Almost a Gentleman

Like most of the reviewers of this novel below, I found this a delightful, charming book, a rewarding debut. Unlike some of the other reviewers I am not a great devourer of Romance novels. I am, however, a great devourer of historical fiction, namely of literary historical fiction, and I especially favor books about strong-willed women who, often through cross-dressing, manage to outwit and challege their contemporary society's rules. Some of these books include Patricia Duncker's confoundingly beautiful novel "The Doctor," and all three Victorian-Gothic novels by Sarah Waters. But the true reason I loved this novel was not only because, as I said before, it has a heroine who is not afraid to brook social customs and rewrite her past through dressing and living as a man. The true reason I loved this novel is because it artfully plays with two literary conventions-- the Romance novel convention, and the late 18th, early 19th century novel of manners (perhaps Jane Austen is best known for these, but certainly the canon ought to include two earlier works by women, Charlotte Lenox's delightful and satirical "Female Quixote," and Elizabeth Inchbald's bitingly clever "A Simple Story"). Rosenthal's novel makes gentle nods to Austen numerous times, but it is in the series of misunderstandings and the emotional rapport that the brilliance of her writing illuminates her project. Phoebe/Phizz and David, the heroine and hero, both lead lives that are lacking in one way or another. By becoming "Phizz" Marston, Phoebe shuts out any capacity for love and vulnerable emotions from her life. By assuming that women want only a strong (patriarchal, hegemonic) man to rescue them and marry them, David is handicapped with misogynism. Some readers below might find it difficult to believe that a Regency hero could be considered chauvinistic, or a Regency heroine who dresses as a man be realistic for the period (perhaps this reader is not familiar with the well known literary genre of cross-dressing women in 19th century lit-- Gautier's Mlle du Maupin, for instance, or George Sand herself), but in fact feminism had already begun to make its mark on English culture-- Mary Wollestonecraft's "Vindication of the Rights of Woman" had already gone through several printings, and her daughter Mary Godwin Shelley was making a name for herself as a novelist with "Valperga" and "Frankenstein." So yes, it is understandable that Phoebe would want more equality for women. What makes this novel such a delightful read is that its author is thoroughly aware that the dynamic of a romance/comedy of manners involves the education of both hero and heroine-- Elizabeth Bennett needs to learn that Darcy is a good person, and Darcy needs to learn to act more kindly to her. etc. etc. Likewise, Phoebe/"Phizz" needs to learn to allow love and uncertainty into her heart, and David needs to learn not to be so sexist. The sentimental education in this novel is both David teaching Phoebe t

... the twist being a very fine, simplistic, poetic writing style rarely employed to tell stories of this type. While most romance authors spend paragraphs trying to explain to the reader how the hero or heroine are feeling, Rosenthal captures Phoebe and David's feelings with a comment or a gesture, and leaves the paragraphs to do what they're supposed to - tell the story.For the first time in ages I found myself unable to skip through a book. There are no wasted words in this novel, and despite its description as an "erotic romance," it is decidedly more tame than many other erotic novels I've read.Almost a Gentleman is an all-in-all good bet, a clear indication that something new can be done with the format of historical romance. Bravo!

WOW! When I read reviews and see such opposing viewpoints on a book I often find myself intrigued and want to see for myself what could cause such opposing viewpoints and after reading the book myself, I tend to think that the negative reviews were from people who either did not read the entire story or just `didn't get it'! After four years as a `trophy' wife Phoebe, Lady Claringworth, had by way of a carriage accident caused by her hateful husband, been released from a marriage of misery and degradation - but at a terribly high price that also cost her the life of her son and unborn daughter. Finding herself widowed and emerging from injuries her way of life would be forever changed. With the help of a dear friend, she lay to rest Lady Claringworth and reemerged disguised as a young man, Philip "Phizz" Marston. Phizz would be the impeccable dandy who would over the next three years reign over the ton as the new "Beau" Brummel - who would dictate fashions that would set the standard and whose censure could destroy a persons reputation. Those early years would see her cold and unfeeling. Then one day feelings Phoebe once thought were dead would reemerge in startling intensity when the Earl of Linseley, David Hervey, came to Almacks one evening. The widowed Earl, thinking to find himself a new wife found, much to his chagrin, that the only person at Almacks that he was attracted to was a man - the beautiful androgynous Phizz Marston. Days later, and not very successful erasing Phizz's image from his mind, David would overhear a plot against Phizz and make an appointment with him to warn him and offer his assistance. Soon to his great relief David discovers that Phizz is, thankfully a woman and he must find a way to help her uncover the person behind the vile threats and drop her disguise to begin a new life with him. For a debut novel I found this to be an outstanding as well as a sizzling and very erotic romantic love story. The plot which I originally thought might have been something on the comic side, I soon found to be thought provoking and original. I found the writing to be very graceful and appealing in it's sensuality. While quite hot, there is also a definite feeling of reverence and honor David felt for Phoebe that I found most appealing in this very unselfish love story! Very sensual writing and artfully poetic - this is an author who bears watching!

For ANY author, much less a new one, this was a wonderfully written and entertaining book. I read it non-stop because the hero and heroine's touching love story totally captivated me. This book has real depth. For the reader that complained it wasn't erotic enough, I guess they prefer their sex scenes to be more raw, explicit and unemotional. The sex scenes in this book are erotic love scenes because the author took the time to develop the characters and show us how they fell in love with each other. I have recently read a few of Thea Devine's books and they get pretty boring because the 'hero' and 'heroine' are one dimensional characters who actively dislike/hate each other and have sex anyway for page after page, then realize at the end of the book they really love each other when the Ms. Devine never showed us why or how they got to that point (other than banging each others' brains out!) Ms. Rosenthal takes the time to create a beautiful love story with sympathetic characters. I look forward to more from her - hopefully soon!

"Almost a Gentleman" is Pam Rosenthal's debut novel, and if her subsequent efforts are half as good as this first work, she is bound for literary stardom. The story-line is unique and somewhat reminiscent of Gerogette Heyer's "The Masqueraders." Phoebe Browne thought she had left her old life as Lady Claringworth behind after a carriage accident killed her abusive husband, her toddler son and her unborn daughter. With the help of her best friend, Kate Beveridge, "Lady Claringworth" fakes her own death and is reborn as the cool, cynical arbiter of society known as Philip "Phizz" Marston. Marston is sought after by men and women alike for his male beauty, but when "he" encounters Lord David Hervey, Earl of Linseley, "he" has met his match. David is disturbed by his unnatural attraction to Marston, but when Marston's life is threatened by an enemy from "his" past, David comes to the rescue and is relieved to discover that Marston is really Phoebe in disguise. Phoebe and David embark upon a torrid affair, but the scars from Phoebe's sad past (including her inability to bear more children and David's desire for children) keep them apart until David is able to convince her that their love can be a healing balm. However, can even David's love save Phoebe from a mortal enemy bent upon revenge?I loved the way that Phoebe as Marston was able to beat 19th Century London Society at its own game--to be a woman, and yet be strong, independent, and a maker of her own rules. David is an adorable hero, a genuinely "nice" guy but with plenty of sizzle when the lights go out. My only peeve about the book, and it is a small one, is that the ending seemed to come too quickly and too neatly, almost as if the author were in a rush to finish the story by a deadline. This is one novel that could have used another 30 pages of exposition. With that caveat, I recommend this book highly...