I'm a big fan of Georgette Heyer and belong to the Heyer list, an e-list for discussing Heyer's works. Recently, some of us came up with limericks based on Heyer's novels, and here they are. If you'd like to send in a limerick for the collection, please e-mail me.
From Liat Bearden -
There once was an author named Heyer
A born storyteller extraodinaire
Fifty two books she did pen
And a genre begin
Now her novels we all love to share
From Jan Jones -
There was a young man called Kit Fancot
Whose brother a bang on the head got
To save him from shame
Kit borrowed his name
But hand back the girl he would not!
From Karen Hore -
There once was a duke name of Avon
Who bumped into a girl well worth savin'
For her sake he chased
'Til her pa was disgraced
Then 'twas Avon was well worth the savin'
From Roger Burton West -
Mad Dominic, Marquis Vidal,
Killed his man without even a snarl;
But the bluestocking Mary
Thought him sulky, not scary,
And set out to improve his morale.
Deb Grantham, and aunt Lady Bell-
-ingham found themselves running a hell.
Max Ravenscar's bribe
Brought on Deb's diatribe...
Then she proved she was no Jezebel.
From Miranda Bell -
El Beauvallet ventured to Spain
Dominica's favour to gain.
As I hardly need say
His valet saved the day
And got them home safely again.
(That's the Joshua Dimmock account of the book, obviously.)
If your beau is as honest as day
In a rough-hewn, respectable way,
And you send him to Town
You may yet settle down
With a powdered and patched popinjay.
The sinister lady, Minerva,
Entreated Kate Malvern to serve her
But the end of her scheme
Was the wrong Love's Young Dream
When Philip had wooed Kate with fervour.
Miss Marlow completely mistook
The villain she put in her book
His brows gave her the grue
But she soon changed her view
Of the Duke with the saturnine look.
Enchanting young debutante Nell,
Brought Cardross right under her spell.
After grave complications
Caused by their relations
They found that all's well that ends well.
As Napoleon ramped around France
Lady Bab led her Colonel a dance.
She gave him a seat
At her gold-toenailed feet
While the rest of the Ton looked askance.
From Caitlin Henderson -
There was a young woman named Horry
Whose mother was put in a worry
But everything became cool
With the arrival of Rule
And now only Caroline's sorry!
There once was Dook named Sylvester
For Phoebe, his coming did test her
Ugolino's eyebrows
Caused them so many rows
He was smitten and then he Duchess'ed her!
Torquil's as mad as a hatter
Lady Broome says that it doesn't matter
"He'll have Kate for his bride - "
"He will not!" Phillip cried
"Just keep Torquil away from the water!"
From Jane Axelrod -
There was a young lady named Mary
Whom Vidal did so want to marry
He pleaded in vain
'till his father came
And now they are happily married
There once was a Man named St Vire
Who thought he had nothing to fear
Avon discovered his plot
Put paid on the dot
And rescued the girl on the spot!
From Sherrie Holmes -
A gamin young waif named Leonie
Brought a sexy old duke down on one knee
"I'm unworthy!" he cried
"But puh-leeze be my bride."
Ooh-la-la! Wedding night full of whoopee!
There once was a lass named Grand Sophy
Whose family was prim, dull, and mopey
She blew in like wind
Wreaked havoc within
Now Charles is all sappy and dopey
*Miss Wraxton was prim as a church mouse
Her prudishness 'ffected the whole house
Then Sophy arrived
A busy bee hive
And stole away Wraxton's "almost" spouse
*Charles tried oh so hard to resist
The fiery advance of Young Miss
But Young Miss swooped in
And said, "I claim him!"
Now Young Miss and Charles are in bliss
*The townsfolk were shocked and aghast
When chariot flew by them, and passed
For perched on the seat
Her reins held quite neat
Miss Sophy drove Bond Street so fast!
And here are my own
There was a grand girl name Sophia,
Whose relatives' love lives were dire,
She managed them well,
Into order they fell,
Now for Sophy dear Charles is on fire.
What a wonderful book is Cotillion,
But is Freddy just there to ride pillion?
Kitty thinks she wants Jack,
Then she wants Freddy back,
Because Freddy is one in a million.
Prue and Robin were wearing disguises,
Giving Letty and Tony surprises,
Once their father came home,
They no longer did roam,
But claimed Letty and Tony as prizes.
If you're a Heyer fan, you might like my Jane Austen retellings, Darcy's Diary and Mr Knightley's Diary
Darcy's Diary - Pride and Prejudice from Mr Darcy's point of view
Reviews
"Absolutely fascinating. Amanda Grange seems to have really got under Darcy's skin and retells the story, in diary form, with great feeling and sensitivity." - Historical Novel Society.
"Darcy’s Diary is an enjoyable journey into the mind of one of the most popular characters in literary history . . . a gift to a new generation of Darcy fans and a treat for existing fans as well." - Austenblog
"Written with charm, elegance and style, Amanda Grange's excellent re-telling of Pride and Prejudice, Darcy's Diary, will make you fall in love with Fitzwilliam Darcy once again!" - Single Titles
Available from any book shop, or from
To read some excerpts, click here and follow the links
Mr Knightley's Diary - Jane Austen's Emma from Mr Knightley's point of view
Release date 31 August 2006, available to preorder from Amazon
You can read an excerpt on Austenblog by clicking here
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