Heyer obviously had extensive knowledge of the Regency period in English history. Her books are full of the kind of details that tell you the author was as much an historian as she is a brilliant fictional novelist. She included much trivia that you wouldn't generally find in a history book, the little things that make the culture of the time - like the name for a ladies maid was an Abigail, which we now use as a girl's name. These little authentic details make the books and show how much the author cares about what she writes.
The Grand Sophy has the most assertive heroine yet. Nothing gets between Sophy and what she believes is the right thing to do - and woe betide anyone who tries. But what can be expected from a girl raised by a father who preferred her not to be missish, able to handle her own gun, to ride at a neck or nothing rate and thought dragging her around Europe on his consulate missions, surrounded by soldiers during the Napoleonic war, was a good environment to raise a child - and he was right. Sophy is just majestic. She is lively, caring, intelligent and courageous. Sophy is everything I'd want to be if I lived in the Regency period.
Sophy is my absolute favourite Heyer book. The character's are lovelorn, grumpy, annoying and often hilarious. What can you say to a Marquesa who thinks it perfectly polite to suggest that her luncheon guests join her in the sitting room for a little siesta or the poet who forgets the world when his muse whispers to him and the Lord who thinks everyone wants to know every detail of his last cold and what his mother treated it with? Nothing. You can only laugh. Heyer is at her wittiest in this book. The characters are just endearing even though you wouldn't like to meet some of them and Sophy handles them all with skill. She would have made a brilliant tactician - Sophy moves people around like a King leading troops into battle.
