Phyllida and the Brotherhood of Philander

by Ann Herendeen

Book Overview

With caustic wit, some wildly original characters, and plenty of sex, Herendeen creates her own delightfully imaginative and boldly sensual take on the classic Regency marriage-of-convenience plot. -- Booklist

A fresh talent offers a rollicking new twist to the historical romance in this breezy tale of love, lust, and secrets set against the backdrop of Regency England.

The meddling mothers of the Regency...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061451363
• ISBN13: 9780061451362
• Release Date: April 2008
• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Length: 560 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Wow! And X-rated Georgette Heyer!

I started reading romances when I was a sub-teen with my aunts' and mother's Georgette Heyer Regency books. Heyer was an intelligent author whose historical research on the Regency period was unmatched. (One of her books was used as a study subject on the Battle of Waterloo). Anyway, I loved her stories of this nature until I discovered the "bosom burners" of the later '70's and 80's. Getting quickly tired of those so-called historical romances (no history, ordinary writing and copy-cat plots), I thought I'd never find anything to top G. Heyer. So, I strayed onto the path of not-always-terribly well written, but yummy and hot "romantica". Good 'ol Ellora's Cave, et al. Then I picked up the re-issue of Phyllida and the Brotherhood of Philander a month of so ago. I was SMITTEN! Excellent Regency language skills, very good studies in mannerisms and behaviour, and a lovely plot. Oh, and the sex is hot and wonderful. I seriously doubt, however, that sodomy would be so blatently accepted in a world where homosexuality was terrifyingly illegal, but one must suspend reality a bit when dealing with fiction. Yes, I know, the Brotherhood was "secret", but it seemed very open to too many people. Servants always talk, of course, and there were a lot of servants, etc. But, nevertheless, the book was an excellent read and worth several re-readings. I'm on my third, now. I hope this author has another one in the works; regardless of subject matter, I am guessing that she is someone well worth reading in any genre. I am very sorry it took me so long to discover this book.

An X-rated Georgette Heyer

I started reading romances when I was a sub-teen with my aunts' and mother's Georgette Heyer Regency books. Heyer was an intelligent author whose historical research on the Regency period was unmatched. (One of her books was used as a study subject on the Battle of Waterloo). Anyway, I loved her stories of this nature until I discovered the "bosom burners" of the later '70's and 80's. Getting quickly tired of those so-called historical romances (no history, ordinary writing and copy-cat plots), I thought I'd never find anything to top G. Heyer. So, I strayed onto the path of not-terribly well written, but yummy and hot "romantica". Good 'ol Ellora's Cave, et al. Then I picked up the re-issue of Phyllida and the Brotherhood of Philander a month of so ago. I was SMITTEN! Excellent Regency language skills, very good studies in mannerisms and behaviour, and a lovely plot. Oh, and the sex is hot and wonderful. I seriously doubt, however, that sodomy would be so blatently accepted in a world where homosexuality was terrifyingly illegal, but one must suspend reality a bit when dealing with fiction. Yes, I know, the Brotherhood was "secret", but it seemed very open to too many people. Servants always talk, of course, and there were a lot of servants, etc. But, nevertheless, the book was an excellent read and worth several re-readings. I'm on my third, now. I hope this author has another one in the works; regardless of subject matter, I am guessing that she is someone well worth reading in any genre. I am very sorry it took me so long to discover this book.

superbly written "bisexual regency romance"

In 1812 London, as a future earl Andrew Carrington knows he must begat the heir and the spare; thus he must find an appropriate wife who will not be upset with his dalliances as his sexual preference is males. He thinks he found the perfect spousal breeder in impoverished romance author Phyllida Lewis, who he admires and believes he might love. Andrew deems life is good when on top of meeting and marrying the understanding Phyllida, he makes the acquaintance of baronet heir Matthew Thornby. Andrew's perfect world splinters when a blackmailer tries to extort money from him. Worse someone molests his charming Phyllida, but forces her silence with the threat of exposing her husband. Though she hides the truth, Andrew learns what happened to her. Feeling like a loser, Andrew wonders what he can do to protect his beloved wife and his cherished lover from harm. This fabulous erotic Regency romance stars three likable fully developed individuals with diverse personalities who bring a different look at the usual locales and suspects that frequent sub-genre novels. The story line is fast-paced as the audience knows from the title that Andrew is atypical of the normal historical romantic novel hero. His relationships with Phyllida and Matthew are beautifully portrayed and his feelings of inadequacy are caused because he cherishes and loves both of them. Humorous and satirical as Ann Herendeen skewers the ethics of the Ton (and by implication modern day American hypocritical claims of morality) PHYLLIDA AND THE BROTHERHOOD OF PHILANDER is a superbly written "bisexual regency romance". Harriet Klausner

A Great Summer Read

Herendeen, Ann. "Phyllida and the Brotherhood of Philander", Harper, 2008. A Great Summer Read Amos Lassen This is Ann Herendeen's first novel and it is just a delight to read. Herendeen breathes new life into the romance novel. She takes a look at sexuality, class, gender and gives us a wonderful love story which is full of wit, humor and romance. The characters are fantastic and the author's look at the regency world is so very interesting. Phyllida Lewis, a young and beautiful writer agrees to enter into a marriage of convenience with Andrew Carrington, a gay heir to an earldom. She is attracted to him but she knows that he is more interested in men, especially those who are his friends in the Brotherhood of Philander--an elite gentlemen's club. She soon discovers that her husband has absolutely no idea of the ways to satisfy a woman. Andrew is the penultimate society gentleman and Phyllida is a writer of anonymous romance novels. What began as a marriage turns into drama and each tries to protect the other from any kind of harm. What eventually happens is that they end up hurting each other. Herendeen created the character of Andrew to be the typical fop and there were times I just wanted to get into it with him but Phyllida always managed to hold her own. The book is an easy read and is really a lot of fun and Ann Herendeen knows how to tell a story.

superbly written bisexual regency romance

In 1812 London, as a future earl Andrew Carrington knows he must begat the heir and the spare; thus he must find an appropriate wife who will not be upset with his dalliances as his sexual preference is males. He thinks he found the perfect spousal breeder in impoverished romance author Phyllida Lewis, who he admires and believes he might love. Andrew deems life is good when on top of meeting and marrying the understanding Phyllida, he makes the acquaintance of baronet heir Matthew Thornby. Andrew's perfect world splinters when a blackmailer tries to extort money from him. Worse someone molests his charming Phyllida, but forces her silence with the threat to expose her husband. Though she hides the truth, Andrew learns what happened to her. Feeling like a loser, Andrew wonders what he can do to protect his beloved wife and his cherished lover from harm. This fabulous erotic Regency romance stars three likable fully developed individuals with diverse personalities who bring a different look at the usual locales and suspects that frequent sub-genre novels. The story line is fast-paced as the audience knows from the title that Andrew is atypical of the normal historical romantic novel hero. His relationships with Phyllida and Matthew are beautifully portrayed and his feelings of inadequacy are caused because he cherishes and loves both of them. Humorous and satirical as Ann Herendeen skewers the ethics of the Ton (and by implication modern day American hypocritical claims of morality) PHYLLIDA AND THE BROTHERHOOD OF PHILANDER is a superbly written bisexual regency romance. Harriet Klausner