The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

 

- from http://www.mackenzilee.com/the-gentlemans-guide-to-vice-and-virtue

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lee, Mackenzi. 2017. THE GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE. Coulson, Christian, (Narrator). New York: HarperAudio. 

2. PLOT SUMMARY
A privileged, young British rascal, Henry Montague, sets out on a tour of the European continent with his best friend and his younger sister. Because of Henry’s indiscretions, the trio find themselves destitute and on the run. Along the way, they will experience new challenges, both internally and externally. Henry will be forced to grow up or lose his most precious confidantes. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The audio recording of this book is a work of art! The narrator, Coulson, does an extraordinary job with all of the different accents and voices. Listening to the story was very enjoyable and entertaining.

The story of The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue is somewhat unique. The bisexual perspective of the omniscient first person narrator was a new perspective for me. I am grateful for the glimpse into another’s life experience. Sadly, the 1700s was not a time of acceptance or approval for those outside of the mainstream. All three of Lee’s main characters, Monty, Percy, and Felicity all represent “minority” populations. 

Monty is not only condemned, but he is also abused for his sexual identity and behavior. Percy is judged and mistreated for having African heritage and darker skin. Felicity is excluded and oppressed for being female, at a time when women were considered to be the lesser and weaker sex. Although they are marginalized by society, the three find affirmation in each other.  

Lee’s descriptive language adds depth and detail to the story.  In Chapter 20, Monty says, “Desperation is a strange soil.” This is just one example of her use of figurative language. She also uses biblical allusions, like the story of Lazarus,  and symbolism, like the mother’s heart being a panacea.

4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Audie Award nominee for Best Male Narrator 2018

Booklist starred, April 2017

Horn Book Guide, October 2017

Horn Book Magazine, May 2017

Kirkus Reviews starred, March 2017: “The book’s exquisite, bygone meter and vernacular sit comfortably on a contemporary shelf. And the friction of racism, tyrannical entitled politicians, and misguided disapproval of homosexuality also have a relevance rooted in current culture’s xeno- and homophobia. Austen, Wilde, and Indiana Jones converge in this deliciously anachronistic bonbon.”

Publishers Weekly starred, April 2017

School Library Journal starred, March 2017: “This is a witty, romantic, and exceedingly smart look at discovering one's place in the world. VERDICT A stunning powerhouse of a story for every collection.”

Stonewall Honor Book, 2018

5. CONNECTIONS
*This YA novel gives a unique historical perspective of a European experience.  It could be compared and contrasted with Anatomy: a love story, by Dana Schwartz or I must betray you, by Ruta Sepetys in the same genre.

*In a Humanities class or Sociology class, this book could be a great addition to exploring different sexualities or gender identities. Other YA books that could be helpful in that same vein are Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz, The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater, or We deserve monuments by Jas Hammonds.