Virtues Vices: A Delectable Rondelet of Love and Lust in Edwardian Times by Grania Beckford

Virtues Vices: A Delectable Rondelet of Love and Lust in Edwardian Times Reviews

• 
  Sarah

  Truly terrible Persuasion retelling operating solely on shock value. Would not be published now.
• 
  Charles Inglin

  I'm not sure where I acquired this book. Possibly at a library book sale. I've had it on the shelf for years. Published in 1981, I suspect it's long forgotten, which is a shame because it's really a well done blend of satire and tasteful eroticism. The back cover contains a quote from "Grania Beckford".
  
  "The most erotic books are the worst novels, being self-indulgent, gratuitously dirty, or plotless. The best novels are the least erotic, since sex is apt to become an occasional and subordinate episode. What waits to be written is a very erotic book which is also a very good and original novel."
  
  I think Grania Beckford has largely succeeded with "Virtues and Vices. A word about Grania. It turns out that Grania Beckford is one of numerous pseudonyms of Roger Longrigg (1929 - 2000).
  
  Set in Somerset, Scotland and Nice in 1906, the story revolves around Sir Wilfred Elliot and his daughters Edwina, Angela, and Marigold, of an ancient name but dwindling fortune. Next in line for the baronetcy of Kellynch, the Elliot family seat, is distant and penniless cousin Wilberforce Elliot. The neighboring estate is owned by the wealthy and libidinous widow Lady Russell, who has a more than motherly interest in Angela. The other neighbors are the Musgroves, the family of a nouveau riche tradesman and his daughters Lucinda and Helena, son Christopher, who is married to Marigold, and their overly precocious son George. Rounding out the cast are Sir Wilfred's lawyer, Shepheard, and his protege, a former dancer and prostitute posing as his widowed daughter and looking to attach herself to the wealthy Elliots, confidence man "Captain" Kevin Wentworth, Lady Russell's lover who's using her for entre into the upper classes, and Wentworth's partners, "Major" Jack Harville and "Lieutenant" Dick Benton who, following Wentworth's lead, have targeted the Musgrove daughters.
  
  The story is told by each chapter being a narrative by a different character in which they reveal not only the action but their own characters. The writing is beautifully done, being tailored towards each character and having a strong Edwardian flavor. Clever and well done, and it all works out for the best in the end.