Powder and Patch

Of a certainty, c'est different

Most of her ardent readers would probably agree that Georgette Heyer's best books are set in the British Regency era (1795-1835). This one is set in England and Paris during the reign of Louis XV and "la Pompadour" (i.e., sometime between 1745 and 1764) and features men who wear powdered wigs, red high heeled shoes--and makeup.

"Powder and Patch" is short (5 hours, unabridged) and lighthearted (no shadow of the guillotine yet for these French aristocrats), and the stylishly (and humorously) arcane language, beautifully interpreted by Jamie Glover, whisks the reader away into a long bygone era. Be warned but not necessarily deterred by the many (untranslated) passages in French; I *felt* like I understood them, even though my French is extremely limited.

The book loses stars for its airhead heroine and an ending that pushes the game-playing between the would-be lovers too far and too long. But the supporting characters are all delightful and clearly personified in Glover's performance.

13 of 13 people found this review helpful

Simply Delightful!!!

Gerogette Heyer has once again written a story full of memorable and lovable characters. Both the principal and secondary characters are so well written and well performed that you can see them in your mind's eye. Jamie Glover's performance is masterful. You are never at a loss as to who is speaking, or how that person is feeling. Just expertly done! And this book is funny - the transformation of the hero from the macho, masterful country bumpkin to the elegant, languid, bored, poetry-writing English fob is just hilarious!

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

good Georgette Heyer romance

I love Georgette Heyer as an author, and Powder and Patch is a great story. There are several different types of personalities in the novel and the characters are extremely well drawn by the author. Georgette Heyer had an amazing ability to observe people and human nature and to put her observations into words. She had the talent to vividly and fully develop characters with just a few words or scenes. There is always someone you can love, or hate, or laugh at. Mrs. Heyer, in Patch and Powder, creates a charming romance story where the female part of the romance may need to be careful of what she ask for! It is a fun read and in this audible version, the reader's performance is very good.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Early Heyer, good narration

Audible has Powder and Patch in two different unabridged versions, this one by Jamie Glover and another by Flo Gibson. I much prefer Mr. Glover's version. For one thing, this book's main character is a man. Also, I just think he gets the point better.

This is a very early novel by Heyer, and set earlier than the Regency which contains her best work. But a less great novel by Heyer is better than the best by many modern authors. I enjoyed this reading.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Georgette Heyer and Jamie Glover are an excellent mix!

Jamie Glover does a fantastic job with the voices! Loved it! I was reticent when I began thinking that if this wasn't read well, it would be an extremely dull four hours. But this narrator did excellent, I can't imagine anyone else doing better for this particular Heyer, which is one of my favorites.

It's witty and fast paced, I'll want to listen to this again!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Love Phillip but not Cleone

Would you try another book from Georgette Heyer and/or Jamie Glover?

I've loved all of Georgette Heyer's books that I've read so far, though this was my least favorite. Jamie Glover did a terrific job narrating. It's books like this that make me wish I'd learned French instead of Spanish in school.

Any additional comments?

I loved the character of Phillip from start to finish, as well as all the supporting characters. The one that I couldn't stand from beginning to end though, was Cleone. She about drove me nuts the whole time and I couldn't understand how Phillip could love her as he did. She was why I rated the story only 3 stars.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Not one of her best; but quite nicely read.

If you’ve listened to books by Georgette Heyer before, how does this one compare?

One of her shortest and least complex (in all ways) stories, but with some nice Paris scenes to liven it up. Still, on the whole, not up to her usual high standard.

Have you listened to any of Jamie Glover’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I like his readings of Heyer. He is quite mannered, but I think that suits the prose.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes, but only once!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Charming but......

Where does Powder and Patch rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Georgette Heyer's books are always enjoyable and Phillip's makeover from country bumpkin to extreme man about town is great fun. But the depiction of the young heroine as flighty and desiring Phiilip to dominate her annoyed me. It is a realistic portrayal of many young girls but not one I enjoy now that I am older. Still, I think many would enjoy the book.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Great book but female voices not so great

Enjoyed this very much as I have with most of Heyer's books. Glover is a great actor and narrator but I always feel that the male narrators don't have the vocal range needed for all of Heyer's female characters. So often they come across like Cleone does in this version - shrill and excessive. I'd like to hear Cleone interpreted by Eve Matheson or Sian Phillips. I think the role would be more subtle and less hysterical. Cleone is playing games - she laughs early on when Phillip leaves the room in anger and she laters asks to be taken to a separate room where she plays dice (an unladylike thing to do as Heyer notes), which is what gets her in the situation. I'd like to hear it read with Cleone staying pretty much in charge until the end when she's at risk of being genuinely embarassed by the locket.

I think female voices have more otpions for both male and female parts. It seems that most of Heyer's books are being released with male narrators lately. I'd like to hear them all as interpreted by Matheson, Phillips or Phylida Nash

6 of 9 people found this review helpful

a favorite!

A favorite Georgette Heyer, hard to find hard copy books so delighted to find it an audible.
Laugh out loud at the transformation of Phillip!