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    The Corinthian
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    The Corinthian
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    The Corinthian
    Ebook294 pages4 hours

    The Corinthian

    By Georgette Heyer

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    "A writer of great wit and style...I've read her books to ragged shreds."—Kate Fenton, Daily Telegraph

    A daring escape

    Penelope Creed will do anything to avoid marrying her repulsive cousin. Dressed in boy's clothing, she's fleeing from London when she's discovered by Sir Richard Wyndham, himself on the verge of the most momentous decision of his life.

    And a heroic rescue

    When Sir Richard encounters the lovely young fugitive, he knows he can't allow her to travel to the countryside all alone, so he offers himself as her protector. As it happens, at that very moment Sir Richard could use an escape of his own...

    What Readers Say:

    "Marvelous screwball comedy and great romance!"

    "Light–hearted and fun, full of adventure and misadventure. But it is Heyer's style, much reminiscent of Jane Austen's, yet more colorful and engaging, that makes this book truly delightful."

    "A sprightly handful of a heroine, an amused grey–eyed hero, and a colorful and diverse group of supporting characters...throw in a road trip, a murder over stolen jewels, and a mystery, and there's a little something for everyone."

    "Triumphantly good...Georgette Heyer is unbeatable."—India Knight, Sunday Telegraph

    "Her books sparkle with wit and style."—Publishers Weekly

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSourcebooks
    Release dateJun 1, 2009
    ISBN9781402227059
    Unavailable
    The Corinthian
    Author

    Georgette Heyer

    Georgette Heyer (1902-1974) was an English writer of historical romance and detective fiction. Born in London, Heyer was raised as the eldest of three children by a distinguished British Army officer and a mother who excelled as a cellist and pianist at the Royal College of Music. Encouraged to read from a young age, she began writing stories at 17 to entertain her brother Boris, who suffered from hemophilia. Impressed by her natural talent, Heyer’s father sought publication for her work, eventually helping her to release The Black Moth (1921), a detective novel. Heyer then began publishing her stories in various magazines, establishing herself as a promising young voice in English literature. Following her father’s death, Heyer became responsible for the care of her brothers and shortly thereafter married mining engineer George Ronald Rougier. In 1926, Heyer publisher her second novel, These Old Shades, a work of historical romance. Over the next several decades, she published consistently and frequently, excelling with romance and detective stories and establishing herself as a bestselling author.

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    Reviews for The Corinthian

    4/5

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    • 5/5
      One of her best.
    • 5/5
      Somewhat contrived involvement of an independent young woman escaping boorish (and mercenary) relatives. But great fun and one of my favourite entertaining reads.
    • 4/5
      This book of Heyer's that was published in 1940 at a time when most people's thoughts were consumed with war,and it was written about twenty years after her first works. Heyer wrote about one book a year. Her standards were consistently high and readers wor,ld have liked the amusing tone the book takes as it takes two characters on an unexpected adventure that changed the course of their life for ever. I have always considered this story to be one of her best.
    • 4/5
      Sir Richard Wynham is the perfect Regency man - always perfectly dressed, a regular whip, a champion in boxing matches, with beautiful manners. His only fault - other than his selfish personality - is his lack of a wife at the ripe old age of 29. When he goes to to speak to the woman his father promised him to at birth about finally making their marriage of convenience he discovers to his own surprise, that he actually wants a wife who loves him! After drinking his sorrows away that night, he's winding his way drunken home at 3 AM when he comes across a young man climbing out a window. It turns out that this young man is actually a young woman - 17 year old Penelope Creed - who is dressed as a boy and intent on escaping marriage with the odious cousin after her fortune. His reasoning somewhat impaired, Richard agrees to take Pen to meet her childhood sweetheart and help her escape this distasteful marriage - and in the process, escape his own!

      This is now one of my favorite Heyers. It has everything I want from a Heyer: A poised hero full of address, and with an ironic sense of humour, a spunky and amusing heroine, cross-dressing, the requisite foolish and practical side character, a delightful adventure, snd the couple you want falling in love.

      (It also has the trope that Heyer loves and I hate, where the heroine runs away to save the hero from the disgrace/obligation/distastefulness of marrying her, forcing the hero to search all over for her, find her and convince that no, he did ask her to marry her because he loves her!)
    • 3/5
      On the eve of fulfilling his family duty by offering for the hand of a woman he cannot love, Sir Richard Wyndham instead finds himself an unexpected participant in adventure when Miss Penelope Creed - an heiress escaping from the aunt who would have her marry a fish-like cousin - literally drops into his arms late one night. What can a gentleman (especially one who has had a little too much to drink) do, when confronted with a runaway girl disguised as a boy, but accompany her on the stage-coach to Bristol?Naturally, this being a Georgette Heyer novel, hilarious hi-jinks ensue, with a stolen diamond, a desperate thief, and a Bow Street Runner all making their appearance. The Corinthian is by no means the author's most accomplished work, but its light-hearted charm makes for pleasant reading. One is never in doubt, of course, of the happy ending, but it is still enjoyable to observe the twists and turns that Heyer's hero and heroine must navigate in order to reach that desirable outcome.
    • 3/5
      Another jolly road adventure, not as fabulous as [book:Sprig Muslin] but very enjoyable, just the same.
    • 3/5
      This is not one of my favorite of Heyer's books. It's cute enough, yes, and it's well written, but the problem is that there is little to no character development. Heyer spends far too much time in this book on the robbery/murder plot, and not nearly enough in developing the relationship between Pen and Richard. I can completely understand why Pen doesn't believe him when he proposes - there's nothing in the book to let the reader on to the fact he's falling in love with her either!
    • 5/5
      This is the first Georgette Heyer that I've ever read and I'm so glad that she's written a large number of books. The Corinthian follows Sir Richard Wyndham, a Corinthian or dandy who is trying to get out of a marriage as he meets Penelope Creed, a strong minded young woman that is doing the same. They travel together and find all manner of adventures and love along the way. The Regency setting is perfectly done and the writing sparkles with wit and humor. If you adore Jane Austen, then you must read Georgette Heyer, I only wish I hadn't waited so long to.
    • 5/5
      Heyer at her best. Charming characters, clever plot, laughter....
    • 4/5
      A classic Heyer romp, stuffed to bursting with abduction, escapes, murder and robbery - and possibly the only book ever to have been set in my home village of Queen Charlton (no, Heyer had evidently never been there)...
    • 3/5
      Pen Creed is a young heiress who desperately hopes to avoid marriage to a dull cousin. Sir Richard Wyndham is a noted man about town who dreads having to finally marry his cold, pragmatic fiancee. Together, the two of them escape into the west country of England and there cross paths with jewel thieves, murderers, star-crossed lovers and other assorted characters of Heyer's Regency England. A lighter-than-air, champagne-bubble romp.
    • 5/5
      Heyer is so much fun to read and this is no exception. Sir Richard Wyndham , the Corinthian, about to be badgered by his sister into a marriage of convenience to the daughter of a family that faces ruin without Sir Richard’s fortune, runs away with a young girl, Pen Creed, disguised as a boy in order to chaperone her as she tries to get back to her childhood sweetheart so she can escape a forced marriage to her guardian’s son. There is intrigue and potential scandal that has to do with a necklace stolen from the mother of the girl Richard was to marry and a surprise for Pen when she is reunited with her sweetheart. It is a delightful bit of fluff that made an enjoyable afternoon’s reading.
    • 4/5
      Sir Richard Wyndham is the Corinithian of the title, who is expected to propose to a woman he's been promised to since birth - her alarming practicality, they don't need to love each other -drives him to drink and on the way home he encounters Pen Creed climbing out of a window in order to escape her own arranged marriage. High jinks ensue as he escorts Pen, dressed as a boy, so she can meet her childhood sweetheart. Heyer's comic genius is in evidence here, a brilliantly funny light read.
    • 3/5
      "Tell me quickly, how does a person look depraved? Do I look depraved?"

      "Not in the least. The best you can hope for is to look sulky."

      Madcap adventures! Very funny, with likable characters. Light on the romance aspect.
    • 3/5
      Drunken gentleman rescues a young girl escaping from a second story window, and they end up fleeing in disguise across the country. Very sweet.
    • 5/5
      Another entertaining romp through Regency-era England. I found this one was a little slow to get started, but as soon as Pen showed up it was a nonstop run from one crazy thing to the next.
    • 3/5
      This is the first book I have read of Georgette Heyer and while it was entertaining, I found the lead characters, Sir Richard and Penn rather dull. But, if it wasn't for the rest of the people in the story, like Cedric, who was an absolute hoot! he deserves a story written around him. The supporting characters were much more stronger, and while the story seemed rather tame, it was a fun read
    • 5/5
      The ridiculously wealthy Sir Richard Wyndham has just been bullied by his family into proposing to a cold-hearted mercenary woman whom he does not love. They day before his proposal, he goes on a drunken walk through the night-time city, and a boy climbs out of a window into his arms. But the boy turns out to be Penelope Creed, a young heiress who is likewise being pressured by her family to marry someone she doesn't love. Penelope is about to set out on a journey, and Wyndham feels obligated to escort her. The Corinthian is a fantastic adventure for both the characters and the reader. This is only my second Georgette Heyer book, but it'll probably end up to be my favorite. The characters made lovably silly choices all the way through the book, with humorous outcomes. The book remains light-hearted while sticking to a believable story-line. I can't wait to read another Heyer book - in fact I almost went ahead and picked up another right away. I'll definitely read another within the next few months.
    • 4/5
      Solid middle-of-the-road. I didn't love either of the protagonists, but neither one drove me nuts either (unlike some of Heyer's characters!). Girl playing boy was amusing; girl coming up with constant clever lies was also amusing, though less so when I've been reading so many Heyers. The girls are all either complete idiots (there's one of those, too, though she has only a bit part) or easy tale-tellers. The last part, with Richard at a (near) standstill, was also amusing, except that it left both Richard and Pen quite thoroughly unhappy. Neat to tie up the loose end of the Bow Street Runner like that, without quite letting him intrude on the main story. And a complete and proper HEA - they are thoroughly suited for one another, and I suspect they'll stay that way. Anther Heyer couple I'd love to see later in their lives. Probably will reread, but not for a while.
    • 3/5
      Both Richard Wyndham and Penelope Creed are pressured by their relatives to find a spouse, and a chance meeting out of a window leads them to run away together. Through adventures with Bow Street Runners and stolen diamonds, the two fall in love. This is classic Heyer, complete with urbane, sarcastic hero and sprightly, empathic heroine.
    • 4/5
      Very enjoyable - a light and sometimes amusing romance involving a very correct and bored young man whose paths cross with a girl escaping from her aunt's house, in Regency England. Clever plotting, well-written.
    • 5/5
      Sir Richard Wyndham is young, handsome, and extremely wealthy.  He is the envy of every male known to him and is better than all of them at handling horses, weapons and drink.  Then there is his fashion sense.  Apart from Beau Brummell (a friend of his), Sir Richard's is the most respected (and copied) man in town.  He is known as The Corinthian.  He is also single.There are any number of women who would love nothing better than to see Sir Richard marry.  At the top of this list are his mother and sister.  They expect him to marry Melissa Brandon, the daughter of Lord Saar, whose family's debt is continually mounting.  Although Sir Richard would honorably take on the Saar family debt if he were married to Melissa, the thought of being tied to her is unpleasant.  So after a night of serious drinking on the eve of his proposal, Sir Richard takes Melissa's brother's advice and decides to run.Sir Richard is walking unsteadily down an unfamiliar street (running away, remember...) when he happens upon a boy climbing out of a window and down a sheet.  The "boy" turns out to be one Penelope Creed, who is also running away from the prospect of marriage to "the Fish".  The two set off together(Penelope acting as Sir Richard's nephew) on what becomes the adventure of a lifetime with stolen jewels, murder, and multiple romances.Georgette Heyer was at the top of her game with The Corinthian.  In my opinion,  it is one of her best adventure/romances.   The plot is packed with loads of action and there is never a dull moment.  Sir Richard is the perfect hero, showing both tough and tender sides, and Pen is a delightful spitfire both as a "boy" and a young woman.The Corinthian is the perfect summer read.  This is a real page-turner - when you pick the book up, you won't want to put it down until you are finished!
    • 3/5
      I enjoy her romances with older heroines more, however this is still an enjoyable, farsical romp.
    • 5/5
      Penelope is being forced into marriage with a cousin that she finds absolutely repulsive. Her cousin's family is in desperate financial straights and they need her money as much as she needs to "marry for the sake of the family", or so they tell her. So to escape this fate she decides she is going to dress up as a boy and run away to her childhood home, and childhood sweetheart, whom she swore a blood oath with that she would one day marry when they were small children. On the way out the window, dressed in boys clothes, she meets Sir Richard Wyndham who is, as he puts it, "viley" drunk and he decides to help her run away as he has some running away from an unwanted marriage that he wants to do himself. Throw in some stolen jewelery, highway robbery and a bit of a mysterious who-dun-it and you have a lovely romantic comedy action adventure of a novel.To explain the plot of this twisty novel would be almost impossible. There are several interweaving stories, plot lines and characters that result in several hilarious moments for Pen and Sir Richard as she drags him deeper down the rabbit hole and farther into the English countryside. Stolen jewels, a murder investigation, highway robbery, intrigue, a pursuing aunt, an eloping couple and Pen's secret identity all result in more tangles and trouble for poor Sir Richard who somehow has to make it out of this with his dignity and reputation in tact! It's no wonder the poor man falls in love.I have to say, as naive as Penelope is, her wit, sparkle, nerve and sense of adventure make her a very lovable heroine. I can totally see what Sir Richard sees in her. I have to admit this book really skirted the edge of what was considered proper at the time and the shocking ending was laugh out loud funny and an excellent way to bring a close to a gender adventurous book!Favorite Quote:Sir Richard sighed. "Rid yourself of the notion that I cherish any villainous designs upon your person," he said. "I imagine I might well be your father. How old are you?""I am turned seventeen.""Well, I am nearly thirty," said Sir Richard.Miss Creed worked this out. "You couldn't possibly be my father!""I am far too drunk to solve arithmetical problems. Let it suffice that I have not the slightest intention of making love to you."
    • 5/5
      So now this is for sure...I’m officially hooked on Georgette Heyer. The last time something like this happened I plunged head first into anything and everything Plaidy and never looked back- it’s not the same, I know; but there are certainly many similarities. There’s just something about historical fiction writers who keep the language of the times and make the dialog seem so real as though it were actually written back then.The details of the setting, the perceptions, the fashion, the attitude and behaviour of the people- there’s something to be said for this kind of historical accuracy. And when an author has got that under check, well then it’s all a matter of storyline and plot. That followed through beautifully for Heyer in this incredibly comical story that caught me laughing out loud quite a few times. I love it when a period read can keep me entertained this way- what a wonderful way to unwind with an amusing tale that manages to keep you hooked until the end.The Corinthian is a story about a worldly, fascinating and wealthy gentleman, Sir Richard Wyndham, and the young, very impressionable and mischievous Miss Penelope Creed. How these two very unlikely people get caught up into eachother’s lives is what this amusing book is all about. While Sir Richard’s family’s match-making gets him almost hitched into a marriage of convenience; Miss Creed’s own planned marriage throws her literally ‘over the edge’ to find both of these exasperated individuals who have lost hope in convincing others of their non-compliance meet on a not-so- coincidental evening. An incredibly original night out on the town, and a series of unexpected events, changes their fate forever.I absolutely loved this fast-paced read. There was not a moment of boredom or even time to ponder in this one. Like a domino effect, the pieces of the story just tumble into place regardless of all the sidetracking events that plead to yet again sway you into an ever developing and changing plot. Amazingly entertaining and as usual, a tender loving story -endearing throughout, but especially in its finale.Wonderful!
    • 5/5
      The Corinthian remains one of my favorite Georgette Heyer books. Richard Wyndham is a wonderful character, with that dry humor of so many of Heyer's heroes. He's patient, understanding, and takes Pen under his protection. Penelope Creed is bright, witty, and a charmer. It's a match made only in a Georgette Heyer book. But, for this fan, The Corinthian is a treat, and a keeper.
    • 4/5
      Ah, what's not to like. Pen Creed is 17, impetuous and running away from marriage to a fish faced cousin. She heads out the window and into the arms of a somewhat drunk Richard Wyndham, an older, more sensible and utterly sophisticated man about town. The somewhat drunk element leads him to help Pen on her escapade and together they head off to Somerset in order for Pen to throw herself on the mercy of a childhood friend. Richard is also running away from a forthcoming marriage, and you can only sigh as the two runaways become closer and more embroiled in the comings and goings of a whole raft of people of various degrees of respectability. Delightful.
    • 4/5
      Like _These Old Shades_, _The Corinthian_ features a cross-dressing debutante trying to escape her family's dastardly plans to marry her off to the wrong person...and, like _The Devil's Cub_, a farcical journey with the very man she *ought* to be with, though neither of them knows it yet. Fun, fluffy, though not my favorite Heyer of the ones I've read so far. Still, for end-of-semester reading, you can't beat it. :-)
    • 4/5
      “If you want to know what I think, which I do not suppose you do, so you need not tell me so, it is that you are spoilt, Richard. You have too much money, you have done everything you wished to do before you are out of your twenties; you have been courted by match-making Mamas, fawned on by toadies, and indulged by all the world. The end of it is that you are bored to death. There! I have said it ..." (Ch 1)Sir Richard Wyndham, son of the widowed Lady Wyndham, is the Corinthian. He has long been "understood" to marry the unpleasant "iceberg" Melissa Brandon; but he is “behaving in the most odious way!” (Ch 1) He’s getting away with it too: for not only is he “spoilt,” as his sister Louisa has pointed out, but he is handsome, fashionable, muscular, resolute, and disarmingly rich. What’s more, when it comes to Melissa Brandon, he is beyond bored. The Brandon family, he knows, is staring ruin in the face, and seek to make him a member of their clan in order that they might bleed his fortune. What he needs is a woman who is fashionably rich in her own right; then, and only then, he surmises, could he be certain of genuine attraction. Enter Penelope Creed: young, rich, beautiful, and on the run from her aunt who insists she will marry her “fish face” cousin. Sir Richard finds himself chaperone to “Pen” on an adventure which begins, to his dismay, by public stagecoach. They’ll encounter three conspiring stooges who’ve nicked a valuable necklace, one of whom will end up murdered. Too, they’ll meet with a past suitor of Pen’s whose about to elope with the silly, crying Lady Daubenay. Oh, and there’s the law to deal with over that pesky matter of murder. And it just gets better!Appreciate Georgette Heyer so much! The conclusion to The Corinthian, at least for Sir Richard and Pen Creed, is predictable from the start, but Heyer is so charming that the formula is a wonderfully entertaining success. Readers who enjoy historical fiction and historical romance really must make Heyer’s acquaintance! Recommended!
    • 3/5
      This is not one of my favorite of Heyer's books. It's cute enough, yes, and it's well written, but the problem is that there is little to no character development. Heyer spends far too much time in this book on the robbery/murder plot, and not nearly enough in developing the relationship between Pen and Richard. I can completely understand why Pen doesn't believe him when he proposes - there's nothing in the book to let the reader on to the fact he's falling in love with her either!