The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer

Narrated by Georgina Sutton

The Corinthian, Sir Richard Wyndham, is a dandy in the manner of Beau Brummel – always impeccably turned out. He’s also good looking, wealthy beyond imagination and extremely bored. When pushed to the wall by his mother and sister to make an offer for a certain young woman whose family is in need of cash, he goes to the woman’s home and interviews her. She’s as cold as his brother-in-law has said, and is direct with him that it’s a marriage of convenience – her convenience, that is. Later that evening, he leaves White’s with the intention of a long walk to decide what to do, when a young woman dressed as a boy falls literally into his arms.

Penelope Creed is running away – she too is being forced to marry for money – her money, that is, by her aunt who wants her son (Pen’s cousin) to have it. Her plan is to run away to her original home where she and a local boy pledged themselves to each other 5 years ago when they were children. Pen has developed quite a good acting (aka lying) streak, although she does tell Richard the truth. He’s quite taken with her plight (and he’s also under the influence of quite a lot of brandy) and decides to accompany her. He is introduced as her tutor, then as her uncle, then as her cousin, depending on the needs of the day, as they make their way to their destination.

Meanwhile, the almost-betrothed-to-Richard woman’s family is robbed of a diamond necklace, in odd circumstances. It seems only family members knew where it was hidden. Upon meeting up with a thief on the way, Richard and Pen find themselves in possession of the jewels when the thief hides them in Pen’s cloak to avoid detection.

Pen livens up the adventure with so many lies that even she gets confused. It makes for a truly entertaining farce, enlivened by the most wonderful narration by Georgina Sutton! Ms. Sutton gives each character a fully-fledged personality, some subtle, more over-the-top, with the perfect bored air for Richard contrasted with the matter-of-fact-ness of Pen who is constantly fascinated with their grand adventure. It’s farce, it’s a road trip/cabin trip, it features cross dressing and just a touch of suspense and it’s funny. I am not always a fan of Heyer’s books, but I found The Corinthian completely delightful and captivating when I read it in print many years ago, and even more so in audio.

Melinda

Narration: A

Book Content: A

Steam Factor: You can play it out loud

Violence: There is a murder off-screen

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)

Publisher: Naxos Audiobooks