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The Grand Sophy finished

I can see why Heyer is so popular.  This book ends with a really beautifully constructed final chapter that is reminiscent of Shakespearean comedy or French farce.  All the couples get married off appropriately, even Miss Wraxton finds her perfect (bore) of a mate.  It also reminds me of a screwball comedy--would probably make a great PBS series if it hasn't already been done.  Sophy is a great character--a nice Becky Sharp who, as she says, never harms anyone.

Now the complaints.  All these rich people who seem to do nothing other than be rich.  It's a little hard to take.  And Sophy is over the top on more than one occasion, most notably when she shoots Charlbury so that Cecilia will feel sympathy for him, and he laughs it off. "A mere flesh wound," which it is.  Sophy is a great shot, too.

I'll try a detective novel by Heyer, but this is probably my last romance by her.  Life is short, and the reviews indicate that this is her best.


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