The Rules of Gentility

by Janet Mullany

Book Overview

Regency heiress Philomena Wellesley-Clegg has rather strong opinions about men and clothing. As to the former, so far two lords, a viscount, and a mad poet have fallen far short of her expectations.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061229830
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
• Length: 268 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.7" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

The Rules of Gentility

This book was delightful! It had a good story line and kept you laughing all the way through. I would recommend it.

A quick fun read

This book was a riot. I think I read the whole thing in one afternoon. And though it was laugh-out-loud funny, I grew to care about the hero and heroine enough to want to make sure they ended up together. The unusual narration style threw me off for a while, but I got used to it pretty quickly.

Philandering, Jane Austen style

Want a frothy romance with a bit of a bite? Try The Rules of Gentility. It's set in the Jane Austen era, but its randyness is reminiscent of Henry Fielding's, Tom Jones. It's more a spoof than a sequel to the Austen husband-chasing romances. In it the heroine with the unlikely name of Miss Philomena Wellesley-Clegg does her darndest to find an appropriate husband, meanwhile gazing longingly (and frequently) at the crotch of inappropriate Mr. Inigo Linsley's "pleasingly tight" breeches. By the half-way point, Mr. Linsley is proposing to Miss Wellesley-Clegg--in the water closet!--but this does not end the matter. Oh, no! Instead, twists and turns abound, as many as in Austen's novels but more outlandish. The book is fast-paced and funny, shifting as it does between the first-person narratives of the two main characters, a rollicking if unlikely account of love in the Regency era. Marilyn Coffey is an award-winning writer of poetry and a widely published author of prose. See her writings: Great Plains Patchwork, Marcella, or KANSAS QUARTERLY Vol. 15 No. 2.

Hooked from the Start!

In a satirical beginning, the author rewrites the opening line of a much loved Jane Austen book with the following: "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman of fortune and passable good looks amuses herself in London with fashion, philanthropic works, and flirtation, until a suitable gentleman makes an offer. I consider the pursuit of bonnets and a husband fairly alike - I do not want to acquire an item that will wear out, or bore me after a brief acquaintance, ..." Well, let me tell you, this beginning - this unabashed fan of Regency historical romances was hooked at once! The single woman is Miss Philomena "Philly" Wellesley-Clegg, an heiress, contemplating the candidates who wish to win her hand, including two lords, a viscount, and one very bad poet. So far none have won her heart, or set aside her passion of shopping for clothing - especially new bonnets! On a visit to the home of her best friend Julia, she makes the acquaintance of Mr. Inigo Linsley, her friend's wickedly naughty brother-in-law to whom Philly feels a strange attraction - in spite of his very scruffy looking appearance. After a series of meetings both begin to realize the attraction is mutual, yet Inigo harbors a shameful secret. When it appears that an offer for Philly's hand is imminent, Inigo impulsively comes to her rescue with an agreement of a sham betrothal to buy Philly time. Inigo can't imagine why he was so impulsive but it seems he couldn't stop thinking about how soft her lips were or how enticingly her [...] looked in her very low cut gowns! To say this reviewer was captivated from the very first would be an understatement. From the opening lines to the very last page, Ms. Mullany entertained with dry wit, and brilliantly funny escapades that caused many laugh-out-loud moments. Written in the first person of he said, she said, the dialogs were fresh, spontaneous and delightfully brazen considering the Regency rules of gentility - but oh, so funny! Inigo has got to be one of the more memorable `heroes' I've encountered in some time. As the pair become trusted friends, Inigo shares intimate secrets with Philly, including introducing her to his former lover (and now good friend) and their out-of-wedlock son Will. In the development of his character the author clearly showed that in spite of his devi- may-care attitude, rakish reputation and famous dry-wit, he was of an honorable and loving nature. There are so many laugh-out-loud scenarios between the two protagonists that I will only say, do not miss the blue paint and falling statue fiasco in the Wellesley-Clegg foyer that precipitated Inigo's proposal! Snappy dialogs, and secondary characters, from babies, to an odiferous dog will keep the reader glued from start to finish. Fans of Austen as well as Regency greats like Mary Balogh, Julia Quinn, and Cathy Maxwell should definitely find this to be a thoroughly delightful romp. Writing with emotion and sensitivity in DE

Tongue in cheek spoof

I read this book in one sitting and found myself laughing out loud during many portions of the book. Mullany has taken the ever-popular Regency romance (a la Julia Quinn, Stephanie Laurens, Mary Balogh, etc.) and spoofed it brilliantly. As a lover of Regency romances, I found Mullany's dry wit, subtle humor, and literate voice a delight--not to mention the tongue-in-cheek references to nearly every Regency romance I've ever read (good or bad). One of my favorite lines is when Miss Wellesley-Clegg drops a silk stocking in front of Mr. Linsley, and, embarrassed at having shown such a personal display, picks it up, blushing. Mr. Linsley says, "Do not worry, my thoughts were above it." Lines like this abound throughout the book, which I enjoyed thoroughly.