Dear Reader,
The Work of Art just shot onto my all-time favorite stories list, and I’m picking up more of Mimi Matthews as quickly as I can.
The Work of Art is a Regency romance, a sub-genre I’d never heard of until a writer friend enlightened me. Regency romances are set during the period of the British Regency (1811-1820) and have distinct style and plot characteristics. True “traditional” Regency romances pay close attention to historical detail and include very little explicit sex.
“I’m in,” I told my friend. “So what are your favorites?”
She rattled off more titles and authors than I could note at once.
“Okay, slow down,” I said. “Which book do you think best represents the genre? Which one should I read first?”
And here we are, loving Mimi Matthews’s The Work of Art—and looking for more stories like it!
A short synopsis of The Work of Art:
In rural Devonshire, Phyllida Satterthwaite has always been considered more odd-looking than beautiful. But in London, she’s caught the eye of the Duke of Moreland—a notorious art collector obsessed with acquiring one-of-a-kind treasures.
Grievously injured in the Peninsular War, Captain Arthur Heywood can no longer walk unaided, let alone shoot a pistol. He has nothing to offer a damsel in distress except his good name.
I read this hard-to-put-down book on a long weekend and even found myself re-scheduling my activities so I could get back to the book faster. (And about a third of the way in, I was already stressing over the fact that this wonderful story would eventually have to end.)
“This is one of the best stories I’ve read in a long time,” I sighed to my husband mid-way through. “I mean, this story is so good.”
Our heroine Phyllida, or “Philly,” inspires everyone around her to be better. She’s caring and compassionate toward every living thing in her path. She trusts and believes the best about people. She’s intelligent and quick-thinking, diplomatic and subtle, sophisticated and grounded.
Our hero Arthur Heywood is tall, handsome, and quiet. (What’s the old expression? Still waters run deep?)
Readers get to experience the unfolding romance through both Philly’s and Arthur’s points of view.
Every sentence, even every detail, is delightful and important. Plus, this story includes a pack of lovable dogs! They leap into the opening scene and stay present throughout the entire story. Consider the book’s opening lines, which take place in the moments just before Captain Heywood first makes Phyllida’s acquaintance:
Captain Arthur Heywood had never seen such an ill-mannered assortment of canines in his life. The three mongrels burst into the library, galloping past the maid as she exited the room after serving the gentlemen their tea. She moved to evade the largest dog—some manner of deranged wolfhound—only to lose her balance and drop the tea tray. It fell to the marble floor with a resounding crash.
The gentlemen in the library leapt to their feet. The Earl of Edgeworth bellowed in outrage. Viscount Darly grabbed the wolfhound by the scruff of its neck. And their host, the renowned financier Mr. Edgar Townsend, shouted for assistance from behind the safety of his enormous mahogany desk.
Only Arthur remained seated …
(Spoiler alert: Captain Arthur Heywood is going to fall fast and hard for Phyllida Satterthwaite—and her dogs!)
Reader, I’d love to know what you think of this lovely story. And if you know of other great traditional Regency romances, send them my way, please!
Here with you,
Laura
(An update: Since writing this review, I’ve read another book by Mimi Matthews! Read my review of The Lost Letter.)