THE FOUNDLING

Author: Georgette Heyer ISBN: 9781402219481 9/2009 HISTORICAL Publisher: SOURCEBOOKS

One of readers', librarians' and booksellers' most frequently requested Heyers, The Foundling features Gilly, the seventh Duke of Sale. A diffident young man of 24 years, easily pushed around by his overprotective uncle and the retinue of devoted family retainers who won't let him lift a finger for himself, the Duke sometimes wishes he could be a commoner. One day he decides to set out to discover whether he is "a man, or only a Duke." Beginning with an incognito journey into the countryside to confront a blackmailer, he encounters a runaway school boy, a beautiful but airheaded orphan, one of literature's most appealing and well-spoken comic villains, and a series of alarming and even life threatening events from which he can extricate himself only with the help of his shy and lovely fiancé...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Fans of Georgette Heyer will appreciate seeing all the things they love best about the author—her writing style, spirited dialogue, and attention to detail—on display in THE FOUNDLING. It is a tale of rebellion, and even though the one rebelling does so in far gentler tones than I would want him to do, it is still a story of one man’s journey toward self-fulfillment and independence.

The Duke of Sale has been spoon-fed his entire life. At the book’s opening, he cannot even saddle his own horse. He seems ridiculously inept at almost everything. Just when I thought him hopeless, he finds his spine and things begin to heat up. I must admit, I spent most of the book wishing Gilly would find more backbone, and in a much more expedient manner, than he did. His story muddles along in slow speed but, because I suspected things would eventually turn out well for him, I didn’t give up and toss the book down.

This is not one of my favorite of Ms. Heyer’s books, but it is still filled with classic imagery, interesting characters and enough of her signature fabulous writing for me to be glad I read it.

Kay James