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Bath Tangle
"Witty, humorous, a well-constructed plot." � Candace Camp, New York Times bestselling author of Suddenly
A Delightful Tangle of Affairs...
The Earl of Spenborough had always been noted for his eccentricity. Leaving a widow younger than his own daughter Serena was one thing, but leaving his fortune to the trusteeship of the Marquis of Rotherham the one man the same daughter had jilted was quite another.
When Serena and her lovely young stepmother Fanny decide to move to Bath, Serena makes an odd new friend and discovers an old love. Before long, they're all entangled in a clutter of marriage and manners the likes of which even Regency Bath has rarely seen.
A Delightful Tangle of Affairs...
The Earl of Spenborough had always been noted for his eccentricity. Leaving a widow younger than his own daughter Serena was one thing, but leaving his fortune to the trusteeship of the Marquis of Rotherham the one man the same daughter had jilted was quite another.
When Serena and her lovely young stepmother Fanny decide to move to Bath, Serena makes an odd new friend and discovers an old love. Before long, they're all entangled in a clutter of marriage and manners the likes of which even Regency Bath has rarely seen.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1955
366 people are currently reading
2493 people want to read
About the author
Georgette Heyer
228books5,313followersGeorgette Heyer was a prolific historical romance and detective fiction novelist. Her writing career began in 1921, when she turned a story for her younger brother into the novel The Black Moth.
In 1925 she married George Ronald Rougier, a mining engineer. Rougier later became a barrister and he often provided basic plot outlines for her thrillers. Beginning in 1932, Heyer released one romance novel and one thriller each year.
Heyer was an intensely private person who remained a best selling author all her life without the aid of publicity. She made no appearances, never gave an interview and only answered fan letters herself if they made an interesting historical point. She wrote one novel using the pseudonym Stella Martin.
Her Georgian and Regencies romances were inspired by Jane Austen. While some critics thought her novels were too detailed, others considered the level of detail to be Heyer's greatest asset.
Heyer remains a popular and much-loved author, known for essentially establishing the historical romance genre and its subgenre Regency romance.
In 1925 she married George Ronald Rougier, a mining engineer. Rougier later became a barrister and he often provided basic plot outlines for her thrillers. Beginning in 1932, Heyer released one romance novel and one thriller each year.
Heyer was an intensely private person who remained a best selling author all her life without the aid of publicity. She made no appearances, never gave an interview and only answered fan letters herself if they made an interesting historical point. She wrote one novel using the pseudonym Stella Martin.
Her Georgian and Regencies romances were inspired by Jane Austen. While some critics thought her novels were too detailed, others considered the level of detail to be Heyer's greatest asset.
Heyer remains a popular and much-loved author, known for essentially establishing the historical romance genre and its subgenre Regency romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 685 reviews
February 1, 2020
Major Update: I am immensely pleased to announce that my original review was published in in November 2018, which features a collection of essays and other pieces on the wonderful Georgette Heyer.
***
Oh, I loved this one. I really, really, really did. It was sheer entertainment from beginning to end, and I embarrassingly laughed out loud several times. A great many people had told me prior to starting that they hadn't liked this book as much as other Heyer's, mainly because of the hero and heroine's fiery tempers, and the resulting scathing arguments between them. For my part, I greatly enjoyed it; both characters were strong-willed, intelligent, impetuous and their bickering was rather funny, since they were both blessed with a keen sense of humour.
The title of this book, Bath Tangle was remarkably well-chosen. This story is nothing but a delightful tangle of misinterpreted sentiments, misguided actions and lots and lots of drama. Come to think of it, it's nothing that we've never seen. I mean come on, if these people had Facebook...
Serena Carlow added a life event: In a Relationship with Ivo Barrasford.
Serena Carlow changed her relationship status to: It's Complicated.
Serena Carlow change her relationship status to: Single.
Fanny Spenborough added a life event: Widowed.
Serena Carlow- with Fanny Spenborough at Dower House: Life is so boring! There is nothing to do around here! #mourning #bored #countrylife #notonparties
Ivo said: I told you you should get a house in Bath!
Serena said: And let my cousin ruin my childhood home?
Ivo said: There's nothing you can do now, so you should just move to Bath!!
Serena said: Selfish!
Ivo said: Idiot!
Read the rest in if you're interested!!
I absolutely adore this book to bits and pieces, I don't care that the hero and heroine spend the majority of the story arguing, it's the most entertaining and electrifyingly romantic thing in the world. It's so good I can't even express my thoughts with existing words, apparently. #teambathtangle #bathtangledeservesmorerecognition #loveserenaandivoforever
***
Oh, I loved this one. I really, really, really did. It was sheer entertainment from beginning to end, and I embarrassingly laughed out loud several times. A great many people had told me prior to starting that they hadn't liked this book as much as other Heyer's, mainly because of the hero and heroine's fiery tempers, and the resulting scathing arguments between them. For my part, I greatly enjoyed it; both characters were strong-willed, intelligent, impetuous and their bickering was rather funny, since they were both blessed with a keen sense of humour.
The title of this book, Bath Tangle was remarkably well-chosen. This story is nothing but a delightful tangle of misinterpreted sentiments, misguided actions and lots and lots of drama. Come to think of it, it's nothing that we've never seen. I mean come on, if these people had Facebook...
Serena Carlow added a life event: In a Relationship with Ivo Barrasford.
Serena Carlow changed her relationship status to: It's Complicated.
Serena Carlow change her relationship status to: Single.
Fanny Spenborough added a life event: Widowed.
Serena Carlow- with Fanny Spenborough at Dower House: Life is so boring! There is nothing to do around here! #mourning #bored #countrylife #notonparties
Ivo said: I told you you should get a house in Bath!
Serena said: And let my cousin ruin my childhood home?
Ivo said: There's nothing you can do now, so you should just move to Bath!!
Serena said: Selfish!
Ivo said: Idiot!
Read the rest in if you're interested!!
I absolutely adore this book to bits and pieces, I don't care that the hero and heroine spend the majority of the story arguing, it's the most entertaining and electrifyingly romantic thing in the world. It's so good I can't even express my thoughts with existing words, apparently. #teambathtangle #bathtangledeservesmorerecognition #loveserenaandivoforever
September 3, 2023
3.5�
I haven't read this title for about 27 years, & my memory of Bath Tangle is that, other than the three GH wrote before her death, this was her least enjoyable romance.
I thought I was going to be proved wrong at the start. After all, I wasn't overly fond of & in my younger years, & both are now 5� reads for me.
And I really enjoyed the start. Serena, 25 & unmarried is orphaned by the unexpected death of her father. This results in a huge change of circumstances for Serena & her very young stepmother. Both ladies finding living on the estate's Dower House insupportable, so move to the sedate town of Bath. & their adventures start.
On this read, I loved Serena. Yes, she has a bad temper & was no doubt spoiled & indulged by her late father. But along with grieving for a parent, she has a change of circumstances to a life that is now stifling it it's restrictions. A highly intelligent woman, she must have been ready to scream with boredom. This book is almost feminist in that it highlights the lack of opportunity for women.
There is a lot of wit in this story & some of the funniest lines are given to minor character, Mrs Floore;
Love her!
As usual with GH the writing is skillful, there are some hilarious scenes, but on this reading I didn't enjoy the secondary romance so much - & I also remembered why I don't love this title.
I really don't like the hero.
Ivo's treatment of He can be kindly but mostly he is rude, arrogant & obnoxious. His saving grace is his sense of humour.
This one is enjoyable, if you don't think about it too much, but will never be a high rotate Heyer for me.
Reread 2/9/23
I've bumped my rating up half a �. I enjoyed this read much more than I'd enjoyed the previous reads of this book.
There is a lot to think about - not the least the beautiful setting of Bath!
I still see Serena as GH's most feminist heroine & I found the political discussions most interesting.
Mrs Floore is one of GH's great secondary characters, she has so many quotable quotes!
Last time I became bored with the secondary romance. Not so this time. I loved both characters' sweetness & strong moral compass.
I still don't like the so called hero much but I'm more understanding of the dilemma he found himself in at this time. But I still find his behaviour autocratic & insensitive when it comes to the featherheaded Emily. But the Emily/Gerard substory (this book is not called Bath Tangle for nothing!) has very funny moments.
I haven't read this title for about 27 years, & my memory of Bath Tangle is that, other than the three GH wrote before her death, this was her least enjoyable romance.
I thought I was going to be proved wrong at the start. After all, I wasn't overly fond of & in my younger years, & both are now 5� reads for me.
And I really enjoyed the start. Serena, 25 & unmarried is orphaned by the unexpected death of her father. This results in a huge change of circumstances for Serena & her very young stepmother. Both ladies finding living on the estate's Dower House insupportable, so move to the sedate town of Bath. & their adventures start.
On this read, I loved Serena. Yes, she has a bad temper & was no doubt spoiled & indulged by her late father. But along with grieving for a parent, she has a change of circumstances to a life that is now stifling it it's restrictions. A highly intelligent woman, she must have been ready to scream with boredom. This book is almost feminist in that it highlights the lack of opportunity for women.
There is a lot of wit in this story & some of the funniest lines are given to minor character, Mrs Floore;
“With the aid of the baluster-rail and Mr Goring's stalwart arm she arrived, panting but triumphant, on the first floor, and paused to take breath. Observing that Lybster was about to throw open the door into the drawing room she stopped him by the simple expedient of grasping his sleeve. Affronted, he gazed at her with much hauteur, and said in freezing accents: "Madam?"
"Looby!" enunciated Mrs Floore, between gasps. "You wait! Trying to push me in - like a landed salmon!�
Love her!
As usual with GH the writing is skillful, there are some hilarious scenes, but on this reading I didn't enjoy the secondary romance so much - & I also remembered why I don't love this title.
I really don't like the hero.
Ivo's treatment of He can be kindly but mostly he is rude, arrogant & obnoxious. His saving grace is his sense of humour.
This one is enjoyable, if you don't think about it too much, but will never be a high rotate Heyer for me.
Reread 2/9/23
I've bumped my rating up half a �. I enjoyed this read much more than I'd enjoyed the previous reads of this book.
There is a lot to think about - not the least the beautiful setting of Bath!
I still see Serena as GH's most feminist heroine & I found the political discussions most interesting.
Mrs Floore is one of GH's great secondary characters, she has so many quotable quotes!
Last time I became bored with the secondary romance. Not so this time. I loved both characters' sweetness & strong moral compass.
I still don't like the so called hero much but I'm more understanding of the dilemma he found himself in at this time. But I still find his behaviour autocratic & insensitive when it comes to the featherheaded Emily. But the Emily/Gerard substory (this book is not called Bath Tangle for nothing!) has very funny moments.
April 30, 2022
Bath Tangle was another Georgette Heyer's delightful story. We have here couples that have to overcome romantic entanglements, with every character paired with the wrong person. Bath Tangle indeed! But what I most enjoyed was Heyer's sense of humor and her vivid portrayal of the genteel everyday life of the time.
September 15, 2015
While I like Serena a lot and the chase she leads Ivo is a lot of fun, the book has two weaknesses that put it on my "read less often" list. First, Ivo isn't even present through most of the book. He pops up like a jack-in-the-box from time to time, but he doesn't stay long and his actions aren't terribly enlightening. Heyer's skill is such that even as little as we see him, we can see where he stands (even if Serena doesn't), but that isn't really enough to carry through those long gaps of his absence.
The second problem I have with the book is the long part in the later middle where very little happens with the characters I actually care for. It's long enough getting to the point where Kirkby and Fanny are sorted (which took way too long on its own) but once there, I'm ready to wrap things up. Instead, we have interminable machinations by the idiot Gerard and the soppy-headed watering-pot Emily. Chapters and chapters and pages and pages go on and I really couldn't care less.
So I like the beginning and the very, very end, but the payoff isn't often worth the slog in the middle--hence my "read less often" designation...
The second problem I have with the book is the long part in the later middle where very little happens with the characters I actually care for. It's long enough getting to the point where Kirkby and Fanny are sorted (which took way too long on its own) but once there, I'm ready to wrap things up. Instead, we have interminable machinations by the idiot Gerard and the soppy-headed watering-pot Emily. Chapters and chapters and pages and pages go on and I really couldn't care less.
So I like the beginning and the very, very end, but the payoff isn't often worth the slog in the middle--hence my "read less often" designation...
August 13, 2022
3.5 �
Published in 1955, was aptly named as it included not just one romantic triangle but multiple interwoven triangles. The Earl of Spenborough has died leaving behind his daughter Lady Serena Carlow, age 25, and his second wife Fanny Carlow, who is about 22. His two ladies possess very different temperaments. While Lady Serena can easily manage their family's affairs, the younger Fanny as the widow has the social stature that could protect both ladies. Serena chooses to live with Fanny in the dower house.
The reality of Regency England (and now) is that it's a man's world. And the late Earl couldn't resist an effort to direct from the grave. His will placed Ivo Barrasford the Marquis of Rotherham as trustee to Serena's fortune and gave him the authority to reject her suitors. The sucker punch is that Ivo, the late Earl's close friend, had been betrothed to Serena until their wedding had been canceled.
Lady Serena is no shrinking violet. She had cried off her wedding to Ivo because they are too similar. Despite the public embarrassment, Serena and Ivo remain on friendly terms as they share a love of politics.
Gentle Fanny is thrown into verbal confusion by her fear of the Marquis. This is a common reaction to Ivo, who tolerates no fools.
Think shades of Katherine and Petruchio from for their interactions. All of their fiery exchanges hide deep feelings, but are they platonic or romantic feelings? I have no doubt that I would find Serena and Ivo exhausting to live with, but I have no objections to them as characters. Bath Tangle has an emotional muddle, and it would be better to avoid reading the ŷ summary as it gives away to much of the plot.
Published in 1955, was aptly named as it included not just one romantic triangle but multiple interwoven triangles. The Earl of Spenborough has died leaving behind his daughter Lady Serena Carlow, age 25, and his second wife Fanny Carlow, who is about 22. His two ladies possess very different temperaments. While Lady Serena can easily manage their family's affairs, the younger Fanny as the widow has the social stature that could protect both ladies. Serena chooses to live with Fanny in the dower house.
It was natural to [Serena] to command; she had reigned over her father's household to admiration, triumphantly confuting the older ladies who had considered her too young to succeed in such a charge.
The reality of Regency England (and now) is that it's a man's world. And the late Earl couldn't resist an effort to direct from the grave. His will placed Ivo Barrasford the Marquis of Rotherham as trustee to Serena's fortune and gave him the authority to reject her suitors. The sucker punch is that Ivo, the late Earl's close friend, had been betrothed to Serena until their wedding had been canceled.
"The very thought of Ivo's holding my purse strings to the day of his death, or mine, is enough to send me into strong convulsions!"
Lady Serena is no shrinking violet. She had cried off her wedding to Ivo because they are too similar. Despite the public embarrassment, Serena and Ivo remain on friendly terms as they share a love of politics.
“Live where you choose! It’s all one to me. Have you anything more to say?�
‘No, I have not, and I should be very happy to think I need never say another word to you for as long as I live � and of all things in the world there is nothing � nothing � so abominable, and contemptible, and cowardly, and ungentlemanly as persons who walk out of the room when one is addressing them!�
[Ivo] had opened the door, but at that, he burst out laughing and shut it again. "Very well! But I warn you I shall give as good as I get!"
Gentle Fanny is thrown into verbal confusion by her fear of the Marquis. This is a common reaction to Ivo, who tolerates no fools.
"You frighten many people, my lord. It has sometimes seemed to me that when your black mood is on you it is your wish to frighten people. But I am sure I don't know why, for you can never tolerate anyone who fears you."
Rotherham looked up quickly, a reluctant laugh escaping him. "True! ... Wilton, I have a considerable regard for you, but you have not the power to make me change my mind."
"I know that, my lord," Wilton said. "There was only one person who ever had that power."
Think shades of Katherine and Petruchio from for their interactions. All of their fiery exchanges hide deep feelings, but are they platonic or romantic feelings? I have no doubt that I would find Serena and Ivo exhausting to live with, but I have no objections to them as characters. Bath Tangle has an emotional muddle, and it would be better to avoid reading the ŷ summary as it gives away to much of the plot.
March 9, 2016
I’ll open no gates for you, my girl! you’ll take any fence I take, and we’ll clear it, neck and neck.
Wonderful story with marvelous dialog and Heyer's trademark witticism. The book is not as popular or as universally loved as some of her other titles. And, actually, if you’re never read the author, I wouldn’t recommend it as your first encounter but, please come back to it later.
The plot is a clever mix of romantic entanglements, comedy of manners, and vivid portrayal of everyday life of genteel society. I found myself reading the book at a slower pace, savoring nuances, marveling at the turn of phrases. This was a real treat!
The slow-building romance between the main protagonists, who constantly clashed with each other, is fun to watch. They are both strong-willed and impatient, and have been indulged for most of their lives. As such, it's only natural that they should behave like an irresistible force meeting an immovable object. The characters are the main reason why some people don’t find this novel as appealing as some other author’s work. But as flawed and imperfect as they are, I couldn’t help but loved them! And even though, this was one of these stories where the main characters didn’t spend much time together, the strength of their relationship is a domineering force of the narrative. I think Heyer is at her best during their quarrels and banters.
The story begins shortly after death of Lady Serena’s father. It’s during a reading of her father’s Will that Serena receives a shock of her life. Her father designated Ivo Barrasford, Marquis of Rotherham to be a sole trustee of her wealth. Moreover, Rotterdam would have a power to give or withhold his consent to any marriage Serena might contemplate. For a beautiful, sharp-tempered, independent, domineering Serena the situation is simply intolerable and made it so due to their past. She has known Rotterdam all her life, and has great affection for him, they were even engaged once but she jilted him a month prior to their wedding because two of them "just wouldn't suit�. It seems every time they are in the same room, sparks fly and they get into some kind of argument. This is partly due to the fact that Rotherham does not let Serena boss him around, as she is wont to do everyone else. Soon, however, even the indignity of having to cope with Rotherham is nothing compared to having to watch her cousin assume her dead father's place. Hoping to revive her flagging spirit Serena and her lovely young stepmother Fanny decide to move to Bath, a place more appropriate than London for they are still in mourning. And that is where the main story takes place including reappearance of Hector, Major Kirkby, Serena’s old admirer. His reappearance is just a beginning of a tangled web that the author so masterfully weaves in this novel. The title sure suits the book! Numerous secondary characters who contribute to the tangle are unique, interesting , wonderfully characterized and nicely compliment the story. I especially like the secondary romance involving Fanny. The poignant quiet nature of that particular romance provides a nice balance to a spirited and spark-inducing relationship of Serena and Rotherham.
I also loved the setting. On our visit to England couple of years ago, I dragged my husband to Bath -location of many of my favorite romances. By the way, the walking tour of Bath organized by the Mayor of Bath's Corps of Honorary Guides is a must do activity there in addition, of cause, to visiting the Pump Room, the Abby, the Roman Baths, etc. Reading this book was like visiting these lovely places again.
Wonderful story with marvelous dialog and Heyer's trademark witticism. The book is not as popular or as universally loved as some of her other titles. And, actually, if you’re never read the author, I wouldn’t recommend it as your first encounter but, please come back to it later.
The plot is a clever mix of romantic entanglements, comedy of manners, and vivid portrayal of everyday life of genteel society. I found myself reading the book at a slower pace, savoring nuances, marveling at the turn of phrases. This was a real treat!
The slow-building romance between the main protagonists, who constantly clashed with each other, is fun to watch. They are both strong-willed and impatient, and have been indulged for most of their lives. As such, it's only natural that they should behave like an irresistible force meeting an immovable object. The characters are the main reason why some people don’t find this novel as appealing as some other author’s work. But as flawed and imperfect as they are, I couldn’t help but loved them! And even though, this was one of these stories where the main characters didn’t spend much time together, the strength of their relationship is a domineering force of the narrative. I think Heyer is at her best during their quarrels and banters.
The story begins shortly after death of Lady Serena’s father. It’s during a reading of her father’s Will that Serena receives a shock of her life. Her father designated Ivo Barrasford, Marquis of Rotherham to be a sole trustee of her wealth. Moreover, Rotterdam would have a power to give or withhold his consent to any marriage Serena might contemplate. For a beautiful, sharp-tempered, independent, domineering Serena the situation is simply intolerable and made it so due to their past. She has known Rotterdam all her life, and has great affection for him, they were even engaged once but she jilted him a month prior to their wedding because two of them "just wouldn't suit�. It seems every time they are in the same room, sparks fly and they get into some kind of argument. This is partly due to the fact that Rotherham does not let Serena boss him around, as she is wont to do everyone else. Soon, however, even the indignity of having to cope with Rotherham is nothing compared to having to watch her cousin assume her dead father's place. Hoping to revive her flagging spirit Serena and her lovely young stepmother Fanny decide to move to Bath, a place more appropriate than London for they are still in mourning. And that is where the main story takes place including reappearance of Hector, Major Kirkby, Serena’s old admirer. His reappearance is just a beginning of a tangled web that the author so masterfully weaves in this novel. The title sure suits the book! Numerous secondary characters who contribute to the tangle are unique, interesting , wonderfully characterized and nicely compliment the story. I especially like the secondary romance involving Fanny. The poignant quiet nature of that particular romance provides a nice balance to a spirited and spark-inducing relationship of Serena and Rotherham.
I also loved the setting. On our visit to England couple of years ago, I dragged my husband to Bath -location of many of my favorite romances. By the way, the walking tour of Bath organized by the Mayor of Bath's Corps of Honorary Guides is a must do activity there in addition, of cause, to visiting the Pump Room, the Abby, the Roman Baths, etc. Reading this book was like visiting these lovely places again.
September 19, 2023
I enjoyed reading this again very much. The story is interesting. The reason for the four stars is I couldn't warm to Ivo and Serena as much as I would have liked. I did like Fanny but she was a bit wishy washy at times. There are a lot of 'tangles' in this book but it lacked the comedy of her other novels.
On this read I enjoyed the book more. This is a novel about people and love stories, a bit different from her other novels. The characters are central to this story and not all of them are likable. I admire Serena for her independence and not tolerating fools gladly and for being so kind to Fanny but I don't like her. She's too much. When she doesn't agree with something she barges ahead, regardless of what she leaves in her wake. With Emily, while kind, she doesn't listen to the girl. She's blinkered when it comes to anything to do with Ivo.
As for him, he's definitely not my idea of a hero! He's rude and boorish and will do anything to get his way, it doesn't matter who gets hurt in the process.
My favourite character is Mrs Floore. I adored her. She was well able to defend Emily, her grand daughter, against anyone including Ivo. She took no nonsense from him but he was secretly delighted with her because of it.
So while I enjoyed the read, it definitely wouldn't be a favourite.
On this read I enjoyed the book more. This is a novel about people and love stories, a bit different from her other novels. The characters are central to this story and not all of them are likable. I admire Serena for her independence and not tolerating fools gladly and for being so kind to Fanny but I don't like her. She's too much. When she doesn't agree with something she barges ahead, regardless of what she leaves in her wake. With Emily, while kind, she doesn't listen to the girl. She's blinkered when it comes to anything to do with Ivo.
As for him, he's definitely not my idea of a hero! He's rude and boorish and will do anything to get his way, it doesn't matter who gets hurt in the process.
My favourite character is Mrs Floore. I adored her. She was well able to defend Emily, her grand daughter, against anyone including Ivo. She took no nonsense from him but he was secretly delighted with her because of it.
So while I enjoyed the read, it definitely wouldn't be a favourite.
August 22, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ four stars -
This Heyer is one that I have read many times since my first reading of it back in the early 1980s. It is not my favorite GH, nor does it reside in the top ten section of my own person Heyer List; it’s at the #11 spot currently.
This book’s original publication date is 1955, which lands it somewhere in the middle of Heyer’s bibliography list of all her works. Some of my fellow Heyer fans classify this as one of her “later works�, and I can see why this could be classified as such, as the content definitely reflects her later style, at least to this avid Heyer fan anyway. I feel that a lot of her later works showcased a farcical romp, which is what takes place here.
“Bath Tangle� gives us a whole slew of characters, and it’s with great skill that the story is all weaved together in a satisfying fashion. This story has a more political slant and contains much social commentary on the depicted time of the plot, which is the Regency Era. The central romance is present, but as is often typical of Heyer, it’s not the most overwhelming part of the story.
This story is more centered around the heroine, Serena, and is more of a commentary about the social roles and accepted norms of women’s roles (or lack thereof) in Regency society and how one’s social class also affected the role you played. It’s with Heyer’s expertise at spinning a story together that this aspect of the arc is not too subtly woven into the overall plotline.
Serena and Ivo (our Hero) are not my most favorite people here or in any other GH novel truth be told, but it becomes increasingly clear throughout the story that these two deserve each other. They’re a strong political match, and shockingly for a Heyer novel, sexual attraction is hinted at with Serena’s attraction to Ivo being mentioned in the last scene. If nothing else, these two will have a good sex life lol.
If you’re new to Heyer, please don’t start with this novel. It’s definitely a must-read Heyer, in my opinion, but I would never recommend someone just discovering this modern day Austen (that’s how I describe GH to people) to begin with this one. Wait until you’ve picked up her style before you delve into this one.
* side note for Heyer newbies: try starting with her “Sylvester�, “Frederica�, or even “Cotillion�
Personally, I enjoy the madcap farce that develops here. I enjoy the detail of all the side characters that are drawn with skill and care, I tolerate Ivo (lots of fellow Heyer buffs can’t stand him), I understand Serena (thanks to the absolute dexterity of Heyer’s writing we are given a thorough character backstory and development arc), and I just adored all the Heyer side character staples that are present here.
I don’t reread “Bath Tangle� as often as I do Heyer’s titles that fall in my Top Ten on my personal GH list, but I do read this one often enough. I keep a permanent copy in my Heyer folder on my beloved Kindle so I can pick it up anytime the mood strikes for a farcical romance with political and social commentary, oh and a bit of “adult� romance, too. With the hinted at sexual attraction between our H and h, this novel has a nice tone of a more mature romance. Given the fact that the two mc’s here are a bit older than GH’s standard H and h, it’s a nice change of pace for this avid Heyer reader to read about more mature (aware) characters.
My rating for this non-typical Heyer is four solid stars. I enjoy the story here more than I do the actual H and h. Their romance is more practical here than romantic, and it’s definitely a volatile relationship that they share.
Would recommend for the seasoned Heyer reader. Newbies to GH, see recommendations above.
This Heyer is one that I have read many times since my first reading of it back in the early 1980s. It is not my favorite GH, nor does it reside in the top ten section of my own person Heyer List; it’s at the #11 spot currently.
This book’s original publication date is 1955, which lands it somewhere in the middle of Heyer’s bibliography list of all her works. Some of my fellow Heyer fans classify this as one of her “later works�, and I can see why this could be classified as such, as the content definitely reflects her later style, at least to this avid Heyer fan anyway. I feel that a lot of her later works showcased a farcical romp, which is what takes place here.
“Bath Tangle� gives us a whole slew of characters, and it’s with great skill that the story is all weaved together in a satisfying fashion. This story has a more political slant and contains much social commentary on the depicted time of the plot, which is the Regency Era. The central romance is present, but as is often typical of Heyer, it’s not the most overwhelming part of the story.
This story is more centered around the heroine, Serena, and is more of a commentary about the social roles and accepted norms of women’s roles (or lack thereof) in Regency society and how one’s social class also affected the role you played. It’s with Heyer’s expertise at spinning a story together that this aspect of the arc is not too subtly woven into the overall plotline.
Serena and Ivo (our Hero) are not my most favorite people here or in any other GH novel truth be told, but it becomes increasingly clear throughout the story that these two deserve each other. They’re a strong political match, and shockingly for a Heyer novel, sexual attraction is hinted at with Serena’s attraction to Ivo being mentioned in the last scene. If nothing else, these two will have a good sex life lol.
If you’re new to Heyer, please don’t start with this novel. It’s definitely a must-read Heyer, in my opinion, but I would never recommend someone just discovering this modern day Austen (that’s how I describe GH to people) to begin with this one. Wait until you’ve picked up her style before you delve into this one.
* side note for Heyer newbies: try starting with her “Sylvester�, “Frederica�, or even “Cotillion�
Personally, I enjoy the madcap farce that develops here. I enjoy the detail of all the side characters that are drawn with skill and care, I tolerate Ivo (lots of fellow Heyer buffs can’t stand him), I understand Serena (thanks to the absolute dexterity of Heyer’s writing we are given a thorough character backstory and development arc), and I just adored all the Heyer side character staples that are present here.
I don’t reread “Bath Tangle� as often as I do Heyer’s titles that fall in my Top Ten on my personal GH list, but I do read this one often enough. I keep a permanent copy in my Heyer folder on my beloved Kindle so I can pick it up anytime the mood strikes for a farcical romance with political and social commentary, oh and a bit of “adult� romance, too. With the hinted at sexual attraction between our H and h, this novel has a nice tone of a more mature romance. Given the fact that the two mc’s here are a bit older than GH’s standard H and h, it’s a nice change of pace for this avid Heyer reader to read about more mature (aware) characters.
My rating for this non-typical Heyer is four solid stars. I enjoy the story here more than I do the actual H and h. Their romance is more practical here than romantic, and it’s definitely a volatile relationship that they share.
Would recommend for the seasoned Heyer reader. Newbies to GH, see recommendations above.
April 6, 2019
Frolicking fun.
Both Serena and Rotherham are pistolwhips, which makes for fiery interactions. No wilting wallflower could possibly be expected to standup to the gothic ferocity Rotherham exudes. Serena, fearless and equally terrifying to others in her own way, has no such problem. I think perhaps Shakespeare was thinking of them when he said, "Thou and I are too wise to woo peaceably."
Again, I avoided reading this book for too long because I misjudged the title. You'd think I'd have learned after These Old Shades. While it takes place in Bath, this is not a retiring sort of story, but very much a comedy of errors. Everyone's truly in a tangle and they all come together in Bath.
I don't love this quite as much as Cotillon, but it is close.
Both Serena and Rotherham are pistolwhips, which makes for fiery interactions. No wilting wallflower could possibly be expected to standup to the gothic ferocity Rotherham exudes. Serena, fearless and equally terrifying to others in her own way, has no such problem. I think perhaps Shakespeare was thinking of them when he said, "Thou and I are too wise to woo peaceably."
'I am not picking a quarrel. It would surprise you, I daresay, if I told you that I rarely quarrel with anyone but yourself.'
'Ah, that's because very few people have the courage to pick up the gauntlet!' she said, smiling.
'An amiable portrait you draw!'
'But a speaking likeness!'
Again, I avoided reading this book for too long because I misjudged the title. You'd think I'd have learned after These Old Shades. While it takes place in Bath, this is not a retiring sort of story, but very much a comedy of errors. Everyone's truly in a tangle and they all come together in Bath.
I don't love this quite as much as Cotillon, but it is close.
August 31, 2023
I had a bit less fun reading it the second time. I mean the fun that I had the first time from surprises, twists, etc.
But I had more pleasure in watching how the personalities of Serena and Rotherham fought against each other and with themself (to be calm and to understand). Also, it was a treat to watch other characters. It was a great study of different personalities.
So, the second time I read a bit different book. I regret I lost the warm memory, but I am glad I gained interesting study.
---------- My review after first reading below ------------
Like I have hoped after first chapter, this book is one of the best of Heyer's romances.
Great characters, well chosen. A delightful idea for a plot. One big tangle. Really, awesome.
I have had so much fun. To the end I was wondering how it will goes. There was a big mess and so many people involved. And, constantly, I couldn't wait when Rotherham would appear and what would he say.
Perhaps some characters are hard to like for some readers but they all are important part of the story. And, I love Rotherham ;-) The love between him and Serena isn't maybe typical for Regency romance but it makes the book more unique.
This novel reminds me of by Jude Morgan (also really good Regency romance, I recommend). But action in "Bath Tangle" is quicker, the story is more for fun. As I wrote in my review, "An Accomplished Woman" is like to mix Heyer with Austen. Witty Heyer with more philosophical, sociological Austen.
Going back to "Bath Tangle" I add that I thought (at the beginning) that Spenborough's will (testament) would have had bigger impact on the story (I could even imagine some ideas) but still, Heyer had own view and she gave us another masterpiece of the genre.
And for all who have read it already: Read Anne's review! You will have much fun.
But I had more pleasure in watching how the personalities of Serena and Rotherham fought against each other and with themself (to be calm and to understand). Also, it was a treat to watch other characters. It was a great study of different personalities.
So, the second time I read a bit different book. I regret I lost the warm memory, but I am glad I gained interesting study.
---------- My review after first reading below ------------
Like I have hoped after first chapter, this book is one of the best of Heyer's romances.
Great characters, well chosen. A delightful idea for a plot. One big tangle. Really, awesome.
I have had so much fun. To the end I was wondering how it will goes. There was a big mess and so many people involved. And, constantly, I couldn't wait when Rotherham would appear and what would he say.
Perhaps some characters are hard to like for some readers but they all are important part of the story. And, I love Rotherham ;-) The love between him and Serena isn't maybe typical for Regency romance but it makes the book more unique.
This novel reminds me of by Jude Morgan (also really good Regency romance, I recommend). But action in "Bath Tangle" is quicker, the story is more for fun. As I wrote in my review, "An Accomplished Woman" is like to mix Heyer with Austen. Witty Heyer with more philosophical, sociological Austen.
Going back to "Bath Tangle" I add that I thought (at the beginning) that Spenborough's will (testament) would have had bigger impact on the story (I could even imagine some ideas) but still, Heyer had own view and she gave us another masterpiece of the genre.
And for all who have read it already: Read Anne's review! You will have much fun.
May 7, 2017
With a large cast of characters, the story is about love tangles with everyone paired up with the 'wrong' person. Most of the action takes place in Bath, a place I particularly enjoy reading about in Heyer's books. She makes it sound like such fun there, without the tiresome formality of London.
The story starts off with the Earl of Spenborough's funeral. His estates goes to a cousin, since his only daughter, Serena, cannot inherit. But she does inherit a fortune, kept in trust for her with the Marquis of Rotherham to whom Serena was once betrothed and now she must have his permission to get married to anyone at all! Serena sets up house with the widow of the deceased, Fanny, who is very close to Serena but is not as reckless or outspoken as she is. After a while, they grew bored of living quietly and moved to Bath, where the formidable grandmother (Mrs Floore) of Emily, an acquaintance of Serena, lives. Starts several romantic tangles with Gerard (Rotherham's nephew and ward), Ned Goring (Mrs Floore's business partner) and Major Hector Kirkby (Serena's old boyfriend and current fiance).
Now, I started off absolutely disliking Rotherham right from the beginning. He is obviously abusive to Serena, even when she is still upset about her father's death and the extra blow of having her money in Rotherham's hands cannot have been pleasant to her. Even though he claims he hates it as much as she does, he doesn't lift a finger to do anything about it. As the book progressed, the man became even worse. He offers marriage to a sixteen year old to revenge himself on Serena, sexually assaults her and scares her to death in a bid to make her put an end to the engagement. Of course, he himself could not do so since he is a 'gentleman'. Errr, what? Nothing he does during the course of the book makes him a gentleman! He is also harsh on his wards, and treats practically everyone he meets with contempt. Worse, he has no positive qualities unless you count wealth and a title as positives.
I liked Serena at first because she is independent and outspoken and does not like being cosseted by anyone. But I quickly lost sympathy for her when she took Emily to task, concerned only about telling her how good Rotherham is. Really? If you want to be abused, that's your own problem, but when you start screaming at 16 year old kids about how terrible they are and how an abuser is really nice, that's where your story is consigned to the dust bin!
I had trouble believing in Serena's and Rotherham's 'love'. "I love to fight with my partner" is not really a shared interest. But beyond that, I really could not see why on earth Serena even liked Rotherham enough to marry him. I'll just assume it's to get her inheritance and be a Marchioness as no one could possibly love that man.
This book starkly depicts a woman's position in Regency society and is not sugarcoated. Fanny is the most perceptive of all the characters and she was my favourite, especially when she explains how girls are browbeaten by their parents and society and expected to confirm, and not every girl has the courage or resources to stand up to all this. She also hints at how young girls like Emily are despised for their lack of intellect and awareness but they are precisely bred that way by their families in order to fit into society. It's all very well to dismiss of Emily as insipid and boring, but if she was anything else, she would be quickly shunned by society and not being a heiress like Serena, would have no life or future. Damned if you do, damned if you don't! I absolutely adored Fanny and her perspicacity.
The side characters are really well drawn and the story was well-written. I found Fanny's romance far more interesting. There were a few pairs left unexplored, which should have been done. Serena and Rotherham might have been the heroine and hero of the book, but the minor characters stole the show.
I am giving this only 2 stars not because I hated the book, but because I absolutely loathed Rotherham and I resent that he was depicted as someone worth marrying.
Edited to add:
If you want to read a more coherent critique of Rotherham, check out this .
The story starts off with the Earl of Spenborough's funeral. His estates goes to a cousin, since his only daughter, Serena, cannot inherit. But she does inherit a fortune, kept in trust for her with the Marquis of Rotherham to whom Serena was once betrothed and now she must have his permission to get married to anyone at all! Serena sets up house with the widow of the deceased, Fanny, who is very close to Serena but is not as reckless or outspoken as she is. After a while, they grew bored of living quietly and moved to Bath, where the formidable grandmother (Mrs Floore) of Emily, an acquaintance of Serena, lives. Starts several romantic tangles with Gerard (Rotherham's nephew and ward), Ned Goring (Mrs Floore's business partner) and Major Hector Kirkby (Serena's old boyfriend and current fiance).
Now, I started off absolutely disliking Rotherham right from the beginning. He is obviously abusive to Serena, even when she is still upset about her father's death and the extra blow of having her money in Rotherham's hands cannot have been pleasant to her. Even though he claims he hates it as much as she does, he doesn't lift a finger to do anything about it. As the book progressed, the man became even worse. He offers marriage to a sixteen year old to revenge himself on Serena, sexually assaults her and scares her to death in a bid to make her put an end to the engagement. Of course, he himself could not do so since he is a 'gentleman'. Errr, what? Nothing he does during the course of the book makes him a gentleman! He is also harsh on his wards, and treats practically everyone he meets with contempt. Worse, he has no positive qualities unless you count wealth and a title as positives.
I liked Serena at first because she is independent and outspoken and does not like being cosseted by anyone. But I quickly lost sympathy for her when she took Emily to task, concerned only about telling her how good Rotherham is. Really? If you want to be abused, that's your own problem, but when you start screaming at 16 year old kids about how terrible they are and how an abuser is really nice, that's where your story is consigned to the dust bin!
I had trouble believing in Serena's and Rotherham's 'love'. "I love to fight with my partner" is not really a shared interest. But beyond that, I really could not see why on earth Serena even liked Rotherham enough to marry him. I'll just assume it's to get her inheritance and be a Marchioness as no one could possibly love that man.
This book starkly depicts a woman's position in Regency society and is not sugarcoated. Fanny is the most perceptive of all the characters and she was my favourite, especially when she explains how girls are browbeaten by their parents and society and expected to confirm, and not every girl has the courage or resources to stand up to all this. She also hints at how young girls like Emily are despised for their lack of intellect and awareness but they are precisely bred that way by their families in order to fit into society. It's all very well to dismiss of Emily as insipid and boring, but if she was anything else, she would be quickly shunned by society and not being a heiress like Serena, would have no life or future. Damned if you do, damned if you don't! I absolutely adored Fanny and her perspicacity.
The side characters are really well drawn and the story was well-written. I found Fanny's romance far more interesting. There were a few pairs left unexplored, which should have been done. Serena and Rotherham might have been the heroine and hero of the book, but the minor characters stole the show.
I am giving this only 2 stars not because I hated the book, but because I absolutely loathed Rotherham and I resent that he was depicted as someone worth marrying.
Edited to add:
If you want to read a more coherent critique of Rotherham, check out this .
January 29, 2019
Lady Serena Carlow is the indulged daughter of an earl--though if that description makes you think she is pampered and petted, you'd be far off the mark. No, her father treated her like the son he never had, and she grew up as his companion and equal. Serena rides to hounds and hosts political parties and in general leads a free and public life. Her mannish ways are tolerated because of her elevated rank and the protection of her father, but her life has not been free of scandal: a few years before the story begins, she became engaged to the wealthy but irascible Marquis of Rotherham and then jilted him a few weeks before the wedding.
Now twenty-five years old, Lady Serena is mourning the sudden death of her beloved father and finding that her life has drastically changed. She must leave her home to make way for the new earl, and she finds herself in straitened circumstances (at least as long as she remains single) and unable to engage in her usual pursuits because of the mandatory period of mourning. To add to her difficulties, her father has made the jilted marquis her trustee and given him veto power over any marriage she hopes to make! Fortunately, she is able to make a home for the time being with her youthful stepmother, the sweet and timid Fanny. They settle for a time in Bath, and there the tale really gets under way.
Bath Tangle is one of Heyer's longer and more elaborate Regency novels, and on this reading I found myself admiring the structure of the plot and the setup of the characters. There are two possible heroes, and for a long time they are given almost equal weight. The relationships among the principal and even the secondary characters are often surprising. Many of them, while recognizable as Heyer types, have layers to their personalities that give the story depth and nuance.
For me, however, these pleasures are marred by the heroine's angry nature. Heyer has several novels with angry heroines, and I have to be in a particular mood to enjoy them. In this case, Serena's quarrels with the marquis go so far into vituperation and insult that I have trouble seeing their relationship as salvageable. And there are Taming-of-the-Shrew overtones that make me distinctly uncomfortable--male leads can be cranky or sardonic in my book but never dictatorial! Among the pantheon of Heyer's angry heroines, Serena is a more complex character than Judith Taverner in Regency Buck but not as sympathetic as Deborah Grantham in Faro's Daughter. So while I admire the craft of this novel I can't love it.
Now twenty-five years old, Lady Serena is mourning the sudden death of her beloved father and finding that her life has drastically changed. She must leave her home to make way for the new earl, and she finds herself in straitened circumstances (at least as long as she remains single) and unable to engage in her usual pursuits because of the mandatory period of mourning. To add to her difficulties, her father has made the jilted marquis her trustee and given him veto power over any marriage she hopes to make! Fortunately, she is able to make a home for the time being with her youthful stepmother, the sweet and timid Fanny. They settle for a time in Bath, and there the tale really gets under way.
Bath Tangle is one of Heyer's longer and more elaborate Regency novels, and on this reading I found myself admiring the structure of the plot and the setup of the characters. There are two possible heroes, and for a long time they are given almost equal weight. The relationships among the principal and even the secondary characters are often surprising. Many of them, while recognizable as Heyer types, have layers to their personalities that give the story depth and nuance.
For me, however, these pleasures are marred by the heroine's angry nature. Heyer has several novels with angry heroines, and I have to be in a particular mood to enjoy them. In this case, Serena's quarrels with the marquis go so far into vituperation and insult that I have trouble seeing their relationship as salvageable. And there are Taming-of-the-Shrew overtones that make me distinctly uncomfortable--male leads can be cranky or sardonic in my book but never dictatorial! Among the pantheon of Heyer's angry heroines, Serena is a more complex character than Judith Taverner in Regency Buck but not as sympathetic as Deborah Grantham in Faro's Daughter. So while I admire the craft of this novel I can't love it.
December 11, 2017
The audio version of this book, narrated by Sian Phillips, bumps it up to four stars for me. I liked all of the characters, but every Heyer fan should read (even better, listen) to this book just to become acquainted with Mrs. Floore, the immensely wealthy, admittedly vulgar grandmother who protects her granddaughter from the girl's social-climbing mother.
Lots of banter and zingers. Great fun.
Lots of banter and zingers. Great fun.
May 20, 2019
Years and years ago I devoured Georgette Heyer books, bringing them home from the library in stacks of as many as I could find and carry. My favorites then were SYLVESTER, VENETIA, and REGENCY BUCK and one of my least favorite was BATH TANGLE. In recent years, of course, we are fortunate enough to find her novels in reprint. So I've been taking that trip down memory lane, only to find out that I was giving BATH TANGLE a bad rap. The interaction between H and h that I found so unromantic in my youth, turns out to be very romantic in my golden years. And the secondary characters are such fun, especially Mrs. Floore, who's a hoot. This is not a slow or boring story to me. But then I'm the kind of person who has read PRIDE AND PREJUDICE more times than I care to remember and has the A&E miniseries of said Austen novel, 6 hours long, to re-watch at will. So I don't require a whole lot of action to go on in the novels I read. I'm happy enough with good conversation, and Georgette Heyer has always given us that.
November 19, 2019
2019 Review
It sure takes a while for things to get started. The eventual hijinks and misunderstandings make it a worthwhile read but I was surprised how long it took before I really got into it. Still, I love Ivo and Serena and wish we saw more of them.
2018 Review - 4 Stars
Charming as ever. Serena is cut in the mold of Sophy or Frederica, but with less cunning and more of a temper. I quite love her.
Original 2013 Rating - 3 Stars
It sure takes a while for things to get started. The eventual hijinks and misunderstandings make it a worthwhile read but I was surprised how long it took before I really got into it. Still, I love Ivo and Serena and wish we saw more of them.
2018 Review - 4 Stars
Charming as ever. Serena is cut in the mold of Sophy or Frederica, but with less cunning and more of a temper. I quite love her.
Original 2013 Rating - 3 Stars
Read
March 5, 2009Heyer's novels are the only ones I'd initially given five stars, but daren't now (all re-reads). Bath Tangle is one of the more obvious romances, and it's still not obvious at all, he and she still seem apart more than together and there is never a word of "love" spoken - just ingeniusly shown whenever either of them meets others how they fit, and how they care for each other, and what makes them special and likable.
But i_f's comments about Charise made me dislike Serena for the first time, where previously I thought the only Heyer heroine I didn't like was Judith - and I had actually thought only Judith was a diamond of the first water, but like Charise, Serena is also considered genuinely beautiful. Only it's just mentioned from time to time without going into her perfect body and soft skin and all that crap, and never ever by him, who calls her a magpie when others flatter (just like Charise or the other "older" heroine Abigail, called a candle rather than a diamond).
So it was rather hard for me to feel ok with Serena who was a politicial hostess, someone needing space and influence and money - but how well done that is most readers today won't appreciate, because just like her step mother Fanny tries to tell others, we have to see how good natured Serena is, how genuinely she cares for Fanny and others. Her attitude to Mrs. F is in no way faked or powered by curiosity, and Ivo's secret wish to appeal to Mrs. F in the end is one of the nicest little paragraphs (I try to think of something to pick out these days, but too often forget Heyer's unique dialogues, sadly, while visuals stay with me).
They appear hard and harsh, her more so these days (perhaps aggravated by my Emb. situation, but even in the past I had started to fear Heyer's heroes wouldn't like me) than him, who I remembered more dashing but with so few words and such economy and lack of repetition is appealing; whom we see to be maligned when really he likes to secretly pay for people who openly abuse him. Ivo sounded less attractive in English with his deep chest and massive thighs, but his eyes and hands are still there.
And the second most memorable moment to pick out was the (forgotten, unlike other details) drama of Serena with the thorny flowers, frozen in the living room upon hearing of Ivo's betrothal, her "What have I done" multipurpose yet telling. This scene, just like her long and real grief about the loss of her father, needs to be carefully read to be fully appreciated.
There are no superfluous words, and there is nothing boring. Even if the tiny moments of intimacy feel unreal now because I try to slow down to savour them but then they seem even less substantial, all that pleasure gone with childhood, the rest now shows itself all the more brilliantly crafted.
And while Emily is more stupid and annyoing than any of her ilk from the last novels I reread, Mr. Goring is such a great character in the background there, and now I notice that nobody ever mentions he'll marry her even though I even remembered that would happen.
Once again the humour is also gone for me; I know how I smiled for chapters in the past, while now I can only watch Major Kirkby bond with Rotherham about how Ivo had dealt with his silly ward.
The most memorably things always seem the most disappointing. It's so much easier to remember the bad, so when good memories are thus demolished, everything seems even worse - for that reason I can't post my new notes on Heyer because it would be too much like all the modern readers calling her boring or cliche, when she remains the only one that is not.
But i_f's comments about Charise made me dislike Serena for the first time, where previously I thought the only Heyer heroine I didn't like was Judith - and I had actually thought only Judith was a diamond of the first water, but like Charise, Serena is also considered genuinely beautiful. Only it's just mentioned from time to time without going into her perfect body and soft skin and all that crap, and never ever by him, who calls her a magpie when others flatter (just like Charise or the other "older" heroine Abigail, called a candle rather than a diamond).
So it was rather hard for me to feel ok with Serena who was a politicial hostess, someone needing space and influence and money - but how well done that is most readers today won't appreciate, because just like her step mother Fanny tries to tell others, we have to see how good natured Serena is, how genuinely she cares for Fanny and others. Her attitude to Mrs. F is in no way faked or powered by curiosity, and Ivo's secret wish to appeal to Mrs. F in the end is one of the nicest little paragraphs (I try to think of something to pick out these days, but too often forget Heyer's unique dialogues, sadly, while visuals stay with me).
They appear hard and harsh, her more so these days (perhaps aggravated by my Emb. situation, but even in the past I had started to fear Heyer's heroes wouldn't like me) than him, who I remembered more dashing but with so few words and such economy and lack of repetition is appealing; whom we see to be maligned when really he likes to secretly pay for people who openly abuse him. Ivo sounded less attractive in English with his deep chest and massive thighs, but his eyes and hands are still there.
And the second most memorable moment to pick out was the (forgotten, unlike other details) drama of Serena with the thorny flowers, frozen in the living room upon hearing of Ivo's betrothal, her "What have I done" multipurpose yet telling. This scene, just like her long and real grief about the loss of her father, needs to be carefully read to be fully appreciated.
There are no superfluous words, and there is nothing boring. Even if the tiny moments of intimacy feel unreal now because I try to slow down to savour them but then they seem even less substantial, all that pleasure gone with childhood, the rest now shows itself all the more brilliantly crafted.
And while Emily is more stupid and annyoing than any of her ilk from the last novels I reread, Mr. Goring is such a great character in the background there, and now I notice that nobody ever mentions he'll marry her even though I even remembered that would happen.
Once again the humour is also gone for me; I know how I smiled for chapters in the past, while now I can only watch Major Kirkby bond with Rotherham about how Ivo had dealt with his silly ward.
The most memorably things always seem the most disappointing. It's so much easier to remember the bad, so when good memories are thus demolished, everything seems even worse - for that reason I can't post my new notes on Heyer because it would be too much like all the modern readers calling her boring or cliche, when she remains the only one that is not.
September 1, 2023
8/2023: still entertaining, 3.5-4 stars, great narration, great secondary characters. Serena and Ivo are humorous but I think would be exhausting to be around, such tempers, overwhelming personalities!
2/2019: second read, this time with the Heyer Fan Group on GR; this was one of the first Heyer’s I read years ago, and have since read several more of her books. My review below still holds, this is still 3.5-4 star read, but not among my very favorite Heyer romances - since I have read more of her books, I’ve seen her handle these types of characters and situations more deftly. But it is still a witty, charming, fun story - I have yet to read a Heyer novel that I didn’t enjoy!
Here, Heyer gives us a beautiful, strong-willed heroine (Serena), matched with one of her gruff alpha male heroes (Ivo, Marquis of Rotherham). They spar constantly, and in fact had been betrothed previously, but Serena broke off the engagement shortly before the wedding.
Serena’s father, an earl, has suddenly died at the start of this story, and has named Ivo, his old friend, as trustee of Serena’s inheritance. Grieving the loss of her father, who had been more companion than parent, and had given his daughter a great deal of freedom, Serena is enraged at this handling of her affairs - she and Ivo spark off each other as much as ever. Our group was torn whether the constant sparring helps or hurts the story. I guess I understood it - they were clearly very attracted to each other - but I think I personally would find it exhausting to always be at loggerheads with my husband!
Anyway, for this read I listed to the Audiobook read by Sian Phillips, which was excellent and so much fun! She did an awesome job with all the characters- I particularly enjoyed Mrs. Floore and the brittle, phoney Lady Laleham! As always, Heyer fleshes out the story with wonderful secondary characters, farcical plot twists, a few romances in the offing, and sparkling humor.
2008: I really love Georgette Heyer's Regency romances/comedies - they are as much fun (or more!) to read than Jane Austen, full of great characters, hilarious situations and clever dialogue. I gave this one 4 stars only because it took me a little longer to REALLY get into it, mainly because the two lead characters, Serena and Ivo, while obviously meant for each other, were SO pig-headed, strong-willed and temperamental! There were definite shades of "Pride and Prejudice" as they both learned to come around, but they were still quite proud even in the end - but the situation was resolved so satisfactorily, and all of the secondary characters' romantic entanglements resolved so perfectly, that by the end you don't want it to end! Very satisfying, fun read.
I got the VERY ancient edition from our library (1955!) but I try and buy up the more recent beautiful trade paperbacks I've seen of her books coming out lately - they are definitely worth re-reading.
2/2019: second read, this time with the Heyer Fan Group on GR; this was one of the first Heyer’s I read years ago, and have since read several more of her books. My review below still holds, this is still 3.5-4 star read, but not among my very favorite Heyer romances - since I have read more of her books, I’ve seen her handle these types of characters and situations more deftly. But it is still a witty, charming, fun story - I have yet to read a Heyer novel that I didn’t enjoy!
Here, Heyer gives us a beautiful, strong-willed heroine (Serena), matched with one of her gruff alpha male heroes (Ivo, Marquis of Rotherham). They spar constantly, and in fact had been betrothed previously, but Serena broke off the engagement shortly before the wedding.
Serena’s father, an earl, has suddenly died at the start of this story, and has named Ivo, his old friend, as trustee of Serena’s inheritance. Grieving the loss of her father, who had been more companion than parent, and had given his daughter a great deal of freedom, Serena is enraged at this handling of her affairs - she and Ivo spark off each other as much as ever. Our group was torn whether the constant sparring helps or hurts the story. I guess I understood it - they were clearly very attracted to each other - but I think I personally would find it exhausting to always be at loggerheads with my husband!
Anyway, for this read I listed to the Audiobook read by Sian Phillips, which was excellent and so much fun! She did an awesome job with all the characters- I particularly enjoyed Mrs. Floore and the brittle, phoney Lady Laleham! As always, Heyer fleshes out the story with wonderful secondary characters, farcical plot twists, a few romances in the offing, and sparkling humor.
2008: I really love Georgette Heyer's Regency romances/comedies - they are as much fun (or more!) to read than Jane Austen, full of great characters, hilarious situations and clever dialogue. I gave this one 4 stars only because it took me a little longer to REALLY get into it, mainly because the two lead characters, Serena and Ivo, while obviously meant for each other, were SO pig-headed, strong-willed and temperamental! There were definite shades of "Pride and Prejudice" as they both learned to come around, but they were still quite proud even in the end - but the situation was resolved so satisfactorily, and all of the secondary characters' romantic entanglements resolved so perfectly, that by the end you don't want it to end! Very satisfying, fun read.
I got the VERY ancient edition from our library (1955!) but I try and buy up the more recent beautiful trade paperbacks I've seen of her books coming out lately - they are definitely worth re-reading.
March 27, 2023
Upon listening to this again, I have to say that this must be one of the most underappreciated romances in Heyer's bibliography. I do understand why, because Ivo is not exactly likeable, but the reason Heyer gets away with this, when so many other romance writers do not, is because Ivo and and Serena are extremely compatible. Heyer is very good at showing rather than telling us this.
For some reason, when I first read this, I was not overly impressed. I enjoyed it as I always enjoy Heyer's work, but I never thought of it as overly romantic before. This time around, I really felt it, and the ending seemed really hilarious to me. Maybe as I have grown older, I read these books a little differently. It makes me think that I really should revisit some of my least favourite Heyers to see if my opinion on them has changed too.
2023 re-read: Still a wonderful book. I think one of the reasons it's the sort of story you can only enjoy gradually more and more after each read, is because so much of the real story, and especially the real romance, happens off screen. Superficially, it's a book mostly made up of conversations, and as is usual in Heyer, it's conversations about people, and especially the quality of the people she populates her books with. They feel really real, so you gallop through these swathes of dialogue, while nothing much seems to happen, forming ideas about people's characters. And meanwhile, the grandest, most earth-shattering things that can happen in people's lives, happen, elsewhere, conveyed to you in a letter, or by someone's report. We mostly get to see the conversations afterwards. And for the most part, because so many times the real emotions of the characters are hidden, swallowed, ignored, swept over, you don't even get to experience them. You can only guess at them, and what that might mean. It's supremely ironic that this happens in a story about two people who are characterised by a distinct inability to reign in their tempers.
On this re-read, I felt a little less sympathy for Fanny. While I am sorry for the fact that she'd been made to marry a guy so much older than her, and to live in a way that made her unhappy, even if no one was outright unkind to her, when she and the Major confess their feelings to one another and she proposed that he should still marry Serena, while they would secretly continue to love each other (even without acting on it), I really could have smacked her. You don't do that sort of thing to someone you like. Hell, I wouldn't do that to my worst enemy.
For some reason, when I first read this, I was not overly impressed. I enjoyed it as I always enjoy Heyer's work, but I never thought of it as overly romantic before. This time around, I really felt it, and the ending seemed really hilarious to me. Maybe as I have grown older, I read these books a little differently. It makes me think that I really should revisit some of my least favourite Heyers to see if my opinion on them has changed too.
2023 re-read: Still a wonderful book. I think one of the reasons it's the sort of story you can only enjoy gradually more and more after each read, is because so much of the real story, and especially the real romance, happens off screen. Superficially, it's a book mostly made up of conversations, and as is usual in Heyer, it's conversations about people, and especially the quality of the people she populates her books with. They feel really real, so you gallop through these swathes of dialogue, while nothing much seems to happen, forming ideas about people's characters. And meanwhile, the grandest, most earth-shattering things that can happen in people's lives, happen, elsewhere, conveyed to you in a letter, or by someone's report. We mostly get to see the conversations afterwards. And for the most part, because so many times the real emotions of the characters are hidden, swallowed, ignored, swept over, you don't even get to experience them. You can only guess at them, and what that might mean. It's supremely ironic that this happens in a story about two people who are characterised by a distinct inability to reign in their tempers.
On this re-read, I felt a little less sympathy for Fanny. While I am sorry for the fact that she'd been made to marry a guy so much older than her, and to live in a way that made her unhappy, even if no one was outright unkind to her, when she and the Major confess their feelings to one another and she proposed that he should still marry Serena, while they would secretly continue to love each other (even without acting on it), I really could have smacked her. You don't do that sort of thing to someone you like. Hell, I wouldn't do that to my worst enemy.
December 27, 2017
This is why I just love Georgette Heyer! She makes you go on even when you have no taste for an incessantly obstinate heroine! She has no match for her ingenuity in the breed of HF writers.
The plot was interesting, and I was happy that it wasn't one with typical twists and turns, though to give me credit (;p) I had guessed what Rotherham was about right from the beginning, being such an ardent GH fan that I am and being prepared for the unexpected.
Like all her eccentric heroes, I loved Rotherham <3 and was truly amused and entertained by him. Serena, was a very strong heroine, and her character was consistent to the last page with her obstinacy. Though I didn't have much patience with her character, I still liked her a great deal because I really really love to read strong heroines. Sounds confusing, well it most of the time is when I'm trying not to be too effusive over my GH appreciation :D
All in all, I found it very interesting, and was hooked to the last page, and was well satisfied with the whole. I found myself feeling for all the characters from Fanny and Kirkby to Mrs. Floore (really really felt for her!) majorly for Ivo and also a great deal for Serena.
A very interesting element of the story is that though not present in any scene directly, I could feel the presence of Lady Augusta (in the epistolary form!) and Lord Spenborough through seeing the results of his eccentricities.
Though not as high up as Frederica or These Old Shades, this book still managed to remain in my most liked GH list, more so for Ivo than for anything else. It falls short of the mark for me because I like my heroes to be present throughout the book, and not hidden in subtext for a huge chunk of the book, more so when it is someone like Ivo.
Nonetheless, it is a GH, and it shall retain a coveted place in my bookshelf and in my heart always :)
The plot was interesting, and I was happy that it wasn't one with typical twists and turns, though to give me credit (;p) I had guessed what Rotherham was about right from the beginning, being such an ardent GH fan that I am and being prepared for the unexpected.
Like all her eccentric heroes, I loved Rotherham <3 and was truly amused and entertained by him. Serena, was a very strong heroine, and her character was consistent to the last page with her obstinacy. Though I didn't have much patience with her character, I still liked her a great deal because I really really love to read strong heroines. Sounds confusing, well it most of the time is when I'm trying not to be too effusive over my GH appreciation :D
All in all, I found it very interesting, and was hooked to the last page, and was well satisfied with the whole. I found myself feeling for all the characters from Fanny and Kirkby to Mrs. Floore (really really felt for her!) majorly for Ivo and also a great deal for Serena.
A very interesting element of the story is that though not present in any scene directly, I could feel the presence of Lady Augusta (in the epistolary form!) and Lord Spenborough through seeing the results of his eccentricities.
Though not as high up as Frederica or These Old Shades, this book still managed to remain in my most liked GH list, more so for Ivo than for anything else. It falls short of the mark for me because I like my heroes to be present throughout the book, and not hidden in subtext for a huge chunk of the book, more so when it is someone like Ivo.
Nonetheless, it is a GH, and it shall retain a coveted place in my bookshelf and in my heart always :)
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May 20, 2019
I can see why this isn't generally one of the most popular Heyer novels. The hero and heroine spend most of the book apart, and they have quite extraordinarily bad tempers. They even annoyed me, and I'm pretty much as blunt and bad-tempered as they are.
But with that said, I still loved their skirmishes, and I can well believe that they love each other. That they never stopped loving each other, in fact. The book's also pulled off by Heyer's trademark humour and attention to detail. Well worth reading, whatever you may have heard. One of the few second-chance romances I can tolerate.
-
But with that said, I still loved their skirmishes, and I can well believe that they love each other. That they never stopped loving each other, in fact. The book's also pulled off by Heyer's trademark humour and attention to detail. Well worth reading, whatever you may have heard. One of the few second-chance romances I can tolerate.
-
September 20, 2023
I can't really love Heyer's rageful and autocratic characters, but Serena and Ivo are two of the best of that type. I especially liked the balance between wilful, confident Serena and mild, sweet Fanny. For my money, the friendship between the ladies was a more interesting relationship that the main romance. And now I come to think of it - Serena's friendship with vulgar Mrs Floore - the way Fanny and Serena are both protective of innocent Emily - there's a lot of great female friendship in this book from an author who is usually a merciless delineator of female folly.
October 19, 2015
Lady Serena Spenborough wants nothing to do with Ivo Barrasford, Marquis of Rotherham, one of her father’s best friends and her former betrothed. But her father thinks differently and after his death, Lord Rotherham becomes her Trustee and, if Serena will want to marry, he will have to give his consent. This is preposterous to Serena but unfortunately she must accept her father’s will. After a while she goes to Bath with her stepmother (who is younger than her) and meets a man whom she has not seen for seven years, a Major Kirkby, her first love. With the arrival of other interesting people and the unceasing quarrels with Lord Rotherham, Serena’s life will be full of emotions and particular events. But will her heart make the right decision when it comes to choose the man of her dreams?
*Sigh*
That is exactly how I feel after reading an extremely good book. “Bath Tangle� is definitely an excellent one! I did not know what to expect actually, because I had read some bad reviews of it, so I was a little unsure, but then I thought “It is Georgette Heyer! It cannot be horrible!� And it was far from that. It was amazing!
The main characters, Serena and Ivo, were totally maddening and tiresome but I loved them to pieces! That was probably the first time I liked two characters so exasperating so much but I could not help it, they were wonderful. And, most of all, they outshone the others! Although everyone was necessary to understand that incredible tangle Ms. Heyer contrived. I am aware that because of their personality, readers either adore or hate Serena and Ivo. They are both very strong, independent and stubborn and it is very difficult to find them just nice or be indifferent to them. They drove me crazy sometimes, but these are the characters I love most, the ones that involve you in the story and you feel a part of it, you are not just a reader, it is more than that. When your only thought is to keep reading a book because you want to see more of them and you hope they get what they want, you are in love with them. That is what happened to me, I fell in love with Ivo and Serena immediately despite all their flaws and imperfections. They are perfect just the way they are.
As for the others, I cannot complain at all. I loved Fanny (I so wanted her to be happy!), Hector (the sweetest of them all), Mrs. Floore (I had a lot of fun every time she was present!), Emily (alright, maybe I did not like her that much), Lady Laleham (she is a very sly person, I warn you), in other words I loved everyone, both the bad and the good ones! Because all of them contribute to make the story fun, romantic and engrossing. But my absolute favourite was Wilton, Lord Rotherham’s steward. He basically appears just in one scene, he only says a few words, but those are the most significant words of the entire story. I believe that his remarks about a certain person and situation made one of the protagonists act for the best, and I loved that moment!
Georgette Heyer never fails to surprise me. She always makes my reading time enjoyable and I love spending my hours with her characters. “Bath Tangle� is a lovely Regency story I would recommend to people who love misunderstandings and intricate relationships!
*Sigh*
That is exactly how I feel after reading an extremely good book. “Bath Tangle� is definitely an excellent one! I did not know what to expect actually, because I had read some bad reviews of it, so I was a little unsure, but then I thought “It is Georgette Heyer! It cannot be horrible!� And it was far from that. It was amazing!
The main characters, Serena and Ivo, were totally maddening and tiresome but I loved them to pieces! That was probably the first time I liked two characters so exasperating so much but I could not help it, they were wonderful. And, most of all, they outshone the others! Although everyone was necessary to understand that incredible tangle Ms. Heyer contrived. I am aware that because of their personality, readers either adore or hate Serena and Ivo. They are both very strong, independent and stubborn and it is very difficult to find them just nice or be indifferent to them. They drove me crazy sometimes, but these are the characters I love most, the ones that involve you in the story and you feel a part of it, you are not just a reader, it is more than that. When your only thought is to keep reading a book because you want to see more of them and you hope they get what they want, you are in love with them. That is what happened to me, I fell in love with Ivo and Serena immediately despite all their flaws and imperfections. They are perfect just the way they are.
As for the others, I cannot complain at all. I loved Fanny (I so wanted her to be happy!), Hector (the sweetest of them all), Mrs. Floore (I had a lot of fun every time she was present!), Emily (alright, maybe I did not like her that much), Lady Laleham (she is a very sly person, I warn you), in other words I loved everyone, both the bad and the good ones! Because all of them contribute to make the story fun, romantic and engrossing. But my absolute favourite was Wilton, Lord Rotherham’s steward. He basically appears just in one scene, he only says a few words, but those are the most significant words of the entire story. I believe that his remarks about a certain person and situation made one of the protagonists act for the best, and I loved that moment!
Georgette Heyer never fails to surprise me. She always makes my reading time enjoyable and I love spending my hours with her characters. “Bath Tangle� is a lovely Regency story I would recommend to people who love misunderstandings and intricate relationships!
December 30, 2013
THE unabridged AUDIOBOOK
I wasn't as familiar with this GH Regency romance as others I have read and re-read happily (Frederica, Arabella, Grand Sophy, Unknown Ajax, Sylvester, Venetia, etc.) but it's a corker!
Not one star-crossed pair but three sets of lovers disentangle themselves after much brinksmanship and hilarious, distempered arguments. The main duo, a fiery, independent, self-possessed earl's daughter and her lifelong neighbor, a marquis to whom she was once betrothed but jilted unceremoniously just before the wedding. Upon her father's passing, she discovers that her inheritance was left in trust with this marquess as her trustee, giving him power of the purse over her until she marries --with the marquess' approval -- which precipitates an eyebrow-scorching scold during the will reading. She's got a seriously sharp tongue, and it's a delight to hear the two go at each other, (thanks to the readers remarkable skill). She's outraged at her father's posthumous meddling. The marquess is all cool, aloof reserve and mockery. Her rumblings escalate dangerously like a volcano coming out of dormancy. Her name, btw, is Serena. Ha! Each knows the other so long, and understands the other so well, they also know exactly how to goad the other for maximum effect -- and at times, for their benefit because deep down they do care for one another.
Left with only pin money, Serena sets up house with her younger step-mother and together they eventually decide to remove to Bath, rather than watch the uncultivated cousin, the new earl, dismantle all the fine traditions and the pretty grounds of the great estate that he plans to occupy with his shrew of a wife and their offspring.
In Bath, fate intervenes and Serena's long ago first love, now a retired army major, crosses her path and they renew their acquaintance and fall back in love. About that time the marquess announces his betrothal to a young debutante, Serena's major approaches the marquess about their marriage plans. The marquess does not object and all is settled, until it isn't and the tangle starts unraveling a bit at a time. I mean, this was truly delightful to listen to, and worth paying close attention, so much zings back and forth as things grow ever more complicated.
The reader, Sian Phillips, was EXCELLENT, she makes even the heated arguments crystal clear and funny, and best of all, not uncomfortable to listen to. The secondary characters play important roles and are extremely well differentiated. I loved both this story, a new one to me, and the performance.
I wasn't as familiar with this GH Regency romance as others I have read and re-read happily (Frederica, Arabella, Grand Sophy, Unknown Ajax, Sylvester, Venetia, etc.) but it's a corker!
Not one star-crossed pair but three sets of lovers disentangle themselves after much brinksmanship and hilarious, distempered arguments. The main duo, a fiery, independent, self-possessed earl's daughter and her lifelong neighbor, a marquis to whom she was once betrothed but jilted unceremoniously just before the wedding. Upon her father's passing, she discovers that her inheritance was left in trust with this marquess as her trustee, giving him power of the purse over her until she marries --with the marquess' approval -- which precipitates an eyebrow-scorching scold during the will reading. She's got a seriously sharp tongue, and it's a delight to hear the two go at each other, (thanks to the readers remarkable skill). She's outraged at her father's posthumous meddling. The marquess is all cool, aloof reserve and mockery. Her rumblings escalate dangerously like a volcano coming out of dormancy. Her name, btw, is Serena. Ha! Each knows the other so long, and understands the other so well, they also know exactly how to goad the other for maximum effect -- and at times, for their benefit because deep down they do care for one another.
Left with only pin money, Serena sets up house with her younger step-mother and together they eventually decide to remove to Bath, rather than watch the uncultivated cousin, the new earl, dismantle all the fine traditions and the pretty grounds of the great estate that he plans to occupy with his shrew of a wife and their offspring.
In Bath, fate intervenes and Serena's long ago first love, now a retired army major, crosses her path and they renew their acquaintance and fall back in love. About that time the marquess announces his betrothal to a young debutante, Serena's major approaches the marquess about their marriage plans. The marquess does not object and all is settled, until it isn't and the tangle starts unraveling a bit at a time. I mean, this was truly delightful to listen to, and worth paying close attention, so much zings back and forth as things grow ever more complicated.
The reader, Sian Phillips, was EXCELLENT, she makes even the heated arguments crystal clear and funny, and best of all, not uncomfortable to listen to. The secondary characters play important roles and are extremely well differentiated. I loved both this story, a new one to me, and the performance.
October 11, 2019
Lady Serena Carlow, only child of the late Earl of Spenborough, was shocked to learn that her father had named Ivo Barrasford, Marquis of Rotherham, as her guardian. A strong-willed man with a temper to match her own, Rotherham was also Lady Serena's erstwhile fiancé, and the two never met but that they quarreled. Outraged but resigned, Serena soon took up residence with her very young step-mother, until a chance encounter with a man from her past set in motion a seemingly hopeless tangle of romantic mis-matches...
I have heard it said that Bath Tangle is the perfect expression of Georgette Heyer's notions of class, with "like seeking like" in the form of the three couples. In this schema Lady Serena and Rotherham are of the nobility, Fanny and Major Kirkby of the landed gentry, and Emily and Mr. Goring of the merchant class, and the process whereby they all find the "right" romantic partner reinforces the author's evident preference for class endogamy.
I have nothing to say against such an interpretation, whatever I may think of the underlying social philosophy. My dislike of Bath Tangle arises, not from any distaste at the antiquated class structure - it is, after all, hardly the most extreme example of such ideas in Heyer's work - but rather from the wretchedly dishonorable conduct of the "hero." I don't despise Rotherham for wanting to marry Serena, but for manipulating and exploiting Emily, all while excusing his conduct by reference to the vulgarity and greed of others... Rotherham may be Serena's social equal, but in all other ways he is not, and I have trouble understanding why she would be attracted to him.
I have heard it said that Bath Tangle is the perfect expression of Georgette Heyer's notions of class, with "like seeking like" in the form of the three couples. In this schema Lady Serena and Rotherham are of the nobility, Fanny and Major Kirkby of the landed gentry, and Emily and Mr. Goring of the merchant class, and the process whereby they all find the "right" romantic partner reinforces the author's evident preference for class endogamy.
I have nothing to say against such an interpretation, whatever I may think of the underlying social philosophy. My dislike of Bath Tangle arises, not from any distaste at the antiquated class structure - it is, after all, hardly the most extreme example of such ideas in Heyer's work - but rather from the wretchedly dishonorable conduct of the "hero." I don't despise Rotherham for wanting to marry Serena, but for manipulating and exploiting Emily, all while excusing his conduct by reference to the vulgarity and greed of others... Rotherham may be Serena's social equal, but in all other ways he is not, and I have trouble understanding why she would be attracted to him.
Read
May 7, 2009This is what I think of as the best of Heyer's Bath plots--older heroine and younger one each dealing with romantic complications. Though the alpha hero is a standard Mark I, this one exhibits more of a sense of humor than most, and Serena, the heroine, matches him toe-to-toe for alpha traits and temper.
August 15, 2018
This wasn’t as good as usual OR I wasn’t in the mood for it. Either way, I found Serena very annoying!
May 12, 2019
Regency chicken soup...
When Lord Spenborough dies in middle-age, he leaves a youngish daughter and an even younger second wife. Lady Serena, the daughter, is desperate not to have to live with her aunt, and Fanny, the young widow, is equally reluctant to return to the home of her parents. So they decide to live together, with Fanny as an unlikely chaperone for her headstrong step-daughter. Lord Spenborough has left an unwelcome surprise for Serena in his will, though. He has named as her guardian Ivo Barrasford, Marquis of Rotherham � his old friend and Serena’s former fiancé, the man she jilted just before their wedding. Under the terms of the will Ivo must give his consent if Serena decides to marry...
Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances have long been my literary equivalent of chicken soup, something to turn to when comfort reading is in order. It’s been a long time since I last read this one, and I had unfortunately forgotten that it’s not one of my favourites, though still entertaining. Both Serena and Ivo are bad-tempered, volatile and domineering characters whose behaviour towards the people around them often crosses the line towards outright bullying. It’s a kind of take on The Taming of the Shrew � not one of my favourite plays, either � although in this case, happily, each is both tamer and shrew.
Fortunately there are lots of secondary characters who are much more fun to be around. Fanny was fond of her much older husband, but it’s quite clear she was pressured into marrying him by her parents� ambition for wealth and a title, while he married her primarily in the hope of getting a son and heir. This hope was unrealised, so that now the entailed property has gone to Serena’s cousin, and the two ladies are living in the Dower House. Bored, partly by the reduction in their circumstances and partly by the tight restrictions on entertaining while in mourning, they soon decide to take themselves off to the delights of Bath, ostensibly so that Fanny can take the waters for her health. There they meet Hector, an old flame of Serena’s, and soon the spark is rekindled. Hector’s lovely � handsome, kind, generous and in every respect so much nicer than Ivo � and he quickly becomes the alternative hero of the book.
There’s also Mrs Floore, the grandmother of an acquaintance of the ladies. Mrs Floore’s wealth came from trade and two deceased husbands, and she makes no pretence of being a fine lady. Her daughter, however, married into the minor aristocracy and has ambitions to shove her own daughter, Emily, further up the aristocratic tree.
All the young people, in the usual way, will first fall in love with entirely unsuitable partners, then have to find some way of escaping from this tangle to finish at last with their true loves. There’s nothing very original about the plot, and it’s fairly obvious from early on who should and will end up with whom, but that doesn’t prevent it from being a lot of fun. Heyer always writes well, and the tone is light and full of humour. She concentrates entirely on the rich and privileged so there’s no depressing realism to lower the spirit. And in the tradition of romances, it all ends when everyone becomes engaged to the right partner, so only those of us who have a tendency to over-analyse everything have to worry about the probable unfortunate offspring of some of the more fiery matches!
Being written back in the mid-�50s, it certainly doesn’t count as a feminist tract � the men are the masters and/or protectors of the women, so if that would annoy you, you should avoid at all costs. Personally, I suspect all the women turn into feminists after the weddings and the husbands are probably all hen-pecked into submission by the end of the first year. Except Hector, because he’s lovely... ;)
Frothy, light-hearted fun � perfect for keeping the blues at bay!
When Lord Spenborough dies in middle-age, he leaves a youngish daughter and an even younger second wife. Lady Serena, the daughter, is desperate not to have to live with her aunt, and Fanny, the young widow, is equally reluctant to return to the home of her parents. So they decide to live together, with Fanny as an unlikely chaperone for her headstrong step-daughter. Lord Spenborough has left an unwelcome surprise for Serena in his will, though. He has named as her guardian Ivo Barrasford, Marquis of Rotherham � his old friend and Serena’s former fiancé, the man she jilted just before their wedding. Under the terms of the will Ivo must give his consent if Serena decides to marry...
Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances have long been my literary equivalent of chicken soup, something to turn to when comfort reading is in order. It’s been a long time since I last read this one, and I had unfortunately forgotten that it’s not one of my favourites, though still entertaining. Both Serena and Ivo are bad-tempered, volatile and domineering characters whose behaviour towards the people around them often crosses the line towards outright bullying. It’s a kind of take on The Taming of the Shrew � not one of my favourite plays, either � although in this case, happily, each is both tamer and shrew.
Fortunately there are lots of secondary characters who are much more fun to be around. Fanny was fond of her much older husband, but it’s quite clear she was pressured into marrying him by her parents� ambition for wealth and a title, while he married her primarily in the hope of getting a son and heir. This hope was unrealised, so that now the entailed property has gone to Serena’s cousin, and the two ladies are living in the Dower House. Bored, partly by the reduction in their circumstances and partly by the tight restrictions on entertaining while in mourning, they soon decide to take themselves off to the delights of Bath, ostensibly so that Fanny can take the waters for her health. There they meet Hector, an old flame of Serena’s, and soon the spark is rekindled. Hector’s lovely � handsome, kind, generous and in every respect so much nicer than Ivo � and he quickly becomes the alternative hero of the book.
There’s also Mrs Floore, the grandmother of an acquaintance of the ladies. Mrs Floore’s wealth came from trade and two deceased husbands, and she makes no pretence of being a fine lady. Her daughter, however, married into the minor aristocracy and has ambitions to shove her own daughter, Emily, further up the aristocratic tree.
All the young people, in the usual way, will first fall in love with entirely unsuitable partners, then have to find some way of escaping from this tangle to finish at last with their true loves. There’s nothing very original about the plot, and it’s fairly obvious from early on who should and will end up with whom, but that doesn’t prevent it from being a lot of fun. Heyer always writes well, and the tone is light and full of humour. She concentrates entirely on the rich and privileged so there’s no depressing realism to lower the spirit. And in the tradition of romances, it all ends when everyone becomes engaged to the right partner, so only those of us who have a tendency to over-analyse everything have to worry about the probable unfortunate offspring of some of the more fiery matches!
Being written back in the mid-�50s, it certainly doesn’t count as a feminist tract � the men are the masters and/or protectors of the women, so if that would annoy you, you should avoid at all costs. Personally, I suspect all the women turn into feminists after the weddings and the husbands are probably all hen-pecked into submission by the end of the first year. Except Hector, because he’s lovely... ;)
Frothy, light-hearted fun � perfect for keeping the blues at bay!
October 26, 2024
Aaarrrggghh, looks like I accidentally wiped my review out.
Fortunately I still have a copy!
3.5� I haven't read this title for about 27 years, & my memory of Bath Tangle is that, other than the three GH wrote before her death, this was her least enjoyable romance.
I thought I was going to be proved wrong at the start. After all, I wasn't overly fond of The Foundling & A Civil Contract in my younger years, & both are now 5� reads for me.
And I really enjoyed the start. Serena, 25 & unmarried is orphaned by the unexpected death of her father. This results in a huge change of circumstances for Serena & her very young stepmother. Both ladies finding living on the estate's Dower House insupportable, so move to the sedate town of Bath. & their adventures start.
On this read, I loved Serena. Yes, she has a bad temper & was no doubt spoiled & indulged by her late father. But along with grieving for a parent, she has a change of circumstances to a life that is now stifling it it's restrictions. A highly intelligent woman, she must have been ready to scream with boredom. This book is almost feminist in that it highlights the lack of opportunity for women.
There is a lot of wit in this story & some of the funniest lines are given to minor character, Mrs Floore;
“With the aid of the baluster-rail and Mr Goring's stalwart arm she arrived, panting but triumphant, on the first floor, and paused to take breath. Observing that Lybster was about to throw open the door into the drawing room she stopped him by the simple expedient of grasping his sleeve. Affronted, he gazed at her with much hauteur, and said in freezing accents: "Madam?"
"Looby!" enunciated Mrs Floore, between gasps. "You wait! Trying to push me in - like a landed salmon!�
Love her!
As usual with GH the writing is skillful, there are some hilarious scenes, but on this reading I didn't enjoy the secondary romance so much - & I also remembered why I don't love this title.
I really don't like the hero.
Ivo's treatment of his unfortunate fiancée, the featherheaded Emily, is appalling! He can be kindly but mostly he is rude, arrogant & obnoxious. His saving grace is his sense of humour.
This one is enjoyable, if you don't think about it too much, but will never be a high rotate Heyer for me.
Reread 2/9/23
I've bumped my rating up half a �. I enjoyed this read much more than I'd enjoyed the previous reads of this book.
There is a lot to think about - not the least the beautiful setting of Bath!
I still see Serena as GH's most feminist heroine & I found the political discussions most interesting.
Mrs Floore is one of GH's great secondary characters, she has so many quotable quotes!
Last time I became bored with the secondary romance. Not so this time. I loved both characters' sweetness & strong moral compass.
I still don't like the so called hero much but I'm more understanding of the dilemma he found himself in at this time. But I still find his behaviour autocratic & insensitive when it comes to the featherheaded Emily. But the Emily/Gerard substory (this book is not called Bath Tangle for nothing!) has very funny moments.
Fortunately I still have a copy!
3.5� I haven't read this title for about 27 years, & my memory of Bath Tangle is that, other than the three GH wrote before her death, this was her least enjoyable romance.
I thought I was going to be proved wrong at the start. After all, I wasn't overly fond of The Foundling & A Civil Contract in my younger years, & both are now 5� reads for me.
And I really enjoyed the start. Serena, 25 & unmarried is orphaned by the unexpected death of her father. This results in a huge change of circumstances for Serena & her very young stepmother. Both ladies finding living on the estate's Dower House insupportable, so move to the sedate town of Bath. & their adventures start.
On this read, I loved Serena. Yes, she has a bad temper & was no doubt spoiled & indulged by her late father. But along with grieving for a parent, she has a change of circumstances to a life that is now stifling it it's restrictions. A highly intelligent woman, she must have been ready to scream with boredom. This book is almost feminist in that it highlights the lack of opportunity for women.
There is a lot of wit in this story & some of the funniest lines are given to minor character, Mrs Floore;
“With the aid of the baluster-rail and Mr Goring's stalwart arm she arrived, panting but triumphant, on the first floor, and paused to take breath. Observing that Lybster was about to throw open the door into the drawing room she stopped him by the simple expedient of grasping his sleeve. Affronted, he gazed at her with much hauteur, and said in freezing accents: "Madam?"
"Looby!" enunciated Mrs Floore, between gasps. "You wait! Trying to push me in - like a landed salmon!�
Love her!
As usual with GH the writing is skillful, there are some hilarious scenes, but on this reading I didn't enjoy the secondary romance so much - & I also remembered why I don't love this title.
I really don't like the hero.
Ivo's treatment of his unfortunate fiancée, the featherheaded Emily, is appalling! He can be kindly but mostly he is rude, arrogant & obnoxious. His saving grace is his sense of humour.
This one is enjoyable, if you don't think about it too much, but will never be a high rotate Heyer for me.
Reread 2/9/23
I've bumped my rating up half a �. I enjoyed this read much more than I'd enjoyed the previous reads of this book.
There is a lot to think about - not the least the beautiful setting of Bath!
I still see Serena as GH's most feminist heroine & I found the political discussions most interesting.
Mrs Floore is one of GH's great secondary characters, she has so many quotable quotes!
Last time I became bored with the secondary romance. Not so this time. I loved both characters' sweetness & strong moral compass.
I still don't like the so called hero much but I'm more understanding of the dilemma he found himself in at this time. But I still find his behaviour autocratic & insensitive when it comes to the featherheaded Emily. But the Emily/Gerard substory (this book is not called Bath Tangle for nothing!) has very funny moments.
September 22, 2014
I'm not entirely sure how to rate this, because I did enjoy it a lot, but it's still not on par with The Talisman Ring or The Grand Sophy for me. Having finished it, I was just a little relieved that all the tangles of the love interests were sorted out, and that everyone got to where they intended to go (though, I would almost have enjoyed it more if someone had made an irrevocable mistake, even if it were just Gerald and Emily; the way it came out was too good to be true, and Rotherham far too in control of the whole situation).
You've got to like that this isn't just a story with a tempestuous male character pulling everyone along; Rotherham may well remind the gentle reader of Rochester from Jane Eyre with his manners. Lady Serena is no Jane, however, and she gives as good as she gets. I liked that their romance is not some insipid mutual regard, but something real and passionate.
I especially like that Heyer manages to bring in a spread of characters across social class and attitudes. Obviously, Lady Serena and her cohort are privileged as heck and don't know it, but I don't really expect an older book like this to really deal with that aspect. I liked the realism of Serena's indifference to class while Fanny, equally likeable, has more difficulty with being snobbish. The way Heyer handles show-don't-tell is pretty instructive, too; scenes like Serena holding the thorny flowers, or Fanny and Kirkby, etc.
Of course, the situation itself is one of Heyer's typical tangles, with Serena's father putting her under the guardianship of a man she jilted. It could be pretty creepy, to be honest, but Heyer handles it well -- Rotherham never takes advantage of the guardianship, and is prepared to let Serena make her mistake if necessary, even if he is manipulative.
You've got to like that this isn't just a story with a tempestuous male character pulling everyone along; Rotherham may well remind the gentle reader of Rochester from Jane Eyre with his manners. Lady Serena is no Jane, however, and she gives as good as she gets. I liked that their romance is not some insipid mutual regard, but something real and passionate.
I especially like that Heyer manages to bring in a spread of characters across social class and attitudes. Obviously, Lady Serena and her cohort are privileged as heck and don't know it, but I don't really expect an older book like this to really deal with that aspect. I liked the realism of Serena's indifference to class while Fanny, equally likeable, has more difficulty with being snobbish. The way Heyer handles show-don't-tell is pretty instructive, too; scenes like Serena holding the thorny flowers, or Fanny and Kirkby, etc.
Of course, the situation itself is one of Heyer's typical tangles, with Serena's father putting her under the guardianship of a man she jilted. It could be pretty creepy, to be honest, but Heyer handles it well -- Rotherham never takes advantage of the guardianship, and is prepared to let Serena make her mistake if necessary, even if he is manipulative.
April 12, 2017
3.5 Stars, for now rounded up. This ended on a 4 star note, but took a while to get there. The beginning was slow, and conversations were boring in places. It didn't even arrive in Bath until about page 60, which is where things finally started to move forward. What kept me reading was the opening scene, which hooked me on one relationship after only one exchange between the two. Once I was interested in what would happen between them, the anticipation kept me waiting and hoping for the entire book. I love how Heyer manages to do that.
The main hero and heroine are both extremely tempestuous, possibly even unlikeable at times, and lose their tempers constantly, especially with each other. They somehow have remained friends even after she jilted him a few years ago - so they have history and you feel it right away. What saves them is their ability to laugh in the middle of an argument, and the fact that they don't hold a grudge. I do wish that the hero had been present more often, since the scenes with him were the best, and kept the whole thing going.
Basically all the other characters are insipid and wishy-washy (on purpose), which adds to the boring parts during the first half. But that's only the setup. It starts to get interesting once everyone's love lives get all tangled up, with everyone falling in love or getting engaged to the wrong person. The ending was exactly what I was hoping for, and worth the wait. This was another good Heyer, even if you have to skim some of the society details and wade through a slow beginning.
The main hero and heroine are both extremely tempestuous, possibly even unlikeable at times, and lose their tempers constantly, especially with each other. They somehow have remained friends even after she jilted him a few years ago - so they have history and you feel it right away. What saves them is their ability to laugh in the middle of an argument, and the fact that they don't hold a grudge. I do wish that the hero had been present more often, since the scenes with him were the best, and kept the whole thing going.
Basically all the other characters are insipid and wishy-washy (on purpose), which adds to the boring parts during the first half. But that's only the setup. It starts to get interesting once everyone's love lives get all tangled up, with everyone falling in love or getting engaged to the wrong person. The ending was exactly what I was hoping for, and worth the wait. This was another good Heyer, even if you have to skim some of the society details and wade through a slow beginning.
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