Gervase´s very good friend). Marianne Bolderwood is the local reigning beauty in the Stanyon neighborhood and heiress to 100,000 pounds. While not as funny as the other characters, she is an important plot element. Minor characters who contribute to the comedic elements in the novel and are well-drawn are: Louisa (Gervase´s step-sister), Turvey (Gervase´s valet), Chard (Gervase´s groom), Mr. Leek (a bow street runner), and Drusilla´s parents.
At first Gervase thinks that Drusilla is a paid companion to Lady St.Erth until Drusilla makes it clear that she IS the daughter Hervey Morville AND Cordelia Consett, prominent members of the society surrounding Mr. Coleridge and Mr. Southey. She is visiting Stanyon while her parents are visiting their friends. The most flattering description of Miss Morville is that her countenance is pleasing (faint praise indeed). Drusilla is of an extremely practical nature and always has wise advice to handle the everyday problems of life at Stanyon (such as what to do about the ugly epergne in the Small Dining-room that will satisfy both Gervase and his step-mother; also how to handle the inconvenience of Marianne´s parents coming down with influenza that might prevent her from attending a ball at Stanyon).
Attempts are being made on Gervase´s life and all indications point to Martin as the culprit due to his obvious resentment of his older brother. Opinions as to who is responsible for the murder attempts on Gervase´s life are expressed by Theo and Lucy. Lady St.Erth seems oblivious, a very conceited, self-centered, and stupid woman (a running gag is Lady St.Erth´s opinions and commentary on card playing and other topics, all based on precepts handed down to her by her father). Miss Morville, who figures out who is trying to murder Gervase and why before anyone else, keeps her own counsel until the end of the novel. Over time, Gervase consults Miss Morville increasingly as it becomes clear to him that she is the only one with exceedingly good sense (delivered with witty repartee).
If you love Jane Austen novels, be sure to order this novel by Georgette Heyer. I guarentee you will want to own it -- not just borrow someone else´s copy!¤ 4) Mass Market Paperback Book The Quiet Gentleman by Harlequin. The Quiet Gentleman is the third Heyer book I have read and the most enjoyable. It is about an Earl who returns from war only to find he is not welcome by his Stepbrother or Stepmother both of whom who wished he had died in the war. Once home he is beset by "accidents" and that is where the mystery comes in. The Sense comes in with Miss Morville who seems to know the common sense approach to any problem. I really liked her because she wasn´t some silly female who swoons she actually is helpful in the midst of a mystery. I also liked her because is not a size 2 and gorgeous. She is plumb and ok looking. And yet she is the one of the love interests in the story not just a side charecter. This is a good book give it a try.¤ 5) Mass Market Paperback Book The Quiet Gentleman by Harlequin. Georgette Heyer novels should be printed with a warning. I have to be careful when reading her novels in public. This is because they inevitably cause a goofy smile to be pasted on my face, and I´ll start giggling loudly at random times for no apparent reason to the poor, unsuspecting public around me. The Quiet Gentleman is no exception to this rule. Absolutely nothing beats a Heyer Regency romance for the sheer enjoyment factor and witty, intelligent humor. She truly is the closest thing to reading Jane Austen - and is generally more hilarious. The Quiet Gentleman is the perfect combination of mystery and romance. The whodunit aspect of the novel is so carefully plotted that the revelation of the guilty party is an eyebrow-raising surprise. And with the romance, Heyer once again succeeds in bringing together two seemingly irreconcilable individuals who turn out to be, of course, perfect for each other. To all you fellow Austen lovers out there - if you´ve never read a Heyer, and my enthusiasm still hasn´t convinced you to pick one up, read The Quiet Gentleman for the pure novelty factor that the hero can be named Gervase Frant and still be incredibly hot. Unbelievable, but trust me, it´s true.¤ 6) Mass Market Paperback Book The Quiet Gentleman by Harlequin. An unwelcome return . . . Unscathed from the wars, Gervase Frant finally returns to his father´s estate to claim his title as the new Earl of Stanyon. But his stepmother´s resentment and his half brother´s open disdain put a chill on Gervase´s welcome. Now he must establish himself as the new head of the house . . . and ignore his family´s rising hostility. And a resented rival Then Gervase´s eye is caught by a lovely young woman -- the same woman already much in favor with his half brother. Now the brothers face direct competition as they bid for the lady´s attentions. But as Gervase struggles to maintain a gentlemanly balance, he begins to find himself the victim of repeatedly cruel accidents. Soon it becomes increasingly clear that someone wants the new Earl of Stanyon dead . . .¤ Page Updated: Robert N. Goolsby, 4-Nov-2008, 03738368489780373836840, 600-870-550-650-480-521-791-871-141-221-8 
The Quiet Gentleman, Book, Image © Harlequin
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