Discussion Guide for ROMANCING MR. BRIDGERTON
Discussion Guide for Bridgertons #4: Romancing Mister Bridgerton, by Julia Quinn; as presented at The First Meeting of The Can't Brain Today Book Club
Format Note: Question titles are in caps, followed by the questions themselves in normal text, with my responses in italics
NOT THE COLIN WE THOUGHT WE KNEW!!!!
In this book, we visit the interior world of Colin Bridgerton, which we have not seen previously. We find out that he is less angelic under the surface than we thought. What did you think of the flaws Quinn chose for him, and which flaws were they?
I thought his flaws were being ungrateful and jealous, but these were presented as virtues such as a longing for purpose and achiebement. Kinda like answering the "what's your biggest weakness?" job interview question with "I try too hard."
BOOK VS SHOW
What were some things that you liked better in the show?
The music!
What were some things you liked better in the books?
More time spent with characters, more detail, more direct explanation of the social hierarchy
What were some characters that you liked better in the show?
Eloise, that actress was very distinctive of face and manner.
What were some characters you liked better in the books?
Violet, she is funnier in the book.
(GASP) PRIVILEGE!
Does it make sense to have an issue with Regency romance characters' privilege?
No, I think they are supposed to be privileged, it is lifestlye porn in the same way Real Housewives is.
TRUE ROMANCE?
Does this book really fit into the Romance genre?
I don't see the series as romance so much as historical fiction. I don't think people read them for the love story so much as for the atmosphere.
THAT KISS
Did it bother you that Penelope initiated the kiss? Do you think gender has anything to do with that?
It does bother me, but I don't think it is about gender. My romances are same-gender and there is just more security in being asked than in asking.
THEN VS NOW
Do you think marriages in the Regency era were happy ones? Any era?
I don't think heterosexual marriages were very happy for women in any era.
LADY WHISTLEDOWN
What was your favorite Lady Whistledown passage?
"The ones we love have the power to inflict the greatest scars, for what thing is more fragile than the human heart."
WRITERS WRITING WRITERS WRITING AND TALKING ABOUT WRITING
Do you find it annoying when writers make writers of their characters? Is it done too often? Did Quinn do it well, with Colin and Penelope?
I don't find it very relatable and it seems like a cop-out. I do think too many do it.
CREATIVE COUPLES
Did you think Quinn's depiction of a creative couple was realistic?
I think it was too convenient that they are both apparently equally talented. That is not realistic, there
THE WRITING
What did you think? Did you see what I saw?
I was inspired to search the term "he ground out" because it was so oversued and it came up A BUNCH of times, I can't not notice it now and I doubt I'll read any more of this author's books.
THE NEXT GENERATION?
Who were some minor characters you would like to learn more about in future books or adaptations?
The one Smith-Smythe girl Penelope supported; and Hyacinth, because she turned out to be so impish and funny.
THAT ENDING
Did you like the ending? Why or why not?
I thought it ended very abruptly and the Eloise of it all was FAR too underdeveloped as a storyline.
NEXT BOOK
Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up, by Alexandra Potter
NEXT MEETING
4/20/2024 3:00 pm
NEXT MONTH
An Episode Under the Terror, by Honoré de Balzac; discussionon 2/17/2024 at 3:00 pm
