Our titular hero in Sylvester (Or, The Wicked Uncle) by Georgette Heyer (published 1957) has only one flaw: his monstrously large and memorable eyebrows. So although he’s a wealthy and kind gentleman and a caring uncle to his deceased twin’s son, it’s unfortunate that Phoebe Marlow used his most distinctive feature as the defining characteristic of her villain in the gothic romance novel she’s written. Thus when she meets the Duke of Salford in person for the first time, she can only think to run away.
The novel, which is in some places subtitled “The Wicked Uncle,” is very funny, since Sylvester himself does not know why Miss Marlow has taken such a fright of him. Yet, his kindness toward her only increases throughout the novel. Phoebe’s friend, the son of the neighborhood squire, is an amusing addition to the adventure as the three wind up stuck together.
The novel both makes fun of the romantic novel genre and provides a humorous commentary on Regency society as portrayed in such novels. It also has a sweet development of a relationship between a girl who really just wants to read and write novels and a gentleman who sincerely wants what is best for everyone. If I have any complaints it is that Sylvester seemed almost like a generic good guy. I won’t ever forget Phoebe’s feisty wit, but Sylvester himself is less memorable — except for those eyebrows.
