Sylvester

Gossip, scandal and an unforgettable Regency romance

By: Georgette Heyer

Narrated by: Matt Addis

Length: 12 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Sylvester is read by Matt Addis, who appears in Doctors and Doctor Who.

Sylvester, Duke of Salford, is considering marriage.

Endowed with rank, wealth and elegance, Sylvester, Duke of Salford, posts into Wiltshire to discover if the Honorable Phoebe Marlow will meet his exacting requirements for a bride. If he does not expect to meet a tongue-tied stripling wanting both manners and conduct, then he is intrigued indeed when his visit causes Phoebe to flee her home. They meet again on the road to London, where her carriage has come to grief in the snow. Yet Phoebe, already caught in one imbroglio, now knows she soon could be well deep in another....

A typically wonderful historical novel, Sylvester shows once more why Georgette Heyer is the undisputed queen of the genre she created - the Regency romance.

©1957 Georgette Heyer (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Very different & most engaging

There’s never a full moment. Characters are well-conceived even and the adventures fun. Creative and easy listening.

Sparrow

I think this version is magnificent. The story of an outcast and one of the leaders of the ton being thrown together is terrific. I especially loved the supporting cast. Young Mr Ord. Keatly and Edmond. My only complaint is that the narration of a 6 year old boy was done in a very deep voice. It was better done in the Naxos version.

Possibly my favorite

A Heyer with a slightly different feel although some of her usual cast members are still there--the titled and wealthy hero, the worthy but young son of the squire--but the heroine is different. She's spunky but fragile, determined but vulnerable. There are a lot of funny moments and some of the minor characters are exceptionally well drawn. Fun all the way!

I liked the performance but it was not as good as some of my favorite Heyer readers--Sian Phillips and Phyllida Nash, plus some others. I'm glad all the modern Regency enthusiasm has brought Heyer back into fashion but, although her books were written intentionally as light reading, they do have a lot of subtlety and reflect her amazing research into the period.

Matt Addis gives an exceptional performance of this pleasant audiobook.

I have listened to most of the Georgette Heyer audiobooks, and although this is not her best novel, it is by far the best read performance of any that I’ve heard.
So many of the female readers sound forced trying to do men’s voices, and the male readers sound ridiculous doing the female characters; but the narrator, Matt Addis is exceptional! He really brings every character to life both male and female, Lords, Ladies, and all the “commoners” as well.
Sylvester the Wicked Uncle is well worth the lesson, and I wish every one of her books was read by this excellent voice actor!

Best of Heyer

This is one of favourite Heyer novels...laugh out loud funny..brilliantly read by Matt Addis. He really makes Heyer's story come alive.

A lovely listen

Sylvester is one of my favourite Georgette Heyer novels. I own three copies of it in Audible books. This is the best unabridged version. The narrator voices the characters believably, and the delightful story shines.

Marvellous!

Matt Addis, thank you!
One of my favourite books by this writer of zany plots and sparkling dialogue, performed perfectly. Dear Mr Addis, please read ''Arabella'' for us.

Great version

The narration by Matt Addis was wonderful. This is one of the better recent recordings of Heyer novels.

Characters are nauseating

This is my first and probably only review. I should have known what I was getting into, the author has so many books out, they would have to be cheaply written. The narrator did not help…. the protagonist sounded like a weak whiner from the beginning. As it went on, I realized it wasn’t just the narrator- she was written as a narcissist disguised as the good guy. I just kept whispering “Run Sylvester. She’s crazy.” But no, he randomly asked her to marry him in the middle of one of her tantrums. She is the worst. I returned it 20 minutes before the ending so I could write my own ending where he leaves her to live the rest of her days as a bitter writer with only her scullery maid to take care of her.

Not my favourite

The female lead is a spoiled, irresponsible girl who consistently make bad decisions and somehow convince herself and people around her that it's all someone else's fault.
I feel like by the end of story she hasn't learnt anything. moreover, people keep indulging her instead giving her what she deserves. it was kinda annoying for me.