Venetia [Mass Market Paperback]

Georgette Heyer (Author)

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Pan Books (1972)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425022277
• ISBN-13: 978-0425022276
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 3.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #990,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not your typical reformed rake, May 2, 2011

By 

Laura Merucci "marspeach" (Michigan, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Venetia (Paperback)

I'll have to be honest and say it took me a long time to get into this book. I had read about the first two chapters before I got stuck. Admittedly, this was partly because of personal reasons and I also lost the book at one point. Yet it was true that I was not hooked from the start. But a few weeks ago, after finding it again I gave it another go. I was not disappointed! I'm usually not a fan of the "reformed rake" cliche yet this book didn't quite follow that pattern. I found Venetia and Damarel's love story to be very natural (and a bit sensual at parts!) and after all, Venetia did not even try to reform Damarel. She fell in love with him, knew he loved her as well, and thought she would have a much more exciting life as his wife. I like to think that Damarel was faithful to her all the same, as his past reckless behavior really all stemmed from a broken heart.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite Georgette Heyer books!, December 8, 2011

By 

A Dee'sign "Clara Dee" (Pasadena, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Venetia (Paperback)

I have read this book twice and loved it both times, and I have probably read at least 25 to 30 Georgette Heyer books. Venetia and Sylvester are among my favorites along with The Foundling. Of course, I am a big fan of all of her novels except the 20th century ones.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Charming Read, August 18, 2011

By 

MSEreads "mesreads" (Marianna, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Venetia (Paperback)

Venetia is a beauty but her more important qualities are her intelligence, wit and confidence. She has remained home, living a rather reclusive and bookish country lifestyle, to watch over her sickly younger brother. She doesn't feel that she can leave for a season in town or a life of her own until their elder brother returns from the war to take over the household responsibilities. Venetia does have two local suitors who are enthralled with her beauty. One is an infatuated young man who is several years younger. The other is a serious neighbor who would make a respectable, if not exciting, husband. Neither her relatives or suitors recognize the spirited young woman just waiting to be allowed some independence away from home.

Unexpectedly Venetia encounters another neighbor, the dangerous rake, Lord Damerel. There have been many rumors about his dissolute and scandalous past but Venetia always looks for the good in people. The cynical Damerel is immediately enchanted by the natural warmth and spirit he sees in Venetia. She is charmed by his willingness to challenge her wit and spirit. They share literary interests and enjoy bantering as they toss quotes back and forth.

Despite objections from the community a close friendship develops between Damerel and Venetia. Damerel knows that he doesn't deserve such an innocent beauty; she is much too special for a tainted character like himself. Damerel is determined not to hurt Venetia's reputation but in charming her he hurts her heart. Venetia sees that Damerel cares for her but he will only treat it as a passing idle. How can she convince him that she doesn't care about his past or the scandal if only she can be with him?

Damerel is a deliciously wicked hero with a cynical view of life. It is enjoyable to watch as he falls in love with the sweet heroine who is determined to catch the man she wants. Although this may be a predicable relationship - the rake and the innocent - it is charmingly handled with a few twists to add interest.