A Civil Contract

De: Georgette Heyer

Narrado por: Dominic Thorburn

Brought to you by Penguin.

Adam Deveril, the new Viscount Lynton and a hero at Salamanca, returns from the Peninsula War to find his family on the brink of ruin and the broad acres of his ancestral home mortgaged to the hilt. It is Lord Oversley, father of Adam's first love, who tactfully introduces him to Mr Jonathan Chaleigh, a city man of apparently unlimited wealth with no social ambitions for himself, but with his eyes firmly fixed on a suitable match for his one and only daughter.

For more than 50 years Georgette Heyer brought romance and adventure to a wordwide audience, and Civil Contract shows how she continues to be loved today.

©1961 Georgette Heyer (P)2021 Penguin Audio

The storyline

Heyer was at her best. Her maturity as an author is evident in this book. She weaves the prominent characters with her usual humor, compassion, and passion for authentic historic details of regency England against the backdrop of Napoleonic wars. If you are looking for a more realistic romance this is one to read.

Nice tale but predictable

Heyer always does a nice job. We-rounded characters, interesting situations. I could tell where this was going from the first, though, and it kind of dragged on.

Wonderful

I havent read this title on over 50 years. It did not appeal when I was romantic teenager. Today it is a wonderfully crafted romance, set in the domestic background of the Napoleonic wars. The family at home continuing with daily routine while waiting for news to trickle back from the front.

best narrator for Meyer readers

I have been reading reviews by heyer readers who object to actors offering a bunch of noise that bears little relation to the books we read and loved--- no problem with that here- this narrator gets everything right- tone character-humor-the chemistry between characters- is really incredibly conveyed- if Dominic Thorburn- had done the narration on other penguin-heyer recordings- I would have bought them all-- this not one of my favorite Meyer novels- even- though Adam deveril is such a great romantic hero--but to listen to an audiobook where I am not outraged every 5 minutes by a narrator chopping a favorite book to pieces is so delightful- I do not have words

A favorite Heyer!

The story is great, an impoverished Viscount marries the daughter of a wealthy cit. I have read the book many times. My only complaint is with the narrator who is very flat in reading the story with little inflection.

A grown-up Heyer story

Heyer writes with gentle humor and adult feelings. No boisterous balloon rides or duels or masquerades, just nice people trying to make their way in the world. I really like this one.

Delightful

I’ve avoided this book for years, having first taken a dislike to it when I was foolishly romantic. But now, with a degree of maturity, and this well read narration, I think it has become a favourite

A different kind of love story

The first time I read this book, I wasn’t a fan because it portrayed a more serious situation and relationship, and less of the usual witty banter, than most of Heyer’s Georgian and Regency romances, and even of her murder mysteries. However, on my second reading (by audiobook), I enjoyed it more. The slow progression to affection and maturity that Adam undergoes is satisfying in the end. And I’d forgotten just how tiresome Julia was. He was well out of it! It is a lovely, gentle, slowly progressing love story that is more realistic than most. The narration is excellent, especially capturing Adam’s admirable self-control is many difficult situations and Mr. Crawleigh’s forceful personality. The female voices are well-done, also. Enjoy!

Great author

I wish writers of today would take notes on how this book and his author wrote! No sex! No dirty words...no violence or abuse!
Well written and interesting story. It can be done; there are plenty of people like me who like clean books!

Excellent story!

Georgette Heyer is a wonderful storyteller. The characters are so realistic that I feel as if I know them personally.