description These Old Shades Overview
These Old Shades is a historical romance novel by Georgette Heyer, first published in 1926 and set chiefly in eighteenth-century France. Its plot follows Justin Alastair, Duke of Avon, after he acquires the services of Léon, a red-haired youth who is eventually revealed to be a young woman named Léonie. The novel combines aristocratic intrigue, concealed identity, revenge, and romance, and later became connected to Heyer's Alastair family novels.
help These Old Shades FAQ
Who wrote the historical romance novel 'These Old Shades'?
'These Old Shades' was written by the English author Georgette Heyer and first published in 1926. Heyer is widely credited with establishing the Regency romance genre, though this specific novel is set in the mid-18th century.
What is the main plot of 'These Old Shades'?
The plot follows Justin Alastair, the Duke of Avon, who acquires a red-haired youth named Léon off the streets of Paris. The Duke takes the youth in as his page, eventually discovering that Léon is actually a young woman named Léonie.
Is 'These Old Shades' connected to any of Georgette Heyer's other novels?
Yes, it is a direct sequel to Heyer's debut novel 'The Black Moth,' which she published in 1921. The Duke of Avon in 'These Old Shades' is the redeemed version of the villain from her first book.
When and where is the novel 'These Old Shades' set?
The novel is set primarily in 18th-century France and England during the reign of King Louis XV. Heyer meticulously researched the clothing, language, and social customs of the period to create an authentic historical backdrop.
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