Devil's Cub

Devil's Cub is one of my favorite Heyer books and I anticipated with pleasure the audio version. However, it felt like the narrator didn't grasp the humor, period or characterizations as he should. Humorous comments were misinterpreted and historical insights and characterizations undermined by his rendering. At one point I wondered if he had read the book before recording -- or perhaps the genre just didn't click for him.

Production values were excellent and the narrator is easy to listen to, but the interpretation left a lot to be desired. You can't miss with Heyer and this is a fun book, but it deserved a better narration.

This isn't steamy, if that's what you are hoping for, but what do you expect from Georgette Heyer? It is romantic, though, and remarkably so for her. Vidal is a perfect leading man: slightly villainous, but good at heart and respectful of respectable women. And the characters are so well written, you'll laugh out loud.

Like all Georgette Heyer's work, this book is LOTS of fun, but unlike many, it brings up issues that the modern world considers seriously un-funny. Heyer's hero starts the book as somone who drives (horses) too fast and plays too hard, and since he is wealthy & athletic & has a high social position, he gets away with it. Heyer, though, never excuses his behavior. She shows you characters, and their behavior, from their own view-points, and in their own settings. It is up to the reader to decide whether their behavior can be excused (completely, somewhat, or not at all). So, although her hero's behavior, when he assumes that the heroine is a "lightskirt" who (he assumes - incorrectly) is trying to trap him into making her his mistress, is inexcusable by modern standards, it was all too acceptable by the standards of the mid-late 18th century. He does not actually assault the heroine, but not through lack of intent. Heyer does not excuse, and she doesn't, when brought to the point, shy away from telling you a few ugly truths, either.

The naration was well done, and story was captivating. I love historical romances where the heroine reforms a wickedly bad rake, and this book does it very well. I will happily listen to more books by this author if they become available.

An unrepentant rake meets the moralistic miss, and sparks fly across England and France. Seeking to save her sister a disgrace, our heroine sacrifices herself and her reputation, and finds herself at the mercy of a callous libertine. After abducting her to France, then...well, it is a lovely and fun romance, and the narrator is EXCELLENT!

Many years ago, as a student in England, I "discovered" Georgette Heyer, and I remember enjoying this one for its unusual heroine.

BUT, times have changed, and , even allowing for different historical views of the male/female dynamic, "Devil's Cub" now is more than a little repellent. Bullies are bullies no matter how attractive or high-born, and bad behavior is not excusable even in the name of "love".

Lacking also is the wry humor and wit that make Ms. Heyer's books so delightful. Add these detracting factors to a sub-par narrator, and this book deserves a "skip it" rating!

This was a very well done narration of Devil's Cub. I first discovered Georgette Heyer's novels over 20 years ago and have read most of them. This was the first time I had ever listened to one and it was very enjoyable. My two quibbles: 1) The narrator's choice of Vidal's voice (as was noted by a previous reviewer). I thought that the voice he used sounded much too old. More like a world weary man in his 40's or 50's rather than a young man in his 20's.
2) The accent of Mary Challoner's mother was also a bit of a stretch. It seemed too broad and coarse an accent. If Mary's father was a nobleman how could he have possibly married let alone meet a woman so far beneath his social status? But the other charecters were "spot on"!
Well done indeed!

I enjoyed this book, which is a delightful mix of outright farce and romance novel cliche. It works because Heyer never gets too arch or over-the-top about it, and always plays it straight. My only quibble is with the narration. The reader's own voice is fine, but the vocal characterization he chose for Vidal is distinctly grating - and unfortunately, not in a good way.

Narrator not as good as one for "TOS." Avon sounds petulant, not purring. And Vidal sounds angry, not sinister. But still a good listen.

I loved this book. It was so enjoyable I couldn't stop listening. Georgette Heyer has such great vivid characters with lines that are so quotable. This book is a must.