I have this list posted on my website, but it is rather tucked away. I thought it might be interesting to post it here and find out what your favourite Regency reads are.
These titles are my very personal choices for top Regencies. They are books I return to again and again just to visit with the characters and delight in their wonderful stories. In no particular order:
1. Deirdre and Don Juan by Jo Beverley 1993 Avon Books
2. A Gypsy at Almack's by Chloe Cheshire 1993 Harper Paperbacks
3. Love's Duet by Patricia Veryan 1979 Fawcett Crest
4. Miss Whittier Makes a List by Carla Kelly 1994 Signet Books
5. Frederica by Georgette Heyer Pan Books 1968; many reissues
6. Persuasion by Jane Austen first published 1817; many editions available
7. The Rogue's Lady by Marian Devon 1982 Fawcett
8. Miss Dower's Paragon by Gayle Buck 1993 Signet
9. The Runaways by Barbara Hazard 1997 Signet
10. Lady Elizabeth's Comet by Sheila Simonson 1985 Walker
Let's make it an even dozen:
11. Lydia by Clare Darcy 1973 Signet
12. Lady in Green by Barbara Metzger 1993 Fawcett
As you can see, most of my favourites are older books--sadly out of print now. In my opinion, the quality of traditional Regency romances deteriorated in the late 1990's and early 2000's which helped to lead to their print demise.
Anyway, that's my list of favourites. What are yours? I'm looking for some more books to read :)
Till next time,
Lesley-Anne
Thank you for posting the list on your blog. I never noticed it on your website. I have some reading to do, I see, if I want to get up to speed on Regencies.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious about your Jane Austen choice. What made you choose Persuasion over her other titles?
While I love all of Jane Austen's books, "Persuasion" I find particularly moving. Love lost, and found again; a dreary life transformed by love--all themes that resonate with me. Anne Elliott is the same kind of long-suffering heroine as Fanny Price, but she finds the strength and the courage in the end to stand up for what she wants. That is the ultimate heroine. And the supporting characters are wonderful, Sir Walter, sister Elizabeth and all the Musgroves...
ReplyDeleteFor a great "Persuasion" movie, I recommend the version with Amanda Root which came out ten or so years ago.
Which is your favourite Austen, Helena?