The Reluctant Widow Group Read May 2018 Chapters 1-10

[Susan in NC]

Elza wrote: "Teresa, I wanted to add my condolences on the loss of your mother. Praying for peace and comfort for you as you grieve. I can only add that after losing my mother, reading was an escape that helped..."

Me, too! It helped that my mother was such an avid reader, I felt closer to her.

[Susan in NC]

Teresa wrote: "Thank you so much Elza. The comments here are helping me a lot. I've picked up some light reading at the moment. Not in the mood for anything I have to concentrate on. But yes, books do help."

Dear Teresa, I’m glad you are finding some solace - some days are better than others, I would think.

[Teresa]

Definitely Susan. Yesterday for some reason was very bad but today is a little better. Hope you're keeping well Susan.

[QNPoohBear]

I am rereading this for the second time. It was my first Heyer back in 2008. I am reading The Reluctant Widow the second American edition again. It's not my favorite. The misunderstanding at the beginning makes sense and yet it doesn't. Why didn't Elinor reply "Yes, I'm the new governess." I know... we wouldn't have a story if she had! The atmosphere so far is oppressive and gloomy. I remember not being a huge fan of this book but liking it enough to try another.

[Nick]

QNPoohBear wrote: "y favorite. The misunderstanding at the beginning makes sense and yet it doesn't. Why didn't Elinor reply "Yes, I'm the new governess." I know... we wouldn't have a story if she had!"

Yes, I find that scene very funny but it does require some suspension of disbelief! Especially as you'd expected these well-mannered gentlefolk to begin by introducing themselves!

[QNPoohBear]

Even Uber drivers ask if you're "first name" and you say yes before they let you in the car, even though they can see your GPS on your phone. In the days before IDs, I'd want to double check to make sure I was in the right place. I get anxious about that kind of thing but Elinor assumed, being the only woman at the coaching stop, she was the one they wanted. Only Georgette Heyer could do that introduction to the manor house scene like that and not make it overbearingly gothic.

[Amy]

I feel like this book more than many other GH books asks us to check our disbelief at page one. If you don't then you just can't enjoy the story much because there's so many unbelievable things going on throughout.

[Susan in Perthshire]

Amy wrote: "I feel like this book more than many other GH books asks us to check our disbelief at page one. If you don't then you just can't enjoy the story much because there's so many unbelievable things goi..."

What an interesting take on TRW. It's not a view I share at all but interesting to find someone who views TRW in that way.
As her take on a gothic mystery romance, I think TRW is far more believable and entertaining than most gothic novels. I certainly have no problem engaging in the story from the very beginning right to the last page. I don’t think Heyer strains our credulity: her skill is in taking a mundane situation and transforming it to a totally entertaining and fun journey with Elinor. I loved it!
However, if you feel the plot needs ‘suspension of disbelief’ from page 1 - then clearly it is not for you. That’s a shame. It is one of my absolute favourites and I enjoy it every time I re-read it, so I am sad that you don’t - but after all, we can’t all like the same books - it would be dead boring if we did! 😊

[Amy]

Susan in Perthshire wrote: "However, if you feel the plot needs ‘suspension of disbelief’ from page 1 - then clearly it is not for you. That’s a shame."

You might have missed my comments earlier on. My first reading was a two star read, this time I enjoyed it much more and feel it's a four star book.

I've moved my response to the spoiler thread for this comment.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[QNPoohBear]

Elinor is not in a position to be looking a gift horse in the mouth. It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single lady not in possession of any money is not going to find her life getting any easier. While I wouldn't want the dreary, dusty house or the family drama, a groom that dies right after the wedding is a blessing!

[Critterbee❇]

QNPoohBear wrote: "...a groom that dies right after the wedding is a blessing! "

In Elinor's case, it certainly was a blessing!

[Nick]

Has anybody read Wedlock: How Georgian Britain's Worst Husband Met His Match? I wonder if Heyer had ever heard of the story.
Mary Eleanor Bowes was tricked into marrying a fortune hunter who pretended a duel in her honour, pretended to be shot in said duel, got a fake doctor to confirm that he was dying, and then persuaded Mary his dying wish was to marry her. After the marriage he made a miraculous recovery and ran through her entire fortune. The blurb makes it sound like an adventure but it's actually a pretty miserable story. Anyway, it just made me wonder if Heyer had thought, 'What if the awful husband didn't survive?' and went from there.

[Abigail]

Wow, that’s a pretty deep depth of sociopathy! Definitely a candidate for castration, that one.

[Critterbee❇]

Nick wrote: "Has anybody read Wedlock: How Georgian Britain's Worst Husband Met His Match? I wonder if Heyer had ever heard of the story.
Mary Eleanor Bowes was tricked into marrying a fortune hu..."

Oh that steams me - I want to know how he met his match! I want a HEA for Mary, sans cad!

[Critterbee❇]

And score - My Library has it! Hold placed. I can not wait to see how he meets his match!

[Nick]

I hope you find it interesting!

[QNPoohBear]

Oh Elinor! Always ASK first how the estate is situated before you say yes! I think I still would have said yes. An impecunious WIDOW has more advantages than a penniless spinster and it's clear Carylon won't let Elinor starve. He's high handed for sure but he's pressed for time before Eustace dies intestate. He keeps showing he has Elinor's best interests at heart though his original motive was selfish.

I love Einor's sarcasting sense of humor and how she handles her nighttime adventures!

Nicky is such a puppy! I think he has ADD. He reminds me of my 5 year old nephew who will be just like that when he's older. Thank goodness he won't have access to bears!

[Critterbee❇]

I think grown-boys-not-quite-men were encouraged to be rough and tumble back then. GH did seem to like them, as she always wrote admiringly of young male scamps like Nicky.

[Susan in Perthshire]

I think it’s very clear she liked adolescent boys like Nicky - but I think she did a much better job with Felix and Jessamy in Frederica. Nicky behaves like a 10 year old not an 18 year old and whilst there are some amusing incidents with him - it is pretty much a one-note performance. Elinor’s ironic comments sail right above his head!! In contrast- Jessamy is a much more nuanced character imho.

[Critterbee❇]

I agreee, Jessamy is much more nuanced - with the inner boy fighting the soon-to-be-man.

[Susan in NC]

Abigail wrote: "Wow, that’s a pretty deep depth of sociopathy! Definitely a candidate for castration, that one."

LOL! Agreed.

[Susan in NC]

Interesting- checked my library and it’s titled: “wedlock : the true story of the disastrous marriage and remarkable divorce of Mary Eleanor Bowes, Countess of Strathmore “, and it’s non-fiction. Same author, though!

[Susan in NC]

QNPoohBear wrote: "Oh Elinor! Always ASK first how the estate is situated before you say yes! I think I still would have said yes. An impecunious WIDOW has more advantages than a penniless spinster and it's clear Car..."

Hah! Yes, boy-men should be profited from access to bears at all costs - your nephew sounds like a doll!

[Susan in NC]

Susan in Perthshire wrote: "I think it’s very clear she liked adolescent boys like Nicky - but I think she did a much better job with Felix and Jessamy in Frederica. Nicky behaves like a 10 year old not an 18 year old and whi..."

Have to say, I agree - one note performance sums it up perfectly! Having raised a boy, albeit a more reserved one, I think you hit it in the nose, Nicky is entertaining at first but as the book goes on, he just seems “off”, as in fun, but not quite realistic.

[QNPoohBear]

Nicky and the bear could be taken from War & Peace. The beginning of the novel is filled with frat boy antics involving a bear. What Nicky did is a bit more harmless than what Pierre does in War & Peace. So far, up through Ch. 10, Nicky lightens the tone of the novel. He's energetic and eager to help- he just needs to grow up a bit.

If I were Elinor, I'd make Carylon put up the money to refurbish the estate and sell that thing ASAP! It was his idea in the first place for her to marry his erstwhile cousin. I do think he means to do that anyway.

I have completely forgotten the plot of this novel. I was surprised by the late night adventure. I have no memory of that or what happens next. I'm trying to read slowly and stay more engaged this time.

[Hana]

QNPoohBear, you've given me a good reason to get started on War and Peace. I have it in my physical TBR pile--the size has me daunted but if you promise me frat boy antics I'll go for it ;)

[Hana]

Nick wrote: "Has anybody read Wedlock: How Georgian Britain's Worst Husband Met His Match? I wonder if Heyer had ever heard of the story.
..."

What a tale, Nick. I bet GH did know the story.

[Hana]

I'm going to jump to Nicky's defense here. He's very fast to catch on to the darker goings on and shows his pure courage on more than one occasion. He even (view spoiler)[figures out the secret of the hidden staircase and guesses that French spying is involved. (hide spoiler)]

[Nick]

Byron had a bear as well, when he was studying at Cambridge. He wanted to bring his dog, but was told dogs weren't allowed, so he brought a bear instead because there were no rules against bears.

[Susan in Perthshire]

Hana wrote: "I'm going to jump to Nicky's defense here. He's very fast to catch on to the darker goings on and shows his pure courage on more than one occasion. He even [spoilers removed]"
Sorry Hanna, but I have to disagree. He thinks it’s all a game and a lark and a bit of fun. He seems impervious to both the dangerous realities that abound and Elinor’s justifiable fears about the situations that keep occurring! . Courage, to me, is understanding the dangers and risks and yet still proceeding. Nicky never seems to actually appreciate the real dangers and risks and he seriously underestimates the villain’s potential for danger and damage. He does not see him as worth fearing so he is not being courageous when he is prepared to challenge him. I would add however that I am sure he would be brave if he actually understood the risks - he is not without courage and imagination but I don’t think he has any real empathy.

[Hana]

A good point, Susan. I suspect this is one of those time travel things.

His closest brother was serving in the Peninsular war. Courage was more a physical thing for young men in those days: Into the valley of death road the 600"

[Hana]

Nick wrote: "Byron had a bear as well, when he was studying at Cambridge. He wanted to bring his dog, but was told dogs weren't allowed, so he brought a bear instead because there were no rules against bears."

Lol! It's a bit later than the time-setting of this book but I sort of fell in love with Oxford's William Buckland whose household menagerie reportedly included a trained eagle who went to Sunday services with wings outspread.

[QNPoohBear]

Nicky is a typical young adult. He thinks he's indestructible and life is grand. Every time I'm out I see students Nicky's age crossing the street without looking! He hasn't ever been exposed to danger or a darker side of life. Ned protects Nicky a lot and I doubt Harry is writing home about how war is h---. How many of Heyer's brother characters are dying for a "pair of colors?" They want to rush into war without understanding the consequences or reality.