Update: 12/29/2020
Consensus: No!!
I thought my favorite sister-in-law gave me her set of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton books to shut me up.
Last summer, I complained to her that there wasn’t a single romance book at the beach house but I couldn’t scrounge around for cheap beach reads at the secondhand stores. And I asked her, How long do I have to quarantine used books for Coronavirus?
By “beach reads,” I meant those paperbacks that could be stuffed in the beach bag along with the sunscreen lotion, raffia hat, water bottle, and five pounds of sand. I didn’t want to spend $8 on ONE romance book (which would eventually be sandy all over) when my Viki ANNUAL subscription was less than $100.
That wouldn’t make sense to any frugal Bitch.
I thought she’d forgotten all about our phone conversation till a package arrived last week. It contained 10 romance books and a very personal note that read, “Merry Christmas! From my collection so they’re Covid-free.”
My reaction in a gif:
lol. I didn’t know that there was a Netflix series on the Bridgertons till @nrllee brought it up! My sister-in-law must have seen the promotions and decided to whet my interest me in the books, too.
Anyway, let’s watch the series. I’ll read the book first but you can go ahead and comment about the shows. @Janey said the first season covers only the book, “The Duke and I,” so I don’t need to cram 10 books by this weekend.
Wait— what? The book is 400+ pages long. How were they able to stretch that into 8 episodes?
Now, I have a thank-you card to write to my favorite sister-in-law.
I’ve read the books years ago when they were first being released one by one and don’t remember the finer details, bit definitely remember enjoying the humor and Julia Quinn’s writing, especially in the first few books. After that, the series kind of got repetitive and I got bored. Hope you enjoy the first book, @packmule3. I personally like the second book more, and Colin’s book (3rd or 4th). Benedict, the middle brother, is kind of meh..so I skipped that. Lady Whistledown is super funny though.
Will comment here on the Netflix series once I’ve had a chance to see it, hopefully in the next 2-3 days.
I saw the photo of the series and while the period costume got me interested, the write-up mentioning the gratuitous risque scenes deflated the interest.
If it comes to slightly risque, then I may watch “Lovestruck in the City” which is styled as a reality show-docu/mocku-mentary on dating. The protagonists are actually asked questions about sex, but I imagine they will be more tasteful about answering with dialogue and/or demonstration.
Bridgerton!!! Hahaaha I saw the Netflix thumbnail last night. I am holding to watch it. Bridgerton books are my all-time favorite collection. Recent group reading on the books has got me re-thinking the pros and cons from each books. My favorite among the Bridgerton are Colin and Hyacinth and of course Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton, Violet Bridgerton. My number one favorite character is Lady Whistledown, the lady behind London’s most scandalous society pages. Yes, Pheonix she is super sassy and funny and sarcastic!
The Duke and I had issues @packmule3… My book reading friends have raised some of it. I am curious to know your take on it. 🙂 So, when are we gonna watch this?
I’ve finished the series and I absolutely love how it felt to be immersed in a novel I found my self smiling feeling all the emotions and ending waiting for the next sequel. I even got the first book to read to go back to the world haha it does get risqué but I liked the risk it took to make it so plus Daphne and Simon won me over for their passion. As well as the friendship. I can’t wait for season 2 hope you enjoy it. (There are some questionable moments that are to be debated but overall I really appreciated the series)
@miracle23 Thanks to you😊, I suddenly remembered which other book besides Anthony’s and Colin’s books I liked – it was Hyacinth’s book, It’s in his kiss…was it book 7 or 8..don’t remember! I doubt they will get as far as that in the TV series.
Yay, the peaches are taking this series on! I read the Bridgertons years ago and had to wrack my memory on the storyline. Too bad I left all the books in my home country. Now I’m tempted to buy the books (again) so I can re-read. I believe the books will always be superior to the adaptations, even if they stretch the 1st book to a 6 hr series (8 eps, 45 mins per). 😊
I love the diversity twist of the adaptation! It was a bold move but apparently has some historical roots as basis for the fictional
license taken. And the discussions on consent triggered by the story will always be welcomed discourse in this day and age.
And can I say that Duke of Hastings actor was a great casting?! Swoon-worthy! 😉
Pre-Julia Quinn, I read myself out on Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances. I’ve moved on, but while I can’t see myself joining the peach basket for this series, I wish my blog colleagues all the enjoyment that can be derived from the doings of elite society in early 19th-century London.
How I’m missing my weekly meeting with The Uncanny Counter!
Indeed, the Duke of Hastings could not be more dashing!! Admittedly, he was a little selfish at times, but he’s witty, so thoughtful, and doesn’t have a single bad angle 😂 I couldn’t hold myself together when I watched their plea to the queen, for it was such a sincere and precious “proposal” 🥺💞
And might I add that I was smitten with how much of a gentlemen Prince Friedrich proved to be!
I watched the show on netflix on Friday, and finished it overnight lol. It was such a great show, and I must say, the introduction of the mixed races really made it more interesting. Especially the chemistry between the duke and Daphne was just perfect! Definitely gonna rewatch this again.
I must say it’s bit too steamy lol. I don’t think I could watch it with my friends. 😀 But in any case, it as nice to see my favorite regency genre on screen, and some of the familiar terms, like rake, duel, spinster (!), old maid, etc. I remember reading the first book Duke and I before. But I was curious about the 3rd brother Colin and Penelope’s story so I have started reading this book. I found it good so far, would be great if they make his chapter as well. Also it’s so refreshing when stories recognize the power of the common woman with her own voice, so for that, I think you might like reading this book as well.
I found the second brother Anthony very annoying tbh. That’s why I am not much looking forward to his story. Although I would love it more if ‘Duke and Daphne’s story continues. These two have such good chemistry! So it would be a pity if they are just there in the background.
But anyway loved the drama. And I am looking forward to Colin, Penelope and Eloise’s storyline. Eloise always brings some comedic relief to the story so it’s always fun to see her haha.
Read the books years ago, all but the last one I think. Halfway through ep1 I realised I’d indeed read the books as details came back to me and I kept getting a sense of deja vu.😂 If I remember correctly this book, Colin’s and Eloise were my favourites. There are a few steamy scenes in the show but the books were like that too. I just wish Hollywood would stop showing me the bare buttocks of men unprovoked lol.
Watched everything in one sitting on Christmas night. Didn’t realise how much of a jerk Anthony was in the books but he really annoyed me here. Duke Hastings is a very handsome man 🥰. After months of seeing fine Korean men, it was nice to see someone different.
Love the diversity of the cast, as someone pointed out the book says the Duke is “tall, dark and handsome” so Rege-Jean Page makes so much sense as the Duke. It’s also one of the few times I don’t feel like Hollywood is pandering just to tick a diversity box. Shonda Rhimes has always been good at having a diverse cast and making it work with the story. Also it was great to see faces I knew from random British TV shows.
I thought the acting was a little flat at times but it got better towards the ending, or I stopped noticing since it was 3am😂
It will be interesting to see how they continue with the series since each book focuses on someone new.
Won’t be joining you on this one. I started watching the series over the weekend and stopped at episode four. The sex scenes seemed gratuitous (maybe I feel that way after watching so many prim k-dramas, but I don’t understand why the men had to keep showing their backsides. Contractual obligation–like k-drama shower scenes?). And much of the dialogue was repetitive–for example, in the four episodes I saw, there were at least three scenes where Daphne’s younger sister sat on the swings in back of her house and smoked and made the same complaints about the constriction of women’s lives, with almost no difference in how she said.
I said to my spouse that this series seems like someone said, “You know what would be great–Downton Abbey with the f-word and nudity!”
I had started Korean Odyssey so I think I’ll go back to that. Cheerio!
Oh dear. I’m not interested in seeing male buttocks either. 😒
Thanks for taking one for the team, BethB.
Oh no! I’m not interested in seeing too much nudity either. Wondering if I should watch Lovestruck in the City instead😓
Oh no…I don’t want to see that either😑…. I will just focus on kdrama for now.
🙄… I might give it a miss too then. Not a fan of nudity in my period dramas.
😑 Oh no the best thing about period drama for me is the tension at the slight touch of hand, the restrain, the look.
The verdict?
It’s a “No.” We are NOT going to watch the series.
🙂 It’s quite telling that we’re watching Kdramas because they’re the antidote to the crazy, hyper-sexualized romance that American movie companies are churning for public consumption.
I saw the first few minutes of “Bridgerton” and sure enough, I was “mooned” by one of the male characters’ white cheeks. I guess he was one of the brothers, and he was a stud. Ugh.
I’m going to watch “True Beauty” Ep 5 again and stick to sweet romance.
Ha! I see I joined the party late… or maybe just on time to leave?. I watched episode 1 last night after finally catching a breath from all the COVID holiday craziness, and was appalled by the sex scenes right off the bat. Not only in contrast to Kdramas, but even most BBC adaptations (Sanditon excluded) which do not fall for the sex-hungry pressure of American television. Quite a shame. A good period piece is long overdue. I enjoyed Belgravia though, if anyone is looking for something to watch.