Wicked Company [Mass Market Paperback]

Ciji Ware (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1992

At a time when female writers are considered a scandal, Sophie McGann, an independent Scottish lass living in 1761 London, pens plays for David Garrick, the lengendary actor-manager of Drury Lane.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In her second novel, Ware ( Island of the Swans ) again proves she can intertwine fact and fiction to create an entertaining and harmonious whole. Sophie McGann wants to earn her fortune as a playwright, but London's theater world in the mid-18th century is not a propitious place for women writers. First among those thwarting Sophie's ambitions is Peter Lindsay-Hoyt, a duplicitous and dissolute gentleman who hopes, by becoming her husband, to steal the credit and profits her writing brings. Further, she must either accommodate or evade Edward Capell, the eccentric censor of plays, who tends to dislike those by women. Sophie acquires a mentor in David Garrick, actor and manager of the Drury Lane Theatre, but her career is as tumultuous as her personal life: although married to Peter, Sophie loves actor Hunter Robertson, a romantic hero whose shortcomings are as realistically and winningly drawn as his charms. Ware tantalizingly tosses obstacles in the path of true love until the very end, while also offering a fascinating portrayal of London's theatrical milieu, with characters such as Capell, Garrick and Frances Sheridan--mother of Richard Brinsley and a playwright herself--convincingly drawn from history.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

An enjoyable read for fans of historical entertainment. (Night Owl Romance 20101013)

The author does a wonderful job at keeping a nice pace to the story and gives us a realistic look at what Great Britain might have been during the 1700's. (Yankee Romance Reviewers 20101014)

A thick historical novel set in the 18th century with a wickedly strong heroine and with a great view of the gritty world of the theatre. (Readin and Dreamin 20101027)

Author Ciji Ware weaves a tale of intrigue and passion filled with secrets, betrayal, and danger all set against a theatrical background. While some of the characters are fiction, the author also intertwines historical characters along the way adding to the story. (Thoughts in Progress 20101028)

Fascinating... The author has a knack for engrossing the reader in the details. (Debbie's Book Bag 20101029)

Ciji has a great talent for creating awesome and unforgettable characters. (Passages to the Past 20101101)

The characters are enchanting, determined, real life, strong, independent and will sweep you off your feet... A wonderful story. A keeper. (My Book Addiction and More 20101101)

The novel is rich in fascinating historical detail. (Backseat Writer 20101101)

[An] epic feel and intricate historical detail, but with an admirable protagonist. (HistoricalFiction.net 20101101)

Ms. Ware's writing style is such that you find yourself drawn into the time period. (Broken Teepee 20101108)

Wicked Company is chock full of interesting characters like James Boswell and David Garrick and I absolutely loved the descriptions of the Drury Lane theater community with their squabbles and rivalries (The Tome Traveller's Weblog 20101115)

Ciji Ware is one of those rare authors who never has a misstep. Every book of hers is extremely well-written, historically detailed and well plotted. (Books Like Breathing )

Ware has artfully blended the historical players of 18th-century London theater... Her details of time and place are extraordinary, allowing readers to experience the cold, the smells, the scenery, and the costumes of the time. This is a must- read. (Historical Novels Reviews )

Wicked Company has made me a Ciji Ware devotee, this author not only rights beautiful stories, her text is a lyrical experience throughout. As the melodic plot unfolds she adds unique and charming characters who offer the perfect counterpoint. (Bookworm's Dinner ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 720 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (October 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553295187
• ISBN-13: 978-0553295184
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.5 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,196,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

CIJI WARE is a bestselling historical novelist, an Emmy-award winning television producer, reporter, writer, lecturer, and host. She has won numerous awards for her 6 works of historical fiction, including the Dorothy Parker Award of Excellence; the 'Golden Quill' award for Historical Fiction;'Best Fictionalized Biography' for ISLAND OF THE SWANS and 'Best Historical Novel nomination for WICKED COMPANY from Romantic Times magazine. Her latest novel, A RACE TO SPLENDOR debuted in April, 2011 on the 105th anniversary of the devastating 1905 San Francisco Earthquake and Firestorm. Her most recent nonfiction, RIGHTSIZING YOUR LIFE: Simplifying Your Surroundings While Keeping What Matters Most was named by the Wall Street Journal as "One of the Top 5 Books on Retirement Issues." For seventeen years Ware was heard daily as a commentator on ABC Radio & TV in Los Angeles. During her noted career as a broadcaster, she has worked for PBS and all three major networks, covering a wide range of topics in the areas of health, consumer and lifestyle subjects. Ciji Ware is also a sought-after event speaker, print journalist, (AARP, Travel & Leisure and other national magazines) and has the distinction of being elected as the first woman graduate of Harvard College to serve as President of the Harvard Alumni Association, Worldwide. Visit Ciji's Facebook page: Ciji Ware, Novelist
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ciji-Ware-Novelist/102621349810555

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read romance, December 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Wicked Company (Mass Market Paperback)

I don't usually read "romance novels", but this is a must read! The characters are so vivid you really care about them and they just jump off the page. My best advice is to FIND THIS BOOK somewhere--it's worth the work.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Look at Female Playwrights, October 30, 2010

By 

P. Woodland "Broken Teepee" (Superior, MT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wicked Company (Paperback)

This is a tale of a young woman who finds herself without her father. A young woman who was brought up educated at a time when women were not thought to have brains. After her father is arrested for selling books the church finds offensive Sophie writes a tract against those that convicted him and finds herself in serious trouble. Helped out of town by her actor friend she runs to London to seek out her aunt and uncle only to find more problems. Being strong and smart Sophie uses her writing and print making skills to survive.

Ms. Ware's writing style is such that you find yourself drawn into the time period. It was rather like watching a movie in my head. Her descriptions of place, attire and even persons are detailed but not so that you feel like you are reading a list. It's all drawn together so well in the whole of the story. The characters are well conceived and interesting. I did get a bit annoyed with Sophie though; as smart as she was portrayed to be it seemed she just never learned when it came to men. I also found it a touch hard to believe a young girl would survive so unscathed in this time period. But those minor niggling thoughts aside I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I was not aware that there were so many female playwrights in this time period. It did not surprise me that they were looked down upon and generally dismissed. The descriptions of the theatres and the backstage goings on were fascinating and added so much to the story. I am a theatre lover so it doesn't matter the time - a play is a play!

The central love story was full of challenges. I truly wonder if two people would really survive what these two went through over the course of so many years. There was an appalling lack of communication although I suppose back in this time period women WERE supposed to be seen and not heard. heh.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars (3.5) Great story, a bit too much melodrama at the end, August 18, 2010

By 

Misfit (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Wicked Company (Mass Market Paperback)

Edinburgh, 1761. Sophie McGann's bookseller father runs afoul of the law as well as a vengeful nobleman and she finds herself in need of a quick getaway out of Scotland before she lands in the clapper as well. Coming to her rescue is the ever-so-handsome Hunter Robertson who hides her in his friend James Boswell's trunk and she's off to London to start a new life with her Aunt and Uncle (who also run a bookshop), but she finds her uncle dead and her aunt well on the road to insanity. Never one to let her spirits down for long, Sophie bucks up and puts the bookshop and printing business to rights. Located near the Covent Garden theater district, Sophie soon finds herself thoroughly entrenched in the theatrical community, including the famous actor/manager David Garrick who encourages her to pen her own plays. Eventually Sophie needs to get out of Dodge in a hurry and retreats to the theaters at Bath where she meets up with old friend Hunter (who is surprised at how nicely Sophie has grown up), as well as two lords with a great interest in the theater business, Roderick Darnly and Sir Peter Lindsay-Hoyt.

Since this is a romance, you know that just as our pair discover true love there's going to be complications and separations, and Sophie finds herself at the mercy of our two debauched noblemen. Is Sir Peter really the dear knight in shining armor he seems, or does he desire Sophie for other reasons? What deep dark secrets does Darnley hold and what it his compelling interest in Sophie? The story from here on out takes plentiful twists and turns and ups and downs as Sophie and Hunter fight the baddies, have numerous Big Misunderstandings and separations whilst trying to keep their true love alive.

I actually enjoyed this book a great deal, especially the different setting of Covent Garden, and Ware did a nice job of weaving her fictional characters in with the historical ones. It was interesting to see how the plays came together along with the struggle women had whilst writing plays and succeeding in a man's world, as well as getting anything past the King's censor. The first two-thirds of the book were pretty near unputdownable (I love a good romance), but in the end things got a wee bit too much with the melodrama, the separations waaaaay too long, and IMHO could do with editing out about 200 or so pages and wrap things up quicker. Still, a good quick read despite its length and I'd recommend it for romance fans, as well as those interested in all things theatrical. 3.5/5 stars.