Georgian Reading Challenge. The Right-Hand Man by K.M. Peyton

 This young adult novel tells a moving story of a friendship between men, as well as being a good tale packed with drama. I am not sure if I would have liked it as a teenager, though, because it is mostly fairly grim, and there isn't much romance in it. I liked some of her other books, though.

Peyton tells the story of young, hard-bitten Ned Rowlands who is tricked into becoming a coachman for Lord Ironminster, who lost his arm in an accident, and is ill with tuberculosis. His awful mother wants him to marry someone he finds completely unattractive, and his cousin is a rival for his inheritance, so Lord Ironminster has a lot of problems, but his determination to win a wager, and his love for a beautiful young woman keeps him motivated. At first, Ned is very angry with Ironminster, but he develops an admiration for the man's shining spirit, and although they come from different classes, they soon understand and like each other. 

Peyton captures the rough and ready atmosphere of the Georgian era, but she also writes well about its elegance and civility. The scenes in which Ned learns to box are well-done, and atmospheric. The addition of the famous Georgian character, 'Gentleman' Jackson to the book adds to the drama. However, there is a fair amount of 'blood and guts' here, so I found this part difficult to read!

This review is for Becky's Georgian Reading Challenge.