Black Sheep

The first time I read this novel, I wasn't too impressed. It's true that Heyer does use Black Sheep's plot (or one VERY similar to it) in another book, Lady of Quality. However, I think Black Sheep accomplishes much more than Lady of Quality and is one of Heyer's best works, both in terms of romance and in terms of memorable characters. My second reading of the book caused me to fall in love with it. In my opinion, Black Sheep is probably the most romantic of Heyer's novels because the couple falls in love early on in the novel, and you can then see how they progress. Miles Calverleigh is wonderful, and his humor, together with Abigail's, is spot on. If you are a Heyer fan, this is certainly on a Must Read book list, and if you are Regency England fan, then Heyer is a Must Read author list.

"Black Sheep" is not one of Heyer's most well-known novels, but in my opinion, it is one of her best. The dialogue is sharp and snappy, the characters engaging, and the setting of Bath offers a nice change of pace from the customary London. And then there is Miles Calverleigh -- not your typical "rake", but still wonderfully irreverant and in possession of more than his fair share of charm. Particularly appealing to me is the fact that this novel doesn't end in a conventionally neat and tidy way (even though the ending will have you gasping in surprise and delight!). We're left with the sense that the couple will still have a few hurdles to cross, but cross them they will. :)

Black Sheep was the book I read on a long haul return flight recently. Exactly what was needed to keep me interested and amused whilst enduring the flight.I have always had a soft spot for this novel because Miles Calverleigh is someone, when I was 16, I was desparate to find. Yes, and then keep him all to myself. Georgette Heyer does the Rake better than anyone who has ever tried to do it. Although Damerel in Venetia is my all time favourite Rake, Miles Calverleigh, with his sense of humour, his relaxed attitude towards life and his acute insight into human foibles is amusing, admirable and fanciable. The ruthless way he sets up his despicable nephew, Stacy, is hilarious.Black Sheep is written with Heyer's usual flair and insight, the dialogue is first class and the heroine, Abigail Wendover, is the sort you'd like as a friend.Read it - read it and see how the regency genre ought to be and realise how few writers since Heyer have managed to achieve it!

It's always good to return to Georgette Heyer once in a while. I hadn't read Black Sheep for several years, and it made a delightful read. As I'm getting a little older myself, I'm coming to appreciate, and much prefer, Heyer's older heroines, such as Abby here and Serena in Bath Tangle.Abby, supposedly on the shelf at 28, is certainly no stereotypical maiden aunt, despite the fact that she has a niece and is unmarried. Having been brought up in a strict family, she finds that propriety irks her; and yet, ironically, she is faced with having to instil a sense of propriety in her impulsive 17-year-old niece.For Fanny, the niece, has fallen in love with a man everyone - except Fanny and Abby's older sister Selina - can see is no more than a fortune-hunter. But Fanny simply won't listen to reason, and Abby begins to fear that she'll elope with Mr Stacey Calverleigh. But then, a stranger appears on the scene: Mr *Miles* Calverleigh, Stacey's uncle.Miles Calverleigh is, apparently, the black sheep of the title; having been guilty of too many indiscretions when young - including that of an abortive elopement with the woman who became Fanny's mother! - was sent to the Indies. There, he worked hard and made his fortune, but on his arrival in Bath he does not appear to have lost any of his disregard for convention. He is utterly careless of propriety, and insists that he feels no sense of obligation to family - therefore he refuses to help Abby in any way by warning off his nephew.Despite his unhelpfulness, and his habit of teasing her outrageously, Abby finds herself drawn to Miles...Heyer's inimitable witty style is in evidence, as ever, in this book. There is some hilarious dialogue, as well as very acute observations on human nature. Her secondary characters are, as always, very well drawn, and her cameo characters wonderful caricatures of the type of people we all meet: gossips, pinch-purses, the upright type who disapprove of anything and everything. And who could avoid falling in love with Miles?A side note - I am appalled that the editorial review above managed to spell the main characters' names incorrectly.

Black Sheep is very likely my favorite of Miss Heyer's remarkable books. Abigail is proper, but not cardboard - responsible, but not hidebound. She is the perfect foil for Miles and his complete disregard for the manners and perceived obligations of his class. They are entirely enchanting in their irresistible attraction to each other; and, of course, Miss Heyer's dialogue is deliciously funny. If you like Heyer, you'll love this one (I enjoy it more each time I read it!).