'Absolute monarch of the Regency romance. Georgette Heyer achieves what the rest of us only aspire to.' 'Wonderful characters, elegant, witty writing, perfect period detail, and rapturously romantic. These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer, 1967, Bantam edition, in English. They always tell writers that the most successful books are about. 'Reading Georgette Heyer is the next best thing to reading Jane Austen.' If you havent read it, give yourself a real treat. No one has ever created more vibrant characters. These Old Shades, her second book, appeared in 1926, and already she’s at her full maturity. Library descriptions No library descriptions found. Heyer wrote over fifty books, the first published in 1923 and the last in 1970. Nancy Olson, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NC Set in the Georgian period, about 20 years before the Regency, 'These Old Shades' features two of Heyers most memorable characters: Justin Alastair, the Duke of Avon, and Leonie, whom he rescues from a life of ignominy and comes to love and marry. 'Our Georgette Heyer display of the Sourcebooks reprints has been a huge success, not only to those early fans like myself, but to many new readers who appreciate her style and wit.' When he uncovers the true story of her birth, he wreaks an unforgettable revenge on her sinister father in a chilling scene of public humiliation.

'Leon' is in fact Leonie, and she serves the Duke with deep devotion. The Duke buys 'Leon' and makes the child his page. Late one evening, he is accosted by a young person dressed in ragged boy's clothing running away from a brutal rustic guardian. The Duke is known for his coldness of manner, his remarkable omniscience, and his debauched lifestyle. 'Heyer was one of the great protagonists of the historical novel in the post-war golden age…' -Philippa GregoryĬonsidered the book that launched Gerogette Heyer's career, These Old Shades features two of Heyer's most memorable characters: Justin Alastair, the Duke of Avon, and Leonie, whom he rescues from a life of ignominy and comes to love and marry.