The Duke and I by Juilia Quinn | Berg’s Book Club

Book cover to Bridgeron's first book: The Duke and I. Features Simon and Daphne close together in a picturesque landscape.

Book Title: Bridgerton: The Duke and I
Book Author: Julia Quinn
Series No.: Book #1
Genre: Historical Romance
First Published: 2000

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I recently read The Duke and I the first book in Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series. This historical romance novel has gained renewed popularity thanks to the hit Netflix series. It was the series that drew me to the book with the intriguing characters that reside at Bridgerton House.

I’ve had a terrible year this year, so not really been in the mood to read heavy, descriptive books. Most of this book is dialogue and character action reactions, which made it a quick read. With the help of Spotify’s audiobook service, I was able to read and listen to it simultaneously with a speed that I liked.

Before you start to read this review, I want to give a trigger warning that one section of this review addresses. That is sexual assault. If you would rather skip that section, it will be clearly labelled.

Synopsis of The Duke and I

Daphne Bridgerton—the fourth child of eight, and the eldest daughter—has been out in society for two years without a suitable match. Paraded at balls by her mother and introduced to every available bachelor, Daphne holds out for the man she could envision as her husband and father of her children but most are dimwits or not interested in her.

Simon Basset, the new Duke of Hastings, intends to shun marriage, society and children to spite his late father. Society’s mothers do not care about his wishes when they have unmarried daughters. He forms a plan with his best friend’s sister, Daphne, to fake a courtship so that men take interest in her and mothers leave Simon alone. But feigning love is a dangerous act.

Setting and Worldbuilding

Julia Quinn introduces us elegant world of Regency London, where balls, promenades, and social gatherings are the norms. I particularly like Whistledown’s columns at the begining of each chapter. They act as a summary of what is about to befall the characters.

Normally, I like more description so that I can visualise the surroundings. While there were some descriptions, these were mostly reserved for the characters movements towards other characters. The bob of a head, the hands at a throat. The most descriptive setting, I think, was on the boat. However it works to keep the book light… and I think that’s common in romances? I don’t usually read romance, I do read historical fiction though, which tends to be heavy in the descriptive.

Also, a description of say… a grandfather clock… wouldn’t really have added to the seats. Each description meant something. It wasn’t there just because. It served a purpose. And I liked that.

Narrational Style in The Duke and I

The narrative of The Duke and I is told in third person close omniscient. It shifts between Daphne, the Duke and occasionally Violet and Colin, depending on what the scene calls for. This allows the readers to understand the motivations of the protagonists, the thoughts of the other characters, and creates a close bond with them in a setting where the characters have no choice to be refined and typical British with the “stiff upper lift”. A sentiment the characters struggle to do in private but are able to mask in public.

Quinn’s writing is light and humorous, filled with witty banter and playful interactions that add charm to the story. For the better part of 24 hours @sophieabel96 had to listen to me say how great the book is, and that is because the most entertaining part of it is the dialogue. And the book is about 80% dialogue… or something like that, dialogue heavy anyways. But the wit, the attitude of the characters. It was great! I loved it.

Unaddressed issue of Sexual Assault

I do have one issue with the book and that is what Daphne does to Simon. It’s a small but important scene. She learns that Simon’s spent ‘seed’ on the sheets are what women need to become pregnant and challenges him about this. When Simon explains why he doesn’t want children, she is understandably upset and decides to set her bedchambers elsewhere in the home, feeling tricked.

Simon comes home drunk, trying to get Daphne to show him affection (but still not wanting his ‘seed’ in her womb). While he is in his drunk and unconscious state, Daphne takes advantage, ensuring that he completes intercourse with her. She raped him.

In 1813, it would be seen as impossible for a man to be raped. It would also be seen as impossible for the woman to be raped by her husband. Something that is addressed in the book when Simon points out that he—as the husband—could make Daphne obey and complete her marital duties (have sex) and Daphne tells him she knows he wouldn’t. This refers to the marital vows that a woman should always obey her husband. Simon admits he’d never force Daphne, even if he is legally allowed to.

200 years later and we no longer expect marital couples to have sex just because their partner demands it, regardless of gender. And an intoxicated person cannot give consent, especially when they’re almost unconscious because of it. Simon couldn’t give consent. He was drunk and practically passed out.

Simon’s reaction

Simon is rightfully angry, but for the wrong reason. He is angry because Daphne’s act has caused him to stammer again. I feel this downplays what happens and his anger should have been more because of her violation, even if he cannot outright call it sexual assault because of the time-period.

What Quinn did manage to show though was that Simon blamed himself for Daphne’s act. He hadn’t told her no until the last minute and told her to continue. Anyone who has been through this would know that the body and the mind act different during the assault. The body acts the best way it knows even if the mind doesn’t want it. This can cause victims to blame themselves.

However, I feel that Simon’s anger towards the stammer takes away from this. Had his anger been directed at the violation, this may have come across more clearly. I just feel its important in modern books to let readers know it happens, they’re not alone, but make it clear what it is. Heck, even if he felt numb, hurt, confused… something about it, other than being angry that he stammered—or if the anger was used to mask his other feelings, it would have been something.

Characterisation

The characters have rich dialogue which shows who each one are. The rich dialogue, I believe, is needed over action. These characters have to act in a certain way, always on performance. This is shown more so when they are away from observing eyes and the Bridgerton family have fun. The youngest flicking peas, or each sibling talking over the other at the table.

Daphne Bridgerton

Daphne starts off naïve, not knowing anything about sexual acts. When she starts feigning courtship with the duke, her sexual impulses take over her and she lures him into a secluded garden area where Simon almost caves into his own impulses. She is saved by her eldest brother but this also potentially foreshadows Daphne’s aforementioned act later on. She is stubborn and she knows what she wants and will make sure she gets it.

She’s described as kind, but on reflection, I’m not sure she is. The epilogue suggests that she grows and stops manipulating, but even so… I’m not sure I can root for her. If she makes an appearance in the rest of the series, we may see.

Simon Basset

Simon is a complex character with a troubled past that affects his life. I’ve been there and made vows of my own—like not trying substances that can be addictive. However, Simon’s vows see him miserable, insuring that his father wins. That was something his wife was correct about. The best way for Simon to win is to be happy despite his father. If that is marriage and a children, he shouldn’t hold out just because it would hurt his dead father.

I think Quinn managed this really well, and I do like Simon. His empty threat to Daphne was a flaw, but I’m glad he didn’t go through with it. Part of me does wonder if Simon is coded autistic as stereotypically, those on the spectrum have been seen to be great at maths (check), delayed speech (check), high level of comprehension (check). We may never know, and he may not be but it was a thought that crossed my mind when reading.

Final thoughts

I liked the book and would read the others. Judging by how close the series stayed with Daphne and Simon’s story, I don’t think we’re going to get any more instances of sexual assault. Although, I do know that there have been some changes in the series but that is to be expected. I think, I went into this book wanting to see more of Eloise and Penelope than I did too. I guess Netflix drew out the characters more in the TV series so it didn’t seem too self-centred on the main characters of that season, so I am looking forward to getting to their stories. Anthony is next.

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