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These Old Shades Audiobook
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(4.00) - 4,918 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Society believes the worst of Justin Alastair, the notorious Duke of Avon. When he encounters a young boy, Léon, who is running from his abusive brother, Avon employs the boy as his page, parading him around parties and other society events in full view of his bitter rival, the Comte de Saint-Vire.
But the truth is soon uncovered: Léon is in fact a girl named Léonie and is actually the legitimate child of the Comte and his wife. While Avon is intent on his plan to reveal the Comte’s duplicity and ruin him publicly, he is charmed by Léonie’s kindness, falls in love, and becomes a changed man.
First published in 1926 to great commercial success, These Old Shades showcases Heyer at her romantic best and remains a charming and entertaining listen for all fans of historical romances.
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"I came very late to Georgette Heyer, having read my first of her books only a couple of years ago because it was on the Guardian's 1000 Novels You Must Read list. I'm working my way through, and found that one of the most recommended books, An Infamous Army, was listed as third in "the Alastair trilogy." This is the first of those, and the first of her books I've read that is not set during the Regency period for which Heyer is best known. I believe the time period is about 1760, well before the French Revolution and Napoleon, so Justin Alastair, Duke of Avon, can readily travel between Paris and England. Justin is a typical Heyer hero -- arrogant, rich, handsome and apparently quite selfish. When a young boy cannons into him on the street, fleeing from a brutish relative, Justin has no qualms about buying the boy with a piece of jewelry. He already suspects that all is not as it seems, and that his new page may be the means of settling an old score. Surprises are in store for one and all, and not least for Justin himself. A very enjoyable read, and as well-researched as the Regency books as far as I could tell."
— Nikki (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Heyer is the grand master of historical romance…[with] wry humor and deftness in witty badinage. This is an old-fashioned melodrama and fast-paced adventure…narrated by Sarah Nichols. Her delivery of the sardonic exchanges between characters, drawling or snappy as the occasion demands, is marvelous.”
— Washington Post (audio review)
Awards
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A Washington Post Pick of Best New Audiobooks of Fall
These Old Shades Listener Reviews
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" I think I'm drawn to the rogue...I love Heyer's Alistair from this book and Damerel from Venetia. "
— Anne, 2/10/2014 -
" I'm becoming addicted to Georgette Heyer. This is a 1926 novel; I love her characters and stories. "
— Laurie, 2/9/2014 -
" Loved this story! It was SO sweet and I love Julie for making me read it. :) "
— Breeana, 1/31/2014 -
" I had forgotten how much fun Georgette Heyer is. It's been YEARS since I read anything of hers, and it's SO much fun! Witty, humorous, completely non-serious. Just a great escapist romp. On to the next one ... "
— Catherine, 1/23/2014 -
" set in the mid to late 18th century. interesting characters, heart strings pulled. wrongs righted. "
— Michele, 1/17/2014 -
" What fun! I loved the anti-hero to hero progression of Avon. Great character development and story. "
— Erika, 1/16/2014 -
" This is my favorite Georgette Heyer book! My only problem with it was the back cover told two huge spoilers! "
— Lani, 1/13/2014 -
" A gr8 book...Had me hooked on to the book till the very end....A pity i lost the copy i owned.....! "
— Ayesha, 1/6/2014 -
" This is one of my least favorite Heyer novels. Leon/Leonie is insipid. "
— Kym, 12/31/2013 -
" Satanas indeed. So many consent issues that make me shudder, but the sheer lushness of the writing and oh Leonie and her Duc, I love it all. "
— Minh, 12/12/2013 -
" Loved this classic! My addiction to historical fiction has finally led me to the master of the craft....I have a feeling this won't be my last Heyer book. "
— Suzanne, 12/3/2013 -
" Lots and lots of fun. I am excited to read the sequel! "
— Jill, 4/6/2013 -
" Not my favorite of Heyer's because I think Leonie is kind of a dip, but the plot twists are amusing and the supporting cast is a delight. "
— Jessica, 11/17/2012 -
" Intrigue, romance, petticoats, balls...more, more more! ;o))) "
— Desiree, 11/13/2012 -
" This was a great entertaining read! I had never read any of her books but this one was quite delightful and I am sure I will read more of her works in the future! "
— Joni, 10/24/2012 -
" My absolute favorite Georgette Heyer book. A close send is the second part of this story about their son, Devil's Cub. "
— Robyn, 10/3/2012 -
" I really liked this one. "
— Stefanie, 9/23/2012 -
" The actual plot of this book is very interesting and well-constructed, but I find the "hero" so very unpleasant that I have a hard time liking the book. He goes beyond scoundrel or rake to a person who is willing to do terrible things just to get revenge. Plus, the heroine is a bit much as well. "
— Miriam, 8/1/2012 -
" A book of wit, charm, excitement and romance done in Heyer's inimitable style. Brilliantly describes pre-revolutionary French Society and sets the basis for all the later 'Alistair' books finishing at Waterloo. "
— Peter, 10/8/2011 -
" I read a bazillion of these when I was about 13. This is the first one I remember reading. I still remember that the heroine had red hair, and that I kept waiting to understand the title. I would read one of these again - they were fun. "
— Hilda, 10/3/2011 -
" This is a great book. It keeps you interested and hard to guess what's going to happen next. Delightful, Jane Austen-like book. "
— Angelyn, 3/26/2011 -
" Loved this book! Yeah, the age gap is huge, but what a great story. "
— Erica, 2/22/2011 -
" Charming and quite different from other Heyer's I've read, set in Louis XV France and England. Dark at first, and then mysterious. Lovely to think there is a series of "Alistair" books. Just happened to read Book 1 first! "
— Diane, 2/16/2011 -
" My fave Heyer. Just magic! "
— Shabby, 1/25/2011
About Georgette Heyer
Georgette Heyer (1902–1974) is one of the best-known and best-loved of all historical novelists, and the creator of the Regency genre of romance fiction. Her first novel, The Black Moth, published in 1921, was written at the age of fifteen to amuse her convalescent brother; her last was My Lord John. She also wrote eleven detective stories.