All of my girlfriends have been raving about an author named Georgette Heyer. While at the library searching for a book to read on a busy week, I decided on Devil's Cub because it sounded vaguely familiar from a previous conversation, so I was pretty sure of having someone with whom to discuss it when I finished.
Devil's Cub, set in 18th century England, is the story of a proper young lady, Mary, of the bourgeoisie who is abducted by a wild young marquis and carried off to France based on a misunderstanding as she attempts to defend the honor of her foolish, and much less honorable, younger sister. When the young Marquis of Vidal discovers his mistake, he determines to marry Mary to rescue her reputation. When Mary blames herself for the misunderstanding and refuses to marry him and disappoint his father, a wild series of events ensue. These events culminate in a chase across France involving nearly all of the characters.
I approached Devil's Cub with some trepidation because it is set in an era with which the author has no experience and is marketed as a romance. To my great delight, I found it to be first a comedy and second a romance. It also turned out to carry themes that are anachronistically applicable; unsuitable love, defying social constraints, and the impossible quest for parental approval.
Before you scoff at the shallow (and fairly predictable) plot, know that the great entertainment value of Devil's Cub is found in the dialogue. Consequently, I had a little trouble getting through the introductory chapters, but it was well worth it when the banter reached full swing. I do not recommend reading this book on a busy week. I did not want to stop reading. Devil's Cub is a fairly formulaic romantic comedy, but the characters show a depth of insight and understanding that is only possible in a well written novel, and the comedy made me laugh out loud.
Devil's Cub is the sequel to the novel These Old Shades, but I read Devil's Cub first and loved it on its own. I can't wait to read These Old Shades as soon as I get a chance.
