TEST
On the back cover of The Rules of Gentility by Janet Mullany it says: “Pride and Prejudice meets Bridget Jones’s Diary”. This, while not untrue, is not quite on the spot. To give potential readers a true hint of what they are in for when they buy this book, the tagline should have read: “Meg Cabot meets Joan Smith with a dash of Joan Aiken”. As I love these three writers, I was very happy to read a traditional Regency from a fairly new author blending their particular traditions. However, I want to point out straight away that the influences named here are not overpowering, as Janet Mullany succeeds admirably in finding her own voice.
The novel is written in the first person, alternatingly presenting the point-of-view of heroine and hero. The actual telling does not overlap, but often one character will muse about what happened in an earlier scene that was described from the other’s POV. The novel unfolds in the present tense, which gives everything described a great sense of immediacy. Inserted are letters – both very funny aborted drafts that were never sent as well as letters that do reach their addressee – and lists that reminded me strongly of The Princess Diaries.
The heroine also bears a strong resemblance to Mia from The Princess Diaries. She is sheltered and innocent, but not stupid, and although readers may smile at her naiveté, especially at the beginning, she is quick to learn and she shows courage and common sense when they are demanded. The hero is young as well, though less naïve with two former mistresses appearing in the course of the story. However, he is also often baffled when faced with the strange behavior of his family and friends. I found these two wonderfully refreshing in contrast to all the jaded rakes and the virgins who know more about sex than I did at twenty who so often crowd the pages of historical romances.
Miss Philomena Wellesley-Clegg (not connected to those Wellesleys), aged 20, is enjoying her first season. Her great handicap is that her family is from Trade (their fortune originates in a coal mine) and not entirely accepted among good society. Philomena’s strongest tie to the ton is her friend from school, Julia, now the Countess of Terrant. At Julia’s house she meets the Honourable Inigo Linsley, youngest brother to the Earl of Terrant. They are quickly attracted to each other, although each thinks the other ineligible – Philomena seems no more than a silly girl obsessed with bonnets, and Inigo is the penniless younger son of a family so high in the instep that they will never accept a daughter-in-law with trade in her background.
As the most eligible (and boring) of Philomena’s suitors is about to propose, she and Inigo, through a series of hilarious accidents, end up hidden in the Wellesley-Cleggs’ water-closet. Inigo’s brother has promised him the gift of one of the family holdings on the occasion of his engagement, and as he is desperately in need of some money, he proposes a sham engagement to Philomena. Now I am well aware that this is an overused stock situation of Regency romance, but what can I say? It works here. Philomena accepts, as this will buy her some time, and when the dowager countess discovers Mrs. Wellesley-Clegg is an old school-chum, both families are happy about the engagement.
What follows is a series of very funny and sometimes serious developments. A Big Secret threatens only to find itself resolved – voilà – in the very next scene. Philomena and Inigo find out much, much more about each other and each other’s families. The attraction becomes very intense, proving again that subtle eroticism can sometimes be more successful than explicit descriptions. There are a number of subplots just hinted at, but they never overshadow the main romance.
On the surface the novel is a Regency romp, and I smiled a lot as I read it. On another layer that surfaces from time to time it shows a much darker side of Regency London, however, reminiscent of Joan Aiken’s novels. Janet Mullany merges the fun and the darker moments skillfully, and while I mostly enjoyed the novel as a fun read,parts of it moved me as well.
There are a very few minor niggles: At one point towards the end, the heroine’s father behaves in a strange manner – it gives Philomena occasion for a truly grand scene which I hugely enjoyed, but it was silly coming from him. The heroine is also really obsessed with bonnets. The descriptions are not overlong, but frequent, and it’s either your kind of humor or it isn’t.
How to grade The Rules of Gentility? It’s a light, fun read and as such hugely enjoyable. In addition it’s a Traditional Regency that is well-written and by a promising new author who might be persuaded to expand in this genre when faced with good sale numbers. (So might the publishing house, I expect.) For those readers who miss traditional Regencies, I recommend it whole-heartedly.
Grade: A-
Book Type: European Historical Romance|Regency Romance
Sensuality: Subtle
Review Date: 08/08/07
Publication Date: 2007/08
High school teacher. Soccer fan (Werder Bremen, yeah!). Knitter and book-binder. Devotee of mathematical puzzles. German.
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.