Pembroke Park

Rating:
Summary: A bit different, but still wonderful . . .
Review: As a Regency novel fanatic, of course I will try to read anything written by an author whose other work I have read and admired. Such was the case when I first heard about PEMBROKE PARK. This was her very first Regency, and it was NOT published by Fawcett! Rather, it was released by a very small press in Florida that specializes in a particular kind of novel: novels of particular interest to lesbians, gays, and folks sympathetic to their interests. It was listed at Amazon, and is still readily available, although first published in 1986.

To my great pleasure, and no little surprise, I found this book to be a 'perfect' Regency, following the habits and mores as we've come to know them, of wealthy, titled country folk, who take great exception to anything that disrupts their notion of how life should go on. All the standard characters and situations are here, deftly described in Ms. Martin's usual humorous way, but with the notable exception that the heroine ends up with--another heroine. There is also a gay romance that ends well. It is a very gentle love story, not at all titillating, so if you're looking for exposition into lesbian habits you won't find it in this book. But if you want a well-written, well-told, well-thought-out and witty story, set in this favorite era, I don't think you'll be unhappy if you read this book. I highly recommend it, in fact, because of these very reasons.

Rating:
Summary: The Regency from a different point of view
Review: I discovered this book because of Amazon, after having read several of her Regencies. Most of my lesbian friends read this ages ago, and it's the only Regency novel *they're* like to read. As it came from Naiad Press, I should have guessed it'd be a lesbian novel, but I was just desperate to read ANYTHING this woman writes.

In spite of what you might think, there are NO "lesbian sex secrets" here: this is a "sweet" romance, with a twist--we're not in primarily heterosexual society here, and we get a feel for what it was like for lesbians and gay men at the time--the subterfuge necessary, the need to satisfy appearances, and the reaction of mainstream society around them. It is indeed a comedy of manners, and IF Ms. Martin is lesbian, I am amazed at her skill in depicting, in her other novels, a world foreign to the one she inhabits.

She writes lovely scences, lovely characterizations, and witty dialogue. Don't miss this novel due to any preconceptions: you'll do yourself an injustice, and that would be sad indeed.

Rating:
Summary: Almost a traditional Regency--with a twist
Review: Lady Joanna Sinclair is a nice proper English country widow. When she first meets her new neighbor, Lady Diana March, Lady Sinclair is aghast that Lady March is riding astride *and* wearing trousers! Lady Sinclair and the rest of the Hereforshire neighbors are shocked and appalled... but eventually Lady Sinclair gets to know Lady March better and they become friends...

Not only did I enjoy reading this story, I was very impressed by its believeability and depth of feeling. It was gracefully done, subtle--it very much had the feel of a traditional regency. I've have enjoyed Ms. Martin's other regencies, and PEMBROKE PARK is much like them in that the can be outrageous and funny but also very human. This novel paints a slightly different--but not as different as one might think--of love, including the consequences that may occur if one is discovered.

I haven't previously read "lesbian fiction" and if this is what it's all like, then it doesn't seem much different than "regular" fiction, except that both protagonists are female. There are still the manners, the banter, and getting on in Society that we love in any Regency. I think I shall try some other genre fiction from Naiad press... very impressive.

Kimberly Borrowdale Under the Covers Book Reviews

Rating:
Summary: A different point of view . . .
Review: This is a 'perfect' Regency, following the habits and mores as we've come to know them, of wealthy, titled country folk who take great exception to anything that disrupts their notion of how life should go on. All the standard characters and situations are here, deftly described in Ms. Martin's usual humorous way, but with the notable exception that the heroine ends up with -- another heroine. There is also a gay romance that ends well. It is a very gentle love story, not at all titillating, so if you're looking for exposition into lesbian or gay habits you won't find them in this book. Except, of course, to discover they're just people, like the rest of us, with the same wants and wishes and problems to face in everyday life. However, if you want a well-written, well-told, well-thought-out and witty story, set in this favorite era, I don't think you'll be unhappy if you read this book. I would highly recommend it, in fact, because of all these reasons.