This review of Heyer’s first contemporary novel Instead of the Thorn, which praises her writing style, is from London’s Sporting Times (January 12, 1924).
Should Mother’s Tell?
It is pretty generally agreed in these days of advancement and progress that mothers should impart to their daughters at some time before marriage certain of the facts of life of which young women are popularly supposed to be ignorant. Miss Georgette Heyer apparently endeavours to support the agreement in her story Instead of the Thorn. The girl she portrays has not mother to instruct her, and the maiden aunt who adopts the maternal role adheres to the stupid convention of reticence. The result is that the girl Elizabeth goes to her bridegroom in a state of “innocence” – to use a much-abused word – and with no more knowledge of the ordeal she has to face than a child of ten possesses. The young husband proves to be a good sort, however, and though disaster comes early in their married life it proves to be temporary only and the broken course of true love is joined up again. Miss Heyer is somewhat stereotyped in plot and characterisation; but she can write. She needs to cultivate originality, and if she can do so will someday become a factor in popular fiction.
Related posts:
The Spanish Bride by Georgette Heyer, The Australian Women’s Weekly
The Great Roxhythe by Georgette Heyer, New York Times Book Review (1923)
Helen by Georgette Heyer, Times Literary Supplement (1928)
The Masqueraders by Georgette Heyer, New Statesman (1929)
Pastel by Georgette Heyer, Geraldton Guardian and Express (1929)
