The Black Moth: Gossip, scandal and an unforgettable Regency romance Paperback – Import, 1 Jan. 2004

I undertook a dual read/listen of ‘The Black Moth’ by Georgette Heyer. The audiobook edition was narrated by British actor Stewart Clarke.‘The Black Moth’ was Georgette Heyer’s first novel, published in 1921 when she was nineteen. She had initially written it when she was seventeen to read to her poorly younger brother.This Centenary edition contains an introduction by Philippa Gregory that places both the novel and Heyer’s historical romances in context.While Heyer is best known for her Regency romances, ‘The Black Moth’ is set in the Georgian period; likely the early 1750s based on historical references, including a mention of Madame de Pompadour. So there are sedan chairs, card games, beautiful gowns, elaborate wigs for both men and women, and the occasional highwayman. Heyer is well known for great attention to historical detail, though her focus was high society, the ‘haute ton’, rather than on social issues of the period.The plot involves a beautiful woman and two men. Yet it’s not a triangle given the honourable intentions of one suitor and the extremely dishonourable ones of the other.Six years ago, Jack Carstares, the Earl of Wyncham, sacrificed his honour for his younger brother and went abroad. He has now returned to England and assumed the false identity of Sir Anthony Ferndale, who makes his living as a gambler and highwayman (though a polite one).When he comes across the dastardly Duke of Andover in the midst of kidnapping the beautiful Diana Beauleigh, well of course he must intercede. Yet will the Duke be deterred? Will Jack reclaim his honour and the heart of Diana?Given Heyer’s original intention of entertaining her brother it is an adventure-packed romp with emphasis upon fencing, duelling and definitely swashbuckling. I naturally thought of the little boy in ‘The Princess Bride’ worried about there being kissing.With respect to the audiobook, Stewart Clarke was brilliant. He brought a great deal of enthusiasm to the reading. With some of the more comic female characters, especially Lady Lavinia, Jack’s frivolous sister-in-law, he effected a high falsetto that had me in tears of laughter. Indeed, his ability to adopt different voices for the characters was very impressive.I am pleased that Penguin Random House is celebrating the Centenary of the start of Georgette Heyer’s writing career with beautiful new editions of her novels, including producing audiobooks narrated by noted actors. It has given me the opportunity to rediscover the works of Georgette Heyer, who was one of my favourite authors when I was a teenager.Overall, this was a wonderful, light-hearted romp that is certain to not only please her established fans but delight a new generation of readers.Highly recommended.

I first read 'The Black Moth' more than forty years ago and decided then that it wasn't one of my favourite Heyer novels. I have just re-read it and still class it as one of my least favourite. It is set in the eighteenth century and not the period she made quintessentially her own, the Regency, so I suppose it starts off with a disadvantage from my point of view.The book lacks, in the main, the author's famous lightness of touch and her humour, though towards the end there are flashes of it as the tragedy descends almost into farce as the various relationships are resolved.The Duke of Andover falls in love with the beautiful Diana and instead of courting her in the normal fashion he decides to kidnap her. Unfortunately for him Diana finds him sinister and unsettling and anyway she has fallen in love with someone else - the pleasant and likeable 'Mr Carr' with his secret past and disreputable present.The book owes at least some of its inspiration I think to the tales of Gothic horror fashionable later in the eighteenth century with the sinister looking Duke dressed all in black and known as The Black Moth. The kidnap is straight out of Mrs Edgeworth or 'Monk' Lewis as is the Duke's sinister appearance.This is an enjoyable read though and puts many authors of historical novels in the shade but it isn't a good introduction to Georgette Heyer. If you want to start reading her novels then 'Arabella' or 'Friday's Child' are good books to start with.

Written when the author was just 15 having had little formal education. I have never considered this a romance more historical fiction. Miss Heyer wrote this for her younger, ill brother and what 11/12 year old boy wants to listen to a romance? I've always felt that the romantic part of the plot was to give the hero, Jack, an overwhelming reason to wish for his previous life to be returned to him. Hence, the romance is a very minor part of the tale. Nor is it a Regency romance. It is set in 1751 during the reign of George II.To be fair Miss Heyer gives no dates but does drop several clues as to timing - the fall of La Pompadour (1750/51), Jacobean rebellion (1745) and the appearance of the Gunning sisters - first presented at court in December 1750, Elizabeth was married in January 1752; there are other clues littered through the book which leave little doubt as to the date.This was not my first Heyer but I do remember it being one of my earliest experiences of her talent. I must have been 10 or 11. It has never been a favouite, possibly because it is short on humour. However, for a 15 year old's first novel it is outstanding. Her sense and knowledge of history is outstanding especially for her age. She must have been extremely well read.The descriptive passages, the fencing scenes and dialogue between the male characters are excellent. I imagine her brother adored the adventure and the sang froid of Jack, Avon and Milo. Exactly what a boy with a restricted life style would have loved (he had a form of hemophilia). As with all her work it is beautifully written and grammatically perfect. If you have not read her work before I would suggest that you start with a later, Regency novel - Arabella, Venetia, Sprig Muslin; any of these. Regency Buck is excellent but is a somewhat loose sequel to These Old Shades and The Devil's Cub (both Georgian). Whatever you chose you are in for a real treat. Miss Heyer is the doyenne of Regency historical novels. Her attention to detail, her peerless writing has never been bettered. They are the very best medicine if you are unwell or need cheering up.The Black Moth may not be her best work but it will give you a few hours of great entertainment and the feeling of living in a magical world before everything became so complicated.

Georgette Heyer is indeed the justified modern Miss Austen. She writes with the same witty tone, and weaves a story with the right amount of teist, and this only her debut. I Look forward to reading more of her works.

Georgette Heyer keeps up her reputation.

Un auteur dont on ne se lasse pas!

Georgette Heyer's first book has, like all of her regency romances, become a classic in it's own right. There are thousands of imitators, but very few reach the standard set by Heyer. These much loved books will continue to delight lovers of period romance for generations to come.

Considering this was Heyer's first novel - it is brillant! I loved the story of the heoric brother who saves his youngest brothers reputation and costs him his reputation, his inheritance (or so he thinks) and his life in England. Living as a highwayman he saves a young beauty who he falls in love with. A good tale to read!