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Sylvester: or The Wicked Uncle (Regency Romances, 17) Paperback – April 1, 2011

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 5,801 ratings

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"Reading Georgette Heyer is the next best thing to reading Jane Austen."―Publishers Weekly

Rank, wealth, and elegance are no match for a young lady who writes novels...


Sylvester, Duke of Salford, has exacting requirements for a bride. Then he meets Phoebe Marlow, a young lady with literary aspirations, and suddenly life becomes very complicated. She meets none of his criteria, and even worse, she has written a novel that is sweeping through the ton and causing all kinds of gossip... and he's the main character!

What Readers Say:

"A truly brilliant Heyer with an adorable and very real heroine and a hero who is very human!"


"One of Heyer's most unsung achievements, a classic Pride and Prejudice story. Hilarity and adventure throughout."


"The hero may be my all-time favorite. He is so drily funny it takes your breath away. What a wonderful love story."


"Hilariously funny, romantic, even touching in a subtle way."

Georgette Heyer wrote over fifty novels, including Regency romances, mysteries, and historical fiction. She was known as the Queen of Regency romance, and was legendary for her research, historical accuracy, and her extraordinary plots and characterizations.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"SYLVESTER, OR THE WICKED UNCLE is a Regency romp at its best. Ms. Heyer creates characters that are realistic, lively, and humorous and the secondary characters are just as entertaining. " ― Book Lover and Procrastinator

"It oozes with words classically denoting that time period and flashbacks of Austen careens in the background. " ―
Aisle B

"Another sensational ride into Georgette Heyer's historical world." ―
Historical Hilarity

"The heroes are flawed and arrogant but of course we love them anyway. The dialogue is witty and amusing and these make great beach reads." ―
Book Magic

"By far and away one of the wittiest romances that I have read..." ―
Seriously Reviewed

"It's easy to see why Heyer is still considered a master of the genre even today... " ―
Debbie’s Book Bag

"
Sylvester is a great historical romance and it really shouldn’t be missed!" ― Once Upon A Chapter

"A sweet regency romance, with truly funny, witty dialogue." ―
In the Hammock

"Sparkling wit and an entertaining banter between hero and heroine like Austen... " ―
A Work in Progress

"One of the best Heyer romances I’ve read so far... " ―
Stiletto Storytime

"A colorful array of her usual characters... if you are a Georgette Heyer fan and haven’t read this book yet, you will be well advised to do so now." ―
Jane Austen’s World

About the Author

Georgette Heyer's novels have charmed and delighted millions of readers for decades. English Heritage has awarded Georgette Heyer one of their prestigious Blue Plaques, designating her Wimbledon home as the residence of an important figure in British history. She was born in Wimbledon in August 1902. She wrote her first novel, The Black Moth, at the age of seventeen to amuse her convalescent brother; it was published in 1921 and became an instant success.

Heyer published 56 books over the next 53 years, until her death from lung cancer in 1974. Her last book, My Lord John, was published posthumously in 1975. A very private woman, she rarely reached out to the public to discuss her works or personal life. Her work included Regency romances, mysteries and historical fiction. Known as the Queen of Regency romance, Heyer was legendary for her research, historical accuracy and her extraordinary plots and characterizations. She was married to George Ronald Rougier, a barrister, and they had one son, Richard.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1402238800
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sourcebooks Casablanca (April 1, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781402238802
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1402238802
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 1 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 5,801 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
5,801 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the humor in the book delightful and entertaining. They describe the story as captivating, complex, and engaging with many twists and turns. The book is described as lovely and escapist. Readers appreciate the well-developed characters and their distinct voices. The writing style is described as beautiful and clean.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

112 customers mention "Humor"112 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor. They describe the dialogue as witty and realistic, making the story enjoyable. The characters are described as lovable and the plot is complex.

"...But, like Austen, she also weaves in societal commentary, witty banter, satirical dialogue, and a strong FMC—it almost feels like an ode to Pride &..." Read more

"I truly enjoyed this book and found it to be a more complete type of romance novel than several of Ms. Heyer's books in this genre...." Read more

"...Therein lies the plot and some good humor. The details of life in Regency England seem very right and detailed to me...." Read more

"...The plotting is taut, the dialogue sparkling and the humour deft...." Read more

104 customers mention "Plot"89 positive15 negative

Customers find the plot engaging and complex. They appreciate the elegant structure and careful development of the story. The premise is promising, with many twists and turns. Readers praise the narrations as splendid, evoking emotions and personalities. They find the book to be a more complete romance novel than several of Ms. Heyer's other works. The plot moves quickly, never dull, and the characters are well-developed.

"...acting wouldn’t be doing him justice, and his narrations in this story superbly evoke the emotions, personalities, and growth of several characters...." Read more

"I truly enjoyed this book and found it to be a more complete type of romance novel than several of Ms. Heyer's books in this genre...." Read more

"...The plotting is taut, the dialogue sparkling and the humour deft...." Read more

"...This story was captivating and kept my attention all the way through...." Read more

88 customers mention "Character development"75 positive13 negative

Customers enjoy the engaging characters and their distinct voices in the book. They appreciate the author's skill in creating well-crafted characters with a frank personality. The heroine is described as fun and the hero is charming.

"...and his narrations in this story superbly evoke the emotions, personalities, and growth of several characters...." Read more

"...Some likable supporting characters help the book immensely, and the obligatory fool for comic relief doesn’t become annoying by being too present." Read more

"...romance theme which appear in the sparkling, unique and artfully defined personalities and situations of the heroines and the twists and turns they..." Read more

""Sylvester" has everything an old-fashioned Regency novel needs: a dashing hero, a sparrow of a heroine who transforms into a swan, runaways, evil..." Read more

88 customers mention "Readability"88 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it an engaging, Jane Austen-style novel with a loyal groom and self-centered beauty. The book is well-written and worth reading. Readers appreciate Richard Armitage's reading.

"...develops the main characters throughout the story with all the glitz, glamor, drama, and intrigue of the ton that one would expect of the time and..." Read more

"...You must read to find out all the details. Great book with some great minor characters such as the redoubtable Tom...." Read more

"...As for formatting, spelling and grammar, the book was written at a time when such things were considered not only important but also indispensable...." Read more

"...Phoebe is not the usual Heyer heroine, who is beautiful, rich, and accomplished; Phoebe is smart and funny but plain, yet she is unimpressed with..." Read more

22 customers mention "Voice quality"17 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the voice quality of the book. They find the dialogue interesting and praise the narration as good. The author's use of language is also appreciated.

"...to Sylvester was the audiobook version, narrated by the impeccable Richard Armitage...." Read more

"...Heyer made all the more delightful because of Armitage's gifted voice characterizations...rather like radio drama,..." Read more

"...well as his acting ability--and it really highlights just how seductive his voice is...." Read more

"...that Armitage is far more than a 'pretty face' and is a marvelous voice/character actor as well." Read more

22 customers mention "Writing style"22 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's writing style. They find it clean, with quaint language and good interpretation of that. Readers praise the humor, engaging plot twists, and well-drawn characters. The descriptions of their thoughts are brilliant.

"...In a nutshell, this novel (which clocks in at <400 pages) is well-written, funny, and has so much more to offer that isn’t covered in this review...." Read more

"...I love the fact that Heyer is too knowledgeable to toss around titles like so many American Regencies, and is very aware of just how high Sylvester..." Read more

"...is very much GH, but after the scene at the Inn, the writing was vastly different than usual and very well flushed-out...." Read more

"...The supporting cast of characters is diverse and well drawn, from an unruly six-year-old (who seems like he should be a four-year-old to me) to the..." Read more

16 customers mention "Historical detail"16 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the historical detail and lifelike characters in the book. They find it a great story for that era, with an insight into a world long gone. The attention to period details and settings transports readers back in time as though they were telling.

"...they are character driven with colorful, historically accurate details of the society & customs of the times...." Read more

"...Heyer is at her best when presenting history...." Read more

"...the comedy and farce perfectly done, and the rich, period detail of her settings...." Read more

"...as entertainment they do sweep me back to the 19th century and the Regency period as they are intended to do...." Read more

14 customers mention "Pacing"12 positive2 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing. They find it diverting, with delightful humor and an engaging story that keeps their attention throughout. The characters are described as realistic, flawed human beings who suffer and grow through the story. While some readers mention a slow start, they find the book enjoyable and recommend it highly.

"“She’s abominable, and damnably hot at hand, frank to a fault, and—a darling!”..." Read more

"...Furthermore, the hero and heroine are realistic, flawed human beings who suffer and grow through the course of the novel and every secondary..." Read more

"...This story was captivating and kept my attention all the way through...." Read more

"...Both Sylvester and Phoebe are stubborn, difficult characters. I liked Phoebe's efforts to avoid marriage and the entirety of their interactions...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2024
    “She’s abominable, and damnably hot at hand, frank to a fault, and—a darling!”

    Have you ever read a book that feels obscure but sticks with you so much that you’d recommend it to anyone in the hopes that at least one more person might experience the joy it brings you?

    If you’re a fan of Jane Austen/the Brontë sisters and haven’t yet read Sylvester, or the Wicked Uncle by Georgette Heyer, you’re missing out.

    Heyer, who was a hybrid regency romance/detective writer, was inspired by Jane Austen, and penned many beloved romance stories—Arabella, Frederica, Cotillion, and The Grand Sophy, to name a few. In my opinion, Sylvester is less known and underrated; a hybrid romance/historical fiction gem.

    It’s a story that perfectly exemplifies the benefit of reading what speaks to you, regardless of whether it’s the newest or most popular book.

    My introduction to Sylvester was the audiobook version, narrated by the impeccable Richard Armitage. To say he’s incredibly talented at all sorts of acting wouldn’t be doing him justice, and his narrations in this story superbly evoke the emotions, personalities, and growth of several characters. Although, he could read a pizza menu and it would be worth listening to…but I digress.

    Since then, Sylvester has been my go-to read; I listen to it several times per year, sometimes playing in the background while doing other things, and read it on my phone in waiting rooms. It’s also refreshing in between more intense, hefty, complex stories.

    Heyer develops the main characters throughout the story with all the glitz, glamor, drama, and intrigue of the ton that one would expect of the time and setting. But, like Austen, she also weaves in societal commentary, witty banter, satirical dialogue, and a strong FMC—it almost feels like an ode to Pride & Prejudice.

    Without giving too much away, here’s are my favorite elements about this novel:

    “...no more beauty than could be found in a pair of clear gray eyes, which could certainly twinkle with mischief, but which more frequently held a look of scared apprehension.”

    Main character. Phoebe is awkward, plain, and intelligent. Although she doesn’t realize she’s strong at first, she is. Once she’s free of her stepmother’s abusive control (Cinderella vibes, anyone?), she comes to life and becomes unafraid of who she is. Also, her best friend is a man, Tom, who is her age and with no romantic interest on either side—an interesting and effective writing choice in this case!

    “If he had not wished to figure as a villain in a romance, he should not have had satanic eyebrows.”

    Book-within-a-book. The biggest conflict in the story is the fact that Phoebe becomes a published author of a popular novel that’s essentially a caricature of Sylvester and his family. She didn’t have all the details when she wrote it, and the inspiration came solely from seeing his defined eyebrows from afar. Consequences abound for multiple characters and, as the publication of the book unfolds, so does the story we read with them.

    “Don’t grow too civil, will you? But I need not ask that; you won’t!”

    Humanistic love story. Tense glances and one kiss at the end is the extent of spice in this story, but let’s be real—we wouldn’t want it any other way in a regency tale, would we? The warm and fuzzy yet very real qualities of Phoebe and Sylvester’s story never get old. They come to appreciate the personality of the other, with a splash of enemies-to-lovers thrown in. They’re very quickly honest with each other, to the point where they have in-depth discussions about the extent of their flaws (in a very Elizabeth and Darcy/Jane and Edward way). Communication is the key to any successful relationship in real life, and Heyer brings that to light.

    In a nutshell, this novel (which clocks in at <400 pages) is well-written, funny, and has so much more to offer that isn’t covered in this review. If you’re looking for a feel-good read that isn’t solely romance, Sylvester may be right for you!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2014
    I truly enjoyed this book and found it to be a more complete type of romance novel than several of Ms. Heyer's books in this genre. In fact, when compared to some of her other books, the H/h actually get quite a bit of time together which allows the reader to more fully understand the development of their relationship.

    Sylvester - Duke of Salford, has the responsibility for the family, including a sister-in-law, Ianthe, who has a strong dislike of Sylvester, in part due to the fact Sylvester was named as the guardian of her son, Edmund, when Edmund's father and Sylvester's twin brother, Harry, passed. When Ianthe decides to get married to a wealthy fop, Sylvester makes it plain she will not be taking Edmund to live with her. Edmund will be raised by Sylvester who has also decided it is time to pick a wife of his own. He tells his mama, to whom he is very close, that he has narrowed his list to five ladies. But... when he is telling her about the five, she realizes he has no notion of marrying for love and asks him to consider one other young lady - the daughter of a deceased friend - Miss Phoebe Marlow. When Sylvester visits his godmother, she gives him the same advice - she wants him to consider her own granddaughter, Phoebe Marlow, who she describes as a girl "not in the common way" - whatever that means.

    Very soon, Sylvester finds himself on his way to the home of the Marlow family to check out the uncommon Phoebe. Sylvester is unaware that Phoebe's kinda wicked stepmother has informed Phoebe, Sylvester is on his way to make her an offer of marriage - which is in fact, not true. Sylvester is only coming to check her out. Phoebe goes into a panic. She has her own agenda and it doesn't include Sylvester. In fact, she has a book very ready to be published and the object of her book is a certain Count Ugolino whose facial features and arrogant personality are based on Sylvester's. It seems Phoebe had a London Season where she met Sylvester - actually danced with him, but later, at Almack's, Sylvester gave her no recognition to even acknowledge that he had ever met her. This, and other attributes of Sylvester's have all contributed to Phoebe taking note that he is arrogant beyond belief. In fact, he has unusual eyebrows that point up toward his temples, giving him the look of a satyr and, as a matter of fact so does the fictional Count Ugolino. Since Phoebe desires to get away from her stepmother, she hopes to make enough money from the publishing of her books to set up her own household with the help of her governess.

    Once Sylvester meets the Marlow family he can't believe he let himself be rooked into visiting them for a week. He is not impressed with Phoebe - she has no looks or personality to recommend her, her parents are boring to the extreme and the weather is such, he may be stuck for the full week. Phoebe never shows her best when she is in the presence of her stepmother, so Sylvester isn't seeing the true Phoebe, who is indeed quite a firecracker. Not realizing Sylvester has no intention of asking for her hand, Phoebe is in quite a taking when she believes, that if her parents have their way, she will soon be married to Sylvester and when he finds out about the book, she will be in quite the pickle. So, Phoebe prevails upon her best friend, Tom, son of the local squire, to help her run away. There is a huge snow storm and they do not get very far.

    When Tom's mother arrives at the Marlowe home to tell the family Tom and Phoebe are on the run, everyone assumes they have run away to be married. Sylvester is glad to be out of the Marlow home, gives the family his regrets and begins to make his way back home to London in the heavy snow. Along the way, he finds Tom's curricle wrecked, Tom and Phoeble are at a small country inn, Tom is laid up with a broken leg, Phoebe is stuck without a chaperone and everyone is snowbound. This gives all the primary characters the opportunity to become acquainted and very shortly "firecracker" Phoebe is taking Sylvester to task for his arrogance. Sylvester is dumbfounded and yet, begins to learn some unpleasant truths about his character even while Phoebe learns that although Sylvester is arrogant, there is much that is admirable about him.

    Eventually, all wind up in London where Phoebe is staying with her grandmother and where Phoebe continues to try to keep her book from becoming published even as her relationship with Sylvester continues to make progress. When Phoebe finds out Sylvester's life has even more similarities to Count Ugolino than she was aware of - such as both having a nephew, she begins to panic for in spite of all her efforts to keep the book from being published, it is a done deal.

    Once the book is out, Phoebe's worst fears are realized because everyone recognizes the arrogant Sylvester and his eyebrows as the Count Ugolino. It is time for Phoebe to pay the piper. All things begin to collide even as Ianthe decides take matters into her own hands regarding Edmund. Faithful Tom is there to help his friend Phoebe in all her trials and tribulations. Sylvester is learning that perhaps his personality does need a makeover in a few areas. But, has Count Ugolino done too much damage? Can Phoebe and Sylvester make it past all the hurdles life is throwing them? You must read to find out all the details. Great book with some great minor characters such as the redoubtable Tom. I often find Ms. Heyer's minor characters' personalities to be more riveting than the main characters. She does particularly well with the young men such as Tom.
    7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 14, 2024
    Georgette Heyer is the Jane Austen of the twentieth century! She lights the way for every aspiring romance writer but none can compare. I've read all of her books countless times over six decades. She's my my comfort read and a part of my life that will remain until I am no longer here. I recommend all of her books. Her wit alone makes her characters endearing and her clever stories enchanting.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sylvester
    Reviewed in Australia on January 1, 2025
    This is the first book my cousin gave to me when I was 12 or so , I have loved Georgette Heyer books from the first time I rode into her wonderful regency and slightly earlier books. Her description of the times, also the wonderful language and humour has made me a lifetime fan❤️
  • Kindle Customerdr.s.varalakshmi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome as always...... All new writes not a patch...
    Reviewed in India on April 5, 2017
    Awesome.... All new writers .. Not a patch..Jeter understood the period didn't Dimpy read a host book and write... Her sensitivity to a social sensibility is spot on
  • Léa
    5.0 out of 5 stars De l'esprit
    Reviewed in France on January 31, 2017
    Je viens de découvrir Georgette Heyer. Les dialogues me font rire. J'aime l'esprit. J'ai donc commandé plusieurs titres. Parfois, les situations ou les personnages me rappelent Jane Austen que j'ai lu il y a longtemps. L'écriture est différente et la trame également mais je ne boude pas mon plaisir.
  • susana pliego
    4.0 out of 5 stars Delightful!
    Reviewed in Mexico on September 18, 2016
    This story about Silvester and his quest to know his future bride is a quick, delightful read, very recommendable and a must for every romantic novel lover.