It seemed remarkable that Heyer could have two siblings of

marriageable age exchange apparent genders (supposedly so one of them could

escape being caught for a crime) and go out into London society, with

no hint of sexual "impropriety".Much is made of their androgynous

qualities.It reminded me a bit of Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night", but

without anyone of the "wrong" gender falling in love with either of

them.Instead the main lover sees through the disguise.

Heyer seems to enjoy having her characters cross dress -- Leonie in

"These Old Shades" does so for most of the book, but she is presented

as more of a child.Masquerades in general intrigue the author, as in

"False Colors" where one twin takes the place of another for most of

that book.These situations seeem to be ones Heyer can arrange to great

comic effect.

The language here seems more intensely distinctive than in some of the

others, with lots of very funny archaic expressions rather than just

the occasional word or phrase for effect.

I would not say that this is a typical Regency novel, but it's very

amusing and a fun read.There are some terrific swashbuckling scenes

of duels.

The first chapter is hard to get into because

of all the different names whizzing by (because of the cross dressing).

Just push on.I would also love to see a movie!

I was astonished reading this book because of its wit, humor and character insights, but the romances in the book aer also first-rate.A brother and sister, children of a renegade, dress up as the opposite sex and have adventures in London, with the added complications of falling in love while being the wrong gender for a good heterosexual couple.The love affair between the young woman playing a dashing young man, and her "friend," a giant of a man, takes your breath away because they become friends first as men. No spoilers here, but as their love develops, you can't help feeling that they are perfect lovers for each other.The young man dressed as a woman takes on another secret role to woo the young woman he loves.The entire book is one of the most sweet, funny, deep, rich, and insightfully satisfying romances ever written.

The book demonstrates Heyer's adept portrayals of the varieties of human nature. In particular, the young people's father is an egomaniacal a mad genius who uses his children as his puppets to attain the social position he desires.We never know whether to trust him or to fret that his shenanigans will get his children thrown in jail or killed.

Finally, the book is laugh out loud funny.You are in the Arden Forest or duelling on the Twelfth Night.The dialogue is on a par with Shakespeare, in my not very expert opinion.Heyer was at her most adept with language in this work, and her loving characterizations soar through the reader's imagination.Pure joy!

I just want to join the bandwagon.

While I've long since given up on the romance-series novels (ie, Harlequin and Silhouette), I keep going back to Georgette Heyer, even decades after I read my first one way back in the early 60s. Her stories are hopelessly romantic, unfailingly optimistic, endearingly entertaining and one hundred percent fiction. She writes the most delightful escapist literature and I am always happy to escape into her happy, romantic, make-believe world.

  I have to admit I was confused at the beginning of the masqueraders.The brother and sister are masquerading as . . a sister and brother.And they're not switching identities either.The spot where Heyer makes the masquerade apparent didn't click for me, because the brother's name is Robin.So I was trying to figure out whether the "brother" is masquerading as a female and the "sister" -- well, was the "sister" a male or female?I wasn't sure.I checked the reviews before continuing reading.

My next question is HOW can this be a romance if the "brother and sister" are actually sister and brother????But it somehow works.Georgette Heyer is brilliant.The book is very entertaining.

I've enjoyed most of the Heyer novels I've read, but this is my favorite.Sometimes her novels, though great, may move a little slower in the middle.This one engaged me completely from cover to cover.My other favorites I highly recommend: "Sylvester" and "The Grand Sophy."