Episode Notes Find us on Instagram: @4evershelfmates Episode 2: Historical Fiction The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee We’re in favor of supporting independent bookstores! If you don’t know your local indie, check out this link if you want to get your own copy of The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue from a website that supports all indies. Alternatively, here is a link directly to the publisher’s website with other options to purchase your own copy.

A few things:

A rake is a common character archetype in historical novels, especially in historical romance novels of (usually) a man who is carefree, and sometimes careless, in his thoughts and actions. Especially in the romantic sense. Here’s a great article written by Sarah MacLean, famous romance author, about “the rake” as it relates to the Netflix series, Bridgerton, which prominently features a rake.

British aristocracy is really confusing. So many titles and ranks, and the whole etiquette system is based on where you rank. This article gives a good general explanation of the aristocracy.

The gardens of Versailles are extensive and beautiful. Take a look here for the gardens so you can truly understand where Monty’s pivotal scene occurred.

The Duke of Bourbon was a real person. He was the prime minister to King Louis XV.

Japanese puzzle boxes are amazing and must have been the inspiration for Matheu Robles’ puzzle box containing the key to the alchemical heart.

Epilepsy really was considered a serious psychiatric disorder in the time of this book. This article’s abstract gives a great summary of the history of epilepsy and some of the treatments for epilepsy that were tried on people like Percy during this time.

Alchemy had three major purposes. Matheu Robles was clearly most interested in the Philosopher’s Stone. However, there’s controversy about the legacy of alchemy.

Pirates and privateers. Basically the same thing. One important difference though, the pirates run from the law. The privateers run from the pirates.

Venice is sinking so it is entirely (sort of) possible for an island in the lagoon to have sunk.

There are more books in this series focusing on different characters in this book. Felicity’s book is called The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy, there’s a short novella about Monty and Percy after the events of this book called The Gentleman’s Guide to Getting Lucky and there is a third book in the series based on the third Montague sibling - who’s just a baby in this book - The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandals and Shipwrecks.

Want to talk more about this book? Come find us on Instagram @4evershelfmates and tell us what you thought of this book.

Join us next time when we change genre and discuss Cheryl’s classics selection, Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie.

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