Thursday Book Talk on Friday

POWDER AND PATCH

Powder and Patch was orginally published under the title THE TRANSFORMATION OF PHILLIP JETTAN, and I wish they'd kept the original name because that's exactly what the book is about.  This was published in 1923, and Heyer did so under the name Stella Martin. 

Powder and Patch is very warm, light and funny; there is nothing deep or serious about it, yet it does have a moral: the person within is more important than what you see on the outside.  Phillip is a very good, hard-working man and dutiful son. Yet his father wishes he could be just a little more like he had been in his own youth; a little wilder.  Phillip has been in love with Cleone, a neighbor, all his life.  She returns home all grown up and fashionable and is a little scornful of her "country bumpkin" friend of her childhood.  Actually, she cares for him, but has become accustomed to being flattered and sweet-talked and is a little piqued by Phillip's way with her.

Phillip, determined to find out if she could love him for who he really is or if she'd only be happy with a simpering, mincing exquisite, sets off to France to become said exquisite.  And man, what a transformation takes place!  There is the inevitable first meeting between Cleone and the transformed Phillip, rivalry between her suitors, a "villian" that you truly can sneer at, duels, bewildering multiple engagements and finally a satisfactory end. 

This is a good, light, "young" read, with witty characters and dialogue.  It is in my upper 25 list.  Phillip is a wonderful character and someone you would really like to know.  His father and uncle are also characters that you grow to love, as is Cleone's aunt, Lady Malmerstoke.  Everyone gets what he or she deserves in the end.

I have one paperback copy of this book and will be getting a hardcover also.  I would LOVE to find a copy under the original title and pseudonym.  If there is one out there I will try to find it.

I will continue with more on Georgian England tomorrow and sometime over the weekend will write about Heyer's third book, THE GREAT ROXHYTHE.  Thanks for joining me.